FRANKFURT, Jan. 23 — Although they were defeated in World War II, German soldiers and officers did not lose their individual honor, Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower declared this morning as he took off from Rhine-Main Air Base after a three-day visit to U.S. Headquarters in Germany.
The Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, heading back to the U.S. after his first quick tour of Atlantic pact nations, said he told West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and other Germans who attended a reception for him last night that there is "a real difference between the regular German soldier and officer and Hitler and his criminal group."
"I have come to know that difference," Eisenhower said. "For my part, I do not believe the German soldier, as such, lost his honor. The fact that certain individuals committed, in war, certain dishonorable and despicable acts reflects on the individuals concerned, and not on the great majority of German soldiers and officers."
The Eisenhower statement was a forceful refutation of articles appearing in the German press during the last month in which Eisenhower’s views on the honor of the German soldiers and officer were questioned.
The five-star general boarded his Constellation at Rhine-Main just 72 hours after coming to Germany for consultations with U.S. and Allied troop commanders and with the Allied high commissioners. The latter have entered into talks with West German government officials regarding a possible military contribution to West European defense.
Leaders at Airport
On hand to bid him farewell were Gen Thomas T. Handy commander-in-chief. EUCOM; Lt Gen Manton S. Eddy CG, 7th Army; U.S. High Commissioner John J. McCloy, at whose Bad Homburg residence Eisenhower was a house guest yesterday, and other high military and HICOG officials.
The general, in his statement before departure, said he was glad of the opportunity of talking with U.S. and Allied troop commanders at. EUCOM Hq in Heidelberg Saturday and Sunday and with the Allied high commissioners yesterday at Bad Homburg.
Pleased With Meetings
He also expressed his pleasure at meeting the Bonn government leaders at the reception given by McCloy.
"From what I have seen and heard," Eisenhower remarked, "I am heartened by the political and economic progress Germany has made since 1945 toward a democratic society. I am very pleased I was able to meet many German leaders who now are doing so much to help rebuild this country."
Regarding his mission of welding the military units of Western nations into an effective force for the defense of Western Europe, the general commented:
"I hope that in the coming months all of. us will make progress toward unity and strength. In that unity and strength we have the best chance to preserve our freedoms and peace."
