Arms & the Man

ARMY & NAVY

Scandalized by the behavior of U.S. soldiers in Europe, General Joseph T. McNarney had laid on the lash of stricter discipline (TIME, May 6). In theory, the tightened rules were to apply to both officers and enlisted men, but in practice, rank still had its privileges. Those privileges were still being abused, notably in Nuernberg.

There, the Americana Officers' Club used to hold twice-weekly "Fraeulein Nights." The club, with U.S. liquor and a German dance band, was thrown open to all comers--meaning U.S. officers and their Fraulein, because American girls stayed away from the club on those nights. Recently, the Americana switched to an "Every night is Fraeulein night" policy.

The club is frequented mostly by lieutenants and captains. It has dim lights, small tables crowded around a cozy dance floor. German girls (some wearing U.S. quartermaster stockings) give up resisting U.S. attacks by about 10 p.m. Petting in various degrees develops--described conservatively by a U.S. Army nurse who watched the scene briefly, as "not very pretty."

Foreign officers visit the Americana rarely, and then usually "to find out what you people are up to." Said a French liaison officer: "Why make this such a dis play? We fraternize too, but we would never do it so openly."

"Why Can't I?" It is the same elsewhere in Nurnberg. Said a British secretary quartered at the U.S. "Girls' Town" (quarters for clerks and stenographers et al.): "When I get up I usually find two American lieutenants shaving in the girls' bathroom." With warmer weather, blanket outings have become more frequent. Only officers can take jeeps from the motor pools after hours, and they drive off with their Fraulein to secluded spots.

Among many Germans, the respect which the U.S. won by its armed might is already outweighed by the occupiers' later behavior. Said a German editor: "It is a pity you should lose so quickly what took so long to gain. But as long as your officers set such examples, you could not really expect your soldiers to behave differently."

The effect upon U.S. enlisted men is evident. As long as the officers take the prettiest girls riding in the fastest cars to sleep with them in the most luxurious quarters, the average G.I. will ask, with reason: "If they can do it, why can't I?"

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