Order 227 of the People's Commissariat of Defense “Not one step back!”. Penal companies and penal battalions in the large bend of the Don river in the summer and autumn of 1942

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Order 227 of July 28, 1942, known as the Order “No one step back!”. This Order reflected the crisis situation on the southern flank of the Soviet-German front and the disastrous results of the Red Army defeats. The Order outlined severe measures for establishing discipline in the troops and for preventing unauthorized retreat. Distributed to the Combat Army, the Order provoked contradictory, in most cases positive assessments by soldiers and commanders who fought in the large bend of the Don at that time. 6 penal battalions and more than 30 penal companies, several dozens of barrier troops were formed and took part in battles in the large bend of the Don in the August-September of 1942. G.G. Matishov characterizes the circumstances of issue of Order 227 and draws the conclusion. V.I. Afanasenko reveals the data about penal units in the large bend of the Don in the summer and autumn of 1942.