ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Chernyakhovsky

The troops of the 3rd Byelorussian Front, as a result of a skilful manoeuvre by cavalry, tanks, and infantry, captured the city of Lida — a large railway junction and important strongpoint of the German defence on the Grodno direction.

In the fighting for the capture of the city of Lida, the following troops distinguished themselves: the cavalrymen of Lieutenant General Oslikovsky, Major General Chepurkin, Major General Brikel, Major General Kalyuzhny; the tankmen of Lieutenant General of Tank Forces Rodin, Lieutenant Colonel Kutin, Lieutenant Colonel Karpov, Lieutenant Colonel Doronin, Major Brilov, Major Gaidayenko; the forces of Lieutenant General Glagolev, Lieutenant General Koshevoi, Colonel Kovtunov, Colonel Dudka; the artillerymen of Major General of Artillery Nefedov; the airmen of Lieutenant General of Aviation Beletsky, Colonel Kitayev, Colonel Stalin, Colonel Kozhemyakin; the sappers of Major Solyankin; and the signallers of Lieutenant Colonel Fedorov.

In commemoration of the success achieved, the formations and units that have most distinguished themselves in the fighting for the capture of the city of Lida are to be nominated for the designation "Lida" and for decoration with orders.

Today, July 9, at 22:00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, salutes the valiant troops of the 3rd Byelorussian Front who have captured the city of Lida — with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For excellent combat operations I declare gratitude to the troops under your command who participated in the fighting for the liberation of the city of Lida.

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

Death to the German invaders!

Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Marshal of the Soviet Union I. STALIN

July 9, 1944 [No. 133]