Rodders, Ed Harris played the German Major.
But you're quite right, he was amongst the better portrayals in the film.
Almost becoming a 'nice guy' to the film watching audience, when he was 'grooming (not in that way)' the young Russian lad.
Then the cruelty at the end, when he strung up the young lad as bait, to lure Jude 'Nanny Shagger' Law's character out into the open.