ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Rokossovsky

The troops of the Central Front, continuing their swift offensive, successfully forced the River Desna and, by a skilful outflanking manoeuvre, after three days of fierce fighting, today, 21 September, took by storm the regional centre of Ukraine, the city of Chernigov — the most important strongpoint of the German defences in the lower reaches of the River Desna.

Thus the German defences prepared along the western bank of the River Desna have been overcome by our troops along the entire length of that river, and the German plan to halt the advance of our troops on the line of the River Desna must be considered to have collapsed.

In the fighting to force the River Desna and for the capture of the city of Chernigov, the troops of Lieutenant-General Pukhov, Major-General Nechayev, Lieutenant-General Bondarev, and the airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Rudenko distinguished themselves.

Those who especially distinguished themselves were:

The 148th Rifle Division of Major-General Mishchenko, the 181st Order-of-Lenin Stalingrad Rifle Division of Major-General Sarayev, the 211th Rifle Division of Major-General Makhlinovsky, the 77th Guards Rifle Division of Major-General Askalepov, the 76th Guards Rifle Division of Major-General Kirsanov, the 16th Guards Cavalry Division of Colonel Belov, the 129th Tank Brigade of Colonel Petrushin, the 874th Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment of Lieutenant-Colonel Fyodorov, the 476th Mortar Regiment of Major Gladky, the 1287th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment of Lieutenant-Colonel Ostroglazov, the 2nd Guards Assault Aviation Division of Colonel Komarov.

To commemorate the victory won, the formations and units that distinguished themselves in the fighting to force the River Desna and for the liberation of the city of Chernigov — the 148th Rifle Division, the 211th Rifle Division, the 77th Guards Rifle Division, the 76th Guards Rifle Division, the 16th Guards Cavalry Division, the 129th Tank Brigade, the 874th Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment, the 476th Mortar Regiment, the 1287th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, and the 2nd Guards Assault Aviation Division — shall be awarded the designation "Chernigov."

Henceforth these formations and units shall be named:

148th Chernigov Rifle Division,

211th Chernigov Rifle Division,

77th Guards Chernigov Rifle Division,

76th Guards Chernigov Rifle Division,

16th Guards Chernigov Cavalry Division,

129th Chernigov Tank Brigade,

874th Chernigov Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment,

476th Chernigov Mortar Regiment,

1287th Chernigov Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment,

2nd Guards Chernigov Assault Aviation Division.

The 181st Order-of-Lenin Stalingrad Rifle Division, which has distinguished itself for the second time in fighting against the German invaders, shall 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 that distinguished themselves shall be recommended for the award of the Order of Suvorov.

Today, 21 September, at 21:00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes our valiant troops who successfully forced the River Desna and liberated the city of Chernigov, with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For excellent combat operations I declare my gratitude to all the troops under your command who took part in the fighting to force the River Desna and in the liberation of the city of Chernigov.

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

21 September 1943 [No. 20]