Take a look at this site:-

http://www2.army.mod.uk/osnabruck_garrison/community_information/key_drawdown_dates.htm

It gives a final handover as March 2009.

Paul.

I regret haveing just returned from a reunion trip to the TRaz that most of it is now left to rot ,the MRS is fenced off unsafe, my old unit 2ADFA is over grown with weeds some of the blocks are waiting to be knocked down as unsafe.
The only place standing and still going strong is Jim Blakes sneli in Dodesheide where I had my Quarter for 8 years, happy days then but not now.
The garrison is officaly closed now but some units still in place for the hand over of Barracks.

Brian R exRAMC

This is indeed sad news. It has to be said the Traz wasn't my fave posting (I was att to 23 Engr Regt Quebec Bks 89 - 92) but I never thought I'd see the day the garrison was closed. I remember in the early 1990's when Tom King the Tory defence secretary announced "Options for Change" (what a cock up that was, but thats another thread) the locals were concerened about the garrison being reduced in size, top brass went out of their way to reasure the stadt that garrison Traz was safe and there to stay!

First time I ever went to the Traz was in the early 1980's, me & a mate drove down from Soltau to see our kid who was stationed at 12 Armd Wksp. Quebec Bks was the first camp we came across so I approached the guardroom and asked for directions to 12 Armd Wksp. It was a Scottish Regt in residence (KOSB if memory serves) anyhow, I couldn't understand a bloody word they said! The Provo Sgt was the sort of chap who looked (and sounded) like he ate babies, he was pointing out the route I should take on a large map on the wall while grunting in some jockenese dialect. I got back in the car and my mate said right where too? I said ***k knows, just drive!

We eventually found the right camp, our kid had previously told me to ask for directions at the Duke of Edinburgh's guard room, which I did. I walked in and asked the Provo Sgt if this was the Derrs camp! I wondered why he looked at me as if he was about to run me through with a bayonet! Outside the guard room my mate hissed at me that you dont ask the Provo Sgt of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment if he's a bloody Derr!

It wasn't a good day as far as Provo Sgts go, but I did eventually find our kid

So sorry to hear about the closure of the garrison. I served in mercer barracks from 1965 to 1968. First with the Queens own Highlanders and then with .1 Royal Scots. I was with the REME LAD which stayed in the camp regardless of which infantry regiments came and went. I had a great time while there and wondered if anyone remembers the Schloss garten where they used to hold tea time dances on Sundays for the teenagers. Great times were had and where I met my German girlfriend. We also used to frequent a place called the Milk Bar, which didnt serve milk! I watched the 1966 world cup there. I also remember a pub in Dodeshiede ,opposite the cinema ,run by a really nice German guy whos name escapes me but he was football mad and managed Tus Haste who were a local team then. He did a fantastic vanishing act during the world cup in 66, even fooling his wife. I suppose Osnabruck is where I grew up as I was only 18 at the time and fresh from Army Apprentice collage at Carlisle (intake 62B). I also served in Hemer/ Menden. I am still very fond of Germany and spend a fair amount of time there with work.
The one thing that is different now is the exchange rate. Yes I know it is now euros but when I went to Osnabruck we were getting 11DM to the pound!!!!! Hope you find this interesting and if I can help in any way please get in touch.
Yours

Steve Dawson ex REME

i served in 122 Tipper Coy RASC which then changed 15 Sqn RCT in Scarbourough Barracks 1964-9. had a great time and asked for an extension to my posting which was granted, hence the 5 years. i would love to hear from anyone who served or lived there during these dates. i note that a Jean Cavanagh said that her dad, and she, was there during this period but i don't know how to contact her can anyone hepl?[img]

Hi all,

Just found this site, great place by the way. Yes it was a shame Osnabruck Garrison closing, but im proud to say i was one of the last out of Roberts Bks as it was handed over on the 18th Dec 2008. Now back in the Uk........

OOh another Rag & oil, Hi.

Shame about Osnabruck, I have many happy memories of the place from when I was a Kid.

I have just come back from Osnabruck after visiting my in laws at the weekend. I decided to do a great escape from them for a few hours and had a drive round the old bases “good what a sorry sight!!” I was with the Argyle Mill band stationed in Mercer Bks from 1976 – 1978, and returned in late 1979 to live and work in Osnabruck until moving down to Monschau by Aachen in 1998.
Standing outside the main gate (or what’s left of it) of Mercer Bks on Saturday afternoon brought a tear to my eye. I will no doubt see things change even more in the next few years.

Many Germans told me that the move has left a great hole in their hearts, and for those of you who thought the German did not like us, be rest assured this is not true!!

Anyone know what happened to the MQ's in kleine Moscow and London?

recymech,

no need to apologise, and there's no shame in being a nugget for forgetting passwords! Ahem...

I'm back on R&R (4 weeks of tour to push) and will visit Osnabrück this week.

I feel for the large contingent of squaddies still serving (now elsewhere in BFG) who have civvie houses in the area - lots of commuting and staying in messes through the week. Life goes on I suppose.

'ta,

Archie

i was in 15sqn RCT scarborough bks from 1977/1980 then took over as manager of th dummersee yacht club until 1986 still had to go to 25eng regt RE for the rations i stayed in a house in kliena
moscow it is sad that there is no longer troops also the dummersee yacht club closed sad.

jock aitken B.E.M.