Order No. 227

Order No. 227 of July 28 1942 was issued by Joseph Stalin acting as People's Commissar of Defence. It is also known as the "Not one step back!" order (?? ???? ?????!).

Related Topics:
July 28 - 1942 - Joseph Stalin - People's Commissar

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No one commander had right to retreat without order. Anyone who did so was subject to military tribunal.

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Order No. 227 established that each Front must create 1-3 penal batalions (????????, ???????? ????????, 'shtrafbat', shtrafnoy batallion) made up of officers at fault. Each Front had to create penal companies for privates and NCOs. These penal units were assigned the most dangerous tasks.

Related Topics:
Front - Penal batalion - Companies - NCO

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It also established that each Army must create 3-5 well-armed barrage troops (???????????, ?????????????? ?????) to shoot the retreating troops.

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Both measures were cited in the preamble of the order as successfully used by the Germans during their winter retreat.

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All commanders that committed unauthorized retreat were subject to military court/tribunal of the corresponding level.

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