The truth is out. He deserted his unit and at least a half dozen good soldiers died trying to find him.
Unless you have some evidence to support any other theory about what happened, then you wouldn't accept the truth if it bit you on the behind.
He advised his father that he was going to desert and his father advised him to follow his conscience.
And you have "sympathy" for him?
Sorry, I'll reserve my sympathy for the victims of this clown and his clown family.
“And you have “sympathy” for him?”
I have sympathy for his family.
I have concern for him and am reserving judgement.
I believe the reports of the soldiers, but they don’t know first hand what happened. So they are giving their best, educated opinion. There may be more to it, that’s all.