GIs, Germans Will Merge Some Forces
The United States and Germany are exchanging NATO command over thousands of each other’s soldiers, but the Germans say that doesn’t mean they’ll have to eat the U.S. Army’s MREs.
On Thursday, the Army’s 1st Armored Division will be attached to the German army’s 2nd Corps. Germany’s 5th Panzer Division will go to the U.S. 5th Corps. All the units are based in Germany.
The unprecedented move reflects NATO’s need to combine forces into multinational corps because of national troop cutbacks.
Radio and other communications systems must be modified so the armies can talk to each other. Orders will be written in English for U.S. commanders when training under the German corps.
Then there is food. Americans say German soldiers are not enthusiastic about their MREs--meals ready to eat. The Germans have asked for separate mess halls.
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