Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
22 July 1944
[No. 145]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky

The troops of the 1st Byelorussian Front today, 22 July, captured by storm the town and large railway junction of Kholm (Chelm) — an important strongpoint of the German defences in the Lublin direction.

In the fighting for the capture of the town of Kholm, distinction was earned by the troops of Lieutenant-General Kolpakchi, Major-General Volkov, Major-General Barinov, Major-General Moiseyevsky, Colonel Korsun, Major-General Martsinkevich; artillerymen of Major-General of Artillery Gorbunov, Colonel Efimov, Colonel Zabello, Colonel Ushakov, Colonel Znachenko; tankmen of Colonel Tikhonchuk, Lieutenant-Colonel Timchenko, Major Korshunov; airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Polynin, Major-General of Aviation Tokarev, Colonel Borisenko, Colonel Grashchenko, Colonel Kalinin, Lieutenant-Colonel Smirnov; sappers of Major-General of Technical Forces Shapiro, Colonel Svadkovsky; signallers of Colonel Makarov, Colonel Stupachenko, Lieutenant-Colonel [of State Security] Vakish.

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

Today, 22 July, at 22 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes the valiant troops of the 1st Byelorussian Front, who have captured the town of Kholm, 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 Kholm.

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

22 July 1944 [No. 145]