19
« on: October 12, 2011, 11:07:43 PM »
Found by chance on the internet and wanted to know your opinion about this:
I'll try to give a number of myths and their denials.
1. The penal battalion was very much, war won almost one the penal battalion.
The Fact. the penal battalion accounted for only 1.4% of the total number of Red Army. Don't you think that the 1.4% is not enough to win the war alone the penal battalion?
2. Right behind the line of the offenders were trenches with troops of the NKVD, who shot at all, who fled to the rear, from machine-guns.
The Fact. Why is practically no one who was in a penal battalion, has seen these terrible band stop detachment. Detachments really were, but they were in the rear parts, and they had a lot of functions. Deserters were shot, but already after the fact, after the capture and the tribunal.
3. The penal battalion have gotten their weapons in the battle, if they gave one rifle for three.
The Fact. Штрафбаты were well armed. In those days, when the PCA was still classified, they have to adopt the penal battalion, in a company of submachine gunners. Often in the memoirs of offenders are mentioned flame-throwing affiliated companies, mortar, etc.
4. In penal battalion recruited some of criminals.
The Fact. Here it is necessary to say separately. the penal battalion were ONLY (!!!) to officers, has committed any of the offences. Ranks from lieutenant to colonel.
Criminals, privates and sergeants sent in separate penal COMPANIES. The difference is significant.
5. The penal battalion went into battle under escort.
The Fact. the penal battalion often performed tasks, where the convoy is simply unreal. For example, a raid on the enemy's rear. Imagine battalion, which is hidden moves on the enemy's rear under escort. Funny? Exactly.
6. The penal battalion commanded by the same penalty box.
The Fact. the penal battalion and the penalty companies commanded ONLY (!!!) staff officers, and some of the best. Because in a penal battalion was given the title above, than, say, the commander of the usual battalion.
7. The penal battalion used as cannon fodder.
The Fact. It is a myth only partly. the penal battalion really threw on the most complex areas, etc.
But! Imagine battalion, composed of some of the officers, that is, the professional military. Quite difficult to call such a part of "cannon fodder".
8. The penal battalion invented the tyrant Stalin.
The Fact. Nothing of the kind. the penal battalion appeared from the germans before 1941.
However, their penal battalion mainly performed the functions of fortification in more dangerous areas.
Show Posts
