Thank you, Tommy

Skybird · 09-15-12, 09:09 AM

http://www.welt.de/regionales/duesse...Wohnungen.html

The Brits are leaving my hometown, after 67 years. Have been used to see their flags, Jeeps, trucks and APCs in several parts of the city since my childhood (my family comes from here). Some random meetings with those living in soldier houses up the road I live in, always have gone very relaxed.

When I came here myself twelve years ago, some time later I was invited to a TV barbecue party in their garden during the first football tournament after I moved here. Some very grounded, friendly guys I met on that day, it was a good time. One just has to get used to this queer sense of humour of theirs

. Since I am quite black-humoured myslf, we matched well.

Not close enough ties to say I'm sad over the Brits leaving - but it won'T be the same without the Union Jack flying at soccer evenings anymore.

Thanks, and good luck in the places you are leaving for now.

Oberon · 09-15-12, 09:28 AM

Thanks for having them, and welcoming them.

Makes all the difference to the troops to have a friendly populace to live alongside I'd say.

Jimbuna · 09-15-12, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Thanks for having them, and welcoming them.

Makes all the difference to the troops to have a friendly populace to live alongside I'd say.

DITTO

Herr-Berbunch · 09-16-12, 03:47 AM

I was never posted there but have been a couple of times on excise, during one I witnessed the handover of Bruggen from the RAF to the Army. The locals weren't to keen, the army guys were quite insular and drunk, we, in the RAF, were drunk also but because we'd joined in with wearing fancy dress we were taken to the hearts of the locals.

I hope that all these years later the army have learnt to mingle.

Skybird · 09-16-12, 05:09 AM

To be honest, my parents told me that there were times when the Brits' reputation here was not good. On weekend nights, meeting a group of them could have meant trouble, the "besoffener Tommy" was a proverb, and there were many events of street fightings.

However, that is a long time ago so that I have no memory to that myself (age 45). Today, the Brits here live in - probably self-choosen - isolation of their community, they have some living areas with simple but pretty houses and green places all around where their families somewhat flock together, and the Germans themselves are not overly eager to reach out to them as well. I think it is like that most often with foreign military garrisons stationed in other countries, and I recall it was the same with the Americans in West-Berlin.

But the point is, that where there are contacts between both sides, they are smooth and friendly now, and since long time. Nobody today is used to talk about the Brits the way it was long time ago, and on their side, even on weekends there is not a single negative headline I can remember. People now living in town just do not remember that old phrase of "besoffener Tommies" anymore. People change, populations change, many young ones have moved in, and the old ones have moved out. The needed interaction between the military and the city worked fine by all what the public knows, the times of Brits "street fighters" patrolling the street on Saturday evenings are long since gone, and like the Dutch, who also hold a small military representation here in the city, the living together is smooth, free of problems, and friendly where opportunty for contacts arises.

Jimbuna · 09-16-12, 06:44 AM

What is 'besoffener' in English Sky, my translator can't figure it out?

09-15-12, 09:09 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,662 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Thank you, Tommy http://www.welt.de/regionales/duesse...Wohnungen.html The Brits are leaving my hometown, after 67 years. Have been used to see their flags, Jeeps, trucks and APCs in several parts of the city since my childhood (my family comes from here). Some random meetings with those living in soldier houses up the road I live in, always have gone very relaxed. When I came here myself twelve years ago, some time later I was invited to a TV barbecue party in their garden during the first football tournament after I moved here. Some very grounded, friendly guys I met on that day, it was a good time. One just has to get used to this queer sense of humour of theirs . Since I am quite black-humoured myslf, we matched well. Not close enough ties to say I'm sad over the Brits leaving - but it won'T be the same without the Union Jack flying at soccer evenings anymore. Thanks, and good luck in the places you are leaving for now. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-16-12, 03:47 AM	#4
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I was never posted there but have been a couple of times on excise, during one I witnessed the handover of Bruggen from the RAF to the Army. The locals weren't to keen, the army guys were quite insular and drunk, we, in the RAF, were drunk also but because we'd joined in with wearing fancy dress we were taken to the hearts of the locals. I hope that all these years later the army have learnt to mingle. __________________

09-16-12, 05:09 AM	#5
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,662 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	To be honest, my parents told me that there were times when the Brits' reputation here was not good. On weekend nights, meeting a group of them could have meant trouble, the "besoffener Tommy" was a proverb, and there were many events of street fightings. However, that is a long time ago so that I have no memory to that myself (age 45). Today, the Brits here live in - probably self-choosen - isolation of their community, they have some living areas with simple but pretty houses and green places all around where their families somewhat flock together, and the Germans themselves are not overly eager to reach out to them as well. I think it is like that most often with foreign military garrisons stationed in other countries, and I recall it was the same with the Americans in West-Berlin. But the point is, that where there are contacts between both sides, they are smooth and friendly now, and since long time. Nobody today is used to talk about the Brits the way it was long time ago, and on their side, even on weekends there is not a single negative headline I can remember. People now living in town just do not remember that old phrase of "besoffener Tommies" anymore. People change, populations change, many young ones have moved in, and the old ones have moved out. The needed interaction between the military and the city worked fine by all what the public knows, the times of Brits "street fighters" patrolling the street on Saturday evenings are long since gone, and like the Dutch, who also hold a small military representation here in the city, the living together is smooth, free of problems, and friendly where opportunty for contacts arises. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-16-12, 06:44 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,648 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	What is 'besoffener' in English Sky, my translator can't figure it out? __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-15-12, 09:28 AM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Thanks for having them, and welcoming them. Makes all the difference to the troops to have a friendly populace to live alongside I'd say.