saddletramp
May 23rd, 2008, 06:00
Recently an Aunt of mine on my Dads side passed away and since she had no children I was given some boxes of personal items that her and my Uncle had stored away for many years. My Uncle was in the Army in Germany at the end of the war and spent some time in Germany after the end of conflict as a MP.
This following letter I found was given to all the troops at the end of the war as a directive to deal with the German troops and civlians. the old letter is scarred pretty bad but I will put down here what I can for you to read.
You can imagine the thoughts going through our military folks minds at this time and the fear of retaliation that they must have gone through every day that they delt with these people.
Here is the letter:
"To All Allied Forces stationed in occupied Germany........"
United States Army, United States Army Air Corps, United States Marine Corps, United States Army Hospital Corps, United States Army and Marine Military Staff and Assistants:
Greetings,
I need not speak of your past accomplishments, other than to say you have reflected great credit upon yourself and your command.
We are now fighting on German soil, and we are in contact not only with the soldiers of our enemy but also civilians of Germany. As conquerers, we must now consider our relations with the poeple of Germany.
It is imperative that you do not allow yourself to become freindly with Germans, but at the same time you must not persecute them. American soldiers can and have beaten German soldiers on the field of battle. It is equally important that you complete the victory over Nazi ideas.
To guide you I have issued these special "battle" orders. They may appear to lead along a narrow path, but they are NECESSARY. You personally must prove to the German people that their acceptance of Nazi leadership is responsible for their defeat, and that it has earned for them the distrust of the rest of the world.
/s/ O.N. Bradley
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. ARMY
COMMANDING
---SPECIAL ORDERS FOR GERMAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS---
1. TO REMEMBER ALWAYS THAT GERMANY, THOUGH CONQUERED, IS STILL A DANGEROUS ENEMY NATION.
a. It is known that a underground organization for the continuation of the Nazi program for world domination is already in existance. This group will take advantage of every relaxation of vigilance on our part to carry on undercover war against us.
b. The occupational forces are not on a goodwill mission.
2. NEVER TO TRUST GERMANS, COLLECTIVELY OR INDIVIDUALLY.
a. For most of the past century, Germany has sought to attain world domination by conquest. This has been the third major attempt in the memory of men still living. To many Germans, this defeat will only be an interlude- a time to prepare for the next war.
b. Except for such losses of life and property by them, the Germans have no regrets for the havoc the have wrought in the world.
c. The German has been tought that the national goal of domination must be attained regardless of the depths of treachery, murder and destruction necessary. He has been tought to sacrifice everthing- ideals, honor, and even his wife and children for the State. Defeat will not erase that idea.
3. TO DEFEAT GERMAN EFFORTS TO POISON MY THOUGHTS OR INFLUENCE MY ATTITUDE.
a. The Nazis have found that the most powerful weapon is distortion of a truth. They have made skilfull use of it and will re-double their efforts in the event of and occupation in order to influence the thinking of the occupational forces. There will probably be deliberate, studied and continuous efforts to influence our sympathies and to minimize the consequenses of defeat.
b. You may expect all manner of approach; conversations to be overheard, underground publications to be found; there will be appeals to generosity and fair play; to pity for victims of devastation; to racial and cultural similarities; and to sympathy for an allegegedly oppressed people.
c. There will be attempts at sowing discord among Allied nations; at undermining Allied determination to enforce the surrenders; at inducing a reduction in occupational forces; at lowering morale and efficiency of the occupying forces; at proving that Nazism was never wanted by the "gentle and cultered" German people.
4. TO AVOID ACTS OF VIOLENCE, EXCEPT WHEN REQUIRED BY MILITARY NECESSITY.
For you are an American Soldier, not a Nazi.
5. TO CONUCT MYSELF AT ALL TIMES SO AS TO COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE FOR MYSLEF, FOR THE UNITED STATES, AND FOR THE ALLIED CAUSE.
a. The Germans hold all things military in deep respect. That respect must be maintained at all times or the Allied Cause is lost and the first steps are taken toward World War III. Each soldier must watch every action of himself and of his comrades. The German will be watching constantly, even though you may not see him. Let him see a good American Soldier.
b. Drunkenness will NOT be tolerated. Penalties will be swift and severe.
6. NEVER TO ASSOCIATE WITH GERMANS.
a. We must bring home to the Germans that their support of Nazi leaders, thier tolerance of racial hatred and persecutions, and thier unequationing acceptance of the wanton aggressions on other nations, have earned for them the contempt and distrust of the civilized world. We must never forget that the German people support the Nazi principiles.
b. Contacts with Germans will be made only on a official business. Immediate compliance with all official orders and instuctions and surrender terms will be demanded of them and will be firmly enforced.
c. American soldiers must not associate the Germans. Specifically, it is not permissible to shake hands with them, to visit their homes, to exchange gifts with them, to engage in games or sports with them, to attend their dances or social events, or to accompany them on the street or elsewhere. Particularly, avoid all discussion or argument with them. Give the Germans no chance to trick you into relaxing your guard.
7. TO BE FAIR BUT FIRM WITH GERMANS.
a. Experience has shown that Germans regard kindness as weakness. Every soldier must prove by his actions that the Americans are strong. this will be accomplished is every soldier treats the Germans with firmness and stern courtesy at all times.
b. Firmness must be tempered with a strict justice. Americans do not resort to Nazi gangster methods in dealing with any people. Remember, your fair but firm treatment of the German people will command the proper respect due a menmber of a conquering nation.
