Wilhelm in Russia February 1944

Uncle Wilhelm was killed on the Russian front in 1944, not long after this picture was taken. Granny said he was a simple, sweet unambitious boy who wouldn't hurt a fly. But he joined the army at 19 at the beginning of the war and rose to became an oberfeldwebel in the Luftwafe, a company sergeant major. I very much doubt he kept his hands clean. How could you as an NCO in the Nazi army over a period of about 4 years?

The oberfedwebel was mainly involved in keeping the company supplied with ammunition and other supplies, evacuating the wounded and collecting prisoners. It chills me to think what 'collecting prisoners' could have meant in practice in Russia.  I suppose the Luftwaffe was focused on the air war. But in what way is that reassuring?