USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

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LAstry
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Location: USA

USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#1

Post by LAstry » 23 Mar 2022, 15:01

In a fictional novel on World war II I came across a USSR General alleges that he clears mine field in front of a his army using a Brigade of Soldiers....in regard to Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions..were they used as forlorn Hopes,,,,?

Dann Falk
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Re: USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#2

Post by Dann Falk » 23 Mar 2022, 18:10

So, what is your question?

Yes, Penal Companies and Penal Battalions along with Blocking Detachments were used by the Soviets during WW II.


LAstry
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Location: USA

Re: USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#3

Post by LAstry » 24 Mar 2022, 03:06

were they usedas Human Land Mine clearers?

Dann Falk
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Re: USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#4

Post by Dann Falk » 24 Mar 2022, 04:44

Many times they were used in the first wave of attacks, so yes, they cleared land mines and more. I read an account from a Soviet general talking about how he ordered his penal units to charge the enemy, clearing a mine field along the way and taking huge losses in the process. The attack was successful.

Quoting from my upcoming book "The 7th Guards Army from Kursk to Prague 1943-1945", not yet released. Page 102-103,

During the first six days of combat, Penal Companies #5, 62, 63, 65, and 66 lost the following troops:
170 killed
508 wounded
260 missing in action
2 in hospital with illness
These figures total 940 men.

These penal companies were actually over strength because normally each would contain between 150-200 men. During this time the 5 PC only lost 5 men wounded, so the other four PCs suffered the remaining 935 casualties. In other words, they were wiped out.

Hope this helps.

LAstry
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Joined: 07 Feb 2022, 18:33
Location: USA

Re: USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#5

Post by LAstry » 25 Mar 2022, 14:46

Thank you..the report was confirmed....

Art
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Re: USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#6

Post by Art » 25 Mar 2022, 18:15

LAstry wrote:
24 Mar 2022, 03:06
were they usedas Human Land Mine clearers?
Not a single reliably attributed case (i.e. what unit, when and where), just urban legends.

LAstry
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Posts: 139
Joined: 07 Feb 2022, 18:33
Location: USA

Re: USe of Punishment Companies/Punishment Battalions...

#7

Post by LAstry » 27 Mar 2022, 20:31

Oh....Urban legend...... :oops: :oops: :oops:

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