Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
19 March 1944
[No. 88]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov

The troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, as a result of an enveloping manoeuvre and a frontal attack, today, 19 March, captured the town of Kremenets — a powerful natural fortress on the crest of the Kremenets Hills, reinforced by the Germans with a well-developed network of artificial defensive works.

Distinction in the fighting for the capture of Kremenets was won by the troops of Lieutenant-General Pukhov and Lieutenant-General Kiryukhin; the artillerymen of Major-General of Artillery Kubeyev and Colonel Sussky; the tankmen of Major-General of Tank Troops Korolev; and the airmen of Colonel-General of Aviation Krasovsky, Major-General of Aviation Galunov, and Colonel Lozhechnikov.

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

Today, 19 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 Kremenets, 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 Kremenets.

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

19 March 1944 [No. 88]