Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
14 August 1944
[No. 166]

ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Zakharov

The troops of the 2nd Byelorussian Front, continuing their offensive, today, 14 August, took by storm the city and fortress of Osovets — a powerful fortified German defensive area on the River Bobr, covering the approaches to the frontiers of East Prussia.

In the fighting for the capture of the city and fortress of Osovets, distinction was won by the troops of Colonel-General Boldin, Lieutenant-General Grishin, Major-General Zakharov, Colonel Kazak, Colonel Fedotov, Major-General Gasparyan, Major-General Dalmatov, Major-General Smirnov, Major-General Krasnoshtanov, Colonel Suprunov, Major-General Kirillov, Major-General Terentyev, Major-General Shkrylev, Colonel Artemyev; artillerymen of Lieutenant-General of Artillery Sokolsky, Major-General of Artillery Degtyarev, Major-General of Artillery Karenin, Major-General of Artillery Vasilyev, Colonel Yelkin, Colonel Zyablikov, Colonel Korolev, Colonel Korotkikh, Colonel Turchaninov; tankmen of Major-General of Tank Troops Shirobokov, Colonel Shmyrov, Colonel Rodionov, Colonel Kozikov; airmen of Colonel-General of Aviation Vershinin, Lieutenant-General of Aviation Osipenko, Major-General of Aviation Baidukov, Colonel Yakushin, Colonel Volkov, Colonel Grishchenko, Colonel Pokoyevy, Major Rubtsov; sappers of Major-General of Engineering Troops Blagoslavov, Colonel Melnikov, Colonel Tretyakov, Colonel Vizirov, Colonel Loginov, Colonel Mirotvorsky, Major Petrov; signallers of Major-General of Signal Troops Borzov, Colonel Teikovtsev, Major-General of Signal Troops Novarchuk.

To commemorate the victory won, the formations and units which have distinguished themselves most in the fighting for the capture of the city and fortress of Osovets will be recommended for conferment of the honorary designation "Osovets" and for award of orders.

Today, 14 August, at 22.00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute the valiant troops of the 2nd Byelorussian Front which have captured the city and fortress of Osovets with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to the troops under your command who took part in the fighting for the liberation of Osovets.

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

Death to the German invaders!

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union I. STALIN

14 August 1944 [No. 166]