Order of the Day, September 9, 1943

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Rokossovsky Troops of the Central Front, continuing their sweeping offensive, forced the River Seym, and on September 6 liberated from the German invader the town of Konotop. Today, September 9, after two days of fierce fighting, our troops took by storm the town of Bakhmach, a most important railway junction, centre of enemy communications, and decisive enemy defence centre in the Kiev direction. In the fighting for the towns of Konotop and Bakhmach, troops under the command of Lt. General Chernyahovsky, Lt-General Bondarev, Major-General P.M. Kozlov and airmen under the command of Lt.-General of Aviation Rudenko, distinguished themselves, and especially the 132nd Infantry Division commanded by Major-General Shkrylev, the 143rd Infantry Division commanded by Colonel Lukin, the 280th Infantry Division commanded by Major-General Golosov, the 70th Guards Glukhov Infantry Division commanded by Major-General Gusev, the 75th Guards Infantry Division led by Major-General Gorishchnov, the 221st Air Bomber Division commanded by Colonel Buzylev, the 3rd Guards Light Artillery Brigade commanded by Lt. Colonel Zhigala, the 56th Guards Mortar Regiment commanded by Lt.-Colonel Shapovalov and the 65th Guards Mortar Regiment commanded by Major Pavlov.

In honour of the victory achieved, the formations and units which distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of the towns of Konotop and Bakhmach are to bear the names of Konotop and Bakhmach. The name of Konotop is to be conferred on the 143rd Infantry Division, the 280th Infantry Division, and the 65th Guards Mortar Regiment.

The name of Bakhmach is to be conferred on the 75th Guards Infantry Division, the 132nd Infantry Division, the 221st Air Bomber Division, the 3rd Guards Light Artillery Brigade, the 56th Guards Mortar Regiment. Henceforth these formations and units are to be known as: The 143rd Konotop Infantry Division; the 280th Konotop Infantry Division; the 65th Guards Konotop Mortar Regiment; the 75th Guards Bakhmach Infantry Division; the 132nd Bakhmach Infantry Division; the 221st Bakhmach Air Bomber Division; the 3rd Guards Bakhmach Light Artillery Brigade; the 56th Guards Bakhmach Mortar Regiment.

The 70th Guards Glukhov Infantry Division, which for the second time has distinguished itself in the fighting against the German invaders, is to be proposed for the award of the Order of the Red Banner.

To-day, September 9, at 20.00 hours Moscow time our capital, Moscow, in thename of our Motherland will salute with twelve artillery salvoes from 124 guns our glorious troops who have liberated Konotop and Bakhmach. For distinguished fighting, operations, I express my thanks to all the troops led by you who participated in the battles for Konotop and Bakhmach.

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

Stalin

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union