Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
24 February 1944
[No. 78]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Rokossovsky

Troops of the 1st Byelorussian Front, having forced the River Dnieper, pierced the strong German defence along a front of 50 kilometres, advanced forward over three days of offensive fighting by 20–25 kilometres, and today, 24 February, seized by storm the town and large railway station of Rogachev — an important strongpoint of the German defence in the Bobruisk direction.

In the fighting for the capture of the town of Rogachev, distinction was won by the troops of Lieutenant-General Gorbatov, Major-General Urbanovich, artillerymen of Lieutenant-General of Artillery Semyonov, tankmen of Lieutenant-Colonel Makarkin, Major Belyakov, airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Rudenko, and sappers of Colonel Voronov, Major Kozhin, and [Major] Shaforost.

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

Today, 24 February, at 22:00 hours the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, salutes the valiant troops of the 1st Byelorussian Front who captured the town of Rogachev 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 Rogachev.

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 February 1944 [No. 78]