Ok,a couple of things here that are going to upset some people.
Yes,he WAS a war criminal for executing allied prisoners.
No,he didn't do it because he wanted to kill them. He did it because his unit was leading the Nazi assault on the positions of the Americans,and he didn't have a safe place to leave them locked up,or the men to spare to guard them after he continued his advance. Leaving them behind unguarded was also not an option,since they would be free to try to link up with Allied Forces and fight to kill him and his men again.
In short,he had no other options because continuing his attack and successfully defeating the Allies and forcing them to surrender was the only hope the Nazi's had of not losing the war.
If there is one "golden rule of combat" it is that you NEVER leave enemy soldiers unguarded in your rear as you advance"
He did what he had to do,and he stood up and paid the price for it without whining like a little bitch.
And "Yes,even I would have voted to convict him." Nobody ever said that being a professional soldier was a safe job.
