 In the moments where he realizes Spence is American, Dieter is confused; his leaders had always told him that Americans were cruel and inhuman criminals, incapable of such a compassionate act.As Spence tries to get Dieter back to his own lines so he can reach medics, he is shot by German soldiers, who have decided to come get him, saying later that they could no longer stand to hear his cries for help.They assumed Spence was trying to take Dieter prisoner and thus acted to stop him.