Occupying Germany 1945 - Western Allied Military Government

How did the Americans and British govern devastated Germany in 1945? So many problems had to be solved, from food shortages to disease to re-educating the people. Find out how it was done.
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@Idahoguy10157]

Soldiers who fought in Africa, Sicily, and across France were awed by the bombing damage in Germany

[@BadForYourKidneys]

How unbelievable this all must have been. I try to imagine returning overseas to my home state only for every city and town to be in shambles.

[@toocoolforu]

The allies bombings are the most criminal acts of the war by a magnitude. But they won.

[@daveturner6006]

My mother was part of the British Military Government in Germany, she often spoke about how cold the winters were without enough coal.

[@alexanderchenf1]

Then I can’t even imagine how the Eastern Germans had to endure after the battles were over.

[@ElZilchoYo]

William Lubeck's memoir gives a good insight into that.

[@joesvoboda3509]

It was bad. From what I've read Soviet propaganda really encouraged their soldiers to hate the Germans (more than the British, Americans, and French). German POW's fighting the Russians ended up in the gulag, some for a very long time. Women in the Soviet zone were raped far more often than in the west. German industrial plant that survived was shipped back to the Soviet Union as war reparations. Ken Follet's book Winter of the World deals with treatment of Germans by the Soviets in the last few chapters. It is historical fiction but very well researched.

[@Paciat]

Imagine there were countries that had it worst both at war and after it. In the early 30s east Prussians supported Hitler far more than west Germans did. Im glad that this people with their militarist culture finally got a real war (that one month in 1914 dosnt count) on their land.

[@Sp00nexe]

Funnily enough they had higher daily rationing than the French territories did lmao

[@saltylad2107]

The Soviets actually began distributing food and repairing infrastructure pretty quickly, in Berlin at least.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Bravo, the re-establishment of the infrastructure and rebuilding is oft times over looked. Thank you for shedding some light on this aspect of war.

[@joesvoboda3509]

@@MrDaiseymay This has boggled my mind since I learned about this. I've heard the reasons for this were lack of shipping and lack of money to import food. There were plenty of ships that could be used as freighters in 1945 (Liberty and Victory ships) were they all in American hands?

[@lastswordfighter]

They certainly planned for the long haul to feed both Allied forces and later civilians in Germany.

[@davidmicheletti6292]

My father was one of those people who screened troops and even looked for SS soldiers. He wrote several of these former German soldiers for years after the war. One of whom was a former SS Sargent major from a military unit. We still have some art work that he painted for my father. One painting was a watercolor of my father and mother standing next to one another. All I remember was he telling me how much he hated the war and having to live though what he saw. He died at age fifty one years old.

[@UraniumBullets]

Am I the only one who hums this intro before the video even starts playing?

[@brutalbobbygump]

Gray Barchetta no I do the same

[@matthewworrall6582]

Bu dum dum dum dum dum bu du du dum dum bu du du dum dum dum.. Dum Dum Dum Dum

[@seanmcgrath5251]

Gray Barchetta one of the reasons I tune in!

[@erichusayn]

Nope, I do as well...

[@jimrodriguez8047]

Gray Barchetta nope you’re not the only one..lol

[@purity_control]

Thank you for rebuilding our country. My grandfather remained in a Soviet POW camp until 1947.

[@knutdergroe9757]

He was blessed to get out then.... How many were worked till 1958 ?

[@EuroAviation]

My grandma sometimes talks about when the Americans occupied their village in south west Germany. She said the fighting was brutal but they were kind occupiers, bringing sweets to the children and helping the locals. They even let her younger brother join them on a helicopter flight, which got him a proper beating from her father. She always laughs about that, and I always enjoy listening to a real eye witness of the times back then

[@BrianCinBengals]

Mark, now I’m curious if there’s enough out there for you to tell the same sort of story from the Russian occupied German’s perspective or even get into the experience of the vast number of German POWs taken in Russia. I can’t imagine the film resources existing or being accessible, but if so you’d likely have what is out there. Thank you for all that you do. Your channel is a treasure.

[@HistoryHustle]

We all have heard of it, but this video provides indepth history. The aftermath of WW II in daily life is something that needs to be more adressed. Great job Mark!

[@civilprotection3114]

My family lived in US occupied Germany, the Americans were actually really nice. My grandmother became a barber and gave haircuts to the troops, said the first time she seen and ate a banana was given by a soldier and my father and his friends were invited into the US base since his friends dad was a translator for them.

