Past Doctrine
The most significant occupation examined in this monograph is post-World War II Germany and from that occupation came many examples of relevant doctrine. Especially when compared with current doctrine on occupation, two documents from the World War II era offer outstanding examples of how occupation should be executed. First, FM 27-5, Civil Affairs Military Governance originally published in 1940. The scope of FM 27-5 differs dramatically from its current doctrinal counterparts.[183]
183. In 1958, FM 41-5, Joint Manual of Civil Affairs/Military Government superceded and removed some of the detail that FM 27-5 had. In 1962, FM 41-10 Civil Affairs Operations replaced FM 41-5 and there was further removal of the specifics for military government. By the next revision in 1969, military government became even further indistinct.
Field Manual 27-5 specifically laid out the scope and purpose of civil affairs and military government activities, organization, personnel, operations orders, proclamation, and tribunals. Where current doctrine only starts to sketch the concept of what an occupation is, FM 27-5 demonstrates the application of legally required occupation tasks on the battlefield including medical care, government, administration, and security. Unlike the lack of current doctrine on occupation, Field Manual 27-5 provided one reference source for anyone needing information on the conduct of an occupation.[184]
184. Departments of the Army and Navy, Field Manual 27-5 Civil Affairs Military Government, Washington D.C., 14 OCT 1947.
Field Manual 27-5 was superceded by FM 41-10 Civil Affairs, provided “procedural and doctrinal framework within which the Army could conduct civil affairs and military government should the need arise.”[185]
185. Ziemke, vi.
The current FM 41-10 is certainly not the procedural and doctrinal framework for occupation. However, the earlier version still has worth today.
The second doctrinal document is the Handbook for Military Government in Germany written by the German Country Unit in 1944,[186] which provided complete guidance and direction for the military government soldier on the battlefield. Moreover, the very existence of this handbook demonstrates that the planners and military government soldiers had completely thought through their upcoming actions. The Handbook for Military Government in Germany is a specific application of the principles outlined in FM 27-5, and was the specific resource for the occupation in Germany. The Handbook provided the framework for execution and the training for military government soldiers, and set forth policy and provided the basic documents such as proclamations, law, ordinances applicable for every military governance officer in Germany.[187]
186. Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, Handbook for Military Government in Germany, December 1944, <http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/books.asp#military> [12 JAN 2004].
187. The Handbook for Military Government in Germany.
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