The Occupation Chronicle was published by HQ, US Forces,
European Theatre for the Frankfurt military community.
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Frankfurt Placed Off Limits To 508th
Paratroop Regiment EM Restricted
Pending Conduct Improvement
FRANKFURT, Sept. 17 [1946]
--- 1700 hours today was the zero hour for the enlisted men of
the 508th Prcht. Inf. Reg. when Colonel Summers announced that for an
indefinite length of time the city of Frankfurt would be placed off
limits to the enlisted men of the 508th --- the reason being that many
serious incidents involving personnel of the organization have been
reported to be by persons posing as paratroopers. In several cases
the identity of the alleged troopers has yet to be established.
It is estimated that eight hundred chutists visit Frankfurt every night.
According to Lt. Robert M. Banker, Public Relations Officer of the
508th the following statement was issued by Col. Albert H. Dickerson,
Commanding Officer of the 508th" "I have repeatedly stressed the
policies as laid down by Mr. James M. Byrnes, Secretary of State, in
regard to the duties of occupation forces of Europe. General Joseph
T. McNarney, Theatre Commander, has emphasized [t]he occupational duties
of the American soldier in Europe and has appealed to them to live up
to the policies as stressed by the Secretary of State. Recent
incidents have brought disgrace upon the United States of America, the
Army, and the individual concerned.
Two years ago today the 508th P.I.R. participated in the liberation
of Holland. It is indeed a sad situation that within one hour
of the second anniversary of that liberation the regiment has degraded
to the extent that I must restrict them as a measure of mass punishment."
According to Lt. Banker the real soldiers and officers of the regiment
expressed the fact that they were in accord with the restriction because
this would avail them of the opportunity to be cleared of these incident
and to rid the organization of the undesirable personnel.
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