As I told the chancellor (Konrad Adenauer) and other German gentlemen with who I spoke last night, I have come to know there is a real difference between the regular German soldier and officer and Hitler and his criminal group. For my part, I do not believe that the German soldier as such lost his honour. The fact that certain individuals committed, in war, dishonourable and despicable acts, reflects on the individuals concerned and not on the great majority of German soldiers and officers.
— General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Frankfurt Rhine-Main Air Base, January 23, 1951
"Eisenhower in Paris for Last European Stop Enroute to U.S," Lawrence Daily Journal-World (Lawrence, KS), Tuesday, January 23, 1951, p.1.