Figure 1.--Here refugees are being cared for in a refugee center at Ste.Marguerite (probably June 1944), but maybe later in the year. We think they may be in Nomandy, but there are several different towns with that name, both in Normamdy and other locations. It was managed by the Allied Civil Affairs Bureau. Notice that the old man and the two children are looking at the camera while every one else is busy having their soup. Image coutesy of the Military History of the 20th Century website.

As the Allies moved into German occupation areas of Western Europe, the policy was essentially one of liberation and relief because the Germans had devestated local economies. The Dutch north of the Rhine in particular were starving. The Allied policies in these countries was to turn over civil administration to local authorities as rapidly as possible. Here there were governments-in-exile located in London that could rapidly step in to take control. President Roosevelt did not get on with General DeGualle and there was some thought of directing the transition in France. DeGualle and the Free French, however, moved very rapidly to take control of the civil administration in liberated areas that the Americans quickly dropped the idea of interfering. The Allies did adopt occupation policies for the Axis countries (Austria, Germany, and Japan). Italy was a little different because as part of the Italian surrender, Italy joined the war against the Germans. The policy became in both Germany and Japan to radically transform civil society with a goal of creating modern democratic states. The traditional policy of retribution was dropped and in both countries, the Americans set about rebuilding the economies. (The British and especually the French had different policy ideas, but eventually came around to the American view.)

Countries

The two principal Allied countries involved in the liberation of the cative nations and the occupation of Germany were were Britain and America. France played a small role with the occupation of Germany after the War. The occupation of Japan was an exclusively American undertaking. The principles of of military government and the Allies called Civil Affairs were establish rcices in Europe at the tiime of World War II. They were lesswell established in American military doctrine, in part because the United States did not have the military traditions and experiences with warfare prevalent in Europe. The United States Army encounteed a wde rage of civil affairs issues in the Civil War. A lack of establihed dioctrine caused many problems for Lincoln, The United States after war broke out in Europe recognizing that the United States wouls almost certainly be drawn into it decided to instituionlize civil affairs activities in the Army. The Government estblished the Civil Affairs Division in the U.S. Army General Staff. A field mannual was developed and more elborate policies developed to met theneeds of civilians and the military in both liberated and occupied countries. From an early stage differencs devloped btweem the Americans and more experinced British. President Roosevelt believed that civilian gencies should play a prominant role. The British with more colonial experiences were more comfortable with the military. s the War progressed the Americans came to see the advisibility of a prominant military role. [Oehrig]

Liberation

The Allied Day invasion began the liberation of Western Europe. The Allied liberation of Paris was one of the most celebrated events of the War. As the Allies moved into German occupation areas of Western Europe, the policy was essentially one of liberation and relief because the Germans had devestated local economies. The Dutch north of the Rhine in particular were starving. The Allied policies in these countries was to turn over civil administration to local authorities as rapidly as possible. Here there were governments-in-exile located in London that could rapidly step in to take control. President Roosevelt did not get on with General DeGualle and there was some thought of directing the transition in France. DeGualle and the Free French, however, moved very rapidly to take control of the civil administration in liberated areas that the Americans quickly dropped the idea of interfering. Italy was a special case. Although Italy was one of the main Axis countries, the Allied invasion and drive north proved to be more of a liberation than an occupation. Greece was also different because the Communist resisrabce movement attempted to seize control of the country.

Occupation

The Allies did adopt occupation policies for the Axis countries (Austria, Germany, and Japan). Italy was a little different because as part of the Italian surrender, Italy joined the war against the Germans. And of course the Germans had invaded and occupied Italy. So the reality in Italy turned out to be more of a liberation than an occupation. The Resistance in Italy played an important role in driving the Germans north. The policy became in both Germany and Japan to radically transform civil society with a goal of creating modern democratic states. The traditional policy of retribution was dropped and in both countries, the Americans set about rebuilding the economies. (The British and especually the French had different policy ideas, but eventually came around to the American view.)

Sources

Oehrig, Cristen. "Civil affairs in World War II," Center for Stratgic and Interntinal Studies, 12p.

Created: 7:23 PM 4/18/2011
Last updated: 4:34 PM 11/2/2012