ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Chernyakhovsky

To Colonel General Zakharov

The troops of the 3rd and 2nd Byelorussian Fronts, through the skilful coordination of their formations, today, July 16, captured by storm the city and fortress of Grodno — a large railway junction and important fortified defensive area of the Germans covering the approaches to the borders of East Prussia.

In the fighting for the capture of Grodno, the following troops distinguished themselves: the cavalrymen of Lieutenant General Oslikovsky, Major General Chepurkin, Major General Brikel, Major General Kalyuzhny; the forces of Colonel General Glagolev, Colonel General Boldin, Major General Provalov, Major General Zakharov, Major General Multan, Major General Polevik, Major General Strizhenok, Major General Slits, Colonel Demin, Colonel Shchennikov; the artillerymen of Major General of Artillery Semin, Major General of Artillery Vasilyev, Major General of Artillery Nefedov, Colonel Muzychenko, Colonel Fedotov, Colonel Uvarov, Colonel Cherkasov, Lieutenant Colonel Vyborov, Lieutenant Colonel Kozin, Lieutenant Colonel Mayorov; the tankmen of Major General of Tank Forces Netsvetailo, Colonel Shmyrov, Lieutenant Colonel Karpov, Lieutenant Colonel Khukhrin, Colonel Legeza, Major Gaidayenko; the airmen of Lieutenant General of Aviation Beletsky, Colonel Vuss, Colonel Chuchev, Colonel Prutkov, Colonel Zimin, Lieutenant Colonel Pilshchikov, Lieutenant Colonel Gorshunov; the sappers of Major General of Engineer Forces Maryin, Colonel Melnikov, Colonel Pronevich, Major Solyankin; and the signallers of Colonel Belyshev, Lieutenant Colonel Fedorov, Lieutenant Colonel Markov.

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

Today, July 16, at 23:00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, salutes the valiant troops of the 3rd and 2nd Byelorussian Fronts who have captured Grodno — with twenty artillery salvoes from two 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 Grodno.

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 16, 1944 [No. 139]