Order of the Day, March 30, 1944

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

Troops of the First Ukrainian Front, developing their offensive, forced the river Pruth and captured by storm the Regional town of the Ukraine – Chernovitsy, an important economic and political centre of Northern Buko-vina, and a powerful strongpoint of the German defences on the river Pruth covering the approaches to the frontiers of Hungary and Rumania.

In the fighting for the capture of the town of Chernovitsy, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.- Gen. of Tank Troops Katukov, Maj.-Gen. Zamertsev and Maj.-Gen. Prokhorov; tankmen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Tank Troops Getman, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Dremov, Col. Morgunov, Lieut.-Col. Koshelev, Lieut.-Gol. Gusakovsky, Lieut.-Col. Boik and Lieut.-Col. Kochura; artillerymen commanded by Col. Vishnevsky and Col. Kamensky; sappers commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Blagosladov and Maj.-Gen. Kharchevin; and airmen commanded by Maj.-Gen, of Aviation Lakeyev, Col. Nechiporenko and Col. Fedulev.

To commemorate the victory the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Chernovitsy will be recommended for conferment of the name Chernovitsy and for award of orders.

Today, March 30, at 20.00 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 First Ukrainian Front which captured the town of Chernovitsy.

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