British Troops Leaving Germany

[Jimbuna]

All British troops will have left Germany by the end of the decade...it is a shame it is because of further defence cuts.

Thanks to the German people who afforded friendship and hospitality to our people whilst we've been there :salute:


Four Army bases are to close as part of a shake-up to accommodate thousands of troops returning from Germany.
Claro Barracks in North Yorkshire, Howe in Kent, Craigiehall in Edinburgh and Cawdor in Pembrokeshire will be shut.
Parts of Edinburgh's Redford barracks, Forthside in Stirling and Copthorne in Shropshire will also close.
Returning forces will be stationed around seven sites, including Salisbury Plain, Edinburgh and Leuchars, Catterick and Colchester.
The other sites are Aldershot, Stafford and the East Midlands.
There has been a British army presence in Germany for nearly 70 years.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the return of troops from Germany marked the end of an era, and thanked the German government and people for their "material and moral" support.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21665240

[Betonov]

Considering it all, I hope they never have a reason to return.
Unless the come as tourists :)

[Catfish]

At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore :O:
(Though there are enough others like the US)

But seriously, apart from simple economic reasons there is a lot of friendship and friendly competition between the british troops and german people, this is really sad :huh:

[Jimbuna]

Considering it all, I hope they never have a reason to return.
Unless the come as tourists :)

At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore :O:
(Though there are enough others like the US)

But seriously, apart from simple economic reasons there is a lot of friendship and friendly competition between the british troops and german people, this is really sad :huh:

Rgr that :yep:

[Oberon]

Thanks for having us, Germany. :yep::up:

[August]

At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore :O:
(Though there are enough others like the US)


We're leaving as well. They've already announced plans to pull out 2 of the 4 brigades still stationed there and it won't be long before the rest go too.

[Schroeder]

Thanks for having us, Germany. :yep::up:
Easy to say 70 years after you had invited yourselves.:O:
:D
But it's sad indeed and if it was just to get some NATO forces closer together.

[Jimbuna]

Easy to say 70 years after you had invited yourselves.:O:
:D
But it's sad indeed and if it was just to get some NATO forces closer together.

I believe the NATO ideal of mutual protection is as strong as ever but the British decision is based largely on financial constraints.

[Schroeder]

I believe the NATO ideal of mutual protection is as strong as ever but the British decision is based largely on financial constraints.
Yes, I know. We closed some bases in the States and Canada as well because of that, so it's not a purely British phenomenon.:dead:

[Jimbuna]

Yes, I know. We closed some bases in the States and Canada as well because of that, so it's not a purelyBritish phenomenon.:dead:

Wait a minute!!....When did Germany invade the US and Canada!! :o











:O:

[Sailor Steve]

Wait a minute!!....When did Germany invade the US and Canada!!
They didn't. We invited them in. They've been protecting us from Mexico for as long as I can remember. :sunny:

[Herr-Berbunch]

I was only ever there on a few exercises, but I enjoyed the hospitality I received from the Germans and the Dutch over the border. Thank you.

From a forces perspective, it is a shame, but in reality I'm surprised it hadn't happened sooner, in the decade following the wall's downfall.

I just hope that the facilities that are there get used by either the German military or the local populous, and not destroyed a la Wildenrath.

[Synthfg]

It's more than just economics tho
The NATO / Russian boarder has moved several hundred miles to the east and there is no longer the need to watch for the big red bear

The threats of the 21st century require smaller better equipped rapid deployable forces and the UK can better manage these from home

Not saying moving the troops back to the UK won't have economic benefits, but it's not just an economic move

[Catfish]

Wait a minute!!....When did Germany invade the US and Canada!! :o
:O:


^ Were you never aware about all those Volkswagens and BMWs in your streets ?
:03:

[August]

^ Were you never aware about all those Volkswagens and BMWs in your streets ?
:03:

Dig that crazy camo scheme!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2j4cm98wn1qhgm4go1_1280.jpg

[Schroeder]

It will blend in perfectly with every background..... after you have smoked a joint....:D

[Jimbuna]

