Nazi Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. For the next 12 months, the whole country was sealed from the rest of the world, except for the Russians, British, French and Americans assigned to the military occupation.
But in late April, 1946, everything changed with the arrival of the first Army dependents in the U.S. Occupation Zone. Most of the following information and photos appeared in a 190-page Army book, "An Introduction to Germany for Occupation Families," published in January 1947 by USFET (U.S. Forces European Theater).
At first, the Germans were curious, but that quickly changed to fear. There was a drastic housing shortage, caused by WW II's many bombing raids. The Army was not building new housing -- they were evicting German families to accommodate the Americans.
By late 1946, the U.S. Occupation Zone had 72 "Communities" ranging in size from only two families (Berchtesgaden) to compounds with more than a thousand families each in Munich, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Berlin. Each compound was gated and guarded by MPs or trained Polish displaced persons (DPs) wearing black-dyed U.S. uniforms.
The Army provided each family with free domestic help. An enlisted man's family was entitled to one German maid plus a gardener (shared with another E.M. family), while a company-grade officer got a maid and his own gardener. Special circumstances, such as a large family, might require a larger house and more servants. Field-grade officers and generals were each assigned two maids and a gardener with appropriate housing, perhaps even a mansion with all its furnishings.
The German economy paid for all that. Extra civilian help could be hired for extremely low wages (by American standards). A full-time cook could cost a family as little as $20 a month, paid to the German Labor Office.
Food and other items were purchased in a Commissary or the Post Exchange (PX) in the compound, but supplies were limited at the time. Friction developed when some dependents rudely broke into crowded PX lines, so restricted days were designated. Cigarettes were rationed to limit black-marketeering, but a carton cost only 85 cents (no federal or state taxes). Families were allowed to eat free in the Officers or Enlisted Men's messes if they chose to. Red Cross facilities also were open to dependent families.
Because the Army frowned on "fraternizing" with German or DPs during the early Occupation period, the compounds barred them from their facilities, such as schools, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, libraries, snack bars, theaters, night clubs, bus routes, etc.
Guided tours in the U.S. Occupation Zone were provided to various historical sites and scenic areas, and dependents could spend vacations in the same resorts used by the military. Nominal fees were charged.
Overall, the Occupation "Communities" or compounds strongly resembled the British colonial-rule model, in my opinion. The language barrier was one reason, as well as the "victor" mentality. The German resentment over the evictions simmered for years. In some cases, after the American families returned home, the German owners reclaimed their houses or mansions only to find their furnishings had been "liberated" and shipped to the USA.
An American "Community" in Occupied Germany looks like a U.S. suburb - 1946
Five Army wives meet for tea in Occupied Heidelberg - 1946
One of the streets in the huge Occupied Frankfurt compound - 1946
Dependent housing rings a football field in Erlangen - 1946
Thank you so much Richard, your report is fantastic as they all are. Your honest opinion and your great writing makes it always a pleasure to read.
Thank you very much Richard.
Any victory is hard to digest for those who loose the war. Many Germans did not want Hitler to be their leader. The ones that did changed their tune especially when cities like Berlin and especially Dresden were bombed and burnt. Thank you for the history and fotos. We all hope that this does not happen again in Europe, but with Mr Putin making waves and lies, who knows.
Doddy
Loc: Barnard Castle-England
Thanks for the info and shots Richard.
RichardQ wrote:
Nazi Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. For the next 12 months, the whole country was sealed from the rest of the world, except for the Russians, British, French and Americans assigned to the military occupation.
But in late April, 1946, everything changed with the arrival of the first Army dependents in the U.S. Occupation Zone. Most of the following information and photos appeared in a 190-page Army book, "An Introduction to Germany for Occupation Families," published in January 1947 by USFET (U.S. Forces European Theater).
At first, the Germans were curious, but that quickly changed to fear. There was a drastic housing shortage, caused by WW II's many bombing raids. The Army was not building new housing -- they were evicting German families to accommodate the Americans.
By late 1946, the U.S. Occupation Zone had 72 "Communities" ranging in size from only two families (Berchtesgaden) to compounds with more than a thousand families each in Munich, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Berlin. Each compound was gated and guarded by MPs or trained Polish displaced persons (DPs) wearing black-dyed U.S. uniforms.