[@alexandersikosek8114]

The werd rapists. And search for Reinwiesenlager. Thats te truth

[@AudieHolland]

True story: following the German defeat, a British general thought it important that Germany's car industry would be revived again. A few decades later...

[@thewatchman2515]

And what does the last sentence mean?

[@santiago5388]

4:22 that part honestly made me sad, that is a girl, who knows if a sister, a wife or a girlfriend asking for someone that probably was in Stalingrad as you can clearly hear the name of the city been mention. You know that she probably never saw her beloved one again right?

[@PlazmaKeks]

And her father killed God know how many ? Screw him...

[@michaelreedx6823]

91000 germans were captured at stalingrad, so if he survived the fighting, the Soviet pow camps & forced labor camps.... the chance is slim but it is possible they were reunited.

[@Schischio0]

Plazma Keks A medic killing someone? I doubt that.

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

@@PlazmaKeks if you was fighting the Soviets, then he didn't kill any people.

[@adamsauer6516]

@@PlazmaKeks not everyone who fought in stalingrad was a piece of shit... easy to talk when you werent there

[@UpTheAnte1987]

Early 1945 - Destroy as much German infrastructure as possible Late 1945 - Rebuild the infrastructure you just destroyed Must have been a frustrating situation, to say the least

[@tomnow92]

I wish Poland was occupied by the USA after WWII, not the Reds.

[@niccolopaganini4268]

Every rational person would wish that. Although depending on the scenario of western allies completely taking Germany the Berlin wall thing would most likely be in Warsaw on the Vistula river and poland would be split between West and East like Germany

[@garymckee8857]

Yes they went to war over Poland and then sold it out.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

Lol you sure about that?

[@finnishwehraboo8377]

Yeah me too me too

[@SuperZombieBros]

To be honest was there a single country that wanted to be occupied by the reds?

[@B0M0A0K]

Outstanding as always, we should know more about this period. It is interesting to hear that the Allies had thought about what to do after the war ended and had planned accordingly. It's a lesson we seem to have forgotten in recent times.

[@johnnyka-pow7481]

Sir, your videos are the absolute BEST thing on KZbin. Thank you so much. My dad was a kid during WW2 and his father fought in the Canadian army, and my dad joined the military in the 50s. I grew up in the 70s with my head swimming in black and white WW2 and Korean war magazines. Your channel and videos bring those books to life. Thank you so much!

[@hobmoor2042]

Much respect from the UK to the young men of Canada who did so much for the Allied cause in WWII. Lest we forget.

[@kuoseis]

4:20 I bet that "stalingradfighter" was dead or captured a long time ago

[@Cybermat47]

Patricia Doran I’m pretty sure that it was only 5000 men from the 6th Army who returned home. Probably would’ve been plenty of Stalingrad veterans outside of the encirclement who returned.

[@finnishwehraboo8377]

Yeah....

[@eh5048]

Patricia Doran should have been 0

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thanks a lot Mark. Pop died when I was young. So I had little chance to learn from him much of his role in WWII. Only that eventually he served with the 503rd Military Police. Though he served while hostilities were still ongoing. This is what he was doing in Austria until 1955. Fraternization? Yep, but dad obeyed orders. And gave them. It wasn't until 1950 that he met my mom. They got married in 1953. He left Austria in 1955. But was stationed in Frankfurt until 1962. I don't have a clue, yet, what was going on then and there. As always your efforts are greatly appreciated. Cheers!

[@fcsimo]

One of my favourite you tube channels thank you from Canada for all the work you put into your videos

[@drpancakes7897]

Thank you Mark very very very cool!

[@Hurricane2k8]

While I'm sure Dr. Felton is well aware of it, I want to point out the de-nazification in judiciary, administration etc. was not as strict as it appears. Numerous high ranking judges and lawmakers were able to continue or relaunch their career in West Germany. In fact, this contributed heavily to the 1968 protests in Germany.

[@pongo1969]

Thank you Mark. Being not English speaking native, I find your speech clear and understandable, and we all here share your passion for history...

[@historybuff0393]

This is one of the best videos you have made, Mark. It would be great if you could expand it to a full length documentary on postwar Germany.

[@Collectorfirearms]

On the other side of Germany. Stalin: CCOOMMMMUUNNIISSMM!!!

[@yuricherkasov]

Now under prosperous Communist power, we rebuild terrible Nazi concentration camps in the best Gulag traditions!

