Order of the Day, April 8, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Marshal of the Soviet Union Koniev

Troops of the Second Ukrainian Front have forced the River Pruth north of Jassy on a sector 170 kilometres long, broken through enemy defences and captured the towns of Doro-khai and Botoshany, and have also captured in fighting more than 150 other populated places. They pursued the enemy troops and reached the River Seret along a front of 85 kilometres.

In the fighting to break through the enemy defences and to cross the River Pruth, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Zhraachenko, Lieut.-Gen. Trofimenko, Lieut.-Gen. Koroteyev, Lieut.-Gen. Goryachev, Maj.-Gen. Martirosyan, Maj.-Gen. Bobrov, Maj.- Gen. Mikhailov, Maj.-Gen. Merkulov, Col. Karlov, Col. Gizatulin, Col. Konev, Col. Vronsky, Col. Umansky, Col. Kolesnikov and Col. Puteiko; tankmen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Barausov, Col. Styzhik and Col. Andreyev; artillerymen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Lebedev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Faustov and Gol. Mentyukov; airmen commanded by Col. Tara-nenko and Lieut.-Col. Shundrikov; and sappers commanded by Col. Petrov, Col. Ponemash, Col. Glezer, Col. Prokovsky and Col. Budarin.

To commemorate the victory the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting to break through nemy defences and cross the River Pruth, will be recommended for conferment of the name Pruth, and award of orders.

Today, April 8, at 21.00 hours (Moscow time) the capital of the Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 20 artillery salvoes from 224 guns our gallant troops of the Second Ukrainian Front which broke through the enemy defences and crossed the River Pruth. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the fighting to break through the enemy defences and cross the River Pruth.

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