When Massine throws a knife into a German's chest, the German falls back against the building wall and the knife falls out.
When he runs up to the German that's trying to get up, Caje swings his rifle butt to hit the German in the head. The German reacts and falls back. Of course, actors don't like being hit with a rifle, but it's obvious from the camera angle that it misses his head by a foot or more.