Order of the Day, September 17, 1943

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Popov Continuing to develop the offensive, our troops of the Bryansk front successfully forced the Desna River, and today, September 17, with simultaneous blows from north and east, crushed enemy resistance and captured the most important German centres of resistance on this river, the big industrial towns of Bryansk and Bezhitsa. In the fighting for the towns of Bryansk and Bezhitsa, the 339th, 110th, 707th, 95th, 299th and 134th German Infantry Divisions were routed. Thus, as the result of a skilfully executed outflanking manoeuvre, effected in difficult wooded and swampy terrain, the troops of the Bryansk front forced a second breach in the German defences along the Desna River.

In the battles during the forcing of the River Desna and for the possession of the towns of Bryansk and Bezhitsa, the troops under Lieutenant-General Fedyuninsky and airmen under Lieutenant-General of Aviation Naumenko, distinguished themselvfes. In addition, the 197th Infantry Division under Lieutenant-Colonel bashev, the 323rd Infantry Division under Colonel Ukrainets, the 4th Infantry Division under Colonel Vorobyev, the 273rd Infantry Division under Colonel Valyugin, the 3rd Fighter Aircraft Guards Division under Colonel Uk-hov, the 313th Night Close Range Bomber Aircraft Division under Colonel Voyevodin, the 277th Engineers Battalion under Colonel Mamon-ov, the 140th Engineer-Sapper Battalion under Major Lisin, the 310th Guards Mortar Regiment under Lieutenant-Colonel Kovchur, the 74th Guards Mortar Regiment under Major Dzaridze particularly distinguished themselves. To honour the victory achieved the following names shall be conferred on the formations and units which distinguished themselves in the battle for the forcing of the Desna River and for the liberation of the towns of Bryansk and Bezhitsa: the name of Bryansk on the 197th Infantry Division, the 323rd Infantry Division, the 3rd Fighter Aircraft Guards Division, the 277th Engineers Battalion, the 140th Engineer-Sapper Battalion; the name of Bezhitsa on the 4th Infantry Division, the 273rd Infantry Division, 313th Night Close Range Bomber Aircraft Division, the 310th Guards Mortar Regiment, the 74th Guards Mortar Regiment. Henceforth these formations and units will be named: the 197th Bryansk Infantry Division, the 323rd Bryansk Infantry Guards Division, the 277th Bryansk Engineers Battalion, the 140th Bryansk Engineer-Sapper Battalion, the 4th Bezhitsa Infantry Division, the 273rd Bezhitsa Infantry Division, the 313th Bezhitsa Night Close Range Bomber Aircraft Division, the 310th Bezhitsa Guards Mortar Regiment, the 74th Bezhitsa Guards Mortar Regiment.

For their successful forcing of the Desna River, the Army Generals, and also commanders of formations and units which distinguished themselves, shall be recommended for the award of the Order of Suvorov. To-day, September 17, at 21.30, 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 Desna River and liberated the towns of Bryansk and Bezhitsa. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which participated in the fighting during the forcing of the Desna River and the liberation of the towns of Bryansk and Bezhitsa. 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