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

More like: RAAAAAAPE

[@jamestheotherone742]

Worse than that. During the same time period as this video, victorious Soviet troops were still busy raping and pillaging their half of Germany. But they had a much easier time overlaying Soviet style communism upon the authoritarian fascist structures.

[@TheLocalLt]

John at this point he wasn’t even saying that yet, he was just stealing everything in sight

[@marcuslundgren1880]

Notifications is on for this invaluable source of incredible storys and information. Thank you for all the hard work you put in telling us these amazing storys! Truly one of my top favorit channels!

[@robertcoffey4487]

10 minutes of bliss...... Thank you Mark!

[@dzyanist]

Absolutely captivating..!! Wish it was longer. Thank You for posting..! 🥀

[@WelcomeToDERPLAND]

I really enjoyed that clip of children playing on a flak/anti tank gun and spinning it around with the levers and wheels while the narrator said the toys of war were as if specifically built for fun and playing.

[@russwoodward8251]

A fascinating topic once again. Thank you for the work it takes to research and produce these videos.

[@poorboysadventures4636]

Love your channel. I wake up every morning looking forward to another Mark Felton Production!

[@leester9487]

A really interesting time, historically, but not covered very much. Thank you Mr Felton.

[@sidoney101]

Fascinating as always. Your presentation is succinct and straightforward. As it should be for the subject matter.

[@yoson8834]

Mark I cannot thank you enough for this material. You present this material in a manner that is easy to understand for rookies but complicated enough for enthusiasts. Thank you for all that you do Mark.

[@Sheerwater909]

This subject, Dr Felton, is one that would benefit from a full 45 minute lecture. Ten minutes covers the basics but I'm certain you could go much deeper with some of the details. I look forward to a longer format in the future should the topic lend itself to it.

[@robertjansen3058]

Your comment seems a bit ungrateful to me, like asking someone who gave you a free cake to make it a five course meal... Also there are some full length documenteries on the subject already on KZbin, just search for Germany after wwii

[@topbanana4013]

To give more content means more upload time and less output. It's fine as it is. But you're like giving orders pretty rude I say

[@Idahoguy10157]

The British and Americans had occupation plans. That mostly worked

[@Blyskawica1]

I just want to say that seeing a video uploaded by Dr Felton immediately brings a smile to my face :-)

[@leromerom]

I like very much that you deep dive into a particular perspective of the time, unique and original, narrative very well written. Thank you for you work

[@Trillock-hy1cf]

Being born in Dec. 1945, (which I call being a 'celebration war baby') I still remember sweet rationing in the early 50's, but luckily my parents had a post office come grocery shop, and I was allowed to chose a quarter of sweets on a Friday night. We also mostly lived on rabbit, and sometimes a chicken and eggs from our neighbours, and kippers too. But we didn't know any better, and I had a great childhood back then. The UK was a bit skint and not in good shape back then after the war, and hasn't got much better since, and not the country it once was........sadly.

[@rhodrijm]

Absolutely fascinating, your videos are top-notch!

[@DieselxRobot]

I find the post war reconstruction of Germany and Japan very interesting and sadly these topics aren't covered very much. A video about the reconstruction of Japan would be really great.

[@ab9840]

Not all of Germany was blasted back to the stone age. Some cities and towns did manage to stay mostly intact. One such place was the city of Heidelberg - The following a video from back then which shows that city - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYm3Za2XjLqfabc The following lists the 11 tourist towns in German not destroyed. - www.caliglobetrotter.com/11-amazing Found the following German source which shows maps of the areas in Western Germany that were hit the hardest. The closer a part of Germany was located to the UK. the more then got bombed from the air. So Western German got bombed much more from the air then Eastern Germany. Map - archiv.nationalatlas.de/wp-content/art_pdf

[@nicudanciu5758]

Disturbing, but think how the life was in Soviet Occupation Zone. Those people went from hell to deeper hell.

[@griffingamer8624]

Yeah it bad, but even the Soviets were better than the Nazis in a few aspects. Even a little better after Stalin died.

[@Postoronniy]

Ah, yes, those dreary Soviet occupants, forcing poor German civilians to eat the food they provided for them and live in the houses they helped them rebuild, instead of allowing them to starve in the bombed out ruins of their own free will...

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

@Saint Joan of Arc, heroine of France a tremendous number of Soviet civilians died because of the stupidity and malice of its own government.

[@conveyor2]

@Amuro Ray The Soviets wanted revenge on everyone including their own 'liberated' POWs, who were treated as traitors.

[@eh5048]

Think of how life was for Soviet civilians under Nazi occupation where your entire family could be executed at any time. So in truth I really don’t care because they had it better than how they treated them.

