This month Germany overturned the sentences of tens of thousands of German soldiers convicted of treason during World War II. The move comes late for most of the fighters. The vast majority were executed, died in concentration camps or were killed in so-called death battalions before the war ended. Still exonerating these rebellious ranks has symbolic importance for a country still dealing with its Nazi past. The World’s Gerry Hadden met one of Germany’s three surviving Nazi traitors and has his story.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!