Order of the Day -1944

Stalin

April 10, 1944

Works, Vol. 15

Publisher : Red Star Press Ltd., London, 1984

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Malinovsky

Today, April 10, troops of the Third Ukrainian Front, as a result of a skilful out flanking manoeuvre by infantry and mechanised cavalry formations, combined with a frontal attack, captured the important economic and political centre of the country, Regional town of the Ukraine and first-class Black Sea port Odessa, powerful strongpoint of the German defences covering the roads to the central districts of Rumania.

In the fighting for the capture of Odessa distinction was won by troops commanded by Col.-Gen. Tsvetayev, Lieut.-Gen. Shlemin, Col.-Gen. Chuykov, Lieut.-Gen. Glazunov, Lieut.-Gen. Morozov, Maj.-Gen. Gorokhov, Maj.-Gen. Rubanyuk, Maj.-Gen. Kuprianov and Maj.-Gen. Makovchuk; cavalry formations of Kuban Cossacks, commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Pliyev; tankmen commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Zhdanov; artillerymen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Artillery Nedelin, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Voznyuk, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Levin and Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Kosenko; airmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Aviation Sudets, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Tolstikov and Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Shevchenko; and signallers commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Signals Leonov.

To commemorate the victory the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of Odessa will be recommended for conferment of the name Odessa, and award of orders.

Today, April 10, at 20.00 hours (Moscow time) the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, shall salute with 24 artillery salvoes from 324 guns our gallant troops which have liberated Odessa. At the same time ships of the Black Sea Fleet -shall fire a salute of 12 artillery salvoes from 120 guns in honour of the troops which liberated the most important Black Sea port of Odessa from the German invaders.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all troops under your command which took part in the fighting for the liberation of Odessa.

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

Death to the German invaders!

  J. STALIN

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief