RAVELIN CAMP HAMELN

Quote :

We did a couple of interesting bridging exercises at Hameln; but cant remember the lcoation. We camped in tents some distance away, on a hill looking down towards the town, not the hills where the Pied Piper went into.

Hi Tony
The location you quote could be RAVELIN CAMP,its behind Gundolf Park,i took some photos this morning.
Am i right in saying this was the site for the Ex SUMMER SALE'S which was held each year
Here they are.
The camp had 2 parts if i am right ,the left part was behind the RMPs which was given back to the stadt in the 90s,there are some MQs and privat houses there.The camp on the right is MT and will be given back to the stadt soon,















AS YOU CAN SEE ITs SAD TO SEE THINGs LIKE THIS

Hi Brian,

Many thanks for the reply.
It seems to be the same location: large dense wooded area behind, and looking down on the town.
Obviously the town has expanded in the last 50 years.
From what I remember, there were no gates, fences or hard surface roads or buildings in 1951 / 1952.
The Sgt's mess is a real mess now.
I like the sign War Dogs; would you take your dog in there even on a lead!!!

Was this the camp for the Royal Engineer units based in Hameln, or were they in another location?

Anyone know where on the Weser the bridging exercises were held, may well have been only in one designated place. From memory there was a large farm house just up from the river, with good apples, and plenty of mushrooms in the field beside the river.

Thanks for helping to build up our knowledge of BAOR
Regards
Tony

Hi Tony
Could it be this location.Found this photo in the bin when BINDON BKS Closed
.
Its just out side hameln on the main road B83.They only use this site now and again

The Last pic could a place called Waldrum.
Not sure if it is spelt right.

Hi Brian,

Thanks for replies.
That river scene does not appear to be it.
I need to expand:
40 Fld Sqn RE was a bailey bridging unit, and we built a bridge over the Weser in July 1951, then in August 1957 at a different location? when there was a major exercise on, and were given inflatable pontoons [American or Canadian] We had a large compressor on the south side of the river [standing close on a cold night was good] Next morning the field was full of mushrooms, I picked a bucket full, then to find only about five of us liked mushrooms.
Just about 100 yards from the river was a large old farm house complex [the toilets were directly above the pig drain, you could hear them grunting while sitting on the toilet. There were two doors to the toilet, but inside it was just a bench with two holes, male and farm females used it.] The only likely farm I can now see on Wikimapia is at the end of Gut Hepensen off road L433 [west of the city] [I cant see any likely location close to the B83]
Within walking distance was a small village with a good pub.

We built the bridge one night and then I think the following night almost all of BAOR tanks roller over. My job, being in HQ troop, was to watch the supports on the river bank [south side] for any movement while the tanks rolled over. My head was about 2 foot away from those tank tracks.

I can find Ravelin Camp remains on Wikimapia, or Gundorf Park.
But it appears to be the same location without buildings and roads.

Very enjoyable days in Hameln.
Regards
Tony

Hi Jerry
The photo is from a place called OHR its about 5 ks from Wouldem camp.

Tony
Try GROHNDER FÄHRHAUS.HAJEN.GROSSENWIEDEN.

Hi Brian
Not sure if I remember OHR
I left Hameln (Bindon Bks) In 1968
My wife and I first lived in a mobile home
near to the bridging camp not far from Gordon Bks
Then moved to Quarters in Tunden
Jerry

These are the mobile homes

Hey, how did I miss these. Brian, that certainly looks familiar to me, I did about 4 summer sales and the site looks right to me.

Thanks,

Brian wrote:

Hi Jerry
The photo is from a place called OHR its about 5 ks from Wouldem camp.

Tony
Try GROHNDER FÄHRHAUS.HAJEN.GROSSENWIEDEN.

Hi Brian can you tell me if there are any British Forces still in Hameln. A friend from our days in Hameln sent the following to me.

