A young Nazi was ordered to check the house for Jews. After minutes of searching, he declares the house clear.

His commanding officer is unconvinced. “Prüfe den Dachboden,” he orders. Check the attic.

“Die Dachbodentür ist offen! Sicher würden sie es nicht offen lassen!” The young soldier says. The attic door is wide open! Surely they wouldn’t hide there!

His commander shakes his head. “Geh sowieso hin.” Go check anyways.

The soldier climbs the ladder. As he peers into the darkness, he sees at least a dozen Jews hiding in the attic. All women and children.

Their terrified faces look back at him. Nobody dares to move. The young soldier turns and shouts to his commander.

“Alles klar!” All clear.

The soldier closes the trapdoor, leaving the Jews in the dark. He will never see them again.

Decades later, one of the young children in the attic will recall the anonymous soldier’s kindness. Every single person in the attic survives the war. Many attribute their lives to the young man.

Dishonesty is right when it saves lives.

War is humane and cruel.