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The broader story is one of a nation under existential threat, employing tough discipline measures to motivate soldiers during their darkest hours. Much of the negative perception surrounding the Soviet discipline system during WWII has been amplified by propaganda and myth, overshadowing its actual intent and scope.
Understanding these complexities helps us appreciate the grim realities faced by the Soviet Union in WWII and recognizes the strategic, psychological, and symbolic roles played by such directives in shaping the course of history.
References and Further Reading
Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed by Peter Johnstone
The Road to Stalingrad by John Erickson