This leads to the conclusion, it is time to finish retreating. Not one step back! Such should now be our main slogan. ... Henceforth the solid law of discipline for each commander, Red Army soldier, and commissar should be the requirement - not a single step back without order from higher command.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Stalin issues a strict order to halt retreat and enforce discipline during military operations.
- In plain terms
- Soldiers must not move back without direct orders.
- What can you take from it?
- Enforce strict discipline to hold ground.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is retreat necessary?
- How to balance discipline and survival?
Another view
Such orders can lead to high casualties if tactical withdrawal is needed.
More from Joseph Stalin
Hitlers come and go, but Germany and the German people remain.
Permalink to quote #18 This war is not as in the past; whoever occupies a territory also imposes on it his own social system. Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can r…
Permalink to quote #20 Ours is a just cause; victory will be ours!
Permalink to quote #17
Related quotes
I tried at that time to relieve the Sixth Army, of which I was supreme commander, above Paulus, by counterattacks - but it was not possible. I gave the order f…
Erich von MansteinErich von Manstein quote #2 It is madness to attempt to hold. In the first place the troops cannot do it and in the second place if they do not retreat they will be destroyed. I repeat th…
Gerd von RundstedtGerd von Rundstedt quote #3 The heavy casualties, the constant retreat, the shortage of food and munitions, the difficulty of receiving reinforcements... all this had a very bad effect on…
Vasily ChuikovVasily Chuikov quote #7