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Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck Quote: |
Originally Posted by gladius The problem with Japan's atrocities versus Germany's is that, althought Germany did alot of atrocities, they were mainly commited by the SS. Most of the common German soldiers conducted themselves arcording to the rules of war, and behaved well. That is NOT the case with the Japanese, with them the atrocities were done mostly by the common soldier. | Yup you got that right.
The non SS German troops were upstanding dudes. Too bad they had to be foe. The Japanese were nuts. |
That's not exactly true. Some ordinary Heer (Army) units also committed atrocities, especially on the Eastern Front. In fact, due to the savagery and intensity of the fighting there ALL units from both sides committed what on the Western Front would be termed atrocities. For example, both sides routinely shot prisoners of war.
Also you have to distinguish between the Security SS and the Waffen SS. The latter were a legitimate fighting force that took part in many of the most climatic battles of the Eastern Front alongside the Heer. Moreover, German commanders at the highest levels of command must have been aware of the 'Final Solution' if not totally aware of it's consequences. The idea that the regular German Army can escape the taint of atrocities cannot be upheld.