Eastern Front #62 The Rzhev Meatgrinder escalates

The Eastern Front Week by Week · Aug 13, 2026 · 35m

Last time we spoke about Order no. 227. In late July 1942, the Soviet Union faced military catastrophe. German forces drove relentlessly toward Stalingrad while advancing into the Caucasus, shattering morale across the Red Army. Desperate soldiers fled eastward; rumors spread that Moscow might fall. On July 28th, Stalin responded with Order No. 227—"Not a Step Back!" Acknowledging the loss of territories producing vast quantities of grain, fuel, and metal, Stalin declared further retreat would strip the army of everything needed to survive. Beyond rhetoric, the order implemented systematic…