It will blend in perfectly with every background..... after you have smoked a joint....:D

Rgr that :)

[GT182]

They didn't. We invited them in. They've been protecting us from Mexico for as long as I can remember. :sunny:

:hmmm: And they did a pretty poor job of it. Look at the mess we're in now. ;)

[Jimbuna]

:hmmm: And they did a pretty poor job of it. Look at the mess we're in now. ;)

^ :har:

[Stealhead]

I think the US is going to reduce its presence in Germany over time as well.Some places like Landsthul Regional Medical Center and nearby Ramstein AB will likely be around for a while yet as they are both useful for strategic purposes not to mention Ramstein being a NATO base.

The DOD spent a huge amount of money in the early 2000's expanding facilities at Ramstein AB.It main value is it being the only major AB that can support heavy cargo aircraft it also has a huge munitions dump.Munitions used by squadrons in Spanghalem AB and even Avino AB in Italy are stored at Ramstein AB.

The fact that they increased the runway length and the tarmac area(for parking cargo aircraft) while I was statined there implied that they ahd some long term plans for Ramstein.

Now the US Army facilities around Mannheim and Heidelberg not so much and the fact that the 1st Armored Division left Germany a few years ago clearly implies that the US Army has less need to have sizable elements posted in Germany on a permanent basis.

[Twin Screws]

It was only last week that I was looking through some old photos from when I was over in Dusseldorf in 1957 to 58.

Happy times from what I remember. :)

[Stealhead]

It was only last week that I was looking through some old photos from when I was over in Dusseldorf in 1957 to 58.

Happy times from what I remember. :)


I liked being stationed in Germany so much I found ways to make sure that I never got sent to another base.There was a Master Sargent in my unit that had been in Germany since 1981 and had never gotten transferred I learned the tricks to avoid transfer from him.

I did do several TDY(temporary duty) in places that where not popular voluntarily that allowed me to get what I wanted in return.

[August]

1978-1981 for me.

I look back on my tour over there with great fondness as well but I can't decide if I miss being in Germany or I really miss being 18 years old in Germany.

I did read that they're moving the last units out of my old base in Illesheim in 2015. Be nice to visit the place one last time and see if I can catch a glimpse of my lost youth... :)

[Stealhead]

1978-1981 for me.

I look back on my tour over there with great fondness as well but I can't decide if I miss being in Germany or I really miss being 18 years old in Germany.

I did read that they're moving the last units out of my old base in Illesheim in 2015. Be nice to visit the place one last time and see if I can catch a glimpse of my lost youth... :)


The German government took over several of the old Army/Air Force facilities left behind after the base closures back in 92 and 93.Some barracks they completely gutted and converted into low cost apartments other facilities got remodeled and used by private business. I imagine that facilities at Illesheim might get purchased by the German government or private hands.

I was in Germany for most of my 20's myself and found the social activities enjoyable and sometimes punishing on my head afterwords.Of course I also enjoyed hiking and mountain biking in the German hills a lot as well.Most of the locals where fairly friendly to Americans.

One German who owned a small bar/restaurant in the little village of Otterbach(Otter Creek) actually went on trips to visit Soldiers and Airmen that he got to know as patrons.

On a Friday or Saturday night after the local families had eaten their meals he would drink with the patrons if you lasted long enough everything was on the house.He was not a rich man but he lived well.If he knew you very well he pretty much refused payment.

[Nippelspanner]

Aww, sorry to see you fellas leave, really!
While I lived in Osnabrück, there were many Tommy...err British soldiers, I always liked them! :salute:

[Hawk66]

All British troops will have left Germany by the end of the decade...it is a shame it is because of further defence cuts.

Thanks to the German people who afforded friendship and hospitality to our people whilst we've been there :salute:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21665240

Yup, Cold War is over...until the Russian Bear awakes again ;).

But seriously, thanks for being here...I think apart from the military point of view, it helped much to foster relations and building a better Europe after WWII...

[Wolferz]

Dig that crazy camo scheme!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2j4cm98wn1qhgm4go1_1280.jpg

Urban assault vehicle? We need Eric Cartman. GD Hippies!

