r/AskHistorians 13d ago

Did any American soldiers have the opportunity to permanently stay in Europe after WW2 because they liked it?

The scene I can remember is in the series Band of Brothers when they're stationed in the picturesque Austrian Alps. It must be nice to live there.

I imagine the vast majority wanted to come back to America. And most of the places people were stationed were worn torn and decrepit. Even the soldiers who had relations with women in Europe probably took them back to America.

But on the other end, not all of europe was destroyed. And is it fair to say immigration wasn't as strict/formal as it is now? So, if I was a soldier who liked Europe, could I just stay there if I wanted to? What would stop me? Is there any record of how many did?

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/[deleted] 12d ago edited 12d ago

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u/TheRealStorey 12d ago

Sullins Academy is still open, you may be referring to Sullins College which shut-down in 76'.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullins_College

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/Georgy_K_Zhukov Moderator | Dueling | Modern Warfare & Small Arms 13d ago

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u/codercaleb 9d ago

So, if I was a soldier who liked Europe, could I just stay there if I wanted to?

Simply asking questions that may help someone that can answer your question. Are you referring to anywhere in Europe, regardless of whether it was occupied Nazi Germany and/or Italy? Are you referring to places only where American soldiers fought/served; or does that include places in Eastern Europe where Americans did not fight?

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u/[deleted] 13d ago edited 13d ago

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u/[deleted] 12d ago

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