*EXTRA NOTES LINKS and SOURCES* The point of this video is to strike a more balanced view of the events. Considering that the balance has been mostly pro-German and anti-Soviet, presenting a more neutral case can make it seem that I’m favouring the Soviets over the Germans. Yes, this isn’t 100% unbiased since our perception history is based on sources and no source is truly unbiased, plus I am human and thus make mistakes, but it’s certainly not pro-Soviet. If you think it is based on the first couple minutes, wait until the end. And if you didn’t, and posted a comment complaining about my bias, shame on you for not watching the full video ;) Imagine a gauge (like a speedometer in a car), if the arrow has been pointing to the right mostly (favouring the Germans), then if we move the arrow to the centre we’re also moving more to the left, which people assume is favouring the Soviets. But in actuality, we’re striking a balance between the two sides. We’re being neutral. It’s just, because we’re so used to the arrow pointing to the right, any move left is interpreted as bad. But it’s not. We have to try and reach that midpoint, and keep the arrow there. If not, we’ve not got a balanced view of the events. The book “Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed” was used for a lot of the quotes throughout this video. I highly recommend it! And the population statistics came from the book Harrison, M. “The Economics of World War II: Six great powers in international comparison.” Cambridge University Press, Kindle Edition, 2000. Please consider supporting me on Patreon and make these videos as good as they can be. I’m highly reliant on your support, which is why I’m going to say another big thank you to my current Patreons. THANK YOU! Got another Patreon update coming tomorrow, a poll, and a few posts too, so look forward to that ;) link to my Patreon www.patreon.com/TIKhistory Also, it was great to see some of you at TankFest yesterday! Just got home in time to publish this :) *Links* All my History videos in one playlist - ukposts.info/slow/PLNSNgGzaledhMtb3bsJkJmtECxS_mm_QM Your Perception of the Eastern Front is WRONG ukposts.info/have/v-deo/el2LfH5ubmaIrac.html The Numbers Say it All | The Myth of German Superiority on the WW2 Eastern Front ukposts.info/have/v-deo/l2dzeW56qoNqxac.html Why Germany Lost WW2 - OIL video ukposts.info/have/v-deo/o4agaX9nr4SDyZs.html Fall Blau ukposts.info/have/v-deo/oKqjapp7b5ynt40.html *Sources/Bibliography* Beevor, A. “Stalingrad.” Penguin Books, 1999. Chuikov, V. “The Beginning of the Road.” Panther Edition, 1970. Fritz, S. “Ostkrieg: Hitler’s War of Extermination in the East.” University Press of Kentucky. 2011. Glantz, D. “Colossus Reborn.” University of Kansas, 2005. Glantz, D. House, J. “The Stalingrad Trilogy, Volume 1. To the Gates of Stalingrad. Soviet-German Combat Operations, April-August 1942.” University Press of Kansas, 2009. Glantz, D. “Zhukov’s Greatest Defeat: The Red Army’s Epid Disaster in Operation Mars, 1942.” University Press of Kansas, 1999. Harrison, M. “The Economics of World War II: Six great powers in international comparison.” Cambridge University Press, Kindle Edition, 2000. Hill, A. “The Red Army and the Second World War. (Armies of the Second World War.” Cambridge University Press, 2017. Jones, M. “Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed.” Pen & Sword Military, 2016. Liedtke, G. “Enduring the Whirlwind: The German Army and the Russo-German War 1941-1943.” Helion & Company LTD, 2016. Matthews, R. “Stalingrad: The Battle that Shattered Hitler’s Dream of World Domination.” Arcturus Publishing Limited, 2014. Overy, R. “Russia’s War.” Penguin Books, 1999. Overy, R. “Why the Allies Won.” Pimlico, 2006. Shakespeare, C.” Stalingrad: Struggle in the East.” 2014. Zaitsev, V. “Notes of a Russian Sniper.” Frontline Books, 2017. Thanks for watching!

Oh boy, the comment section is going to make Stalingrad look like a nice sunday picnic in the park

What you say is definitely not true. I know, I was there, in the cinema where Enemy at the gates was shown.

"Rush B" - Joseph Stalin

Enemy at the gate is historically equal with star wars.

My favorite Stalin quote is that it took a brave man to be a coward in the Red Army.

Fun fact; when I showed this to my father, his first reaction was 'This guy's being paid by the Russians.'

Another interesting thing is about the infamous sentence "Death of a man is a tragedy, death of a million man is just statistics", Stalin never said that. It was actually from Erich Paul Remark, the author of Im Westen nichts Neues. What Stalin said was, " a death of a man is indeed a tragedy, but are the millions of casualties caused by his wrong orders just statistics?" when he signed the execution order of a red army commander.

My history teacher showed the enemy at the gates scene in class and presented it as fact. Feels bad man

Next you'll be telling us that Churchill and Eisenhower didn't have angel halos and wings. How dare you.

Stalin: execute order 227 Solider: yes my lord

I heard the phrase "time is blood" for the first time in this video, and I immediately figured it meant "do things quickly or it will cost lives". How can you hear "time is blood" and be like "hE doEsN'T vALuE ThE LivEs oF hiS mEN"? That's some Drax level of metaphoric ignorance.

Just wanted to add a few things on the penal battaliaons: There were 2 types of penal units: penal battalions and penal companies, the difference was that the battalions had officers only and companies had low rank soldiers. It was not only for those who pannicked, but also for those with discipline violations such as drinking or brawling on duty. As for common criminals joining the ranks - only those who did minor crimes were allowed to fill a plea to be released to fight, murderers and rapists weren't able to join penal unit (unlike some German ones like Derlivanger's squad). Those with severe ordinary or political crimes were assigned only a hard labour far from civilization. Another point about penal battalions leading the way and about pride of serving: since penal battalions consisted of officers, they had mich wider tactical understanding of the situation, counciled desidion making, much more effective tactical cooperation and personal initiative in battle, then an ordinary battalion. It was almost impossible to stop the batallion by killing the co's or by separating the unit in battle. It was proven so effective that this experience influenced the organization of Soviet special forces by picking experienced officers on each combat role, then by training private recruits. Same evaluation can be seen in some German memouars, where German soldiers expressed dread about Russians beign able to send units souly consisting of officers against them. Also after certain period or for deeds, the ranks and medals were given back to the redeemed fighters, often even with assigning extra ones. As for cleaning minefields "manualy" - it's a normal Soviet/Russian practise to this day to assign ordinary (not necessarely penal) soldiers to clean simple minefields by their own, in case sappers cannot get on time or waiting causes bad sitations, even mandatory conscrits do this kind of training nowadays. Alsoo about Ehrenburg's statement: the way he depicted the attitude towrds Germans is very sadistic-narcissistic and very dissgusting, he's on the same shelf as the nazis were. Tven despite the obvious attitude towards faschist during the war, there was no revers nazism of such type by far, although faschist were considered "inhuman" rather then "nonhuman" and in the early years of war often were shot when surrendering after battle. There were instances when SS soldiers were drowned in a cesspool or captured soldiers burned alive inside barn as simetrical act of retaliation, but that all, they were treated more like a predator, like a wolf that wants to eat your children, but not like some neanderthals. German laguage, music and literature was still taught during and after the war, everyone could've boght officially produced books, painting copies and vinil records of German authors.

Considering how Hollywood depicts 'hacking' and how computers work , I never get my knowledge from them. Instead, they spark an interest and I'm off to do more research.

Thank you for telling this. My grandfather is a veteran who fought in the Battle of Kursk, he was furious when he saw Enemy at the Gates. That movie is very hated in Russia.

Real History: "The Soviet were fighting just like any other decent army would considering they were unprepared and surprised by the German massive invasion. Though there were difficulties but with the resilience of the people defending their homeland and in several occasions, superior tactics and courage, they prevailed". Western History through movies/games/books: "The Soviet were dumb, they didn't make use of the fact that they had a long history of warfare so there were some extent of experiences but instead keep throwing men thoughtlessly into a meat grinder. But then winter came and the Germans decided to lose because why not, they're Germans, they could do whatever they want, including loosing a lot. But it was definitely not because the Soviet did it, either the Germans lost on their own accords or the Western Allies defeat them. The end."

