Order of the Day, June 24, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Bagramyan Troops of the 1st Baltic Front, going over to the offensive, supported by massed blows from artillery and aircraft, broke through the strong and deeply echeloned German defences in the Vitebsk fortified area north-west of Vitebsk on a sector of 35 kilometres in length, and advanced in tv/o days of offensive fighting to a depth of 20 - 40 kilometres, widening the breakthrough to 80 kilometres along the front, and reaching the Western Dvina River on a 35 kilometre stretch.

In the fighting for the breakthrough of the German defences, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Chistyakov, Lieut.-Gen. Beloborodov, Lieut.- Gen. Vassilyev, Maj.-Gen. Ruchkin, Lieut.-Gen. Yermakov, Maj.-Gen.. Fedyunkin, Maj.-Gen. Lyukhtikov, Maj.- Gen. Khvostov, Maj.-Gen. Vlassov, Maj.-Gen. Chernikov, Maj.-Gen. Baksov, Maj.-Gen. Sivakov, Maj.-Gen. Rucheryavenko, Col. Shkurin, Col. Gnedin, Col. Lutskevich and Col. Chernous; artillerymen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Khlebnikov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Bazhnan,: Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Makarov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Shcheglov, Maj.-Gen.of Artillery Samborsky, Col. Stepanenko, Col. Mironov, Col. Melnikov and Lieut.-Col. Mikhailov; tankmen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Shornyakov,. Col. Podkovsky, Col. Sadovsky, Col. Kalinin and Col. Volkov; airmen commanded by Lieut.- Gen. of Aviation Papivin, Col. Tikhomir-ov, Col. Alexandrov, Col. Kurbatov and Maj. Martanyov; and sappers commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Kossarev, Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Kolmakov, Col. Kuchuruk and Col. Stechishin.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting will be recommended for conferment of the name Vitebsk and for the award of orders.

Today, June 24, at 22.30 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 Baltic Front which broke through the German defences.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all troops under your command which took part in the fightingfor the breakthrough of the enemy 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