740.5/10–650
Draft Memorandum by a State–Defense Working Group, for the North Atlantic Council
Recommendations by the Defense Committee Regarding German Contribution to an Integrated Force
The Fifth Session of the North Atlantic Council requested the Defense Committee, in the light of the information available at the time of its meeting, to make specific recommendations regarding the method by which, from the technical point of view, Germany could make its most useful contribution to the successful implementation of the plan for an integrated force adequate to deter aggression and insure the defense of Western Europe, including Western Germany.
Noting the Council’s conclusion that the defense of Europe will require the full utilization of manpower and productive resources from all sources, the Defense Committee is agreed that the most useful contribution by Western Germany toward the dual objectives of detering aggression and providing for the defense of Europe would be the means of establishing the defense line farther to the East. Having reviewed the recommendations as to major Force Levels to be achieved by each country by each year through 1954, the results of which are being transmitted separately,1 and having also reviewed the report by the Military Committee on the capabilities for immediate defense, we have concluded that German participation in the forms of manpower and industrial potential is essential in order to provide a force that can effectively fulfill the above specifications including the defense of West German territory. From the military point of view, it would be impractical to commit our joint forces to the defense of Western Germany without the active participation of the people of that area. [Page 363] This participation should be in such a form that it precludes neutrality and insures the active assistance of the people of Western Germany by advance commitments as to its obligations, including those of military units, in the same formal manner as our respective governments are assuming such obligations. We believe that the integrated force for the defense of Europe provides the framework, through the command, staff and supply provisions already determined by the Council, for the assimilation of German units in such a manner as to preclude the formation of a German National Army and make unnecessary the formation of a German General Staff.
In consideration of the total size of the force required for the defense of Europe, it is recommended that military units contributed by Germany be in the form of balanced ground divisions. Units up to this size, with immediate commanders of their own nationality, are considered necessary for efficiency of supply and command, as well as to insure integration of German manpower in such a manner as to facilitate troop morale and inspire confidence and willing sacrifice on the part of the German people. The German divisions should be integrated with non-German units in the Corps and higher units.
The Committee recognizes that in the creation of German units certain safeguards are desirable in addition to the basic safeguards provided by the subordination of German divisions to the Supreme Commander and his international staff and by centralized direction of producement [procurement?] and supply. The following additional safeguards are therefore recommended:
- (a)
- The number of German divisions at any time should not exceed one-fifth the total number of divisions in the integrated force.
- (b)
- The Allies should retain general supervision of officer recruitment and sole reliance should not be placed on Germany’s old officer class. At the earliest possible date training of German officers should be instituted under the general supervision of the Allies.
- (c)
- The formation of an appropriate Federal Agency to perform necessary administrative and logistic functions should be permitted, but operational functions should be performed in the international staff of the Supreme Commander and the Federal Agency should be permitted no higher command prerogatives.
- (d)
- There should remain prohibited and limited industries in Germany and a Military Security Board to enforce continued demilitarization controls. Necessary revisions of existing agreements in these matters would be subject to action by three Occupying Powers. Sufficient change in this regard should be made to allow Germany to raise and equip, without heavy equipment, the specified ground units; to produce small arms and light military equipment for the integrated force; to furnish raw materials, semi-finished products, and special tools and dies as determined necessary to the common effort by the MPSB.
We recommend that immediate steps be taken by the Occupying Powers to obtain German contribution to the integrated force in the form recommended herein, and that the formation of German units, under the safeguards specified herein, be initiated without delay subsequent to the establishment of the integrated force.
- Recommendations and results not identified in Department of State files.↩