Generals Eisenhower and Patton tour the DP camp at Feldafing.

Generals Eisenhower and Patton tour the DP camp at Feldafing.

Eisenhower's visits to Feldafing and other displaced persons' camps in the fall of 1945 was prompted by a strongly worded cable he received from President Truman directing him to institute reforms to improve the living conditions of displaced Jews in the American zone of occupation. At Feldafing Eisenhower toured the grounds and attended religious services at the camp synagogue, where he delivered a brief address to the assembled survivors. In his speech Eisenhower pledged the assistance of the American army and counselled patience until the Jewish DPs could leave Germany. The Zionist leadership of the camp presented him with two memoranda. One described the situation of the Jews in Feldafing; the other urged free immigration to Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish State. Accompanying Eisenhower on his inspection tour was General George Patton. While Eisenhower was genuinely dismayed by the poor living conditions he saw in the camp, Patton showed no sympathy toward the survivors.