West German officers! plan for Vietnam

from D,G,.Report West German troops should be sent to Vietnam to improve morale and establish Bonn as the most trusty ally of the United States, This is the main theme of a sensational secret "position paper" drafted by staff officers at the Bundeswehr (West Germany army) Staff Academy at Hamburg-Blanenese, The text of the secret position paper, which was drafted in 1964, has just reached East Berlin, where it was published on March 19th by "Neues Deutschland, the leading GDR newspaper..... Here are the key extracts: "After the First World War, the German officer was oppressed by the fact that he had served in an army which had not gained the laurels of victory. In order to maintain the morale of the troops, and prepare them for the inevitable great tasks awaiting them, the officer had to create a psychological atmosphere in which he could train his soldiers not only in the traditions of Prussian-German soldierliness, but in which he could also forecast the fruits of these virtues - the crown of victory. "When conscription was re-introduced in 1935, it was immediately linked with the entry of the young Whrmeht into the so-called demilitarised Rhineland. This was not the baptism of fire, but together with all the following actions - Austria, Sudeterland, Czechoslovakia - this provided a psychological boost for the soldiers, and which mde the task of the officers far easier, By taking part in the Spanish Civil War, the Wehrmacht was able to cover itself with glory. It was able to decorate itself with the fruits of victory, and prove the superiority of German soldiers and German war material, When the Bneéswehr was formed, there were similar problems to those encountered after the First World War. Even experienced soldiers could not avoid the depression caused by the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht....As a substitute for the feeling of victory we had at least the consolation of being allied with that group of vicicrs which saw its potential enemy in the East, just as we did. But amongst influential allied military circles only a small elite group regards German soldier’iness as a model to be copied, In the Nato staffs German officers are respested for their abilities, but remain isolated from the officers of our NATO partners, who still harbour resentments. The other NATO officers are linked by the knowledge of their joint victory." The position paper then surveyed the possibilities for the Bundeswehr to prove jis value as a treaty partner, and referred to the suggestion a few years ».o that Bundeswehr units should be sent to Cyprus; in this case, it was c. lisded, a correct decision had been reached that this would involve West Gesi.szay in conflicts with a number of NATO states, The study continued: "For various reasons, a Bundeswehr action in the Cyprus conflict could not be recommended; but there is today a favourable opportunity which should be grasped in South East Asia, particularly in South Vietnam....Participation by a Bundeswehr contingent would prove what a true partner in the aliiance the Federal Republic is. Since the Pentagon will not be able to continue taking half measures, victory is certain; and the decisive factor is that the Bundeswehr would then share in this victory. A further consequence should not be overlcoed: action by Bundeswehr units would greatly increase the standing and authority of the Bundeswehr with all NATO partners, above the USA. In the eyes of the world a victory for the USA and South Vietnam would look as though it had only become possible as a result of the help and participation of the Bundeswehr..,The young Bundeswehr needs a clearly visible success, this would not only strengthen the argument that Germany has the right allies this time, but would also show our partners in the alliance that they must take into account this Germany and this Bundeswehr, ."