Speech on the Treaty with Poland and more
On the Occasion of the Signing of the Treaty of
Friendship, Mutual Assistance and Post-War Collaboration bewteen the U.S.S.R.
and the Polish Republic
Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Gentlemen!
I believe that the Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance and Post-war
Collaboration between the Soviet Union and Poland which we have just signed is
of great, historic importance.
The importance of this Treaty consists in the first place in that it
signifies the radical turn of relations between the Soviet Union and Poland
towards alliance and friendship, a turn which took shape in the course of the
present liberation struggle against Germany and which is now being formally
consummated in this Treaty.
It is known that relations between our countries in the course of the past
five centuries have abounded in elements of mutual estrangement, unfriendliness,
and not infrequently in open military conflicts. Such relations weakened both
our countries and strengthened German imperialism.
The importance of the present Treaty consists in that it puts an end to these
old relations between our countries, nails down the lid of the coffin over them,
and creates a real basis for replacement of the old unfriendly relations by
relations of alliance and friendship between the Soviet Union and Poland.
In the course of the last two World Wars the Germans succeeded in making use
of the territory of Poland as a corridor for invasion of the East and as a
springboard for attack on the Soviet Union. This became possible because at that
time there were no friendly allied relations between our countries. The former
rulers of Poland did not want to have relations of alliance with the Soviet
Union. They preferred a policy of playing about between Germany and the Soviet
Union. And of course they played themselves into trouble.... Poland was
occupied, her independence abolished, and as a result of this whole ruinous
policy German troops were enabled to appear at the gates of Moscow.
The importance of the present Treaty consists in that it puts an end to the
old and ruinous policy of playing about between Germany and the Soviet Union,
and replaces it by a policy of alliance and friendship between Poland and her
Eastern neighbour.
Such is the historic importance of the Treaty between Poland and the Soviet
Union on Friendship, Mutual Assistance and Post-War Collaboration which we have
just signed.
No wonder, therefore, that the peoples of our countries impatiently await the
signing of this Treaty. They feel that this Treaty is a pledge of the
independence of new, democratic Poland, a pledge of her might and her
prosperity.
But matters are not confined to that. The present Treaty has also great
international significance. As long as there existed no alliance between our
countries Germany was able to take advantage of the absence of a united front
between us, she could oppose Poland to the Soviet Union and vice versa, and thus
beat them one at a time. Things changed radically after the alliance between our
countries took shape. Now it is no longer possible to oppose our countries to
each other. Now there exists a united front between our countries from the
Baltic to the Carpathians against the common enemy, against German imperialism.
Now one may confidently say that German aggression is besieged from the East.
Undoubtedly if this barrier in the East is supplemented by a barrier in the
West, that is, by alliance between our countries and our Allies in the West, one
may safely say that German aggression will be curbed, and that it will not be
easy for it to run loose.
No wonder, therefore, that the freedom-loving nations, and in the first place
the Slav nations, impatiently await the conclusion of this Treaty, for they see
that this Treaty signifies a strengthening of the united front of the United
Nations against the common enemy in Europe.
Therefore, I do not doubt that our Allies in the West will welcome this
Treaty.
May free, independent, democratic Poland live and prosper!
May her Eastern neighbour – our Soviet Union – live and prosper!
Long live the alliance and friendship between our countries!
("Stalin's War Speeches, etc." p. 126)
Order of the Day, No. 346, April 27, 1945
To the Army on Active Service
The troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front and our Allied British and
American troops, striking from the East and West, severed the front of
the German troops, and on April 25, at 13.30 ho-ours, effected a
junction in the middle of Germany, in the region of Torgau. As a
result, the German troops located in North Germany have been cut off
from the German troops in the southern regions of Germany.
To mark this victory, and in honour of this historic event, today,
April 27, at 19.00 hours, the capital of of our country, Moscow, will,
on behalf of our country, salute the valiant troops of the 1st
Ukrainian Front and our Allied British and American troops with 24
artillery salvoes, fired from 324 guns.
Long live the victory of the freedom-loving nations over Germany.
J. Stalin
Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Marshal of the Soviet Union.
("Soviet Calendar 1917 - 1947")
Message Broadcast on the Evening of April 27,
1945, to the Officers and Men of the Red Army and of the Armies of the
Allies on the Occasion of their Linking up on German Soil
In the name of the Soviet Government, I address you, commanders and men of the Red Army, and of the armies of our Allies.
