Reply With QuoteHeavy..........
The actions of Joseph Schultz
thx to Gauntlet (from the FH forums) for translating and posting this
i think this is a truly touching story
Originally Posted by Gauntlet
This picture shows a young German soldier walking to his own death. A death by execution conducted by his own brothers in arms
Jospeh Schultz was a German soldier on the Eastern Front. On the 20th of July 1941, he along with seven of his brothers in arms were sent out on what they thought to be a routine mission. After a short march they soon understood that they were on a quite different mission than what they were used to: Ahead of them, they saw fourteen captured local civilians who were blindfolded , positioned up against a wall. The 8 soldiers in Schultz platoon were halted 10-15 meters away, and an NCO ordered them to execute every one of the civilian. Seven of the soldiers took aim, and in the silence that followed you could only hear the sound of a rifle beeing dropped. Jospeh Schultz disobeyed a direct order, dropped his rifle and walked slowly towards the 14 civilians which only heard cautious footsteps in the grass infront of them. The young Schultz positioned himself together with the soon-to-be executed civilians, and choosed death instead of killing hopeless civilians. A few seconds later 14 civilians and 1 German soldier laid dead in the grass. He was executed by his own brothers in arms by order of the NCO.
This action shows that its actually possible to do evil things. Its possible to be a free-thinking morally human-being no matter what is happening around you. But, no other of his 7 brothers in arms followed his example. It was no revolt. No large-scale deserting. This is no hero-story. Neither a story about a victim. No-one was saved by Joseph Schultz action. Everyone were shot. Everyone plus one more. But he was a moral example. He refused to fire because its wrong to fire. It was no different on how many that were shot. But it was a difference to him. And to us.
Last edited by Big Lebowski; 07-31-2006 at 12:13 PM.
Heavy..........
Very heavy, ...to walk to your own death. Respect. RIP
Kann dir die Hand drauf geben
Derweil ich bin eben lad'.
Du bleibst in unsern Leben,
Den Feind wird nicht vergeben,
Jospeh Schultz, Kamerad,
Jospeh Schultz, Kamerad.
I had heard about this incident before but not in such detail. If it was not for the person taking the photograph this event would have been forgotten.
What is this song? I dont know german. Were does it come from?
A brave brave man, Respect.
It is a song composed in memory of Hans Beimler a german international brigadist who died fighting fascism in spanish civil war, the song use the music of the tipical german soldiers song "I had a camerad"
Hans Beimler Kamerad:
Vor Madrid im Schützengraben,
In der Stunde der Gefahr,
Mit den eisernen Brigaden,
Sein Herz voll Haß geladen,
Stand Hans, der Kommissar,
Stand Hans, der Kommissar.
Seine Heimat muß er lassen,
Weil er Freiheitskämpfer war.
Auf Spaniens blut'gen Straßen
Für das Recht der armen Klassen,
Starb Hans, der Kommissar,
Starb Hans, der Kommissar.
Eine Kugel kam geflogen
Aus der Heimat für ihn her.
Der Schuß war gut erwogen,
Der Lauf war gut gezogen-
Ein Deutches Schießgewehr
Ein Deutches Schießgewehr.
Kann dir die Hand drauf geben
Derweil ich bin eben lad'.
Du bleibst in unsern Leben,
Den Feind wird nicht vergeben,
Hans Beimler, Kamerad,
Hans Beimler, Kamerad.
The last part means something like "your memory will live between us, the enemy will be never forgiven", a german member will be able to give a more exact translation.
Good example that there were Members in all Parts of German Society who were courageous enough to withstand
I do no think that I would have the Courage of this man in this situation
Kann dir die Hand drauf geben
Derweil ich bin eben lad'.
Du bleibst in unsern Leben,
Den Feind wird nicht vergeben,
Hans Beimler, Kamerad,
Hans Beimler, Kamerad.
I can give you my hand on this
While Im loading
You will stay in our Life
We will not forgive the enemy
Hans Beimler (Joseph Schultz),Comrade
Thanks for posting that, Big Labowski.
RIP to Joseph Shultz. I wish more people knew about him. Much respect.
In my eyes, he's just as much a hero as Chesty Puller, Carlos Hathkock, or any of others.
very cool.
This man had enough cajones to walk to his own death...this is an example of the best of human nature. the man knew he was going to die labaled as a "traitor" but he was going to die as a man with a clear concience and soul.
~WU~
A very brave man indeed.
I never heard about this story until now, thx!
A very touching example of human dignity.
Lokos
Respect to the man.
Posting Permissions
