ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Popov

The troops of the Bryansk Front, continuing to develop their offensive, successfully forced the River Desna and today, September 17, by simultaneous strikes from the north and east, broke the enemy's resistance and captured the most important strongpoints of the German defences on the line of that river — the large industrial centres, the cities of Bryansk and Bezhitsa.

In the fighting for the cities of Bryansk and Bezhitsa, the 339th, 110th, 707th, 95th, 299th, and 134th German Infantry Divisions were routed.

Thus, as a result of a skilfully executed outflanking manoeuvre through difficult, forested, and marshy terrain, the troops of the Bryansk Front breached a second gap in the German defences along the River Desna.

In the fighting during the forcing of the River Desna and for the capture of the cities of Bryansk and Bezhitsa, the troops of Lieutenant-General Fedyuninsky and the airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Naumenko distinguished themselves.

The following particularly distinguished themselves:

the 197th Rifle Division of Lieutenant-Colonel Abashev, the 323rd Rifle Division of Colonel Ukrainets, the 4th Rifle Division of Colonel Vorobyev, the 273rd Rifle Division of Colonel Valyugin, the 3rd Guards Fighter Aviation Division of Colonel Ukhov, the 313th Night Short-Range Bomber Aviation Division of Colonel Voyevodin, the 277th Engineer Battalion of [Lieutenant-Colonel] Mamonov, the 140th Engineer-Sapper Battalion of Major Lisin, the 310th Guards Mortar Regiment of Lieutenant-Colonel Kovchur, the 74th Guards Mortar Regiment of Major Dzaridze.

In honour of the victory achieved, the designations listed below shall be awarded to the formations and units that distinguished themselves in the fighting during the forcing of the River Desna and for the liberation of the cities of Bryansk and Bezhitsa:

"Bryansk" —

197th Rifle Division,

323rd Rifle Division,

3rd Guards Fighter Aviation Division,

277th Engineer Battalion,

140th Engineer-Sapper Battalion;

"Bezhitsa" —

4th Rifle Division,

273rd Rifle Division,

313th Night Short-Range Bomber Aviation Division,

310th Guards Mortar Regiment,

74th Guards Mortar Regiment.

These formations and units shall henceforth be named:

197th Bryansk Rifle Division,

323rd Bryansk Rifle Division,

3rd Guards Bryansk Fighter Aviation Division,

277th Bryansk Engineer Battalion,

140th Bryansk Engineer-Sapper Battalion,

4th Bezhitsa Rifle Division,

273rd Bezhitsa Rifle Division,

313th Bezhitsa Night Short-Range Bomber Aviation Division,

310th Guards Bezhitsa Mortar Regiment,

74th Guards Bezhitsa Mortar Regiment.

For the successful forcing of the River Desna, the army commander, as well as the commanders of distinguished formations and units, shall be proposed for the award of the Order of Suvorov.

Today, September 17, at 21:30, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, salutes our valiant troops who successfully forced the River Desna and liberated the cities of Bryansk and Bezhitsa with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For the excellent combat operations, I declare my gratitude to all the troops under your command who participated in the fighting during the forcing of the River Desna and the liberation of the cities of Bryansk and Bezhitsa.

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!

Death to the German invaders!

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union I. STALIN

September 17, 1943 [No. 15]