The victorious armies of the Allied Powers, waging a war of liberation
in Europe, have routed the German troops and linked up on the territory
of Germany.
Our task and our duty are to complete the destruction of the enemy, to
force him to lay down his arms and surrender unconditionally. The Red
Army will fulfil to the end this task and this duty to our people and
to all freedom-loving peoples.
I greet the valorous troops of our Allies, which are now standing on
the territory of Germany shoulder to shoulder with the Soviet troops,
and which are full of determination to carry out their duty to the end.
To the Editorial Board of "Komsomolskaya Pravda", May, 1945
I congratulate the fighting organ of Soviet youth, the paper “Komsomolskaya Pravda”, on her twenty years.
During the years of peaceful construction and throughout the days of
the Great Patriotic War, “Komsomolskaya Pravda” has educated the Soviet
youth in the spirit of unreserved service to the Motherland.
I am sure that in the future, the “Komsomolskaya Pravda” is going to
successfully accomplish educational tasks towards the next generation
in the devoted spirit to the Leninist Party, to help youth to achieve
the realizations of science and culture, to strengthen the forces of
the young patriots for battle, with a view to the ultimate flourishing
of our great Motherland!
J. Stalin
("Pravda", 24 May, 1945)
Order of the Day, No. 20, May 1, 1945
Comrades, Red Army men and Red Navy men, sergeants and petty officers, officers of the Army and Navy, generals and admirals!
Working people of the Soviet Union!
Today our country is celebrating the First of May – the international festival of the working people.
This year, the peoples of our Motherland are celebrating May Day under
conditions of the victorious termination of the Great Patriotic War.
The hard times when the Red Army fought back the enemy troops at Moscow
and Leningrad, at Grozny and Stalingrad, are gone – never to return. Now
our victorious troops are battering the enemy’s armed forces in the
centre of Germany, far beyond Berlin, on the River Elbe.
Within a short time Poland, Hungary, the greater part of
Czechoslovakia, a considerable part of Austria, and her capital Vienna,
have been liberated.
At the same time the Red Army has captured East Prussia, home of German
imperialism, Pomerania, the greater part of Brandenburg and the main
districts of Germany’s capital Berlin, having hoisted the banner of
victory over Berlin.
As a result of these offensive battles fought by the Red Army, within
three to four months the Germans have lost over 800,000 officers and
men in prisoners and about one million in killed. During the same
period the Red Army troops have captured or destroyed up to 6,000 enemy
aircraft, up to 12,000 tanks and self-propelled guns, over 23,000 field
guns and enormous quantities of other armaments and equipment.
It should be noted that in these battles Polish, Yugoslav,
Czechoslovak, Bulgarian and Rumanian divisions successfully advanced
against the common enemy side by side with the Red Army.
As a result of the Red Army’s shattering blows, the German Command was
compelled to transfer dozens of divisions to the Soviet-German Front,
baring whole sectors on other fronts. This circumstance helped the
forces of our Allies to develop their successful offensive in the West.
Thus by simultaneous blows at the German troops from East and West, the
troops of the Allies and the Red Army were able to cut the German
forces into two isolated parts and to effect a junction of our troops
and the Allied troops in a united front.
There can be no doubt that this circumstance means the end of Hitlerite Germany.
The days of Hitlerite Germany are numbered. More than half of her
territory is occupied by the Red Army and by the troops of our Allies.
Germany has lost the most important, vital districts. The industry
remaining in the Hitlerites’ hands cannot supply the German army with
sufficient, quantities of armaments, ammunition and fuel. The man-power
reserves of the German army are depleted. Germany is completely
isolated and stands alone, if her ally Japan is not counted. In search
of a way out from their hopeless plight, the Hitlerite adventurers
resort to all kinds of tricks, down to flirting with the Allies, in an
effort to cause dissension in the Allied camp. These fresh knavish
tricks of the Hitlerites are doomed to utter failure. They can only
accelerate the disintegration of the German troops.