[Skybird]

I don't add much in here, since I already did.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=198462

[Skybird]

Aww, sorry to see you fellas leave, really!
While I lived in Osnabrück, there were many Tommy...err British soldiers, I always liked them! :salute:
Osnabrück, eh? I studied there. Left in 2000. Lame city, but most beautiful landscape around. I miss the forests and the sweeping hills.

[Nippelspanner]

Hehe, agree, the city doesn't offer anything but speed limit traps. I lived there from uh... 2008-2010, so it was more a short visit. Im living next to the Lüneburger Heide now - so I don't need to miss any landscape, I have one of the most awesome around me :O:

Still, Teutoburger Wald was something!

[Skybird]

Hehe, agree, the city doesn't offer anything but speed limit traps. I lived there from uh... 2008-2010, so it was more a short visit. Im living next to the Lüneburger Heide now - so I don't need to miss any landscape, I have one of the most awesome around me :O:

Still, Teutoburger Wald was something!
Lüneburger Heide. Not really close neighbourhood, but something Northern nevertheless - Lübeck. My most prefered town on Earth. For me, it is either the Hanseatic North, or Bavaria. The German middle in between does not exist on my inner map. :D

[Platapus]

I imagine there will be a cost savings, but for whom?

Did the UK pay for the bases and upkeep or was it funded by Germany?

I think the US could save a few dollars if we could reduce our overseas bases to just 100. :yep:

[Herr-Berbunch]

If anyone is interested here is the new basing plan - who is going where.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136406/regular_army_basing_plan.pdf

[Herr-Berbunch]

Im living next to the Lüneburger Heide now - so I don't need to miss any landscape, I have one of the most awesome around me :O:

I wonder, are there many people who search Lüneburger Heide for the burial site of it's most infamous inhabitant? :o

[Catfish]

They've done so much nonsense here (in apositive way) that it's really hard to see them go :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iew3spuYozs
:03:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH-DHKSHvwY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYbs-ZNrjUg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrLW3ygn9vA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlXao4oPHEo

Best wishes,
Catfish

[Dan D]

20 years ago or so I was working night shifts together with Jim, an ex-soldier of the British Army of the Rhine in Germany. He had tried to get back into a civilian live in England but he had failed. No jobs for him in England, as he said. So he had returned to Germany for a living and was working for the German postal office. That is where I met him. We were both throwing parcels from left to right during night shifts at 5:00 am.. For me it was a student job. He, who had a tattoo: “Hong Kong- hot as hell never again” written to an image of a British soldier sweating under a palm tree on his forearm said to me a couple of times: “Danny-boy, don’t do as I did. Learn a decent job like lawyer or doctor” Duh!
His son-in-law had enlisted too to the army at the age of 17 for (is it?) 20 years of service and was patrolling the streets in Northern Ireland waiting for an ambush, and Jim’s daughter being pregnant. No way out, working class.

If Britain can’t offer jobs for returning soldiers now, then I see trouble.

Jim however, my fatherly friend, later got promoted and became a postal office driver in Germany and was happy about it. I bet, he still pays taxes in Germany.

[Jimbuna]

I wonder, are there many people who search Lüneburger Heide for the burial site of it's most infamous inhabitant? :o

That will be old Heinrich :hmm2:

[Penguin]

The British already left my region in the mid 90s. Though some stayed, mostly people from my generation - children of the soldiers who were stationed here. Many because they met some significant others to lure them away from ole Britain. :smug:

Though I have a problem with a certain individual who was stationed here after the war due to family affairs, I never had any problems with the troops who were here during the 80s/90s. Never got crap from them for running around with weird haircuts and clothes, quite the opposite to some Bundeswehr soldiers.
Not to forget the BFBS, they often played some great stuff - saved many of my generation from the boring German radio stations.

When the Brits here went out drinking, they mostly met in the Irish pubs, always good drinking buddies, with good humour, sometimes a bit rowdy. However even the roughest guys put their tail between their legs when the MP arrived to enforce the curfew. Those who opposed the MP, usually never did it a second time :dead: :D.