KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — For the first time since U.S. troops arrived in Europe during World War II, a German general will serve as chief of staff of U.S. Army Europe. Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal is expected to take up his post as early as Monday, an Army news release said. The announcement of Laubenthal’s appointment comes at a time of strained relations between the U.S. and Germany over allegations of U.S. spying and phone tapping. USAREUR said in March it intended to name a German chief of staff. The U.S. military maintains key bases in Germany, where about 40,000 U.S....