“Reminds me of the scene at the beginning of “The Enemy at the Gates” where they gave ever other soldier ONE rifle. The idea being after your comrade gets killed by the Germans you pick up his rifle and fight.”
And then the political officers behind the line who would help stiffen the resolve to fight by shooting anyone who retreated.
Opening scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_2eAFnWkBE
Continued: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoPhVrVsvtk