Lest I Forget

This small pamphlet (5” x 7”), designed to be tucked inside a helmet‐liner or to be inserted into a wallet, instructed U.S. troops about the Army’s non‐fraternization policy. The non‐fraternization policy, which was officially announced after American troops first entered German territory in September, 1944, informed soldiers how they were to conduct themselves with German civilians. “As conquerors,” General Omar Bradley wrote, “we must now consider our relations with the people of Germany.” Bradley commanded his soldiers to be “fair but firm” with the German people, but never to trust or associate with them. While the American army had defeated German soldiers on the battlefield, it was also important to defeat and discredit them in their homeland: “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.”
Goetz expressed doubts about the wisdom of the non‐fraternization policy several times in his diary. At the end of April, 1945, he wrote: “I have been trying to reconcile myself to this business of NonFraternization but although I approve of it, theoretically, I cannot see it working in practice. 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.” Vernon Goetz Diary, 19‐26 April, 1945. For a good discussion of the non‐fraternization policy, see Ann Elizabeth Pfau, Miss Yourlovin: GIs, Gender, and Domesticity during World War II (New York: Columbia University Press, 2013, c2008), ACLS Humanities E‐Book, Chapter 3.

Headquarters
Twelfth Army Group
Europe
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 conquerors, we must now consider our relations with the people of Germany.
It is imperative that you do not allow yourself to become friendly 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.
[signed] 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 an underground organization for the continuation of the Nazi program for world domination is already in existence. 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 good-will 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 suffered by them, the Germans have no regrets for the havoc they have wrought in the world.
c. The German has been taught that the national goal of domination must be attained regardless of the depths of treachery, murder and destruction necessary. He has been taught to sacrifice everything— 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 propaganda weapon is distortion of the truth. They have made skillful use of it and will re-double their efforts in the event of an 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 consequences 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 allegedly oppressed people.
c. There will be attempts at sowing discord among Allied nations; at undermining Allied determination to enforce the surrender; 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 cultured” 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 conduct myself at all times so as to command the respect of the German people for myself, 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 severe.
6. Never to associate with Germans.
a. We must bring home to the Germans that their support of Nazi leaders, their tolerance of racial hatreds and persecutions, and their unquestioning 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 principles.
b. Contacts with Germans will be made only on official business. Immediate compliance with all official orders and instructions and surrender terms will be demanded of them and will be firmly enforced.
c. American soldiers must not associate with 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 if 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 member of a conquering nation.