This thread demonstrates the common misconception about the presence of NATO forces in Germany. The British and American occupation forces left Germany upon gaining its sovereignty in the early 1950s (except for Berlin which was occupied until 1990 ... and I don't think many Berliners were complaining about that in 1948).
NATO forces (British included) were present in Germany based upon treaty allowing their "presence" to counter a serious threat from the Eastern Block that arose in 1954 (the date the modern stationing arrangements began). The Cold War was the reason why we were there ... not occupation.
Germany,its neighbors and allies are free today, because the troops were there performing an often misunderstood and thankless task (Think "Life on a Soldier's Pay"). Now it's time to move on.
Cheers,
Brian