• banneryear1868@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    Some of the Soviet stuff is urban myth from movies like Enemy at the Gates, like shooting retreaters and stuff. They were mostly caught and reassigned, although some incidents did occur. The charge was desertion or not obeying commands. “No step back!” Was a rallying call and they did engage in strategic retreats. Most armies employ “barrier troops” in some fashion to charge deserters, US included. Speers as famously depicted in Band of Brothers is portrayed as a hero and actually shot a private for cowering in battle.