Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim O
Thanks for posting this again after the server failure.
As I said in my lost response yesterday, no doubt if it had not been a priest, the girls would have taken the money and the pants would have been in the trash.
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He, he, he ...
I don't think. He was an "officer", as a principle "officers ID" of all Western Allies had only service number, rank, unit name + photo.
(I don't know about soviets but I think it was the same).
No any indication about the "real job". Obviously to protect some intelligence, counter intelligence and operational staff.
Principle is principle and once he took crosses from his collar - apparently he never used priests 'dog collar", no girl would distinguish him from any army captain.
From what I heard about him at the front he was right ahead with the grunts with Colt M1911 on his belt, he was not ducking under artillery fire and generally was well liked by soldiers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim O
Do you know about the girls who staffed these "official" brothels? The Japanese were heavily criticized for forcing females from conquered areas to work as  Comfort women during World War II. The link that you posted seems to discuss women who made the choice based on economics and not at gunpoint. |
Yes, I know. In North Africa they were "imported" from Vichy Syria after it was taken. (Obviously Allied command did not want to create major muslim uprising by recruiting local women.)
I don't think there was any force applied - they were professionals.
Anyway soldiers paid in real British pounds and there was no tax in Dominions.
I heard that sometimes soldiers risked going into Kasba - area of town closed and forbidden for Allied soldiers.
They were going to various venues looking for exotic adventures. But always with side arms, group of at least ten and also a few Thompsons handy.
Apparently Poles, Czechs, Aussies and Kiwis could do it relatively easy.
Britons had no chance, they were treated as occupiers. Real occupiers.
Situation in Italy was a bit different. I would compare it to utmost economic pressure.
Poverty in which Italians lived was unbelievable. Allied soldiers with their American K rations, cigarettes, chocolate, chewing gum and plenty of food were kings. I remember my father's commander, Major, (bloke with some aristocratic background), saying that bottle of scotch, few chocolates and some SPAM and anyone could sleep with Italian Princess or Baroness.
I can guess that in Germany 1945 was the same situation.
Cheers,
Lancer44