ABSTRACT
In the years from 1955 to 1967 the Federal Republic successfully consolidated its political institutions and made rapid economic advances. The Soviet attempt to consolidate its hold on East Germany by ousting the western powers from their sectors of control in Berlin failed miserably in 1948–1949. A review of the size of the United States (US) troop contingent in Germany from 1955 to 1967 serves as a useful shorthand summary of the period. This was a period of relative normalcy, a period when the security relationship between West Germany and the US was consolidated and strengthened. By 1967 the deterioration of force morale and force readiness in Germany was a cause of major concern in the Pentagon, even though the Vietnam War continued to occupy the time and energy of top officials. The military strategy pursued by various administrations in Washington has always had a heavy influence on decisions made in reference to US forces in Germany.
