Unstoppable Force: In Occupied Germany, There Was One Battle the Allies Couldn't Win

The article examines the "fraternization" of the soldiers of Western Allies, especially the Americans, with German women during the occupation of the three Western zones after World War II and its perception in the Allied militaries and German society. The Allied soldiers were not allowed to "fraternize" in any way with any German, including meeting them in their leisure time for such activities as drinking, dancing or joint outings. Any friendship or sexual relationship with German women was not allowed either. But the extremely poor working and living conditions of many Germans in the first  postwar years in the destroyed cities with scarce food and fuel and the growing Black Market made it very tempting especially for young German women to accept gifts from the soldiers in exchange for flirtation or sexual relations. This form of "fraternization"  became so common that the Allied militaries had to give up its persecution.