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On the contrary, he was sent to war immediately after leaving school. Because of his disrespectful behaviour, he did not make it further than sergeant.

Here is an example:

"It should be noted that in the war, after six years of service, I actually made it to sergeant, but only shortly before the end, in March 45, when the snow was melting in Norway. Before that, in fact, I could not be promoted, although I strictly obeyed an order, but the others did not. It was like this:

On the way from my billet to the canteen, I used to beat my water off into the snow, as we all did, but I did it in the form of my name, which is particularly suited to this because of its brevity and unbroken lines. I was taken to task for this, but I insisted on my right to do so, because there was no regulation to that effect. Then my superiors drew up an order in which I was expressly forbidden to do the above because it was likely to damage the reputation of the German Wehrmacht. I always obeyed orders, at least this time, and I could do so with a clear conscience, because my comrades made sure that my name was still in the snow. It really was the most suitable. But I could only be promoted after the snow had melted, and by then it was too late to save the Fatherland."

Greetings

Florian Lettl

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Thank you so much, Florian, for sending this and for sharing that quote from Wolfgang. How are you and Wolfgang related? And thank you for signing up and supporting my story publication.

Best wishes,

Ian

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