I just watched the Danish movie 'Land of Mines', and it was shocking to learn about this. I have been google searching the validity of the story, and learned that using German POWs as minesweeper is not a news. Now, I have read about the French using them from this source, and justified it by arguing that there is no German government to react to it. I guess I understand (not necessarily agree, but regardless) the idea behind, 'you put it, you clean it up'.However, this movie is about using teenaged POWs who were conscripted to Volkssturm. I have couple of questions regarding this topic, and I realize this is badly documented and reported, so any answer to any of them, or even shining a small insight into it is much appreciated.

1. What usually happened to the teenagers who were in the Volkssturm when they were captured? Were they considered as regular adult soldiers and got the same treatment? I thought they would just be sent home. Also, it is one thing using/forcing POWs to do the dangerous job, but it is another to use minors. So, even if they could argue against the international law, doesn't minor soldiers fall under another law? How did the international court react to this?

2. The movie portrays unnecessary amount of hatred towards the German POWs. I mean yes, they have every reason to hate them, but to the level of not caring at all for their well being? The movie portrays them not getting any steady food supply and not even given any equipment for safety. For me, it doesn't make much sense, because wouldn't lessening the casualty by giving them adequate equipment and some sort of steady food supply be in their best interest, so they can stand better before the international court if there were to be trouble? I mean would they hate them so much that they don't care about inexperienced teenagers dying? Also, they are doing the dangerous job for them, I don't understand why they wouldn't care about their health and well being, at least to an adequate level. Or is it just dramatization from the movie?

3. I saw one guy has the patch that says 'Kommando Dänemark'. Would they have been occupying force in Denmark who were captured when Germany capitulated, hence why the movie portrays them as soldiers with no battle experience? I thought Volkssturm were mainly created for the war in mainland Germany, especially against the Soviet Union, so why would they be in Denmark? If there were no Volkssturm in Denmark, why were minor soldiers stationed there?

4. Lastly, it is not like the Allies didn't have adequate ways to clear mines. There are some M4 Sherman Variants that is specifically built for this. Why not just use them? I just don't understand how this was all necessary. Everything the Allies who used POWs to clear mines just doesn't make much sense. From my understanding, they are breaking the Geneva convention, and went the extra mile to argue they have the right to use them, just to leave them with no equipment, and some even using minors, which you cannot argue your way out of. Is it just simple revenge mentality, or was logistics that difficult to borrow a mine sweeper from their allies? I mean, so many countries try to keep a good image of themselves, but this case seems like they are trying extra hard to look bad.

This movie was not bad as a movie, but seems too dramatized to be a historical movie. However it was an actual event, so I wanted to know what was actually happening. Anybody who can lend me some knowledge would be greatly appreciated.