Order of the Day, April 11, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Tolbukhin Troops of the Independent Maritime Army have launched an offensive, pierced the strongly fortified enemy defences on the Kerch Peninsula, and today, April 11, have captured the town and fortress of Kerch, an important strongpoint in the German defences on the eastern shores of the Crimea, and advanced about 30 kilometres westwards from Kerch.

In the fighting . for the breakthrough of the enemy defences and the capture of the town and fortress of Kerch, distinction was won by troops commanded by Maj.-Gen. Rozhdestvensky, Maj.-Gen. Shvarev and Maj.-Gen.

Provalov; artillerymen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Sokolosky and Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Degtyarev; tankmen commanded by Col. Dergunov, airmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Aviation Vershinin and Lieut.- Gen. of Aviation Yermachenko; sappers commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Pilipets; and sailors commanded by Rear-Admiral Gorshkov and Lieut.-Col. Yablonsky.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the breakthrough of the enemy defences and for the liberation of Kerch shall be recommended for the conferment of the name Kerch and for the award of orders. Today, April 11, at 22.00 hours (Moscow time), the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 20 artillery salvoes from 224 guns our gallant troops of the Independent Maritime Army which broke through the enemy defences and captured the town and fortress of Kerch.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the breakthrough of the enemy defences and in the fighting for the liberation of Kerch.

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland! Death to the German invaders!

J. Stalin

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief