ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Govorov

The troops of the Leningrad Front, continuing their successful offensive, today, 24 January, as a result of a skilful outflanking manoeuvre and a swift frontal attack, captured the city of Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) and the city of Pavlovsk (Slutsk) — large railway junctions and powerful German defensive strongpoints.

In the fighting to capture the cities of Pushkin and Pavlovsk, the troops of Colonel-General Maslennikov, Major-General Khazov, Major-General Bunkov, Major-General Yastrebov, Colonel Vvedensky; the artillerymen of Major-General of Artillery Mikhalkin and Colonel Maslovsky; and the tankmen of Lieutenant-Colonel Grdzelishvili 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 designations "Pushkin" and "Pavlovsk" and for decoration with orders.

Today, 24 January, at 21:00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes our valiant troops who captured the cities of Pushkin and Pavlovsk, 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 cities of Pushkin and Pavlovsk.

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

24 January 1944 [No. 63]