True Bravery

[HappyCat]

I often think that the term hero is used sometimes more readily than it should. But I had never heard of someone being this brave before.

Private Joseph Schultz didn't die saving anyone. He didn't didn't die in view of the public in an attempt to set an example. He didn't try and go down fighting, he just silently walked to his death because he knew that following his orders were wrong. We are lucky that a photographer captured this picture and story so that others can actually know about the story:


The following taken from militaryphotos


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.

[Tornadom]

It is awesome to see people strand by their beliefes, even if it cost them everything.

[Mike]

I had never heard about him before, really appreciate you sharing this man

[Mike]

I actually liked this one so much, I added it to the front page.

*Points Awarded*

[HappyCat]

I had never heard of it either. And I may not have believed it had it not been for the photographer. It is a shame that Generals get massive statues and this kid who was probably only 19 did the most heroic thing I had ever read about and barely gets mentioned in a newspaper 60 years later.

But I guess that is what makes this such a great story, you know he was doing it for only the right reasons. He knew he wasn't setting an example or going to go down in history. He would probably just end up dead in some random field. But he did it anyways because it was the morally right thing to do.

I don't know how many similar stories like this had happened throughout the war but didn't have a photographer there to record the story. I'm sure many people died doing heroic actions that will never be known to anyone else.

[The Mad Wombat]

It didn't matter what people would think. He didn't think his corps would not fire. He was a man that said "I will not murder!". Killing is one thing. To kill in defense of your family or country is one thing. That is defense. Shooting blindfolded civilians is murder. Pure and simple! I would hope that every man here would do the same regardless of recognition or hope of change. In the end, all a man has is his honour! I (as we all) salute you Herr Pvt. Schultz! It may not have been your intention but you have served as an example for us all!

[AnArmyOf1]

I have a feeling i would do this.. but if the time came i would panic. I would enlist and go fight people who are trying to take lives, but i am not trying to go and take lives of the innocent. and even if i do kill someone who tries to steal your life, you stole his and holding that in my heart would hurt forever.

[HappyCat]

Although I would like to think that I had that kind bravery in me, no one ever knows how they will act until the situation is upon them.

On a side note. I have allways wished I could see the face of the soldier whom is looking directly at Schultz in the photo. What is he thinking, possibly watching one of his best friends walk to his death, and knowing that he may have to be the one to shoot him. Even with all the things that soldiers on the Eastern Front saw during the course of the war, I'm sure that is they type of thing to haunt you for a long time.

[Tornadom]

Originally Posted by HappyCat

Although I would like to think that I had that kind bravery in me, no one ever knows how they will act until the situation is upon them.

I concur. That is a tough situation to fathom with out being in it.

[Rohan]

This reminds me of when I was recently visting a video game store. A man had just recently bought the last nintendo wii and was making his way out of the store when a small boy, approximately 10-12 years old that looked like he was stricken with some form of cancer approached the counter. He asked if there were any more nintendo wii's. Being sold out the clerk had to turn the boy down. The man who had just bought the last wii turned around upon hearing this and gave the child his wii and several games. Asking for nothing in return he left the building.

Now this isn't nearly as brave as marching silently to your death in protest but is a bright example of what it is to be a man in modern times. Woman and Children before ones self.