Order of the Day, January 21, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Govorov and Army General Meretskov The troops of the Leningrad front with the direct assistance of the troops of the Volkhov Front, have launched an offensive in the Mga direction, pierced the strongly fortified German defences and to-day, January 21, have captured the town and important railway junction of Mga, a powerful strongpoint of the German defensive. In the piercing of the German defences and in the fighting for the town of Mga, distinction was won by troops under Lieut.-General Sviridov, Lieut.-General Starikov, Maj.-General Paramzin, Maj.-General Absalyamov, Colonel Papchenko and ^Colonel Sokolov, artillerymen under Maj.-General of Artillery Korobchenko and Maj.-General of Artillery Berzuk, and tankmen under Colonel Kislitsin. To commemorate the victory the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting will be recommended to bear the name of Mga and decorated with orders. To-day, January 21, at 23-30 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns our gallant troops which broke through the German defence and captured the town of Mga.

For the excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which effected the breakthrough and which took part in the fighting for the town of Mga.

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

J. V. Stalin

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief