Order No. 227
The Red Army’s speedy retreat in the south forced Stalin to resort to extraordinary measures. On July 28,1942, Stalin signed his notorious order № 227, which was not published in the mass media but was read aloud at every military unit.
In this document, which became known as the "Not a step back!" order, Stalin admitted the terrible truth - the USSR no longer had any advantage over Germany. The country had neither the manpower nor bread, and any further retreat would mean the destruction of oneself and one’s Motherland. For the first time since the beginning of the war, the army was harshly criticized: the Order stated that the people of the Soviet Union were losing their faith in the Red Army, which, effectively, had been surrendering the people to the enemy at every retreat.
Stalin named the lack of order and discipline as the main problem preventing the Soviet Army from repelling the occupants. He said that in this respect the Red Army commanders could learn from their enemies and follow their example.
The order prescribed a number of harsh measures designed to halt the Red Army unauthorized retreat and mass frontline desertion. Special barrier units would be positioned in the troops’ rear, assigned to shoot any deserters and cowards on the spot. Servicemen who committed disciplinary offence due to cowardice or instability had to redeem themselves by serving in penal battalions and squadrons scheduled to fight in the hardest front sectors.
Many veterans believe that as harsh as it was, Order № 227 saved the country. The people and the army of the USSR, having mustered all their might, succeeded in first halting and then pushing back the enemy.
In this document, which became known as the "Not a step back!" order, Stalin admitted the terrible truth - the USSR no longer had any advantage over Germany. The country had neither the manpower nor bread, and any further retreat would mean the destruction of oneself and one’s Motherland. For the first time since the beginning of the war, the army was harshly criticized: the Order stated that the people of the Soviet Union were losing their faith in the Red Army, which, effectively, had been surrendering the people to the enemy at every retreat.
Stalin named the lack of order and discipline as the main problem preventing the Soviet Army from repelling the occupants. He said that in this respect the Red Army commanders could learn from their enemies and follow their example.
The order prescribed a number of harsh measures designed to halt the Red Army unauthorized retreat and mass frontline desertion. Special barrier units would be positioned in the troops’ rear, assigned to shoot any deserters and cowards on the spot. Servicemen who committed disciplinary offence due to cowardice or instability had to redeem themselves by serving in penal battalions and squadrons scheduled to fight in the hardest front sectors.
Many veterans believe that as harsh as it was, Order № 227 saved the country. The people and the army of the USSR, having mustered all their might, succeeded in first halting and then pushing back the enemy.