Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
21 July 1944
[No. 144]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Colonel-General Maslennikov

The troops of the 3rd Baltic Front, as a result of a skilful outflanking manoeuvre combined with a frontal attack, today, 21 July, captured by storm the town of Ostrov — a large communications centre and powerful strongpoint of the German defences covering the routes to the central districts of the Baltic region.

In the fighting for the capture of Ostrov, distinction was earned by the troops of Lieutenant-General Romanovsky, Lieutenant-General Zakhvataev, Major-General Yegorov, Major-General Stepanenko, Major-General Kolchanov, Major-General Karapetyan, Major-General Shafarenko, Major-General Beloborodov, Colonel Mironenko; artillerymen of Colonel-General of Artillery Krasnopevtsev, Major-General of Artillery Kuteynikov, Colonel Leonov; tankmen of Major-General of Tank Forces Kolosov, Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Ivanovich, Lieutenant-Colonel Zhila, Lieutenant-Colonel Fedorov; airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Zhuravlev, Colonel Dodonov, Colonel Andreev, Colonel Polushko, Lieutenant-Colonel Podmogily, Lieutenant-Colonel Kulish; sappers of Major-General of Engineer Forces Kirchevsky, Major-General of Engineer Forces Chepurov, Colonel Sergeev; signallers of Major-General of Signal Forces Sinelnikov, Colonel Korplyakov, Colonel Sokolov, Major [of State Security] Kosobokow.

In commemoration of the victory won, the formations and units that have most distinguished themselves in the fighting for the capture of Ostrov are to be submitted for the conferral of the designation "Ostrov" and for decoration with orders.

Today, 21 July, at 22 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes the valiant troops of the 3rd Baltic Front, who have captured the town of Ostrov, with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For distinguished combat operations I declare my gratitude to the troops under your command who took part in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Ostrov.

Eternal memory 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

21 July 1944 [No. 144]