Order of the Day, March 5, 1944

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

Troops of the First Ukrainian Front, commanded by Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov – in place of Army- Gen. Vatutin, owing to the latter's illness – on March 4, going over to the offensive, broke through the strong German defences along a front of about 180 kilometres, and in two days offensive engagements advanced from 25 - 50 kilometres.

In the course of the offensive, our troops routed four German tank divisions and eight infantry divisions, captured the town and large railway station of Izyaslavl and the towns of Shumsk, Yampol and Ostropol, and captured more than 500 other populated places, including Katrinburg, Vishgrudek, Teofipol, Bazilia, Kupel Lyakhovtsky, Belogorodka, Antoniny, Velikiye Matsevichi and Gordishche, and are fighting at the approaches to the railway station of Volochissk.

In the fighting, distinction was won by the troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Chernyakhovsky, Col.-Gen. Grechko, Lieut.-Gen. Pukhov and Lieut.-Gen. Zhuravlev; tankmen commanded by Col.-Gen. Rybalko and Lieut.- Gen. of Tank Troops Badanov; artillerymen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Artillery Varentsov and Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Korolkov; and airmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Aviation Krasovsky.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting will be recommended to bear the names of Shumsk, Izyaslavl, Yampol and Ostropol, and be awarded orders. Today, March 5, 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 gallant troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front which broke through the German defences.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the break-through of the German defences.

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