The hours passed by, and the man did not return.

His master, anxious and surprised, followed.
He found the man where he had been sent, the answer in his hand.

He was waiting for further orders.

The story sounds exaggerated, but personally I can credit it.
The curious thing is that the same man, who as an individual is as helpless as a child, becomes, the moment he puts on the uniform, an intelligent being, capable of responsibility and initiative.

The German can rule others, and be ruled by others, but he cannot rule himself.