"It is the third time in two weeks that the Rat Patrol have managed to elude you, Captain!" Steiner shouted, bringing his fist down on the desk. Dietrich repressed an urge to wince, thankful that there was a sturdy oak desk between himself and his superior.
"You question my techniques, sir?" he asked.
Steiner rose from his seat, face red. "No, Dietrich. I question your loyalty."
Dietrich stood firm, unwilling to let Steiner see just how hard his words had hit.
After a few more moments of shouting and a barely-veiled threat over the report he would send to Berlin, Steiner dismissed him with a sharp salute and a "Heil Hitler!" Dietrich left the office, walking down the corridors back to the outside where his men were waiting, Steiner's accusation rankling in his mind.
He shook his head.
The man had no idea what loyalty was.
Loyalty wasn't being the first one to scream "Heil Hitler!" or raise one's hand in the required Nazi salute or accusing everyone in sight to prove something to one's superiors. Loyalty wasn't looking out for oneself, doing whatever possible to stay safe at the expense of everyone else.
Loyalty was following orders, even if you didn't always agree with them, because if everyone started disobeying their commanding officers, they would be overrun. Loyalty was sticking with your men, at the risk of your own life, making sure they were safe. Loyalty was doing what was best for your country, not the madman running it.
Just not everyone saw it the same way.