Mendacious fascist propaganda intimidates the German population by
absurd tales, alleging that the Armies of the United Nations wish to
exterminate the German people. The United Nations do not set themselves
the task of destroying the German people. The United Nations will
destroy fascism and German militarism, will severely punish war
criminals, and will compel the Germans to compensate damage they have
caused to other countries. But the United Nations do not molest and
will not molest Germany’s civilian population if it honestly fulfils
the demands of the Allied military authorities.
The brilliant victories won by the Soviet troops in the Great Patriotic
War have demonstrated the colossal might of the Red Army and its high
military skill. In the progress of the war our Motherland has come to
possess a first-rate regular army, capable of upholding the great
Socialist achievements of our people and of securing the State
interests of the Soviet Union.
Despite the fact that the Soviet Union has for nearly four years been
waging war on an unparalleled scale demanding colossal expenditures,
our Socialist economic system is gaining strength and developing, while
the economy of the liberated regions, plundered and ruined by the
German invaders, is successfully and swiftly reviving. This is the
result of the heroic efforts of the workers and collective farmers, of
the Soviet intellectuals, of the women and the youth of our country,
inspired and guided by the great Bolshevik Party.
The world war unleashed by the German imperialists is drawing to a
close. The collapse of Hitlerite Germany is a matter of the nearest
future. The Hitlerite ringleaders, who imagined themselves rulers of
the world, have found themselves ruined. The mortally wounded fascist
beast is breathing its last. One thing is now rewired – to deal the
death-blow to the fascist beast.
Fighting men of the Red Army and Navy!
The last storming of the Hitlerite lair is on. Set new examples of
military skill and gallantry in the concluding battles. Smite the enemy
harder, skilfully break up his defence, pursue and surround the German
invaders, give them no respite until they cease resistance.
Beyond the border of our native land be especially vigilant!
Uphold the honour and dignity of the Soviet soldier as heretofore!
Working people of the Soviet Union!
Increase your all-round assistance to the front by persistent and
indefatigable work. Swiftly heal the wounds inflicted on our country by
the war, raise still higher the might of our Soviet State!
Comrades, Red Army men and Red Navy men, sergeants and petty officers, officers of the Army and Navy, generals and admirals!
Working people of the Soviet Union!
On behalf of the Soviet’ Government and of our Bolshevik Party, I greet and congratulate you upon the First of May.
In honour of the historic victories of the Red Army at the front and of
the great achievements of the workers, collective farmers and
intellectuals in the rear, to mark the international festival of the
working people, I hereby order:
Today, on May 1, a salute of 20 artillery salvoes shall be fired in
the capitals of Union Republics – Moscow, Kiev, Minsk, Baku, Tbilisi,
Erevan, Ashkabad, Tashkent, Stalinabad, Alma-Ata, Frunze, Petrozavodsk,
Kishinev, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn – as well as in the hero-cities of
Leningrad, Stalingrad, Sevastopol and Odessa.
Long live our mighty Soviet Motherland!
Long live the great Soviet people, the people victorious!
Long live the victorious Red Army and Navy!
Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!
Forward to the final rout of Hitlerite Germany!
J. Stalin
Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Moscow
("Stalin's War Speeches, etc." p. 126)
Order of the Day, No. 359,
May 2, 1945
Addressed to the Red Army and Navy
Troops of the lst Byelorussian Front commanded by Marshal of the Soviet
Union Zhukov, with the support of troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front
commanded by Marshal of the Soviet Union Koniev, after stiff
street-fighting, have completed the rout of the Berlin German troop
grouping and, to-day, May 2, completely captured the capital of
Germany, Berlin-centre of German imperialism and hotbed of German
aggression.
The Berlin garrison which defended the city, with the Chief of the
Defence of Berlin, Artillery General Weidling, and his staff at the
head, to-day at 3 p.m. ceased resistance, laid down their arms and
surrendered.
By 9 p.m. on May 2 our troops had taken prisoner more than 70,330 German officers and men in Berlin.
In the fighting for the capture of Berlin distinction was won by troops
commanded by Army-Gen. Sokolovsky, Col.-Gen. Kuznetsov, Col.-Gen.
Chuikov, Col.-Gen. Berzarin, Lieut.-Gen. Luchinsky, Lieut.-Gen.