Dude I can’t thank you enough for doing this. I was born in Odessa and currently live in NY. Both of my grandfathers fought in the war, one made it home one didn’t. Most of great uncles also fought, some even won medals. It’s so disappointing to me how the war on the eastern front is thought of in the West. Once again thank you for shining a light on the heroic sacrifice of the Soviet soldiers.

What's better than a informational video on youtube? a informational video on youtube with a full citation page!

"Peasant Soldiers charging across the open streets of Stalingrad, getting mowed down by the Germans, retreating back to their own lines before getting mowed down by the NKVD Blocking Detachment" The hell is this? Real life or Warhammer 40,000? _Imperial Commissar Voice:_ "RETREAT IS HERESY AGAINST THE GOD-EMPEROR" _BLAM-ing ensues_

I can somehow get how Order 227 would have been viewed approvingly by many of the frontline troops. They knew they were fighting for survival, and that anyone doing an unauthorised retreat would just make it worse for everyone who stood and fought.

My grand grandfather were killed by German airstrike on their howitzer unit (not sure how it's called) which stayed across Volga river in Stalingrad. The other grand grand father died on a mine in the Kursk battle. My grandfather survived and he finished the war as a colonel. He was the most smart and kind person in the world. I live in Canada but I saw western and eastern people. Both sides have good and bad people. But nobody is compared to some of those heroic, bright and very polite Russian veterans. Now you know why I don't watch movies about heroes. Captain America and Spiderman are nothing to real heroes.

It actually stands today in the US, to retreat without the order is desertion, and desertion while in combat is a capital offense.

I am RUSSIAN and US citizen. My father past that horrible war from 41-45. Remember his blood chilling story's. Thanks for been objective.

Don't think that most armies don't do this if they feel it is necessary. When I was in High School I had an older friend who was a US Marine in Vietnam. One day we were chatting about the War, and I asked him about the Tet offensive. He said that he manned a machine gun at a bridge over a river (I assume the Perfume River). I asked if he had to stop the North Vietnamese, and he said no, the ARVN (the South Vietnamese). I was pretty shocked (being more naive in those days) and said something about how he must be joking, but he said that the ARVN tended to run away (he used stronger terms) and that had to be stopped. He also said he used his gun in this cause, and that it was effective.

This is the kind of content we come to UKposts for, and used to watch History Channel for. Great stuff.

Funny strory: My great grandfather (from mother's line) was soldier in Red Army since 1939 until 1945. He had fought in Berlin but after war NKVD put him in jail, they thought that he and other soldiers in his battalion helped some Germans to leave the Berlin. He spend 1 year in prison but than was justified. My other great grandfather (father's line) was in NKVD until it's end in 1946. I can just picture them together in prison cell, glaring at each other, wishing each other death and not knowing that in 50 years they are will family.

I remember reading that even the legendary sniper of Stalingrad, Vasily Zaitsev, said that Order 277 was welcomed by the majority of the troops. They were in *need* of this kind of discipline.

You, sir, have invested much blood,sweat and tears into the mastery of your subject. You make good logical sense via honest scholarship. Your are a rare academic.

