They were security troops, not front-line infantry. They were armed differently and had different missions. For example, they had lots of submachine guns but little or no artillery. They could be pushed into the line, but only in an emergency. They were attached directly to armies and not subject to the same chain of command as soldiers. The blocking detachments were commanded by officers of higher rank than would usually command such small formations.
Have you seen "Brest Fortress"? It features an NKVD garrison pulled into front line fighting at the very beginning of world war 2, and they were awesome. I know what were talking about is not treated movies like actual historical accounts, but I'm making an exception for this one.
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They were security troops, not front-line infantry. They were armed differently and had different missions. For example, they had lots of submachine guns but little or no artillery. They could be pushed into the line, but only in an emergency. They were attached directly to armies and not subject to the same chain of command as soldiers. The blocking detachments were commanded by officers of higher rank than would usually command such small formations.
Have you seen "Brest Fortress"? It features an NKVD garrison pulled into front line fighting at the very beginning of world war 2, and they were awesome. I know what were talking about is not treated movies like actual historical accounts, but I'm making an exception for this one.