Perkhorovich, Lieut.-Gen. Lukyanchenko, Col.-Gen. Cherevichenko,
Lieut.-Gen. Kazankin, Lieut.-Gen. Glazunov, Lieut.-Gen. Ryzhev,
Lieut.-Gen. Zherebin, Lieut.-Gen. Rosly, Lieut.Gen. Tereshkov,
Lieut.-Gen. Andreyev, Maj.-Gen. Bukshtynovich, Maj.-Gen. Belyavsky,
Maj.-Gen. Kushchev, Maj.-Gen. Barinov, Maj.-Gen. Perevertkin, Maj.-Gen.
Rogachevsky, Maj.-Gen. Batitsky, Maj.-Gen. Shvarev, Maj.-Gen. Firsov,
Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Khetagurov, Maj.-Gen. Shatilov, Maj.-Gen.
Shafarenko, Maj.-Gen. Smirnov, Maj.-Gen. Kozin, Maj.-Gen. Karapetyan,
Maj.-Gen. Krasilnikov, Maj.-Gen. Shugayev, Maj.-Gen. Zalezyuk,
Maj.-Gen. Stankevsky, Maj.-Gen. Pankov, Maj.-Gen. Glebov, Maj.-Gen.
Bakanov, Maj.-Gen. Duka, Maj.-Gen. Seryugin, Maj.-Gen. Gasparyan,
Maj.-Gen. Sokolov, Maj.-Gen. Dorofeyev, Maj.-Gen. Syzranov, Maj.Gen.
Galai, Maj.-Gen. Shkrylev, Maj.-Gen. Safaryan, Maj.-Gen. Vydrigan,
Maj.-Gen. Bevzyuk, Maj.-Gen. Myshkin, Maj.-Gen. Korchikov, Maj.-Gen.
Turchinsky, Maj.-Gen. Vekhin, Col. Antonov, Col. Ivanov, Col.
Gervasiyev, Col. Solovyev, Col. Shishkov, Maj.-Gen. Foinishenko, Col.
Smolin, Col. Vorobyev, Col. Marchenko, Col. Negoda, Col. Assafov, Col.
Shatskov and Col. Rybalko; Tankmen commanded by Col.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Bogdanov, Col.-Gen. of Tank Troops Katukov, Col.-Gen. Rybalko,
Col.-Gen. Lelyushenko, Col.-Gen. of Tank Troops Novikov, Lieut.-Gen. of
Tank Troops Orel, Lieut.-Gen. Radzievsky, Lieut.-Gen. of Tank Troops
Krivoshein, Lieut.- Gen. of Tank Troops Sukhov, Lieut.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Belov, Lieut.-Gen. Shaun, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Bakhmetyev,
Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Upman, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Saminov,
Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Stogny, Maj.-Gen. Dremov, Lieut.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Kirichenko, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Yushchuk, Maj.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Mitrofanov, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Vainrub, Maj.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Anisimov, Col. Nikolayev and Col. Babadzhanyan; Artillerymen
commanded by Col.-Gen. of Artillery Kazakov, Col.-Gen. of Artillery
Varentsov, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Shamshin, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery
Pozharsky, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Ignatov, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery
Romanovich, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Kozhukhov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Morozov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Kossenko, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Plaskov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Frolov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Likhachev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Snegurov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Lebedevsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Koznov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Bryukhanov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Shlepin, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Bogdan, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Seredin, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Kamensky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Polosukhin, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Petropavlovsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Nikolsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Mentyukov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Dobrinsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Krasnokutsky, Col. Fantalov, Col. Shrike, Col. Korchagin, Col.
Overchenko and Col. Lyubimov; Ships and units of the Red Banner Dnieper
Flotilla commanded by Rear-Admiral Grigoryev and Captain of the First
Rank Lyalko; Airmen commanded by Chief Marshal of Aviation Novikov,
Chief Marshal of Aviation Golovanov, Col.-Gen. of Aviation Rudenko,
Col.-Gen. of Aviation Krasovsky, Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Savitsky,
Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Beletsky, Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Tupikov,
Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Loginov, Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Shchetchikov,
Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Nestertsev, Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Ryazanov,
Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Utin, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Tokarev, Maj.-Gen.
of Aviation Krupsky, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Korevatsky, Maj.-Gen. of
Aviation Skok, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Sidnev, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation
Dzusov, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Slyusarev, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation
Babaluyev, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Arkhangelsky, Col. Nikishin, Col.
Stalin, Col. Pokryshkin, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Komarov and Col.