During the Russian Civil War (1917 -- 1922) Chuikov served as a private soldier in forces commanded by Commissar Josef Stalin. Ironically, his first battle was for control of a small town on the Volga River named Tsaritsyn, which was later renamed Stalingrad. In 1942, the previous Commander of the 62nd Army despaired of their ability to hold Stalingrad. General Yeremenko approached Chuikov who told the Front Commander, "We do not dare lose the city!" He then assured Yeremenko that the 62nd Army would hold Stalingrad or die in the city. He laid plans for a street fight, pinpointing future strong-points where the enemy would be forced to pass on their march to the Volga. He designated these as "kill zones" where Germans would be concentrated in the greatest numbers -- they were targeted by artillery on the other side of the Volga River. Chuikov ingeniously hid artillery and tanks in the ruins, and used small squads of six to eight men, supplemented by sharpshooters, to attack pockets of Wehrmacht troops. He told his men: "There is no land past the Volga" - and awaited the arrival of the 6th Army in Stalingrad. Chuikov and Paulus fought for Stalingrad for 5 months. Chuikov wrote: "The Germans underestimated our artillery. And they underestimated the effectiveness of our infantry against their tanks. This battle showed that tanks forced to operate in narrow quarters are of limited value; they’re just guns without mobility. In such conditions nothing can take the place of small groups of infantry, properly armed, and fighting with utmost determination -- groups converting every building into a fortress and fighting for it floor by floor and even room by room. Such defenders cannot be driven out either by tanks or planes." When Chuikov had fought Paulus' 6th Army to a standstill, Zhukov's pincer attack isolated the German 6th Army. Russia had gained the initiative in the War. Chuikov was the Russian General closest to Hitler's bunker when he committed suicide. He received the German surrender of Berlin on 1st May 1945.

So in short the Soviets held their officers accountable for their actions, and tried to revitalized the fighting spirit of all their armies by setting forth the immense importance of standing firm, against an extremely overstretched enemy, who view their land as nothing more than free real estate. It's as if the Soviet leadership might actually be capable of making rational decisions based on the given circumstances... Awesome video man! And thanks for breaking a huge misconception!

The first comprehensive video debunking this myth I have ever seen on UKposts. Well done.

So basically, the commissars that shot soviet soliders in "enemy at the gates" were the ones that would have been punished by the order in real life.

Honestly, history surrounding the Soviet's and Nazi's is often the most interesting, specifically when you attempt to get a firmer, rounded grasp of events.

After watching this i can actually understand this order. It's not "not a step back or else we'll shoot you" it's more like "i'm sick of my officers disobeying my commands and the commands of their superiors". In the US army if you do go AWOL and actually abandoned you could be subject to prison time and/or be convicted of treason (which to my knowledge is a death sentence).

'Germany invades the Soviet Union in June of 1942.' Yo are you getting enough sleep from that Stalingrad doc?

That is historically accurate... Unfortunately, history has been re-written also in Russia. At least in schools, it is thought as imagery of Stalin maniac behavior. As an officer, I can tell you that, if you tried everything and nothing works, Order 227 it is. Thanks for bringing the stats of population. It was very helpful. With all that being said, that Axis population gratefully outnumbered unoccupied Soviet population, and also being a step behind, it is sort of a miracle that Soviets got through next 3 years.

Blocking detachments, penal units and execution for cowardice in military existed throughout the history of humanity, with first records of such practices probably since ancient Romans. Western media always portraits Soviets as the only one side who implemented them, implying that Soviets didn’t have that level of moral and bravery as Germans or any other side of that war.. But the fun fact: Germans formed such units and battalions half a year BEFORE Soviets, after failure of operation Typhoon Here is the extract from the same order #227, that follows the one that TIK cited here, urging to copy Germans [After the winter retreat under pressure of the Red Army, when in German troops discipline became loose, the Germans for recovery of discipline imposed severe measures which resulted in quite good outcomes. They formed 100 penal companies from soldiers who were guilty of breaches of discipline because of cowardice or bewilderment, put them at dangerous sections of the front and commanded them to redeem their sins by blood. They have also formed approximately ten penal battalions from commanders guilty of breaches of discipline through cowardice or bewilderment, deprived them of their decorations, transferred them to even more dangerous sections of the front and commanded them to redeem their sins. Finally, they have formed special squads and put them behind unstable divisions and ordered them to shoot panic-mongers in case of unauthorized retreats or attempted surrender. As we know, these measures were effective, and now German troops fight better than they fought in the winter. And here is the situation, that the German troops have good discipline, though they do not have the high purpose of protection of the Motherland, and have only one extortionate purpose - to subdue another's country, and our troops have the higher purpose of protecting the abused Motherland,and do not have such discipline and so suffer defeat. Is it necessary for us to learn from our enemies, as our grandparents studied their enemies in the past and achieved victory? I think it is necessary.”] (And the link for entire text: en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Translation:Order_No._227_by_the_People%27s_Commissar_of_Defence_of_the_USSR

22:54 be like: "Dude im fighting a war what's with the camera?"

