Use of Penal Battalions

I've always seen penal battalions being mentioned in World War II, the Soviets heavily using them, or at least having the most notoriety for using them. My question is however, was there ever any really good use for such battalions? Did they even give the Soviet Union any advantage? :confused:
 
I've always seen penal battalions being mentioned in World War II, the Soviets heavily using them, or at least having the most notoriety for using them. My question is however, was there ever any really good use for such battalions? Did they even give the Soviet Union any advantage? :confused:

If there was one thing that they did good, it would probably be clearing minefields for the rest of the Soviet Army.
 
They were sued to attack where Soviets expected extra heavy casualties. So they first threw penal battalions at them to soften them up.
 
They cleared minefields and drained German forces before the main force of regular troops entered engagement but their real value was the fear they created in the Red Army which helped "discourage" fleeing the battlefield or surrendering.
 
To slightly side track the 'Soviet' context - and without wishing to sound like a 'grumpy old man' I find it all too easy to wish there isn't a military option within the Criminal Justice sysyem! Reading, watching what the troops in Afganistan have to endure, and comparing it with some drunken yob trying to look 'hard' kniving someone, while drug gangs conduct a drive-by shooting - what a pity Penal Battalion isn't an option !!
Rant over!
 

SPQR

Banned
According to the memoirs of a soviet war hero the penal battalions had its good sides. The officers were treating the grunts better(they didn't want a bullet in the back). The food was better, because it was send directly to the battalion instead of all the way down the chain. And the best thing for the soviet veteran was the fact that he was fighting first and never got to see the carnage on their side.
 
I only know about the German penal units.
They were mostly positioned before the main German defence lineand used to wear down expected Soviet attacks.
It worked on the Eastern Front.
Attemps to use them against the allies in Africa resulted in an instant surrender.
 
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