The Germans in WWI were real sticklers for international law when it might benefit them. I’m sure trench sweepers did cause undue suffering for German troops. At one point they threatened to execute any GI captured with one. They executed any civilian caught firing back at German troops as terrorists. When a U-boat attempted to attack a freighter and the freighter turned and rammed the U-boat, they declared the freighter’s captain a terrorist subject to execution.
I don’t really blame any troops for executing partisans or civilians who take potshots at them. Can’t hide behind non-combatant status when you’re trying to shoot someone in the back. I’m a bit surprised that soldiers caught with shotguns were executed (like somebody said, in a world of mustard gas and flamethrowers...), but soldiers in every war have taken a particular dislike to enemies using certain weapons. All sides in WW1 executed soldiers with sawback bayonets, and snipers usually didn’t fare well either when captured.
“The Germans in WWI were real sticklers for international law when it might benefit them. I’m sure trench sweepers did cause undue suffering for German troops. At one point they threatened to execute any GI captured with one. They executed any civilian caught firing back at German troops as terrorists. When a U-boat attempted to attack a freighter and the freighter turned and rammed the U-boat, they declared the freighter’s captain a terrorist subject to execution.”
Sounds like a bunch of Democrats: “It’s okay if we try to kill you but it’s INSENSITIVE if you defend yourself!”