Order of the Day, August 18, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Marshal Koniev

Troops of the First Ukrainian Front, having forced the River Vistula in the Sandomir area, as a result of stubborn fighting advanced up to 50 kilometres, expanded the bridgehead they had captured on the western bank of the Vistula up to 120 kilometres along the front, and today, August 18, captured by storm the town of Sandomir, important German defence strongpoint on the left bank of the River Vistula.

In the fighting during the forcing of the Vistula and for the capture of the Sandomir bridgehead, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lt.-Gen. Pukhov, Lt.-Gen. Zhadov, Col.-Gen. Gordov, Maj.-Gen. Cherokmanov, Maj.-Gen. Onupriyenko, Maj.-Gen. Rodimtsev, Maj.-Gen. Puzikov, Maj.-Gen. Zakharov, Maj.-Gen Vekhin, Col. Belyayev, Maj.-Gen. Pankratov, Maj.-Gen. Krasnov, Col. Muratov, Maj.-Gen. Gladkov, Lt.-Col. Madetyan, Col. Samsonoy, Col. Kolobov, Maj.-Gen. Trofimov, Maj.-Gen. Baklanov, Maj.-Gen. Oleinikov, Maj.-Gen. Motov, Colk Skryganov, Maj.-Gen. Pichugin, Maj.-Gen Sukhanov, Col. Rusakov and Maj.-Gen. Antsiferov.

Artillerymen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Artillery Varentsov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Yarovoi, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Polosukhin, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Kubeyev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Dzevulsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Poluyektov, Col. Khussid, Lt.-Col. Tsessed Lt.-Col. Petrun, Col. Bassov, Col. Dobriansky, Col. Chevol, Lt.-Col. Korozin, Col. Rukosuyev, Col. Sussky and Col. Franchenko. Tankmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Tank Troops Novikov, Lt.-Gen. of Tank Troops Getman, Lt.-Gen. of Tank Troops Sukhov, Maj.-Gen. Dremov, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Novilov and Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Mitrofanov. Airmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Aviation Krasovsky, Lt.-Gen. of Aviation Ryazanov, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Agaltsov, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Baranchuk, Lt.- Col. Fetissov, Lt.-Col. of Aviation Zlatosvetov, Col. Ossadchi, Col. Kurochkin, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Utin, Col. Pokryshkin, Col. Machin, Col. Geibso and Col. Yuzeyev. Sappers commanded by Lt.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Galitsky, Col. Volodin, Col. Sokolov, Col. Gordyukov, Col. Salaokhov and Col. Bodolynny. Signallers commanded by Lt.-Gen. of Signal Troops Bulychov, Maj.-Gen. of Signal Troops Akhremenko, Col. Bogomolov and Lt.- Col. Kostin.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the crossing of the Vistula and the capture of the Sandomir Ipgehead will be recommended for conferment of the names of Sandomir and Vistula and award of orders. Today, August 18, at 23.00 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 valient troops of the First Ukrainian Front which forced the River Vistula and captured the Sandomir bridgehead. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which forced the Vistula and liberated Sandomir. 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