Order of the Day, April 15, 1944

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

Troops of the First Ukrainian Front, after stubborn street fighting, have completely captured the regional centre of the Ukraine, the town of Tarnopol, large railway junction and powerful strongpoint of the German defences in the Lvov direction.

In the fighting for the capture of Tarno-pol, distinction was won by troops commanded by Col.-Gen. Kurochkin, Lieut.-Gen. Lyudnikov, Maj.-Gen. Popov, Maj.-Gen. Mishchenko, Col. Ignachev, Col. Kucherenko, Col. Volkovich and Col. Lashchenko; artillerymen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Frolov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Volkinshtein, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Volchek, Col. Bogatyrev, Col. Dzevulsky, Col. Lyubimov, Col. Reutov, Col. Titenko, Col. Che-vola, Col. Belov and Lieut.-Col. Bazelenko; tankmen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Tank Troops Poluboyarov andMaj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Romanov; airmen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Kamanin, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Galunov, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Fedulyev and Col. Yuzeyev; and sappers commanded by Col. Serebryakov.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of Tarnopol will be recommended for conferment -of the name Tarnopol and for award of orders. Today, April 15, at 20.00 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 First Ukrainian Front which captured the town of Tarnopol.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the fighting for the liberation of Tarnopol. 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