Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 Control (Germany)/10–145

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

No. 1050

Berlin, October 1, 1945
[Received October 11.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram no. 654 of September 30, 6 p.m.,⁹⁹ reporting that the Deputy Military Governor had announced a USFET Directive dated September 26, 1945, by which, effective October 1, the US Group Control Council (Germany) is designated “Office of Military Government for Germany (U.S.)”; the G–5 Division of USFET as the “Office of Military Government (U.S. Zone)”; and the various Military Government detachments as “Office of Military Government for—”. A copy of this Directive is attached.¹

I understand that this is the first step in a general plan of reorganization of U.S. Military Government in Germany separating Military Government from the occupational Military Commands. It will be noted from the Directive enclosed that all instructions to the Commanding Generals in the Eastern and Western Military Districts will continue to be issued through command, technical and functional channels as heretofore. However, it is the intention of the Military Governor to establish a chain of command for Military Government distinct from military channels.²

Attention is called to paragraph 5, explaining that with the development of central German administrative departments, the establishment of common policies by the Allied Control Authority, and the strengthening of the German Laender administrations, it will eventually be desirable to consolidate the Office of Military Government (U.S. Zone) with the Office of Military Government for Germany (U.S.) in Berlin.

Study is now being given to the desirability of turning over to Germans many of the functions now being handled by Military Government detachments in the field. The Department will be kept promptly informed of developments in this regard.

The Deputy Military Governor has informed me that he aims to move towards making Military Government a civilian organization, with July 1, 1946 as the target for complete conversion. Both General Eisenhower and General Clay have emphasized at recent meetings that the prime purpose of occupation forces in Germany today is to support Military Government, and have also urged the military to depend upon the Political Adviser for guidance. In line with their specific request, I have sent Mr. Parker W. Buhrman as my representative to the Third Army Command (General Patton) at Munich. Mr. John Utter was enroute to the Seventh Army Command (General Keyes) at Heidelberg in a similar capacity when he received his transfer orders. I am now sending Mr. Brewster Morris there temporarily but cannot very well spare him from the vital political work Berlin District and the Ministerial Collecting Center have also rehe is charged with here in Berlin. The Commanding General of the quested that I furnish them a member of my staff to advise on political matters.

In view of the Military Governor’s specific instructions that the military depend more and more on officers of the Department of State for political guidance, I anticipate further similar requests from other Army commands. With my present limited staff, I cannot possibly spare any qualified officers for this vital work. I feel strongly that the Department and its Foreign Service should not fail to assist the military at this delicate period of Military Government and expose itself to the possible criticism later of not having cooperated fully with the Army. It is urged therefore that the Department send without delay the ten consular officers slated for posts in Germany, named in its telegraphic instruction no. 376 of August 30.³ Also, that the Department select and send me at least three additional young Foreign Service or Auxiliary officers who have aptitude for political work in involved, delicate situations such as we face here in Berlin today.

Respectfully yours,

Robert Murphy

99. Not printed.
1. Enclosure not printed.
2. In despatch 1579, December 27, from Berlin, Mr. Murphy reported one other change in the organization of U.S. Military Government structure. Effective January 1, 1946, full command and supervision of Military Government offices in the U.S. zone passed from the Commanding Generals of the Eastern and Western Military Districts to the Directors of the Offices of Military Government for Bavaria, Württemberg-Baden and Greater Hesse. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–2745)
3. Not printed.