Alexandrovich; Sappers commanded by Col.-Gen. of Engineering Troops
Proshlyakov, Col.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Galitsky, Maj.-Gen. of
Engineering Troops Marin, Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Tkachenko,
Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Furs, Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops
Kharchevin, Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Zhirov, Col. Belsky, Col.
Kamenchuk and Col. Poluektov; Signallers commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of
Signals Troops Maximenko, Lieut.-Gen. of Signals Troops Bulychev,
Maj.-Gen. of Signals Troops Akimov, Col. Cherkasov, Col. Falin, Col.
Smoky, Col. Zakharov, Col. Plotkin, Col. Borissov, Col. Ostrenko,
Lieut.-Col. of State Security Vakish and Lieut.-Col. of State Security
Grib.
To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly
distinguished themselves in the fighting for the capture of Berlin will
be recommended for conferment of the name “Berlin” and award of Orders.
To-day, May 2, at 23.30 hours (Moscow time), in honour of the historic
event of the capture of Berlin by Soviet troops, the capital of our
Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 24
artillery salvoes from 324 guns the gallant troops of the 1st
Byelorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts.
For excellent military operations I express my thanks to the troops of
the 1st Byelorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts which took part in the
fighting for the capture of Berlin.
Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the fighting for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!
Death to the German invaders!
J. Stalin
Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Moscow
("Stalin's War Speeches, etc." p. 126)
Order of the Day, No. 364, May 7, 1945
Issued. by Marshal Stalin and addressed to the
Commanded of the troops of the 1st Ukranian Front, Marshal Koniev, and
the Chief of Staff of the Front, Army-Gen. Petrov
The Order states that on May 7, troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, as a
result of a long siege, completely captured the city and fortress of
Breslavl (Breslau).
The German garrison defending the city, headed by the Commandant of the
fortress, Infantry General von Niehof and his staff, ceased resistance,
laid down their arms and surrendered.
By 19.00 hours (Moscow time) on May 7, the Soviet troops had taken
prisoner in Breslavl more than 40,000 German officers and men.
The Order mentions 59 commanders of troops, tankmen, artillerymen,
airmen, sappers and signallers whose units and formations distinguished
themselves.
A salute of 12 salvoes was fired from 224 Moscow guns.
("Soviet War News," No. 1153)
Order of the Day, No. 365, May, 1945
Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to the
Commander of the troops of the 4th Ukranian Front, Army-Gen. Yeremenko,
and the Chief of Staff of the Front, Col.-Gen. Sandalop
The Order states that on May 8, troops of the 4th Ukrainian Front,
continuing their offensive, after stubborn fighting captured the town
and large railway junction of Olomouc, an important German defence
strongpoint on the Morava River.
The Order mentions 105 commanders of troops, artillervnten, tankmen,
airmen, sappers and signallers whose units and formations distinguished
themselves.
A salute of 12 salvoes was fired from 124 Moscow guns.
("Soviet War News," No. 1153)
Order of the Day, No. 366, May 8, 1945
Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to the
Commander of the troops of the 1st Ukranian Front, Marshal Koniev, and
the Chief of Staff of the Front, Army-Gen. Petrov
The Order states that on May 8, troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front,
after two days fighting, smashed enemy resistance and captured the city
of Dresden, an important road junction and powerful German defence
strongpoint in Saxony.
The Order mentions 70 commanders of troops, tankmen, artillerymen,
airmen, sappers and signallers whose units and formations distinguished
themselves.
A salute of 20 salvoes was fired from 224 Moscow guns.
("Soviet War News," No. 1153)
Order of the Day, No. 367, May 8, 1945
Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to the.
Commanded of the troops of the 2nd Ukranian Front, Marshal Malinovsky,
and the Chief of Staff of the Front, Col.-Gen. Zakharov
The Order states that on May 8, troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front
captured in Czechoslovakia the towns of Jaromerice and Znojmo, and in
Austria the towns of Hollabrunn and Stockerau, important communications
centres and powerful German defence strongpoints.
The Order mentions 101 commanders of troops, artillerymen, tankmen,
airmen, sappers and signallers whose units and formations distinguished
themselves.
A salute of 20 salvoes was fired from 224 Moscow guns.
