Roots of the Post-Second World War Logistics Challenges in Occupied Germany

Abstract

The economic challenges that Germany faced historically, as well as the political obstacles in post-war planning among the Allies, provide insight into the logistics problems confronted by the USA Army during the military occupation period, 1945–49. For all the pre-planning that had taken place during the war, no one – least of all the USA – was prepared for the chaos left in the wake of battle. Restoring and insuring health, welfare and safety – or as it came to be known to the Second World War planners as the “disease and unrest” clause – called on commanders to avert to the best of their abilities, disease epidemics and starvation among the populations in occupied territory.¹