Order of the Day, June 25, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Colonel General Zakharov

Troops of the Second Byelorussian Front, having forced the River Pronya west of the town of Mstislavl, supported by powerful blows from artillery and aircraft, have broken through the heavily fortified German defences covering the Mogilev direction on a sector 45 kilometres long and, in three days offensive engagements, have advanced about 30 kilometres, widening the breakthrough to 75 kilometres along the front.

In the course of the offensive, troops of the front captured the town of Chausy, a district centre of the Mogilev Region, and liberated more than 200 other places, including Chernevka, Zhdanovichi, Khonkovichi, Budino, Vaskovichi, Temrivichi and Bordninichi. In the fighting for the forcing of the River Pronya and the breakthrough of the German defences, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Grishin, Lieut.- Gen. Boldin, Maj.-Gen. Multan, Maj.-Gen. Terentyev, Maj.-Gen. Smirnov, Maj.-Gen. Gasparyan, Maj.- Gen. Kononenko, Maj.-Gen. Skrylev, Maj.-Gen. Kirillov, Maj.- Gen. Lazarenko, Maj.-Gen. Krasnoshtanov, Col. Yurin, Col. Slitz, Col. Artemyev, Col. Steiger, Col. Gusev and Maj. Nesterov.

Artillerymen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Sokolski, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Degtyarev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Razintsev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Pareshin, Col. Yershov, Col. Sokolenko, Col. Korolev, Col. Mikhno, Col. Zyablikov, Lieut.-Col. Akhtyrchenko and Lieut.-Col. Karasev.

Tankmen commanded by Col. Kotov, Col. Lukashev, Col. Tulovsky, Lieut.-Col. Mazikin and Maj. Korolev. Airmen commanded by Air Col.-Gen. Vershinin, Air Lieut.-Gen. Loginov, Air Lieut.-Gen. Georgiev, Col. Getman, Col. Smolovik, Col. Vuss, Col. Blinov, Col. Kozachenko and Lieut.-Col. Pokayeva. Sappers commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Blagoslavov, Col. Savelov, Col. Vizirov, Col. Dergunov, Col. Sokolov, Maj. Smyshlyayev, Maj. Petrov, Maj. Kanarchic and Maj. Shchetinnikov.

Signallers commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Signal Troops Navarchuk.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting will be recommended for the conferment of orders. Today, June 25, at 22.00 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 Second Byelorussian Front which forced the River Pronya and broke through the German defences in the Mogilev direction. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the fighting for the forcing of the River Pronya and 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