The Sorrow and the Pity (1969)
Helmut Tausend: Self, former Wehrmacht Captain
Quotes
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Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : Our impressions? We saw destroyed villages, burnt lands. It did have a certain effect on us.
Interviewer : And the people on the roads?
Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : They were fleeing the bad guys.
Interviewer : What do you mean? Weren't you the bad guys?
Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : Yes. At first, we were seen as the enemy who was set to destroy the country. Then they began to see that we just wanted to help. And that reassured them.
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Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : As in always the case in war, when soldiers are far from home, brothels were set up. There were many in Clermont-Ferrand. The Clermont girls wouldn't give us the time of day on the streets.
Interviewer : And when you weren't on the streets?
Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : It's true that they were much friendlier at night.
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Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : Service in France was humiliating for an active serviceman like me. For us, the East was the winning ticket.
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Self - Former Wehrmacht Captain : This is the Iron Cross. This is the Cross of Merit with a sword. This is a Cross of Merit, 2nd class, this was for hand-to-hand combat. This was for serving in the East, we call it 'the frozen meat medal'. And this medal was for being faithful during four years of war.