A German soldier did something “forbidden” — and saved 52 lives while generals ordered death.
On December 17, 1944, amidst the chaos of World War II, a young German soldier named Werner Goldberg found himself in an impossible situation. At just 19 years old, he stood in a shattered farmhouse in Hürtgen, Germany, with his small unit of 41 soldiers surrounded by 230 American infantrymen. With no ammunition, no food, and no hope of retreat, the odds were stacked against them. What happened next would not only defy military doctrine but also save dozens of lives, illustrating the power of negotiation and humanity in the darkest of times.
The Context: Hürtgen Forest
The Hürtgen Forest had become a notorious battleground, marked by brutal fighting that had claimed countless lives. Following the Allied landings in Normandy, American forces had systematically advanced through France and were now closing in on Germany. The forest, dense and unforgiving, had seen approximately 33,000 American casualties between September and December 1944, while German losses were equally devastating.
Werner’s unit was part of the 275th Infantry Regiment of the 89th Infantry Division, a Volksgrenadier division formed from remnants of other units and recruits like him. The average life expectancy for an infantryman on the front lines was a mere 14 days, and conditions were dire. Werner had only three weeks of training, a fraction of what was usually required. He learned how to load a rifle and march but had to teach himself how to survive in the trenches of war.
The Dire Situation
By mid-December, the situation for Werner and his comrades had become increasingly desperate. They had been ordered to hold a seemingly insignificant farmhouse, and within 42 hours, they found themselves completely surrounded. Communication lines were down, and the supply of food and ammunition had run dry. The temperature plummeted to -12 degrees Celsius, and frostbite was already setting in among the men.
Lieutenant Friedrich Kessler, the highest-ranking officer present, had received explicit orders: hold the position at all costs. Surrender was not an option; it was considered treason, punishable by death. Kessler’s resolve reflected the harsh military doctrine of the time, which dictated that German soldiers fought to the last man. As he gathered his men, he conveyed a grim message: they would fight, they would die, but they would not capitulate.
A Moment of Clarity
As the soldiers prepared for what seemed like their inevitable demise, Werner began to think differently. He recognized the futility of their situation. The Americans would likely bombard the farmhouse with artillery before launching an assault, resulting in certain death for all of them. The mathematics of their predicament was brutal: 230 American soldiers against 41 German soldiers with no means to defend themselves.
In a moment of desperation, Werner approached Kessler with a radical idea: instead of fighting, why not negotiate? Kessler was taken aback. Negotiation was not in the Wehrmacht’s playbook, but Werner argued that their survival depended on it. He proposed that he would approach the Americans under a white flag, offering to surrender in exchange for medical supplies and food for his wounded comrades.
The Decision to Negotiate
Kessler faced a dilemma. He could execute Werner for suggesting such a defection, which was considered defeatism, or he could allow him to proceed with the plan. After years of witnessing men die senselessly, Kessler was weary. He had seen enough death and destruction. He ultimately agreed to Werner’s proposal, though it went against everything he had been taught.
With a piece of white fabric torn from a pillowcase, Werner stepped out of the farmhouse, hands raised high. He walked slowly toward the American lines, a visible symbol of his willingness to negotiate. As he approached, the Americans were taken by surprise.
Captain James Morrison, commanding the American troops, confronted Werner. The young German explained their dire circumstances, detailing the injuries among his men and the lack of supplies. He proposed an exchange: if the Americans would provide medical assistance and food, he would surrender and provide valuable intelligence about German positions and troop movements.
The Negotiation
Morrison was confused. German soldiers did not negotiate; they fought until the end. However, the gravity of Werner’s situation weighed on him. He could call for artillery support and eliminate the Germans, but at what cost? Lives would be lost on both sides, and the prospect of saving lives began to resonate with him.
After a tense moment of contemplation, Morrison agreed to Werner’s terms but warned him that if it was a trap, they would all be killed immediately. Werner assured him it was not a trap; it was a matter of survival.
What transpired over the next few hours was unprecedented. Werner returned to the farmhouse with the agreement. Kessler, realizing the opportunity before them, provided the Americans with maps detailing mine positions and troop movements—information that could save lives.
American medics arrived under the white flag, treating the wounded German soldiers. They brought food and supplies, allowing the starving men to eat for the first time in days. As darkness fell, the 41 German soldiers surrendered their weapons peacefully, marking a rare instance of a negotiated surrender during the war.
The Aftermath
The American forces recorded the incident as a voluntary surrender following negotiations, a bureaucratic term that failed to capture the extraordinary nature of what had occurred. Werner and his comrades were taken to a POW camp, where conditions were harsh but survivable. This was more than many soldiers in the Hürtgen Forest could hope for, as thousands had perished in the brutal fighting.
Werner survived because he chose negotiation over death, demonstrating that even in the most dire circumstances, humanity can prevail. His actions saved not only his life but also the lives of approximately 12 to 18 American soldiers who would have died in an assault on the farmhouse.
Life After the War
After the war, Werner returned to a devastated Berlin, where he faced the harsh reality of a city in ruins. His father had been deported and murdered in Auschwitz, and his mother, who had survived in hiding, was mentally shattered by the trauma of the war. Werner struggled to find his place in a world that had changed irrevocably.
In 1949, seeking a fresh start, he emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City. He found work as a carpenter, a trade his father had taught him. He married Ruth, a fellow German immigrant, and they had two children. Despite his efforts to build a new life, the scars of war lingered. Werner rarely spoke about his experiences, preferring to keep the past buried.
However, the nightmares never ceased. He was haunted by memories of the Hürtgen Forest, experiencing chronic PTSD long before it was recognized as a condition. He sought help from doctors but found little effective treatment. For 40 years, he lived with the trauma, drinking to cope with the pain.
A Forgotten Hero
Werner Goldberg passed away on September 3, 1993, at the age of 68, from a heart attack. His obituary in the New York Times was a mere three lines long, listing him as a carpenter and World War II veteran, with no mention of the extraordinary act that had saved lives during the war. It wasn’t until 2004 that his children learned of their father’s remarkable story, when a historian researching POW records discovered his case.
The revelation shocked them. The quiet, traumatized man who had never spoken of his wartime experiences had once saved dozens of lives through an act of negotiation that defied the very principles of the regime he served.
Today, there are no memorials or museums dedicated to Werner Goldberg. His name is not widely recognized, and he remains a forgotten hero. The German military archives list him simply as a POW in December 1944, while American records refer to the incident as a voluntary surrender.
Captain James Morrison, who accepted the negotiation, passed away in 1987. In an interview, he recounted the event, describing Werner as “the smartest German I ever met,” acknowledging the lives saved through his courageous decision.
Conclusion: Remembering the Legacy
The story of Werner Goldberg is a poignant reminder of the complexities of war and the choices individuals make in desperate circumstances. It challenges us to consider the power of negotiation and empathy, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
As we reflect on this extraordinary tale, we are reminded that behind every statistic of war are real people like Werner, who navigated the horrors of conflict with courage and humanity. His legacy serves as a beacon of hope, urging us to seek understanding and compassion, even amidst the chaos of war. In a world often defined by division and conflict, Werner’s story inspires us to remember the value of life and the strength of the human spirit.