The Army provided each family with free domestic help. An enlisted man's family was entitled to one German maid plus a gardener (shared with another E.M. family), while a company-grade officer got a maid and his own gardener. Special circumstances, such as a large family, might require a larger house and more servants. Field-grade officers and generals were each assigned two maids and a gardener with appropriate housing, perhaps even a mansion with all its furnishings.
The German economy paid for all that. Extra civilian help could be hired for extremely low wages (by American standards). A full-time cook could cost a family as little as $20 a month, paid to the German Labor Office.
Food and other items were purchased in a Commissary or the Post Exchange (PX) in the compound, but supplies were limited at the time. Friction developed when some dependents rudely broke into crowded PX lines, so restricted days were designated. Cigarettes were rationed to limit black-marketeering, but a carton cost only 85 cents (no federal or state taxes). Families were allowed to eat free in the Officers or Enlisted Men's messes if they chose to. Red Cross facilities also were open to dependent families.
Because the Army frowned on "fraternizing" with German or DPs during the early Occupation period, the compounds barred them from their facilities, such as schools, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, libraries, snack bars, theaters, night clubs, bus routes, etc.
Guided tours in the U.S. Occupation Zone were provided to various historical sites and scenic areas, and dependents could spend vacations in the same resorts used by the military. Nominal fees were charged.
Overall, the Occupation "Communities" or compounds strongly resembled the British colonial-rule model, in my opinion. The language barrier was one reason, as well as the "victor" mentality. The German resentment over the evictions simmered for years. In some cases, after the American families returned home, the German owners reclaimed their houses or mansions only to find their furnishings had been "liberated" and shipped to the USA.
Nazi Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. For the ... (
show quote)
Got to Berlin, Tempelhof Flughafen, Dec. 1955, left Sept. 1959. By the time I got there, the Army had built housing for dependents, and schools. There was some resentment, but mostly, West Berlin, glad to be free from the Soviet domination. There was actually very little friction while I was there, and after I learned German, and could move around "unseen" in my uniform, I found that the "Amies" were very much appreciated. Didn't hear very many bad comments while eating, or taking pictures. Once the locals found out I was learning their language, and was interested in their history, the world opened up. They wanted to practice their English, and not be laughed at. Me, I wanted to practice my German and not be laughed at. Worked out great. I left a lot of friends in Berlin. Gradually, lost touch with some, outlived many others. My first wife learned English after we got to the states, must have said something right. Ha.
Interesting read,Richard, and certainly nothing that ever appeared in our WWII and post war history. Hopefully we would learn what was done "right" and what were "mistakes" when occupying a country post war, but not sure we ever learn.
There is History, and there is What Happened. I like hearing what happened from someone who was there. Thanks for sharing!
MTG44
Loc: Corryton, Tennessee
Thanks again for you history lesson. Always look forward to them.
Thank you Richard for another great story related to WW 2. Hope to see more. When you look at the destruction of those cities in Germany after the war you can't help but wonder how they rebuilt them so fast. I mean these were large cities that were leveled to the ground.
Rich
Thanks for sharing another piece of history!
phlash46
Loc: Westchester County, New York
Well done! :thumbup: :thumbup:
Richard.....thanks for the effort you go to in putting this info out. I find the dialogue and photos very interesting. It would be valuable to have all these posts in a book. I look forward to the next installment. Thanks again.
Rickyb wrote:
Any victory is hard to digest for those who loose the war. Many Germans did not want Hitler to be their leader. The ones that did changed their tune especially when cities like Berlin and especially Dresden were bombed and burnt. Thank you for the history and fotos. We all hope that this does not happen again in Europe, but with Mr Putin making waves and lies, who knows.
Most of the Germans wanted Hitler to be their leader. You have to look at time before the war. He was feeding their ego about them being the super race. Everybody else was niemand - no one, nobody. That was a music to their ears. Opening theirs eyes at Dresden bombing that was too late. Then it was obvious that the Third Reich was just their dream.
Richard once again you've outdone yourself. This is a subject about which I had never heard ... and it disturbs me on several levels. As always I greatly appreciate your photos and the stories behind them ... and look forward to learning more and more from your future posts.
Thanks!
Tom
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.