Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
18 March 1944
[No. 87]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov

The troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front today, 18 March, as a result of two days of stubborn fighting, captured the operationally important railway junction and town of Zhmerinka.

Distinction in the fighting for the capture of Zhmerinka was won by the troops of Colonel-General Moskalenko and Lieutenant-General Golubovsky; the tankmen of Colonel Belyayev; the artillerymen of Major-General of Artillery Likhachev; and the airmen of Colonel-General of Aviation Krasovsky and Major-General of Aviation Kamanin.

To commemorate the victory achieved, the formations and units that distinguished themselves most in the fighting for the liberation of Zhmerinka shall be recommended for conferment of the designation "Zhmerinsky" and for award of orders.

Today, 18 March, at 21.00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute the valiant troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, which captured Zhmerinka, with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

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

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!

Death to the German invaders!

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union I. STALIN

18 March 1944 [No. 87]