("Soviet War News," No. 1153)
Order of the Day, No. 368,
May 9, 1945
Addressed to the Commander of the Troops pf the
1st Ukrainian Front, Marshal Koniev, and to the Chief of Staff of the
Front, Army-Gen. Petrov
Troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, as a result of a vigorous night
manoruvre by tank formations and infantry, crushed the enemy’s
resistance and to-day May 9, liberated from the German invaders the
capital of our Ally, Czechoslovakia, Prague.
In the fighting for the liberation of Prague distinction was won by
troops commanded by Col.-Gen. Gordov, Col.-Gen. Pukhov, Col.-Gen.
Zhadov, Lieut.-Gen. Malandin, Maj.-Gen. Lyamin, Col. Belinsky,
Lieut.-Gen. Cherokhmanov, Lieut.-Gen. Puzikov, Maj.-Gen. Bakanov, Col.
Ivanov, Maj.-Gen. Orlov, Maj.-Gen. Danilovsky, Maj.-Gen. Volkovich and
Maj.-Gen. Krasnov; Tankmen commanded by Col.-Gen. Lelyushenko,
Col.-Gen. Rybalko, Col.-Gen. of Tank Troops Novikov, Maj.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Upman, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Bakhmetyev, Lieut.-Gen. of Tank
Troops Belov, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Yermakov, Col. Pushkarev, Col.
Khmulov, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops Mitrofan, Maj.-Gen. of Tank Troops
Novikov, Lieut.-Gen. of Tank Troops Sukhov, Lieut.-Col. Karnyushkin,
Lieut.-Col. Shcherbak, Col. Selivanchik, and Col. Turkin; Artillerymen
commanded by Col.-Gen. of Artillery Varentsov, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery
Kozhukov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Dobrinsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Krasnokutsky, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Mentyukov, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Nikolsky, Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Kubeyev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery
Poluyektov, and Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Dzevulsky; Airmen commanded by
Col.-Gen. of Aviation Krassovsky, Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Ryazanov,
Col. Nikishin, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Archangelsky, Maj.-Gen. of
Aviation Zabaluev, Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Slusarev, and Lieut.-Gen. of
Aviation Utin; Sappers commanded by Col.-Gen. of Engineering Troops
Galitsky, Col. Poluektov, Col. Kamenchuk, Col. Kordyukov, Lieut.-Col.
Skorokhod, and Lieut.-Col. Sobolev; and Signallers commanded by
Lieut.-Gen. of Signals Troops Bulychev, Maj.-Gen. of Signals Troops
Akhremenko, Col. Ostrenko, Col. Borisov, Col. Simkhovich, and Col.
Bogomolov.
To commemorate the victory the units and formations which particularly
distinguished themselves in the fighting for the liberation of Prague
shall be recommended for conferment of the name “Prague” and for award
of Orders.
To-day, May 9, at 20.00 hours (Moscow time) the capital of our
Motherland, Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland shall salute with 24
artillery salvoes from 324 guns the gallant troops of the 1st Ukrainian
Front which liberated the capital of our Ally Czechoslovakia, Prague.
For excellent military operations I express my thanks to. the troops
under your command which took part in the fighting for the liberation
of Prague.
Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the fighting for the freedom
and independence of our Motherland and of the Czechoslovak Republic!
Death to the German invaders!
J. Stalin
Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Moscow
("Soviet War Speeches, etc." p. 134)
Order of the Day, No. 369, May 9, 1945
On May 8, 1945, in Berlin, representatives of the German High Command
signed the instrument of unconditional surrender of the German armed
forces.
The Great Patriotic War which the Soviet people waged against the
German-fascist invaders is victoriously concluded. Germany is utterly
routed.
Comrades, Red Army men, Red Navy men, sergeants, petty officers,
officers of the army and navy, generals, admirals and marshals, I
congratulate you upon the victorious termination of the Great Patriotic
War.
To mark complete victory over Germany, to-day, May 9, the day of
victory, at 22.00 hours (Moscow time), the capital of our Motherland,
Moscow, on behalf of the Motherland, shall salute the gallant troops of
the Red Army, the ships and units of the Navy, which have won this
brilliant victory, by firing thirty artillery salvoes from one thousand
guns.
Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the fighting for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!
Long live the victorious Red Army and Navy!
J. Stalin
Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Moscow
("Soviet War Speeches, etc." p. 135)
Click here to return to the Stalin Archive index.