[@dougspindler4947]

Excellent video as always. I'm supporting you on Patreon. Hard to comprehend what that must have been like for the Germans. I was told there was a saying, "Enjoy the war, as peace will be like hell".

[@aamirqadri1302]

Surprised to see the detailed analysis, I never heard such explaination - thanks

[@ColinH1973]

A very, very interesting piece. One of your best. Keep up the good work.

[@themaninthebowtie4219]

My grandfather was a German child during the war, his father was drafted into the Bundeswehr during the war and according to an unfortunately unverifiable family story (my great grandfather died nearly 30 years ago and facilities containing military records during the war were destroyed) believed that as a medical doctor participating in a war violated his Hippocratic Oath and intentionally got himself captured by the Soviets and was held as a POW for most of the war. My grandfather, his sister and my great grandmother were living in what is now Poland prior to the war, allegedly they were among the many civilians fleeing the oncoming Red Army and had to drive at night without headlights to avoid being seen, by the end of the war they had thankfully made it to what became West Germany where my grandfather later joined the Luftwaffe as a pilot when he was an adult. I know he is still alive but I haven't seen him in about 19 years due to my mom not getting along with him, videos like this make me wish he was on good terms with the family so I could ask him about his experiences.

[@randallisaeff1876]

Mark, this episode is superb. As history buffs, we all enjoy learning about WWII. But even more important is the store of how Germany was brought back to democratic rule. We can learn a lot about what keeps democracy functioning by studying how it was restored in post-WWII Germany. Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@jakob556]

Your videos are the best I've seen on KZbin so far. I can't stop watching! I would still like some more videos on the Cold War, as this is another great topic. Many Thanks!

[@simlebu2618]

Absolutely love these videos! Keep up the good work!

[@segerton65]

Excellent research as always Mark, keep up the great work,buddy.

[@mattkaustickomments]

My relative was in the war then part of the occupation force, in Bremen. He told me he couldn’t find a Nazi ANYWHERE! “Who me???? Nein!” “Oh no sir, I NEVER was a Nazi. No way!!” “Jah, me either. What’s a Nazi???”

[@mickemike2148]

A very good glimpse into the life after the war! Thank you!

[@michaeljames1857]

I really enjoyed this one. Thanks mark!

[@sparky694]

Great video series, very well done with a great voice for narrating. Reminds me a little of the classic WW2 video series I watched as a teenager, World at War

[@whitehorse4034]

This channel is amazing... thank you

[@alexball5907]

One of your best yet I think.I'm not aware of any documentary that has dealt with this subject.

[@radarplotextractor3168]

My father performed guard duty for close to a year in Berlin following the war before he was repatriated back to Canada, then discharged.

[@angelabrothers2274]

Love your video's it's like the History Channel even better; these video's make me think of my Grandfather who was in WW2. Keep up the EXCELLENT WORK!!!!

[@PhillipCowell01]

Excellent Mark. Thanks for all the hard work.

[@McRocket]

Very interesting stuff. Thank you for this.

[@Cencrd]

I love the spiel about coal at 5:44, people don't realize the importance of infrastructure and how interrelated all problems can become.

[@scotthill2230]

It is all about the peat...

[@jpaulc441]

Last time I was this early they were still serving pork chops in Constantinople.

[@fernandomachado421]

My God, this is unheard of.

[@zwillia.s1432]

Lol

[@malcolmwatt4866]

Actually, the definition for a Troll is a giant. Like a Sasquatch or Grendel in the Anglo/Saxon epic Beowulf. The last time I saw a Sasquatch I was right on time.

[@maunster3414]

JPaul C, funnee! The last time you were this early was a very long time ago!

[@dawitketema4150]

Great vid as usual. Also great if you can do a documentary on what happened to German industrialists after the war, such as the Krupp Family mentioned briefly.

[@jesusfreak1700]

Great content Dr. Felton

[@connorellis34]

A new mark Felton production on a Saturday night. Those little things.

[@johnnieireland2057]

so many great videos! thank you

[@MRB1157]

'Achtung! Stalingadkampfet'. Yeah he ain't coming back. If he was a part of the lucky 5000. Then he's not gonna come back for another 10 years, but not even to the same Germany.

[@Pantimoto]

What did that word mean?

[@Cybermat47]

I’d say that more than 5000 Stalingrad veterans came back. It wasn’t just the encircled 6th Army who fought the battle.