May 15th, 1945
LT.GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY
This following letter I found was given to all the troops at the end of the war as a directive to deal with the German troops and civlians. the old letter is scarred pretty bad but I will put down here what I can for you to read.
You can imagine the thoughts going through our military folks minds at this time and the fear of retaliation that they must have gone through every day that they delt with these people.
Here is the letter:
"To All Allied Forces stationed in occupied Germany........"
United States Army, United States Army Air Corps, United States Marine Corps, United States Army Hospital Corps, United States Army and Marine Military Staff and Assistants:
Greetings,
I need not speak of your past accomplishments, other than to say you have reflected great credit upon yourself and your command.
We are now fighting on German soil, and we are in contact not only with the soldiers of our enemy but also civilians of Germany. As conquerers, we must now consider our relations with the poeple of Germany.
It is imperative that you do not allow yourself to become freindly with Germans, but at the same time you must not persecute them. American soldiers can and have beaten German soldiers on the field of battle. It is equally important that you complete the victory over Nazi ideas.
To guide you I have issued these special "battle" orders. They may appear to lead along a narrow path, but they are NECESSARY. You personally must prove to the German people that their acceptance of Nazi leadership is responsible for their defeat, and that it has earned for them the distrust of the rest of the world.
/s/ O.N. Bradley
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. ARMY
COMMANDING
---SPECIAL ORDERS FOR GERMAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS---
1. TO REMEMBER ALWAYS THAT GERMANY, THOUGH CONQUERED, IS STILL A DANGEROUS ENEMY NATION.
a. It is known that a underground organization for the continuation of the Nazi program for world domination is already in existance. This group will take advantage of every relaxation of vigilance on our part to carry on undercover war against us.
b. The occupational forces are not on a goodwill mission.
2. NEVER TO TRUST GERMANS, COLLECTIVELY OR INDIVIDUALLY.
a. For most of the past century, Germany has sought to attain world domination by conquest. This has been the third major attempt in the memory of men still living. To many Germans, this defeat will only be an interlude- a time to prepare for the next war.
b. Except for such losses of life and property by them, the Germans have no regrets for the havoc the have wrought in the world.
c. The German has been tought that the national goal of domination must be attained regardless of the depths of treachery, murder and destruction necessary. He has been tought to sacrifice everthing- ideals, honor, and even his wife and children for the State. Defeat will not erase that idea.
3. TO DEFEAT GERMAN EFFORTS TO POISON MY THOUGHTS OR INFLUENCE MY ATTITUDE.
a. The Nazis have found that the most powerful weapon is distortion of a truth. They have made skilfull use of it and will re-double their efforts in the event of and occupation in order to influence the thinking of the occupational forces. There will probably be deliberate, studied and continuous efforts to influence our sympathies and to minimize the consequenses of defeat.
b. You may expect all manner of approach; conversations to be overheard, underground publications to be found; there will be appeals to generosity and fair play; to pity for victims of devastation; to racial and cultural similarities; and to sympathy for an allegegedly oppressed people.
c. There will be attempts at sowing discord among Allied nations; at undermining Allied determination to enforce the surrenders; at inducing a reduction in occupational forces; at lowering morale and efficiency of the occupying forces; at proving that Nazism was never wanted by the "gentle and cultered" German people.
4. TO AVOID ACTS OF VIOLENCE, EXCEPT WHEN REQUIRED BY MILITARY NECESSITY.
For you are an American Soldier, not a Nazi.
5. TO CONUCT MYSELF AT ALL TIMES SO AS TO COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE FOR MYSLEF, FOR THE UNITED STATES, AND FOR THE ALLIED CAUSE.
a. The Germans hold all things military in deep respect. That respect must be maintained at all times or the Allied Cause is lost and the first steps are taken toward World War III. Each soldier must watch every action of himself and of his comrades. The German will be watching constantly, even though you may not see him. Let him see a good American Soldier.
b. Drunkenness will NOT be tolerated. Penalties will be swift and severe.
6. NEVER TO ASSOCIATE WITH GERMANS.
a. We must bring home to the Germans that their support of Nazi leaders, thier tolerance of racial hatred and persecutions, and thier unequationing acceptance of the wanton aggressions on other nations, have earned for them the contempt and distrust of the civilized world. We must never forget that the German people support the Nazi principiles.
b. Contacts with Germans will be made only on a official business. Immediate compliance with all official orders and instuctions and surrender terms will be demanded of them and will be firmly enforced.
c. American soldiers must not associate the Germans. Specifically, it is not permissible to shake hands with them, to visit their homes, to exchange gifts with them, to engage in games or sports with them, to attend their dances or social events, or to accompany them on the street or elsewhere. Particularly, avoid all discussion or argument with them. Give the Germans no chance to trick you into relaxing your guard.
7. TO BE FAIR BUT FIRM WITH GERMANS.
a. Experience has shown that Germans regard kindness as weakness. Every soldier must prove by his actions that the Americans are strong. this will be accomplished is every soldier treats the Germans with firmness and stern courtesy at all times.
b. Firmness must be tempered with a strict justice. Americans do not resort to Nazi gangster methods in dealing with any people. Remember, your fair but firm treatment of the German people will command the proper respect due a menmber of a conquering nation.
May 15th, 1945
LT.GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY