Order of the Day, September 2, 1943

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Vatutin To-day, on September 2, our troops of the Voronezh front captured, in fighting, the important regional centre of the Ukraine, the town of Sumy.

In the offensive engagements for the liberation of the town of Sumy from the German invaders, troops under the command of Lieutenant General Chibissov distinguished themselves, particularly the 340th Infantry Division under the command of Colonel Zubarev, the 167th Infantry Division under Major-General Melnikov and the 232nd Infantry Division under the command of Major-General Ulitin. To commemorate the success achieved, the 340th, 167th, and 232nd Infantry Divisions shall be named "Sumy" Divisions and will be called in future the 340th Sumy Infantry Division, the 167th Sumy Infantry Division and the 232nd Sumy Infantry Division.

To-day, September 2, at 20.00 hours Moscow time, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, will, in the name of the Motherland, salute with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns the gallant troops which liberated the town of Sumy. I express my gratitude to all the troops commanded by you which participated in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Sumy, for their excellent military operations and valour.

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the fight for the freedom of our Motherland! Death to the German invaders! J. V. Stalin

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union