ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Vatutin

The troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, having forced the River Sluch, yesterday, 11 January, took by storm the city of Sarny — a large railway junction and an important German defensive strongpoint in the Polesye direction.

In the fighting to capture the city of Sarny, the troops of Lieutenant-General Pukhov, Major-General Ivanov, and the artillerymen of Colonel Mikhailov distinguished themselves.

To commemorate the victory won, the formations and units that most distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of the city of Sarny shall be recommended for the award of the designation "Sarny" and for decoration with orders.

Today, 12 January, at 20:00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes our valiant troops who liberated the city of Sarny, 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 for the liberation of the city of Sarny.

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

12 January 1944 [No. 58]