Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
24 March 1944
[No. 92]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov

The troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, having beaten off all enemy counter-attacks in the Tarnopol–Proskurov sector and worn down in these battles the counter-attacking German tank and infantry divisions, recently launched a surprise offensive against the enemy and broke through his front.

In four days of offensive engagements the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front advanced from 60 to 100 kilometres, captured the town and operationally important railway junction of Chertkov [Note 22], the town of Gusyatin, and the town and railway junction of Zaleshchiki on the River Dniester, and liberated more than 400 other populated places.

Distinction in the fighting during the breakthrough and for the capture of the towns of Chertkov, Gusyatin, and Zaleshchiki was won by the troops of Colonel-General Chernyakhovsky, Colonel-General Grechko, Lieutenant-General Zhuravlev, Colonel-General Moskalenko, Lieutenant-General Lyudnikov, Major-General Chuvakov, Major-General Zamertsev, Major-General Lazko, and Major-General Shmygo; the tankmen of Lieutenant-General of Tank Troops Katukov, Colonel-General Rybalko, Lieutenant-General Lelyushenko, Lieutenant-General of Tank Troops Getman, Major-General Dremov, Lieutenant-General of Tank Troops Panfilov, Major-General of Tank Troops Ivanov, Major-General of Tank Troops Malygin, and Lieutenant-General of Tank Troops Poluboyarov; the artillerymen of Colonel-General of Artillery Varentsov, Major-General of Artillery Brichenok, Major-General of Artillery Likhachev, Major-General of Artillery Volchek, Major-General of Artillery Sanko, and Colonel Razumovsky; and the airmen of Colonel-General of Aviation Krasovsky, Major-General of Aviation Galunov, Major-General of Aviation Golovnya, Major-General of Aviation Kamanin, Colonel Kotelnikov, Colonel Yuzeyev, and Captain Titorenko.

To commemorate the victory achieved, the formations and units that distinguished themselves most in the fighting during the breakthrough and for the liberation of the towns of Chertkov, Gusyatin, and Zaleshchiki shall be recommended for conferment of the designations "Chertkovksy," "Gusyatinsky," and "Zaleshchitsky" and for award of orders.

Today, 24 March, at 22.00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute the valiant troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, which broke through the German defences in the Tarnopol–Proskurov sector, with twenty artillery salvoes from two 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 breakthrough of the German defences.

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

24 March 1944 [No. 92]

NOTE

22 Liberated on 23 March 1944.