[April] 19 thru 26 [1945] Oberlosa, Germany
The past week has been one of almost complete inactivity and no day in itself has been worthy of individual note. The weather was mostly cloudy and damp but yesterday and today have been warm and sunshiny. After the hurried pace which characterized the preceding 5 months, this week has been almost a garrison existence and as a result we have had much time on our hands with nothing to do. Each day seems interminable and each day sees us more eager to return home. There is much idle conjecture as to our future disposition and we are sweating out the possibility of a trip to the CBI, return to the states or a term as occupational forces. We should know before long.
I have been trying to reconcile myself to this business of Non-Fraternization but although I approve of it, theoretically, I cannot see it working in practice.1A strict Non-Fraternization policy was put in place to control the relations between Allied soldiers and German civilians. Goetz saved a copy of this policy in his diary. See “Special Orders of German-American Relations,” issued by General Omar Bradley, Headquarters, Twelfth Army Group, Europe, n.d., Appendix, Insert 14. A few modifications would improve it materially. What are we to gain by being harsh with children? They have had enough of misery and hardships. By treating them kindly, they will have little trouble making comparisons between us and the super race. We would not be the ones to suffer. I have learned much of life and much from life during my army career and that which life has taught me has done nothing to make me value it more.