Higher-ranking officers, for example, Major General Gerhard Bassenge, were particularly concerned about being held responsible for the things that had been carried out with or without Hitler’s knowledge:

Soldiers’ disappointment that the future was almost certainly not going to be as bright as had been promised revealed the emotional significance of the National Socialist project and their faith in the Führer. Colonel Reimann, for instance, was clearly frustrated:

THE FÜHRER AS FAILURE

After the 6th Army capitulated in Stalingrad in February 1943, doubts began to multiply as to whether final victory was still possible. Even if the majority of soldiers did not point the finger of blame at Hitler, the number of statements critical of him grew. “I must admit that ADOLF isn’t all he should be, for instance, his treatment of the Jews isn’t right,” a Private First Class Harnisch complained.⁵²¹ Colonel Helmuth Rohrbach even believed: “Apparently the FÜHRER doesn’t listen to our generals, it’s lamentable. One man can’t be a politician, a statesman and a general at the same time. That’s madness.”⁵²²

In 1944, Sergeant Doetsch and First Sergeant Bräutigam arrived at a remarkable conclusion considering their socialization as young fighter pilots:

BRÄUTIGAM: Was it perhaps the leader of operations in ENGLAND?

DOETSCH: That’s possible. He shouted: “Set fire to their houses, so that I can go to the FÜHRER and say the GAF has been over ENGLAND again.” He actually implored us: “You mustn’t fail, put your last ounce into it!” He was quite hysterical.

BRÄUTIGAM: Yes, taking after the FÜHRER.

DOETSCH: When you think what a dreadful mess HITLER has made of things, as a good German you can’t help coming to the conclusion that he really ought to be shot.

BRÄUTIGAM: You are right there, but one must not say so.

DOETSCH: I certainly won’t say so to the people here.⁵²³

Of course, most of the critical remarks about Hitler contained remnants of personal sympathy and traces of faith. For instance, a sharpshooter named Caesar pondered what he would do if he were to encounter the leaders of his country: