Order of the Day, September 15, 1943

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Rokossovsky Troops of the central front continuing their offensive to-day, September 15, after two days of violent battles, captured the large railway junction and town of Nezhin, the most important strong point of the German defence on the road to Kiev.

In the fighting for Nezhin the troops commanded by Lieutenant-General Chernyakhovsky and Major-General P.M. Kozlov, Guards tankmen commanded by Lieutenant-General of tank troops Korchagin and airmen commanded . by Lieutenant-General of Aviation Rudenko distinguished themselves, and especially the 280th Konotop Infantry Division commanded by Major-General Gol-osov, the. 132nd Bakhmach Infantry Division commanded by Major-General Shkryler, the 24th Guards Mechanized Brigade commanded by Colonel Maximov, the 25th Guards Mechanized Brigade commanded by Colonel Artamonov, the 26th Guards Sevsk Mechanized Brigade commanded by Major-General Barinov, the 57th Guards Tank Brigade commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Silov, the 299th Assault Aircraft Division commanded by Colonel Krupskyi, and the 286th Fighter Aircraft Division commanded by Colonel Ivanov.

In honour of the victory achieved the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps, the 24th Guards Mechanized Brigade, the 25th Guards Mechanized Brigade, the 57th Guards Tank Brigade, the 299th Assault Aircraft Division and the 286th Fighter Aircraft Division, which distinguished themselves in the fighting for the town of Nezhin, are to bear the name of "Nezhin."

Henceforth these formations will be named the 7th Guards Nezhin' Mechanized Corps, the 24th Guards Nezhin Mechanized Brigade, the 25th Guards Nezhin Mechanized Brigade, the 57th Guards Nezhin Tank Brigade, the 299th Nezhin Assault Aircraft Division and the 286th Nezhin Fighter Aircraft Division. The 280th Konotop Infantry Division, the 132nd Bakhmach Infantry Division and the 26th Guards Sevsk Mechanized Brigade, which for the second time distinguished themselves in fighting against the German invaders, are to be proposed for the award of the Order of the Red Banner.

To-day, September 15, at 20.00 hours Moscow time the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland will salute our gallant troops which liberated the town of Nezhin, with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns.

For distinguished battle operations I express my thanks to all troops commanded by you which participated in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Nezhin. Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the fight for the freedom and independence of our Motherland. Death to the German invaders!

(Signed) Stalin

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union