"July 15th, 1942
To commanders of units and formations, chiefs of directorates and departments of the 5th Army
Copy for: 20th TBr
Information was received that commanders do not recognize English and American tanks used by our army and confuse them for enemy tanks. In order to avoid friendly fire, the commander orders that:
- The Deputy Commander of Tank Forces must organize two sessions of tank demonstrations. Demonstrate MS, MK, MK-II, MK-III tanks with a commander of each that can explain tactical-technical characteristics of each tank.For commanders of the 252nd, 354th, 19th, and 103rd Rifle Divisions the presentation will take place at the defensive positions of these divisions, near Shiryakino.For commanders of the 36th Rifle Brigade, 29th Guards Rifle Division, 20th Tank Brigade, 144th Rifle Division, 50th Rifle Division, 60th Rifle Brigade, 5th Independent Tank Battalion, 2nd Independent Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Guards Mechanized Rifle Division and other units the demonstration will take place near Hvashevka.
- The arrival of commanders must be organized by group. Appoint a group leader. Commanders from the division as well as all units within the division must arrive at the following times. Presentations will be held from 4:00 to 22:00 daily.
- 352nd RD: July 17th from 4:00 to 22:00
- 35th RBr: July 17th from 4:00 to 12:00
- 20th TBr: July 17th from 12:00 to 22:00
- 19th RD, 29th GRD: July 18th 4:00 to 22:00
- 108th RD, 144th RD: July 19th 4:00 to 22:00
- 354th RD, 50th RD: July 20th from 4:00 to 22:00
- 60th RBr, 5th ITB: July 21st from 4:00 to 22:00
- 3rd GMRD, 2nd ICR: July 22nd, from 4:00 to 22:00
All arriving groups must be met by watchmen wearing tank helmets. Demonstration #1 will take place at the highway near Shiryakino, demonstration #2 on the Minsk road near Hvashevka.
Chief of Staff of the 5th Army, Major General Pigarevich
Staff Commissar of the 5th Army, Regimental Commissar Tolokolnikov"