Order of the Day, September 21, 1943

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Rokossovsky Our troops of the central front, continuing their vigorous offensive,, successfully forced the River Desna, and with a skilful outflanking manoeuvre, after three days' fighting, to-day, September 21, captured by storm the regional centre of the Ukraine, the town of Chernigov, a most important strongpoint of the German defences on the lower reaches of the River Desna.

Thus, the German defences prepared on the western banks of the River Desna have been overcome by our troops along the whole course of the river, and the plan of the Germans to stem the advance of our troops on _ the line of the River Desna must be considered to have failed. In the battles for the forcing of the River Desna and for the capture of the town of Chernigov, the troops under Lieutenant-General Pukhov, Major-Gerneral Nechayev, Lieutenant-General Bondarev and airmen under Lieutenant-General of Aviation Rudenko, distinguished themselves. The 148th Infantry Division (Major-General Mischenko), the 181st Stalingrad Infantry Division bearing the Order of Lenin (Major-General Sarayev), the 211th Infantry Division (Major-General Makhnevsky), the 77th Guards Infantry Divsion (Major-General Oskal-epov), the 76th Guards Infantry Division (Major-General Kirsanov), the 16th Guards Cavalry Division (Colonel Belov), the 129th Tank Brigade (Colonel Vatrushin), the 874th Antitank Artillery Regiment (Colonel Federov), the 476th Mortar Regiment (Major Gladky), the 1,287th A.A. Artillery Regiment (Colonel Ostroglazov), and the 2nd Guards Stormovik Aircraft Division (Colonel Komarov) particularly distinguished themselves. To commemorate the victory achieved, the formations and units which distinguished themselves in the battles for the forcing of the River Desna and the liberation of the town of Chernigov, namely, the 148th Infantry Division, the 211th Infantry Division, the 77th Guards Infantry Division, the 76th Guards Infantry Division, the 16th Guards Cavalry Division, the 129th Tank Brigade, the 874th Antitank Artillery Regiment, the 476th Mortar Regiment, the 1,287th A.A. Artillery Regiment and the 2nd Guards Stormovil Aircraft Division are to bear the name of Chernigov. Henceforth these formations and units are named the 148th Chernigov Infantry Division, the 211th Chernigov Infantry Division, the 77th Guards Chernigov Infantry Division, the 76th Guards Chernigov Infantry Division, the 16th Guards Chernigov Cavalry Division, the 129th Chernigov Tank Brigade, the 874th Chernigov Anti-tank Artillery Regiment, the 476th Chernigov Mortar Regiment, the 1,287th Chernigov A.A. Artillery Regiment, the 2nd Guards Chernigov Stormovik Aircraft Division. The 181st Stalingrad Infantry Division, bearing the Order of Lenin, which for the second time has distinguished itself in battle against the German invaders, will be recommended for the award of the Order of the Red Banner. For the successful forcing of the River Desna, the commanders of the formations and units which distinguished themselves will be recommended for the award of the Order of Suvorov.

To-day, September 21, at 21.00, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland will salute with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns our gallant troops which successfully forced the River Desna and liberated the town of Chernigov. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all troops under your command which took part in the fighting for the forcing of the River Desna and the liberation of the town of Chernigov. Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the fight for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!

Death to the German invaders!

J. V. Stalin

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union