ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Govorov

To Army General Meretskov

The troops of the Leningrad Front, with the direct assistance of the troops of the Volkhov Front, having launched their offensive in the Mga direction, broke through the strongly fortified German defences and today, 21 January, captured the city and important railway junction of Mga — a powerful German defensive strongpoint.

In the breakthrough of the German defences and in the fighting for the city of Mga, the troops of Lieutenant-General Sviridov, Lieutenant-General Starikov, Major-General Paramzin, Major-General Absalyamov, Colonel Papchenko, Colonel Sokolov; the artillerymen of Major-General of Artillery Korobchenko and Major-General of Artillery Bezruk; and the tankmen of Colonel Kislitsyn distinguished themselves.

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

Today, 21 January, at 23 hours 30 minutes, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes our valiant troops who broke through the German defences and captured the city of Mga, 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 carried out the breakthrough and took part in the fighting for the city of Mga.

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 January 1944 [No. 62]