1942 Order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 227

75 years ago, on July 28, 1942, Order No. 227 of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR Stalin "On measures to strengthen discipline and order in the Red Army and prohibit unauthorized withdrawal from combat positions" was issued. It said: "... It is necessary to root out the talk that we have the opportunity to retreat endlessly, that we have a lot of territory, our country is great and rich, there is a lot of population, there will always be an abundance of bread. Such talk is false and harmful, they weaken us and strengthen the enemy, for if we do not stop the retreat, we will be left without bread, without fuel, without metal, without raw materials, without factories and factories, without railroads. From this it follows that it is time to end the retreat. Not a step back! That should be our main call now."

By this order, detachments and penal battalions and companies were introduced in the Red Army.