Lt Friedrich Lengfeld, Wehrmacht

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

In Haguenau, Germany, in late January 1945, The 101st received the order to send a patrol across the river crossing to capture enemies and make them talk. At the end of this patrol and after a short battle between the Americans and the Germans, the members of the squad left a German soldier in agony, who cried for his mother, for hours. One GI thought about going back across to knife him to death, but eventually, another threw a grenade, which silenced the German soldier. (Did Americans kill a wounded German because his cries disturbed their conscience?.)

Friedrich Lengfeld was a German officer, in World War two, and a company commander in the Hürtgen Forest.

His unit was to secure a minefield against the Americans, after fierce fighting, he heard cries of pain “Help me” from a wounded American soldier between the frontlines, the lieutenant ordered his soldiers not to fire on approaching American medics, they could evacuate the wounded solder, however, the soldiers cry for his mother and “help” continued for hours, Friedrich ordered his medics to form a squad to rescue the soldier, he took the lead (his actions did not go unnoticed by the Americans).

Leading his men through the minefield, he never made it; he stepped on a mine and bled to death. The Americans were so moved by his sacrifice, they built a monument,

To the young lieutenant, the voice crying out that day did not come from an enemy. Neither from an American nor a stranger. It came from a human being in need. Something inside Friedrich compelled him to act—a feeling so strong that not even the madness of war could block it out. In the German forest, where thousands met their deaths, that glorious impulse for life is now honoured.

When the fighting is over, all men become a Band Of Brothers

[Marshal Dan Troop 70448]

Atrocities I found out later in life were committed by the Axis and Allieds. I have no answers for these, but it does effect an individuals when the time comes to surrender  I knew from a young age the story of my father leading his squadron to British line for surrendering their planes and themselves. It was decades later I asked my father why not the American Lines to surrender. Of course he said if his commander knew what he and his squadron were planning to do, they would all have been lined up and shot as traitors. Almost to a man dad said they all agreed to surrender to the British because the word had come that Americans were shooting prisoners that had surrendered. So, as dad said, early morning they all went up as if going on a patrol and headed West to British Lines. They landed in front with their planes lined up nose to nose to show they were not in a combat position and marched to their lines.  My dad was released from the British POW Camp in February of 46 as well as all his Squadron. They were given some money and warm clothing along with their release papers.

Edited July 17 by Marshal Dan Troop 70448

[Alpo]

That doesn't really make sense.

 

Based on what the Luftwaffe did to England in 6 years of aerial war, I would be more inclined to believe that the British would shoot prisoners. Any German prisoners, but especially Air Force.

 

Yeah I could see Americans shooting Japanese prisoners, because of what they did the Pearl Harbor. But the Germans didn't really do anything to us.

 

Unless it was because of the concentration camps. But then, it would seem like any of the Allies would be killing the Axis on sight, if that was the reason.

[Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485]

42 minutes ago, Alpo said:

That doesn't really make sense.

 

Based on what the Luftwaffe did to England in 6 years of aerial war, I would be more inclined to believe that the British would shoot prisoners. Any German prisoners, but especially Air Force.

 

Yeah I could see Americans shooting Japanese prisoners, because of what they did the Pearl Harbor. But the Germans didn't really do anything to us.

 

Unless it was because of the concentration camps. But then, it would seem like any of the Allies would be killing the Axis on sight, if that was the reason.

Wouldn't surprise me to find out the SS spread rumors to keep the  troops from surrendering.