Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
8 February 1944
[No. 72]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Malinovsky

To Army General Tolbukhin

Troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, with flank support from troops of the 4th Ukrainian Front, developing their offensive, routed the German Nikopol grouping and today, 8 February, seized by storm the town of Nikopol — a large industrial centre of Ukraine.

In the fighting for the capture of the town of Nikopol, distinction was won by the troops of Colonel-General Chuykov, Lieutenant-General Shlemin, Lieutenant-General Lelyushenko, Major-General Kupriyanov, Major-General Glazunov, Major-General Karamyshev, Major-General Golosko, Major-General Afanasyev, Major-General Zdanovich, Major-General Sokolov, Major-General Vagin, Colonel Kamynin, Colonel Fomichenko, Lieutenant-Colonel Zavyalov, Lieutenant-Colonel Sklyarov, artillerymen of Lieutenant-General of Artillery Nedelin, Major-General of Artillery Levin, airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Sudets, Major-General of Aviation Tolstikov, Major-General of Aviation Shevchenko, and sappers of Major Zasimuk.

In commemoration of the victory achieved, the formations and units that particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Nikopol are to be submitted for the award of the honorific title "Nikopol" and for the award of orders.

Today, 8 February, at 21:00 hours the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, salutes our valiant troops who captured the town of Nikopol with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For excellent military operations I express my gratitude to all troops under your command who took part in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Nikopol.

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

8 February 1944 [No. 72]