"As the driver approached the wounded kid feebly tried to pull his sidearm out, the driver pulled the gun from his hand, tossed it away and then tossed his canteen next to the kid...who was more admirable of the two men?"
Both mean are quite right from their own point of view.
The young German, a 16 year old lad, fired by his zeal and militant nationalism decided to fight till his last breath against the enemy. He would rather kill the enemy than be his object of pity.
The driver on the other hand did his duty, and as a human being decided to help the wounded. He had a right to self-defence so he caught and tossed the firearm of the young lad but he also left his canteen next to the kid.
Both soldiers did what they believed is right.
colours of Kaziranga