If this is a discussion of a commander overruling his leadership read up on the Dachau liberation reprisals. General George S. Patton wiped away some of his mens’ war crimes because he felt their actions were understandable in the heat of the moment.
An Inspector General report resulting from a US Army investigation conducted between 3 and 8 May 1945 and titled, “American Army Investigation of Alleged Mistreatment of German Guards at Dachau,” found that 21 plus “a number” of presumed SS men were killed with others being wounded after their surrender had been accepted. In addition, 25 to 50 SS guards were estimated to have been killed by the liberated prisoners. Lee Miller visited the camp just after liberation, and photographed several guards who were killed by soldiers or prisoners.
According to Sparks, court-martial charges were drawn up against him and several other men under his command but General George S. Patton, who had recently been appointed military governor of Bavaria, chose to dismiss the charges.