A Belgian servant in the Antoine Farm, Knittels CP near Stavelot, overheard a conversation of some SS-soldiers that they wanted to kill the civilians once the officers were gone. Knittel then assured the family that he would leave the farm as the last man. He kept this promise and Madame Antoine, well over ninety years old, still says that Knittel was correct in his behaviour towards them.
Perhaps as their commanding officer he was responsible for the misdeeds of his men, but he never gave orders for any warcrime and here Belgian civilians support his defense.
He earned my respect by doing things like this. Being a soldier is not just about fighting. A shame that he was framed for murder at the Malmédy trial. He was human in every aspect, not just in the above example.
Timo
[ 18. January 2003, 04:23 PM: Message edited by: Timo ]
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Also spricht der Narr: 'der Umgang mit Menschen verdirbt den Charakter, sonderlich wenn man keinen hat.'
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