POW justice-WWII

[Bigun1_6605]

During WWII, a German soldier in an American POW camp was informing on his fellow inmates. The German POW's found out and kicked him to death. Five were tried by US authorities, convicted and hung at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. My parents were at the post at that time and heard about it.

Also at the same time in a German POW camp at Barth, Germany, a disgruntled US soldier told the American camp comander he would inform the German guards of the camp's secret radio. The American commander said colaboration with the enemy was death. He wised up and never told, but was followed by fellow US inmates to enforce the commanders order if necessary.

This is a long story, but my question is this: If he had been killed by fellow prisoners, would the US soldiers (and the US camp commander) be liable to trial and execution by German authorities? Is this a moral/legal/ethical issue? I have never found an answer to this problem, so I am posting it here. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

60 yrs ago [edited by ABED]

[woodchopper]

Norman - ffs, the man is entitled to ask a question - if someone wants to answer it, so be it - there's no need for the abuse.

[dantheman123]

I would guess that the killers would be tried for the killing.
Rule of law still applies still applies in a German P.O.W camp and you cant just do what you want. The fact that the killed man was a collaborator might count as mitigation but it wouldn't excuse it. Conversely if the American authorities found out I don't think they would do anything. Just my opinion. I may be wrong.