One other point about disregarding surrender orders. The US had an agreement with the Russians from the Yalta conference (if memory serves), that the US would hand over any fleeing German military forces who continued to resist Russian capture. Thousands of German troops thinking they were safely in US custody found themselves turned over to the Russians. Didn't Erich Hartmann fall into Russian hands in this manner? Incidently, being a POW of the Russians was not a death sentance, especially if one was high ranking or notable for other reasons. Hartmann survived and he destroyed 352 Russian aircraft in the air. Granted it was no picnic but it wasn't a death sentence either.
I was personally told by a German vet that one had to be careful when interrogated by the Russians. It was his experience that if a German admitted to something as simple as cutting down a Russian tree for firewood it was punishable by death as a crime against the Soviet Union. This vet was an Obergefreiter in an Infantry Regiment who was not taken by the Russians but other members of his unit were and relayed this information to him.
In light of the US policy on returning fleeing German military, Rudel's decision to violate surrender terms was quite a risky affair indeed. Appealing to American honor in demanding return of his stolen awards (and leg) was a smart move on his part but not all US commanders would have responded in this fashion. Rudel was lucky he got them back. Either the US commander was under orders to see to the comfort of his distinguished guest or he hadn't written too many letters to grieving relatives of men under his command. A lot of commanders had very little concern for the personal effects of enemy captives. There was nothing "illegal" about taking decorations off enemy soldiers. Decorations like these (albeit not quite this high) had been used to lure souvenier hunting GIs into booby traps more than once.
Great discussion! Cheers, Bill Huber
I was personally told by a German vet that one had to be careful when interrogated by the Russians. It was his experience that if a German admitted to something as simple as cutting down a Russian tree for firewood it was punishable by death as a crime against the Soviet Union. This vet was an Obergefreiter in an Infantry Regiment who was not taken by the Russians but other members of his unit were and relayed this information to him.
In light of the US policy on returning fleeing German military, Rudel's decision to violate surrender terms was quite a risky affair indeed. Appealing to American honor in demanding return of his stolen awards (and leg) was a smart move on his part but not all US commanders would have responded in this fashion. Rudel was lucky he got them back. Either the US commander was under orders to see to the comfort of his distinguished guest or he hadn't written too many letters to grieving relatives of men under his command. A lot of commanders had very little concern for the personal effects of enemy captives. There was nothing "illegal" about taking decorations off enemy soldiers. Decorations like these (albeit not quite this high) had been used to lure souvenier hunting GIs into booby traps more than once.
Great discussion! Cheers, Bill Huber
Comment