Wow, a man in pursuit of truth. Subbed.

Those in back cry forward Those in front cry back

Well done, man! Thank you on behalf of my grandfather, who fought there!

Soldier: shit i forgot my ammo back there. Stalin: not a step back!

UKposts needs more sites like this . Well researched with references to back up conclusions .I didn't think such things permitted on the internet .

I honestly had never given any thought to questioning the popular version of this particular historical flashpoint. Thanks for enlightening me!

You are wonderful human being. You channel's content if one of the best on YT. Thank you for sharing.

But, but... Generals memories about aryan superiority versus infinite asiatic hordes :(

As a Russian, I can't but express my gratitude to you for your great job in debunking those myths about the most smeared war in history. For those who still believe in evil Soviet commissars who shot their soldiers for no reason, here's the statistics compiled by NKVD from August to October 1942: "..detained: 140 755 soldiers who fled from the frontline. Of this number: arrested: 3 980 people; executed: 1 189 people; sent to penal companies: 2 776 people; sent to penal battalions: 185 people; returned to their units: 131 094 people." But of course, all the executed people were innocent victims of the bloody NKVD, and not traitors, panic-mongers and spies that easily disappeared among retreating masses. Jokes aside, I am shocked how lazy people are. There are many reliable sources of information, but it's easier for people to believe in myths and propaganda images. Also, I think it should be mentioned that penal battalions were only for the officers while penal companies consisted of regular soldiers. It is a popular misconception in our country that there were only penal battalions that consisted of regular soldiers mixed in with officers. Anyway, thanks again for the great vid. Keep fighting the wicked propaganda.

Oh wow. That's a lot of interesting info. Спасибо!

Another extremely insightful analysis. I wish I'd found the TIK channel sooner!

There was an infantry platoon which was ordered to operate as a blocking detatchment on the edge of the British right or left defending Dunkirk, to stop any soldiers from retreating rather than fighting to the last bullet, because of the need to give the troops on the beach as long as possible to retreat. It was showcased in a BBC docudrama about Dunkirk about 15 years ago, in which they did in fact shoot dead an officer trying to retreat past them.

Damn i wasn't expecting this kind of analisys, this is great man. Keep it up!

Very informative video. I find it interesting that Stalin actually employed the ideas and tactics Hitler had allegedly used to prevent the collapse of the front before Moscow against his arch foe. The order itself reveals Stalin's awareness of the fact that the Battle of Stalingrad was the decisive moment of the war in the East and what happened there would determine the outcome. What I don't undestand yet is why Hitler didn't arrive at the same conclusion and threw everything he had in order to win. I certainly need to watch more of these videos to solve this doubt.

The Wehrmacht was the first to form about a hundred penal companies, consisting of fighters guilty of breach of discipline by cowardice or instability, put them on dangerous sections of the front and ordered them to “atone with blood”. By the way, the Soviet detachments did not shoot any of the machine guns. And they were not directly on the front line, they were located in the frontline zone and guarded the rear from saboteurs and, yes, they caught the deserters. In the vast majority of cases it was caught, for the tribunal. The detachments were in almost all the armies of the world, but they are called differently. For example, there are cases when Dutch officers stopped retreating soldiers with machine gun fire

All too often, historical situations are taught in a simplistic manner. This has certainly been the case with respect to order 227. Thank you for this valuable video.

eye opening for me, thanks

I can't believe that here in 2022 we are seeing Russia repeat order 227

I just love how you destroy these myths one by one. Well done, I like before watching because I know it will be good!

