ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

To Army General Popov

The troops of the Bryansk Front, continuing their swift offensive, today, 23 September, took by storm the most important railway junction and strong German defensive strongpoint in the Gomel direction — the town of Unecha.

In the fighting for the town of Unecha, the troops of Lieutenant-General Fedyuninsky and the airmen of Lieutenant-General of Aviation Naumenko distinguished themselves.

Those who especially distinguished themselves were: the 197th Bryansk Rifle Division of Colonel Danilovsky, the 217th Rifle Division of Colonel Massonov, the 117th Tank Brigade of Lieutenant-Colonel Voronkov, the 30th Motorised Rifle Brigade of Colonel Smirnov.

To commemorate the victory won, the formations that distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Unecha shall be awarded the designation "Unecha."

Henceforth these formations shall be named:

217th Unecha Rifle Division,

117th Unecha Tank Brigade,

30th Unecha Motorised Rifle Brigade.

The 197th Bryansk Rifle Division, which has distinguished itself for the second time in fighting against the German invaders, shall be recommended for the award of the Order of the Red Banner.

Today, 23 September, at 22:00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland salutes our valiant troops who liberated the town of Unecha, with twelve artillery salvoes from one hundred and twenty-four guns.

For excellent combat operations I declare my gratitude to all the troops under your command who took part in the fighting for the liberation of the town of Unecha.

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

23 September 1943 [No. 24]