Part 10/14:
Patriotism, often reinforced by propaganda, painted the Germans as satanic oppressors and the Soviet soldier as an undefeatable hero. The hatred of the German enemy was intense, fueled by propaganda suggesting that any retreat was tantamount to betrayal.
The Impact and Significance at the Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942–February 1943) was a turning point in WWII. The morale stemming from Order No. 227 influenced how Soviet soldiers fought fiercely in the city’s brutal, close-quarter combat. Despite the condemnation of disobedience and retreat, the Soviet leadership recognized that disorderly retreat could be disastrous, especially in a strategic city like Stalingrad.