Detestable Precepts
Sirs:
In my recent overseas editions of TIME I have noticed letters in which the old opinions are voiced on a lenient peace for Germany. Such conceptions of the peace fail to take into consideration the frame of mind into which Nazidom has thrown the German people.
Since the American conquest of Nazi Germany, my buddies and I have noticed the many respects in which German actions and reactions have manifested their complete belief in the rule of power. To set before them suddenly the principles of a democracy based on Christian precepts would be as detestable to them as our accepting Shintoism in America. To such calloused minds it is a must that we show an iron hand in the first stages of occupation. Only with the passage of "healing" time can the Germans be cleansed of the cancer of Naziism. The invalid is not immediately healed upon the doctor's arrival. We stopped dreaming when we entered this war. Let's not start the process all over again.
(CPL.) JAMES NEWMAN % Postmaster New York City
Too Many Points
Sirs:
We've had many arguments on the fairness & unfairness of the point system [for discharge of overseas soldiers], and this was the result of our discussions. We agreed on everything except:
1) Too many points are given for children. Three kids make 36 points, for which a single man will have to go through seven campaigns. Sure, a man should be given points for kids, but not twelve—that's too steep.
2) A man in the rear receives a bronze star for a job done well. A man at the front receives the same for doing something at the risk of his life. They should have two different ribbons with different point value. If risking your life is worth five points, we don't believe the same should be received for a job done well in the rear.
3) For each month in the States one should and does receive one point. For each month overseas, two points. But for each month in the front lines one should get three points. The combat man doesn't receive what he deserves in comparison to the rear echelon. We know just what the chances are of a combat man getting through a long period of action without getting wounded or killed, and we Tank Destroyers consider ourselves damn lucky to be still alive after all that we've been through in the past ten months. MEN OF THE 773RD TANK DESTROYER BATTALION % Postmaster New York City
TIME & General Falkenhorst
Sirs:
On the 13th of May a German general in full dress uniform, carrying three large but very dilapidated suitcases, walked into the command post of the 42nd Rainbow Division, which was then located near the Austrian border northeast of Salzburg and announced that he wished to surrender.
"My name is Falkenhorst," he told the guard who stopped him, but he was not greeted with the expected sign of recognition.
Recognizing him as a man of rank, however, the guard turned him over to an aide to Major General Harry J. Collins, the division commander. . . .
An interpreter was called and the German general was taken in to see General Collins. Standing at stiff attention the German this time made sure that his identity would be known.