<P> During WWI, only 18 Germans who deserted in the First World War were executed . In contrast of the Germans who deserted the Wehrmacht, 15,000 men were executed . In June 1988 the Initiative for the Creation of a Memorial to Deserters came to life in Ulm . A central idea was, "Desertion is not reprehensible, war is". </P> <P> During WWI a total of 28 New Zealand soldiers were sentenced to death for desertion; of these, five were executed . These soldiers were posthumously pardoned in 2000 through the Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act . Those who deserted before reaching the front were imprisoned in what were claimed to be harsh conditions . </P> <P> The execution of soldiers for desertion is controversial, particularly considering the age of some of the soldiers and the potential of shell - shock . </P> <P> Order No. 270, dated August 16, 1941, was issued by Joseph Stalin . The order required superiors to shoot deserters on the spot . Their family members were subjected to arrest . Order No. 227, dated July 28, 1942, directed that each Army must create "blocking detachments" (barrier troops) which would shoot "cowards" and fleeing panicked troops at the rear . During World War II, the Soviets executed 158,000 soldiers for desertion . </P>

How many british soldiers were executed in ww2