Marshall Zhukov came up with the idea of using search lights to blind the Germans for his initial assault on the Seelow Heights just outside Berlin. The plan backfired as all the dust in the air reflected the lights back blinding the assault troops.
The Russian grunts thought the light was meant to push them forward - it was so bright they could not retreat with the light being so blinding - they could only move forward. The lights as blocking detachments.