Order of the Day, April 13, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Tolbukhin Troops of the Fourth Ukrainian Front, developing their offensive, today, April 13, as a result of vigorous attacks by tank formations and infantry, captured the capital of the Crimea, Simferopol, main strongpoint of the enemy defences covering the roads to the ports on the south coast of the Crimean Peninsula.

In the fighting for the capture of Simferopol, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Kreizer, Maj.-Gen. Razuvayev, Maj.-Gen. Koshevoi, Maj.- Gen. Potapenko, Maj.-Gen. Bobrakov and Col. Rodionov; tankmen commanded by Col. Solovyev, Col. Potsoluyev, Col. Feshchenko, Col. Zhidkov, Lieut.-Col. Arkhipov, Lieut.-Col. Kromchenko, Lieut.-Col. Khrapovitsky and Maj. Nedelko; artillerymen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Telegin, Col. Kaplanov, Col. Vassilenko, Col. Pavlov, Col. Kalnichenko, Lieut.-Col. Yaromenko, Lieut.-Col. Matsiyevsky and Lieut.-Col. Vlasenko; signal troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Signals Troops Korolev and Col. Obanichev; sappers commanded by Col. Pavlov and Maj. Sychev; and airmen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Savitsky, Col. Geibo, Col. Karyakin, Col. Prutkov and Col. Sitkin.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of Simferopol will be recommended for conferment of the name Simferopol and for award of orders. Today, April 13, 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 Fourth Ukrainian Front which captured Simferopol.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all troops under your command which took part in the fighting for the liberation of Simferopol. Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in thestruggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland! Death to the German invaders!

J. Stalin

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief