Misbehaving G.l.s

Misbehaving G.I.s

The cartoon in West Germany's Kasseler Zeitung pictured an American soldier kicking a German civilian while his buddy tossed a whisky bottle through a barroom window. "Our army will protect us from our enemies," said the caption, "but who will protect us from our friends?" Throughout West Germany last week the prestige of the American G.I. suffered similar blows as the press, long restrained in its treatment of G.I. offenses, took off the gloves.

Part of the wave of criticism was an understandable resentment at the continued presence of foreign troops. Some of it was clearly exaggerated, e.g., many cases of "rape" turn out to be simple default of payment to accommodating frauleins. But there was also a disturbing upsurge in serious crimes and misdemeanors committed by G.I.s (who may not be tried in German criminal courts); officially, the Army says its statistics show no such increase, but privately, Army authorities admit that there is trouble on hand. Items from last week's docket:

P: In Bad Hersfeld, Private John A. Bangas, 20, got a dishonorable discharge and 30 years in prison for raping a 17-year-old German girl and attacking two other women after tanking up on twelve beers, two screwdrivers, two whisky sours, two martinis, two Tom Collinses, two gin fizzes and a double cognac.

P: In Dachau stockade, Private Elgie Newton, 18, is awaiting court-martial for lobbing a hand grenade into the crowded Seventh Heaven Bar, wounding eight U.S. soldiers and nine Germans.

P: In Wertheim, Private Ralph T. McFarlane, 18, was sentenced to die for the murder of a ferryboat operator with a six-inch hunting knife.

P: In Munich, Sergeant James W. Little, 26, winner of the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts in Korea got a dishonorable discharge and a year in prison for indecent assault on a Bavarian girl.

In what may prove to be the beginning of a trend, the Bavarian Landtag (Parliament) has asked the Seventh Army's commander, Lieut. General Bruce C. Clarke, to curb his troops. The Landtag's suggestions: 1) reduce free time, 2) put disreputable joints off limits, 3) stagger G.I. pay to prevent en masse rushes into German villages on payday. U.S. Army commanders promised more vigilant policing by military patrols, stricter off-limits regulations. In return, they urged German authorities to clean up nightclubs (many of which victimize the G.I.) and control prostitution.

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