this way or that (spoiler)

Just before he makes his escape, Harry says to Oberst Kruger something like, 'They'll run you down because you failed, you'll need all your conviction when you're doing time in prison' and there seems little reason to believe otherwise. Then in the tunnel, Harry and the other escapees have crossed to the West, and Kruger and his men stop pursuing them at the border sign. Presumably they then trail back to the East, with decidedly unappealing prospects. If you were in Kruger's place, wouldn't you be inclined to keep going - not shooting, just walking to the West? Where, not least as a high ranking officer, you'd presumably be allowed to reside. I think I would. And if I was one of the grunts, I'd be glad of the opportunity to follow suit.

"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."