3rd RCCS on D-Day

[John Carmichael]

I guess the German officer was trying to prevent them surrendering and came out with his pistol after one soldier did surrender and possibly thought he could stop the signalmen.
Wrong, the bren gunner shot him and the rest were then happy to surrender as so many were at that time.
It's possible they were forced conscripts from countries overrun by the German army and/or possibly deemed unfit for frontline and so used as "defense" troops.