Wow, this guy has less than 50K subscribers! Good and comprehensive explainations, good and clear voice, english subs for non native speakers, good editing. New favorite history UKposts channel!

Thank you for this video. Finally, a balanced view. I learned many things I didn't know. And for those who critisize you, I would like to quote the opinion of Régis de Castelnau, a French journalist. (I hope my translation is good, my English is not as good as my French) : to dislike socialism and the Soviet Union is one thing, and to falsify historical truth, is another. The first is strictly an individual right, the second is called propaganda. (and for hose who would jump to conclusions, based on my family name, I am Canadian, and NOT of Russian origin).

Personally, I think the misconception of the Soviet’s suicidal charges were from the fact that they did usually have to push forwards, because the most famous moments of the Eastern front were the counter offensives.

While they weren't entirely fighting out of fear, I still personally think that it played a big factor considering Stalins' policy of "fall in line or it's gulag time.". But over all I think it was more of the well known fact that people don't like having their front door kicked in told what to do expecially by germans.

The July Wehraboo offensive will begin soon. Hope you are ready man :D Good video!

Really glad that I stumbled upon this channel. Great content. Thank you.

These videos, especially the Russian losses never address why the Russian casualties were so much higher than the German casualties. Here I am not just talking about Brvarissa (1941), but throughout the Ostkrieg. And even in the great Russin victories, their losses were enormous. Of course, there were many factors, but there was one overriding factor, and the Soviets as well as the Russians today do not want to admit it.

Well, unfortunately, 99% of people who watch the movie won't see this video. They will believe the movie as if the things depicted were true. My dad himself was upset over the friendly fire during the first assault in the film. I explained how it wasnt true but you could tell anti Soviet propaganda lives on.

Nicely explained. History is usually misunderstood and thus biased.

I love stumbling onto a smaller channel with quality sources videos, Keep it up brother

You must be put on TV man, the way you give is the information is so good. It's so clear, NG must hire you and don't change a thing!

I mean the British never particular liked Russia. Why are historians like Beevor are even taken seriously?

Hey, at 2:00 you say "millions would die of starvation". I first thought "no way". I couldn't get a clear figure for number of Ukranian who died of starvation during the German occupation, because the Soviets did some damage themselves, but after some light internet digging it seems to be 5 to 7 millions dead to hunger and disease. I. can't. believe. this. They lost something like 20% of their population total (military + civilian).

0:29 : "Germany invades Soviet Union in June 1942" Yikes!!!

Great lecture. It is time that someone say that!!!

You can hate Stalin, hate the Soviet Union, but you can not deny the fact that the only reason we can live our life this way is because the bloods shed by those brave souls. I simply cannot understand how naive does one have to be to disregard their sacrifices. The record has to be set straight. For their faults and for their rights. The soldiers of the Soviet Union deserve their respect. Thank you for doing this TIK, now whenever I saw someone spitting the enemy at the gates crap again I can just link the video.

Comrade Vasily Chuikov, the time has come. Execute order 227.

Really enjoyed the Video. Would love to see more

First video I've seen of yours. Great! Subscribed.

Thank you for explaining about order 227 and what really happened. I subscribed

He fought by my side from the siege of Stalingrad to the fall of Berlin like of you know where this is from

When I was a kid and watched this movie, I didn't get it why this movie was hated in Russia, and I wondered if it had to do with the fact it was made in the west or something. But now I get it why, and actually agree with them.

Really enjoyed this, thank you. 'The Road to Stalingrad' by Ericcson is a great read :)

Well done, this vid got a sub. Informed and you get the information across at ease. Not being able to see you read a script keeps us immerse. Anyone can research facts and read them back, while your videos give the felling that you are the informed teacher and we are the students. Nothing worse than a teacher that has to look at the book while he gives the lesson. Cheers

Just here as promised on Sunday in the VIP Arena of Gaming Awards at Tankfest.....was nice to meet you and thank your for the long talk....cant wait for the upcoming videos - GnomeRanger from FILO

Fun fact: ENEMY AT THE GATE was directed by a French, whose ancestors actually imposed similar policy during WW I.

This is a goated channel. I am really interested in the history, especially the second world war, therefore, thank you so much for covering all these topics. It is really helpful for me to grasp the understatement of what was really going on.

Stalingrad was actually called "The Red Verdun" at the time, due to the similar hold-at-all-costs attitude and the ferocity of the combat in a relatively small area.

I read a part of a German description of the Russian front and saw something quickly that made no sense. The Germans always claimed they were outnumbered everywhere and that was why they lost. My own military training told me you could only ever be so out numbered on your part of the front. Clearly the Germans were static and the Soviets moving and defeating the Germans in detail. But it seems the Germans got to write the history that was read by the Western military. So much for history being written by the victors.

I can't believe that so many Americans believe that propaganda movie lmao

Well shit... and I thought that the education 8 year old me got from the Stalingrad level of CoD Classic was pretty solid

Great video and interesting history as always, thanks. I saw an interview (as I'm sure others have) with a soldier from a Red Army Penal battalion around Stalingrad. He was there because he had as a civilian questioned why his teacher was being arrested. Others were there because they had been late to report for work in a factory (a criminal offense). He talked about his group being sent forward to test and expose the German defenses before the main attack while officers observed. He knew his only hope of survival was to be wounded and pay his debt in blood but was worried that his first 2 wounds were perhaps not serious enough to allow him to stop attacking without risking being shot as a coward. As for the numbers quoted surely these need to be taken more as estimates as the Red army conscripted males of fighting age from the territories they liberated and not all were documented before being killed as they were used as front line troops suffering high casualties.

Finland wasn't in the Axis..... Finland, was just Finland..

It's unfortunate when someone confuses historical facts. Germany's attack on the Soviet Union (Plan Barbarossa) began on 22 June 1941, not 1942 as you claim.

every video of yours breaks something i knew about WWII who would win: the established narrative of WWII, movies and pop culture ... or some TIK boy

I don't get the drama over all this, really. Any standing army full of conscripts would have this order or something similar. I suppose the reason western people these days have a problem with it is due to our lack of understanding of what wartime necessities are. The past three or four US generations have grown up knowing nothing but voluntary military service - everyone in the military wants to be there. Those troops will on average not need such standing orders but in the face of such a serious invasion from an overwhelming force, you can firmly expect it would be instituted. Let us not deceive ourselves, however. Stalin''s willingness to let the people under his rule perish to protect his position and goals is well documented. Had the Soviet military leadership not been so thoroughly gutted by purges to ensure Stalin's power base and Stalin himself not so blindly ignored the coming German invasion, such loss of life as suffered by their people would not have been necessary. It is difficult to look on the eastern front of the war and not see "bad on bad" from a western perspective. Perhaps the worst outcome of all this overall would be if events were reversed and under different leadership, the Soviets had invaded Germany. Hitler would have fallen fairly quickly and Fascism as a political concept would not have been so thoroughly invalidated and could have taken hold elsewhere in Europe and grown into another monster again. Props to Tik here for pointing most of this out. He is absolutely correct in stating that this order did not in any way make the Red Army evil or unusual. He is also correct that it is other ways the regime handled itself that earn it the reputation it rightly deserves.

Outstanding , thank you . From a Brit living in Russia .

There's nothing to think, you did a outstanding job of clarifying Order fora layman such as myself. I'm subscribing.

Hollywood industry fails, yet again.

Ya, but shit rolls down hill. In all seriousness, I loved this video. One of your best. You are my fav youtube historian. Keep it up, and thank you.

There was another factor which plagued the Russian Army & it's discipline. Starlin's purges of the defence forces before WWII, removing offices whom his paranoia deemed as a threat to his reign & thus leaving less component offices in command.

this is so refreshing !!! great job !!!!

It’s about time, a UKposts video that was well researched with primary and secondary sources. Very well done. As a Social Studies teacher I learned something and am very proud to call you a colleague. No matter what our political beliefs, we need to keep our History true and correct.