[@markschoning5581]

General Generic Sorry, but it should read „ Achtung Stalingradkämpfer“!

[@highlypolishedturd7947]

If one can count years in a Soviet prison camp "lucky"... But more lucky than the vast majority that died. I wonder... By then, Germany was partitioned in to east and west. Did the surviving German prisoners who came from the west get back there, or were they stuck in the east?

[@emilrydstrm3944]

Maybe a few wounded fellows who got out before the encirclement or through the airlift.

[@ivovandenreek7447]

Thanks for this video!

[@nathanadams6648]

This is a good one. Nice archival footage.

[@model-man7802]

Even with the videos can you possibly imagine trying to start over again?! Talk about patience on both sides..wow!

[@Doochos]

I've been watching so many of his vids this weekend my wife is humming the intro tune

[@marclaporte3710]

Mark... You videos are amazing. Keep up the great work.

[@rickhobson3211]

Powerful Stuff. Thanks for posting this. I think a lot of people who enjoy military history dont understand that the work is only beginning when the guns fall silent.

[@troopertrooper8925]

For all those criticising British and American behaviour in Germany… have a look at Mark Feltons video on the Berlin Airlift.

[@davidhamilton1446]

Thanks, another great video.

[@the_9ent]

Great work as always, Mark 👍

[@skiingcrocodile2153]

This is insanely interesting, would like to see more content about this peculiar transition time after the war

[@sanandreas909]

Anyone else watching these videos in the morning before work? Its truly a good start of the day!

[@nigeldewallens1115]

my mum just died on Friday she was 95 and she was in WWII as WRAF! It is interesting to see this as I have often wondered what this process was like as my mum's WRAF friends did go to Germany, but my mum either, did not want to or was not the right age your vlogs are very interesting! Well done to you and keep them going

[@jimbossimrigs7961]

Learnt something new, thank you!

[@jimrodriguez8047]

Mark, you are a great historian and produce great videos. Only wish is that they were longer!

[@dibaldgyfm9933]

You selected interesting clips from the 1945-46 documentaries. Thanks!

[@docshred1787]

Always well done and educational.

[@HerbWalker]

Mark you are truly a wealth of knowledge brother. I look forward to having coffee and a video or two with you daily. :) I served in the U.S. Army with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft Bliss Tx. ....and with the 3rd Armored Division "SPEARHEAD" for 6 years in Germany during the 1970s & 1980s. (Tanks and later on in Reconnaissance.) I have seen a few places in your Videos where I was at or near during MY SIX years that I was stationed over in Germany. We often trained with Allie German & British Soldiers on an Exercise called "REFORGER" -----------> Return Of Forces To Germany,

[@Deadeye-sj3qc]

Very interesting video. Could you please make a video series on the Malaysian emergency? There is not much on that subject and I believe the story is to big for one short video. I know a series would take some time. But it is a very important story that I and many others should know abouts. Thank you sir

[@braunx25]

What a fantastic topic to discuss. We don’t ever think about Germany right after the war. Id love to hear more.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Your minidocs never disappoint. :)

[@chimpout]

Best historical channel on KZbin your rock Mark

[@DiviAugusti]

This has to be one of the best he has made so far.

[@samueldavidrucker7514]

Another excellent production. This scenario proves anything is possible. In 1940 it seemed inconceivable that what is on this video could ever be.

[@fmj_556]

I love you channel! Very interesting.

[@davidwicks3334]

Brilliant video Mark 👍

[@sealove79able]

A great very interesting video Mr.Mark.

[@user-do3wt9sk7t]

Another great video in the channel

[@Paul020253]

It would be interesting to find out what was happening in the French Zone

[@cobalt2361]

Probably shooting unarmed prisoners in the back of the head as usual

[@gymm56]

Very detailed information.

[@entropygenerator2646]

Fascinating Film Thank you

[@stewben1169]

Brilliant video ✊

[@JohnnyNorfolk]

More was done for Germany than Britain. Food Ratioing ended in Germany in 1950 but it was 1954 in Britain. The post war labour government was blamed and that is why they only served one term. I listend to my family talk all about this when i was a child.

[@martinjenkins5471]

America was the only winner.the U.K. lost its riches from its empire.

[@JustBadly]

Churchill made some disastrous choices at maintaining the war effort. Giving away British nuclear secrets, the cavity magnetron, lend-lease agreement to the US. This made America tremendously wealthy after WW2. The Yankees won WW2 but we paid for it.

[@mu6768]

I wish you would do more videos from the eastern front....as always great video cheers.