Logistics Matters and the U.S. Army in Occupied Germany, 1945-1949

This book examines the U. S. Army's presence in Germany after the Nazi regime's capitulation in May 1945. This presence required the pursuit of two stated missions: to secure German borders, and to establish an occupation government within the assigned U.S. zone and sector of Berlin. Both missions required logistics support, a critical aspect often understated in existing scholarship. The security mission, covered by the combat troops, declined between 1945 and 1948, but grew again with the Berlin Blockade/Airlift in 1948, and then again with the Korean crisis in 1950. The logistics mission grew exponentially to support this security mission, as the U.S. Army was the only U.S. Government agency possessing the ability and resources to initially support the occupation mission in Germany. The build-up of 'Little Americas' during the occupation years stood forward-deployed U.S. military forces in Europe in good stead over the ensuing decades.

Investigates the role of the U.S. Army in German territory following the Nazi regime Highlights the logistical support needed for the mission to secure German borders Develops our understanding of the U.S. Army's role in Europe following the Second World War

Autorentext
Lee Kruger returned to academia after retiring from the US Army following over thirty years of military service, with almost twenty of those years in Europe (primarily Germany), having served as a Foreign Area Officer and logistician.

Klappentext
This book examines the US Army's presence in Germany after the Nazi regime's capitulation in May 1945. This presence required the pursuit of two stated missions: to secure German borders, and to establish an occupation government within the assigned US zone and sector of Berlin. Both missions required logistics support, a critical aspect often understated in existing scholarship. The security mission, covered by the combat troops, declined between 1945 and 1948, but grew again with the Berlin Blockade/Airlift in 1948, and then again with the Korean crisis in 1950. The logistics mission grew exponentially to support this security mission, as the US Army was the only US Government agency possessing the ability and resources to initially support the occupation mission in Germany. The build-up of 'Little Americas' during the occupation years stood forward-deployed US military forces in Europe in good stead over the ensuing decades.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Run-up to the Military Occupation of Germany, 1945-1949.- 3. Supporting the Military Force and the Birth of 'Little Americas'.- 4. Supporting the U.S. Military Families: 'Little Americas' Begin to Crawl.- 5. Supporting Local Populations: Germans, Displaced Persons, Expellees and Refugees.- 6. Logistics, the Bridge to Cultural Exchange: Bratwurst versus Burger.- 7. Conclusion: 'We are in country for the long haul'.