No. 371

July 22, 1945

In the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people against fascist Germany, the Navy of our state was a faithful assistant to the Red Army.

In the war against the USSR, fascist Germany, exploiting the suddenness of the attack and possessing a strong army, sought to defeat our army and our navy in a short period. With the forces of the army, in coordination with its air force and navy, the Germans also wanted to achieve supremacy at sea.

As is known, on land and at sea the plans of the German strategists have completely failed. The Red Army, jointly with the Allies, utterly routed the Hitlerite army and forced it to capitulate.

During the period of defense and offensive of the Red Army, our fleet reliably covered the flanks of the Red Army resting on the sea, dealt serious blows to the enemy's merchant fleet and shipping, and ensured the uninterrupted operation of its own communications. The combat activity of Soviet sailors was marked by selfless steadfastness and courage, high combat activeness, and military skill. Submariners, surface ship sailors, naval aviators, artillerymen, and infantrymen adopted and developed all that was valuable from the age-old traditions of the Russian fleet.

On the Baltic, Black, and Barents Seas, on the Volga, Danube, and Dnieper, Soviet sailors, during the four years of war, have written new pages in the book of Russian naval glory. The fleet has fulfilled its duty to the Soviet Motherland to the end.

Comrades Red Fleet men, petty officers and officers!

The Soviet people want to see their fleet even stronger and more powerful. Our people are creating new warships and new bases for the fleet. The fleet’s task is to tirelessly train and improve naval cadres, to fully master the combat experience of the Patriotic War, to raise even higher naval culture, discipline, and organization within its ranks.

I congratulate you on the Day of the Navy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics! Long live the Navy of the Soviet power and its heroic sailors!

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Generalissimo of the Soviet Union

J. STALIN

Pravda. July 22, 1945