Using Google Earth and tracking the screen across Hameln to Upnor and Wauldron,there are what appears to be still activity on the ground,obvious track marks across grassy areas etc.Could be civilian stuff of course.

cheers Jerry

Hi Jerry

28 engineer regiment are still here.gorden bks

Hi Jerry

28 engineer regiment are still here.gorden bks

Cheers Brian

OHR PARK was the location for flotation practice on APC's till they ceased this enjoyable(sic) job, I well remember the track catching sandbar and doing out of control circles having thrown a track on it.

Hi friends, I have new images on my page!


http://armaniwoe.jimdo.com/history-of-british-army-in-hameln/

Best regards
Arnd

Hi All
I spent a few years in Hameln. I did my B111 crane course with 408 Tp in Binden Bks in November 62. Spent most of the summer 63 Living in a tent at Ravelin on detachment to the crane pool from 65 CFPS Osnabuck. Went to OP Crown on detachment. Returned to Osnabruck .Moved with 65 to Roberts Bks . Left april 65. Retuned in 67 to 408 Troop until 70 when i carried all my kit across the Square to 28 Amphib Wksps . Stayed untill Feb 72.
The Bridge sites In Hameln were Wouldham and Upnor . Ohr park was mainly used as the training area for 432 and Stallwarts. Bridging exercises took place anywhere on the river wasser or liner in around a 50 mile radius of Hameln. I have some Pictures on my blogspot. www.google.com/profiles/makin2728

Hi , you seem to have a lot of pictures on your408 Troop pictures, that are the same as a friend of mine. In fact you have a picture of him there. He used to drive 01EM00 (EMU)and the BMW and a Renalt We were in RHQ and 10 coy/40 Sqn 1964 /68

The more I look at those photo's the more I'm convinced that was the location for summer sales. We also attended a bridging demo so I'd say it's likely.

Hi Magpie,

great fotos you posted on your web album.

Do you allow me to put the photos also on my website?
Have a look, I made a homepage about all troops based at hameln!



Best regards
Arnd

http://armaniwoe.jimdo.com/history-of-british-army-in-hameln/

OMG I never thought I'd see this camp again!
From 1966 to 69 I was with 4 Div Engrs and I spent two bridge camps at Ravelin. I remember sneaking out to a pub we called, 'two fields and a ditch' 'cos that's what we had to negotiate to get there,
It's a pity to see the place so dilapidated. When I was there it was always tidy because there was a high turnover of regular users.
I remember seeing the M2 rig for the first time when the Amphibious Sqn brought one up to the football pitch at the top of the hill.
God now I'm feeling old,

I remember many years ago going to Ravelin Camp to collect Defence Stores, at that time the R & I Office was a Portakabin at, I think, the top of Camp. I was sitting outside the R & I watching the comings and goings when all of a sudden an Eager Beaver came flying round the corner heading towards the Portakabin, I thought to myself "He ain't gonna stop". He didn't. The forks of the EB went straight through the walls much to the consternation of the occupants who, viewed from the outside, looked like they could have been rehearsing for Riverdance. Happy days.

Must have been an RAOC driver then Shelldrake.

jim wrote:

Must have been an RAOC driver then Shelldrake.

Obviously - didn't want to say nuffink!

Having see the pictures maybe that Eager Beaver driver has been back and spent some time practicing,

I was "Dined Out" of 37 Fd. Sqn. R.E. at Ravelin Bridge Camp, the Sqn. was on exercise, but the OC, some of the Troopies and SNCO's laid on a dinner to send me on my way at the finish of my last posting. I had served as their Fitter Sect. SNCO for around six years, fron 1978 to 1984, with a nine month detatchment to Zimbabwe in between. As the Sqn changed O.C.'s whilst I was away, I ended up being "Dined Out" twice, hence I ended up with two "Noddy" statuettes, which still sit in my display cabinet. During our time there, my Missus drove the Naafi wagon round all the outlying sites, Ravelin was one of her stops.
The riverside site, correctly identified as Ohr Park, by Brian, was used for flotation training. When I was with 25 Fd. Sqn.(26 Engr Regt, Iserlohn), we tracked up there to play with our 432s, in the river. I managed to gain instant notoriety when nearly sank a Hameln River Authority tug. My excuse was that my pressel switch had stuck so I didn't hear the order "Stop at the water's edge!" Good old C/S 28.