Regulations on Penal Battalions and Penal Companies, September 28, 1942

Source: Tom 18

Regulations on Penal Battalions of Active-Duty Fronts

1. Penal battalions are formed within fronts in accordance with Order No. 227 of the People's Commissar of Defense. The number of penal battalions within a front shall be determined by the Military Council of the Front, depending on the situation.

2. Penal battalions are under the direct subordination of the front command.

3. Officers of all branches of the armed forces who have committed offenses involving violations of discipline, cowardice, or instability are sent to penal battalions.

4. Persons sent to penal battalions are stripped of their military rank for the duration of their assignment.

5. The term of service in a penal battalion is set at one to three months of participation in combat. For those who are wounded in battle, the term is considered to have been served regardless of the time spent in the battalion. Those who distinguished themselves in battle may be restored to their former rank and returned to regular units by order of the front command.

6. The command staff of penal battalions is drawn from the most resolute and courageous officers.

Regulations on Penal Companies of Active-Duty Armies

1. Penal companies are formed within armies in accordance with Order No. 227 of the People's Commissar of Defense. The number of penal companies within an army shall be determined by the Military Council of the Army.

2. Penal companies are under the direct subordination of the army command.

3. Red Army soldiers and junior commanders who have committed offenses involving violations of discipline, cowardice, or instability are sent to penal companies.

4. The term of service in a penal company is set at one to three months of participation in combat.

5. Those who are wounded in battle are considered to have served their term and are restored to their rights. Those who distinguished themselves in battle may be restored to their former status ahead of schedule and may be recommended for decoration.

6. The command staff and political workers of penal companies are drawn from the most resolute officers and political workers with combat experience.

People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR

I. Stalin