Accomplice testifies at German WWII killing trial

[demoleft]

Source: ap

AACHEN, Germany – An accomplice of a former member of the Nazi SS who is on trial for murdering Dutch civilians during World War II testified Friday that hit squad men were afraid of what would happen if they didn't follow orders.

Dutchman Jacobus Petrus Besteman testified Friday to a German court by video link from the Netherlands in the trial against Heinrich Boere, who is charged with three counts of murder.

"All those who participated were afraid of not following an order. That was very dangerous," Besteman told the Aachen state court. He said, however, that he wasn't aware that anyone had ever been punished.

The 88-year-old Boere admitted in court last month that he was involved in the 1944 killing of three Dutch civilians as a member of a Waffen SS hit squad.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100115/ap_on_re_eu/eu_germany_nazi_hit_man

[No Elephants]

1. Yes, not following the orders of the worst homicidal maniac in history would have been dangerous.

Following them should have been even more dangerous. Too bad so many cowardly fuckers got away with it.

[Jumping John]

2. Ever heard of the My Lai massacre? The crew that stopped the killing were held in contempt by

many service men for the act of courage that they demonstrated that day.

[era veteran]

3. Held in very high regard too

[Jumping John]

4. But it took the military until 1998 to bestow the Soldier's Medal for their acts of bravery. And

during the trial they received death threats.

~quote~
Andreotta died in combat a month later. Thompson and Colburn played important roles in the Calley trial. For that, they received denunciations from angry Americans, including death threats. The nation was deeply divided over Vietnam, but most Americans polled expressed the view that Calley was being treated unfairly.4 There were rallies of support, songs on the radio (e.g. "The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley"5), and public attacks, some personal, on Calley's accusers. Thompson reports his mystification at being cast as "the bad guy" in the American development of the My Lai trials.

In December 1998, Thompson, Colburn, and Andreotta (posthumously) were awarded, the Soldier's Medal for their actions at My Lai. Reportedly, the medals were bestowed with reluctance on the part of some Pentagon officials.

quote

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl201/modules/just_war_theory/standoff_at_my_lai_03.html

[era veteran]

9. Charlie Co. did not represent the entire US Army but brought shame on the

Army. Hugh Thompson was a true hero and saved many lives. Calley, the only man to face Court Martial, never expressed regret until last year. Capt. Medina and the chain of command walks. Terrible day in a terrible war.

[MadMaddie]

10. Yes you are correct!

In the end those that stopped the killing can live knowing that they acted to stop the murders.

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[8 track mind]

5. Wow.

you have to wonder how someone like that has been able to justify his actions all of these years. It's scary to think people like that walk among us.

[matt819]

6. This is probably a fantasy

But there is some consolation that Nazis who perpetrated war crimes are, almost 70 years later, being held accountable. Perhaps some of those responsible for Iraq will also face the consequences of their actions within our lifetimes.

[izquierdista]

7. Time's running out

No way Cheney and Bush are going to be around in another 70 years.

[Thothmes]

8. Its also unfortunate that Johnson and McNamara

have gone to their graves without indictment or trial as war criminals.