First. The enemy is withdrawing from the Northern Caucasus, burning warehouses and
blowing up roads. Maslennikov's Northern Group is being turned into a reserve
group, whose task is a light pursuit of the enemy. It is not to our advantage to
push the enemy out of the Northern Caucasus. It is more advantageous for us to
hold him there, in order to encircle him by a blow from the side of the Black Sea
Group. For this reason the center of gravity of the Transcaucasian Front's
operations is being shifted to the area of the Black Sea Group, which neither
Maslennikov nor Petrov understands.

Second. Immediately load the 3rd Rifle Corps from the area of the Northern Group
and move it at an accelerated pace to the area of the Black Sea Group.

Maslennikov can commit the 58th Army, which he has in reserve and which, in the
conditions of our successful offensive, could be of great benefit.

The first task of the Black Sea Group is to reach Tikhoretskaya and thereby
prevent the enemy from taking his equipment westward. In this matter you will be
assisted by the 51st Army and, possibly, the 28th Army.

Your second and main task is to detach a powerful column of troops from the Black
Sea Group, occupy Bataysk and Azov, enter Rostov from the east, and thus seal off
the enemy's Northern Caucasus group with the aim of taking it prisoner or
destroying it. In this matter you will be assisted by the left flank of the
Southern Front, Yeremenko, whose task is to reach the area north of Rostov.

Third. Order Petrov to begin his offensive on time, without delaying this matter
by a single hour and without waiting for the reserves to come up. Petrov has been
on the defensive all the time, and he has no great experience in offensive
operations. Explain to him that he must value every day, every hour.

Fourth. Leave immediately for the area of the Black Sea Group and ensure the
fulfillment of this directive.

(From: V. Zhukhrai, Stalin: Truth and Falsehood, pp. 146-147.)