The German people were very patriotic in the 30s, and supported their troops because they were at that early stage, re-occupying land that was Germany's before the Great War.
For right or wrong it is a soldiers duty to carry out orders, If they only carried out orders that they themselves approved of, we would have an indisciplined rag tag mob.
It is the political leaders and the top brass themselves, that must carry the burden of their crimes against humanity.
Patriotism.
Our hearts where they rocked our cradle,
Our love where we spent our toil,
And our faith, and our hope, and our honour,
We pledge to our native soil.
God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small,
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Beloved over all.
~Rudyard Kipling