Order of the Day, March 26, 1944

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

Several days ago troops of the Second Ukrainian Front, continuing their vigorous offensive, forced the River Dniester on a front of 175 kilometres, captured the town and important railway junction of Byeltsy and, developing their offensive, reached our State frontier – the river Pruth – on a front of 85 kilometres.

In the fighting for the forcing of the Dniester, the capture of the town and railway junction of Byeltsy and the reaching of the State frontier, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Koroteyev, Lieut.-Gen. Trofimenko, Lieut.-Gen. Zhmachenko, Lieut.-Gen.

Managarov and Lieut.-Gen. Galanin; tankmen commanded by Lieut.-Gen.of Tank Troops Bogdanov, Marshal of Armoured Troops Rotmistrov and Lieut. Gen. of Tank Troops Kravchenko; artillerymen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Fomin; airmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Aviation Goryunov; and sappers commanded by Col. Glezer, Col. Ponimash, Col. Malnov and Col. Petrov. To commemorate the victory the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the forcing of the Dniester, the capture of Byeltsy and the reaching of the State frontier will be recommended to bear -the name of Dniester and to be awarded orders.

Today, March 26, at 21.00 hours (Moscow time), the capital of our Motherland., Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 24 artillery salvoes from 324 guns our gallant troops of the Second Ukrainian Front which forced.the Dniester and reached our State frontier. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the fighting for forcing the Dniester, capturing Byeltsy and reaching the State frontier.

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