During World War II, did Nazi soldiers really have no choice but to follow orders, "or else"? What really happened to those who refused to participate in the systematic killings, and other war crimes?

by Xealyth

I haven't personally reviewed many cases of Nazi war criminals on trial in any depth, but I think it's reasonable to assume that many (if not all) claimed that they had no choice but to follow orders. But in reality, if they really did refuse to participate, would they have just been given some menial job in an office or something instead? Or did they really have no choice but to do as they were told?

If the latter is correct, then why were non-high-ranking members tried guilty? I doubt that was the case then, and I'm probably answering my own question, but I'm just really curious because I see many people making argument against, for example, putting a former 90 year old Nazi guard on trial for war crimes.

Thanks!

Elm11

Hi there,

Not to preclude further discussion, but /u/commiespaceinvader has addressed this question here as well as in a number of their other responses. You may find it relevant to your inquiries. To date there is no evidence of any German soldier being executed for refusing to carry out atrocities, although they could face a range of lesser punishments.