Recon, I remember it well just as you posted it. Our go betweens (U.S. to Russian) were many times D.P.'s. (displaced persons). Cigarettes and cheap (specially Mickey
Mouse watches) watches sent to us were used mainly. Until the regulation of sending home ONLY what one "drew across the pay board". Then for some unscrouplious mail
clerks it was one dollar sent cost you ten dollars in Oc. currency. Dont know how they did it. However, cigarettes were the real trade medium in the German civilian world. A shave or haircut was usually one cigarette. A bottle of wine, schanpps, beer, or whatever was also paid in cigarettes preferably, same as any tailoring, having jackets made, photo work , meals or anything. It got so that the Army tried to keep tabs on
cigarette sales, but that too was gotten around. After all fifty cents per carton cigarettes
were worth about $200.00. Some of the "wise old guys" made a good buck and sent it
home, while us "uknowing kids" just didnt bother that much. I just cant help but wonder how long this "cigarette economy" lasted there. Anyone there after we went home let me know.