[henkster]

I have the feeling the father of the young German soldier figured his advice was the only way to keep his son from eventually being sent to fight the Soviets, where surrender was not an option and death the only likely outcome. At least in an allied POW camp, his son would probably survive the war.

[fso301]

I have the feeling the father of the young German soldier figured his advice was the only way to keep his son from eventually being sent to fight the Soviets, where surrender was not an option and death the only likely outcome. At least in an allied POW camp, his son would probably survive the war.

I think that's the best explanation. The experience(s) his dad had that caused him to give such advise to his son would be interesting to learn. Obviously, we received the extremely condensed version.