| Regiment | 5th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Dinslaken, Germany |
| Entry | Activities Normal. House searches and security patrols carried out continue. OBSERVATIONS METEOROLOGICAL Weather throughout June has been mainly fair and warm, with periods of sultry and stormy weather and heavy rain storms. The last few days of the month were colder than normal for the time of the year. GENERAL The Battalion commitments, during the early periods of occupation have been heavy, and are summarised as under:- A Coy - Italian DP. Camp Guard B Coy - Russian DP Camp Guard - Military Prison Guard - Court Sentries. - Security Patrols. C Coy - Potato patrol owing to crop stealing. - Battlefield clearance. - Security Patrols. D Coy - Russian DP Camp Guard. In this camp are 5,000 Russians. During the first few days of the occupation of the new area there were a number of incidents reported, mostly concerned with looting by Russian DPs. Many were cases of armed hold ups, there was rape, and also killing of German civilians. The Battalion had armed patrols sent out day and night, and there was a rapid decrease in the number of incidents reported. One man was killed in the Battalion, two Russians, and others injured. Most of the incidents and outrages were traced to Russian personnel. A check on the personnel in the DP Camp was kept by the issue of passes, and it soon became obvious that there were numbers of Russians in the area who had not registered as displaced personnel, and were, in fact, living by loot as best they could. Such incidents caused considerable bad feeling between the British and the Russians and it is noted here that these troubles could well be avoided if the DP Camps were set up in the Russian zones of occupation when the Soviet authorities could "vet" their own personnel. It appears that a great number of these people volunteered for work in Germany, and consequently they are not regarded as desirable nationals to have back in Russia. It would also leave the British occupation force more time to deal with the constant problems of the German civilian population. The work of an Intelligence Section within a Battalion assumed a new importance in occupational duties as a constant check must be kept on the Germans, and "undesirables" rounded up. There is also the "floating" population among the Germans, mostly former Nazi or Gestapo agents who move from place to place, and all early attempts of subversive activity has to be dealt with promptly and firmly. This work can be greatly facilitated by the co-operation of the local civil police, and the Burgomaster, who are all thoroughly "vetted" before appointment. As a result of security investigations carried out a number of civilians were rounded up; many were C.I. suspects, others former Nazis who held prominent Party positions. In some cases of certain "undesirables" they were directed into labour under the Burgomaster in order that a closer watch could be kept on their activities. In the area were also signs of a Communist Party movement, while a Polish Minority Movement was also discovered. Another feature revealed from observations was that a large number of the German population were disinclined to work, although there was a great deal to be done both on the land, and in clearing up of bomb damage. EDUCATION AND WELFARE The Army Education scheme is as advanced as it is possible to be. Potential instructors within the Unit have been interviewed, and it now only awaits instructions from higher formations. Meanwhile regular lectures on current topics were run within the Battalion. A Bde swimming pool had been opened within the area and was used during times off. Sports grounds were being prepared, and an extensive programme of competitive games, to encourage platoon and company spirit, arranged. |
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