20 ARMOURED BRIGADE DETMOLD

Apologies to all

In the fairly recent past there was a query regarding the move of HQ 20 Armoured Brigade from Munster to Detmold which I cannot now find.

Looking through my personal working notes on the History of BAOR I think the move was part of the major restructuring/relocation of 1st British Corps which took place in the mid/late 1950s when the British Forces in Germany reorganised from the old Occupation Force (and World War 2 based Divisional organisations) to the longterm British contribution to the NATO Northern Army Group (NORTHAG) including the creation of Mechanised Infantry Battalions equipted with FV430s and its variants.

My guess is that the move took place in 1958 when following the creation of the Army Air Corps and the closure of RAF Detmold with the transfer of the close recce, laision and artillery spotting roles to the new organisation from the RAF. This created more space in Hobart Barracks for the Headquarters with its subordinate units split between Lemgo, Paderborn/Sennelager and elsewhere in Detmold Garrison.

Cuxhaven Steve with his encyclopedic knowledge of Royal Signals units in BAOR may be able to confirm my thoughts

JPW

The Royal Signals followed the Divisions/Brigades HQs

4 (20 Armoured Brigade) Sqn – York Barracks Münster command 6 Armoured Division disbanded Jun 58 – 20 Armoured Brigade to 4 Division

6 Infantry Brigade Group Signal Squadron of 2 Divison – York Barracks Münster moved to Bangor Barracks Wuppertal Dec 51 back to York Barracks Münster Apr 58

20 Armd Bde moved out of York Barracks Münster Apr 58 then and looks like the a change came again in 1961 when 20 Armoured Brigade left 4 Division that consisted of
200 Signal Squadron (Armoured Brigade Group) – Birdwood Barracks Bunde
204 Signal Squadron (Guards Brigade Group) – Llanelly Barracks Hubblerath
205 Signal Squadron (Infantry Brigade Group) – Aldershot Barracks Iserlohn

to join 1 Division

207 Signal Squadron (Armoured Brigade Group) – Bournemouth Barracks Soltau
redesignated 7 Armoured Brigade Group HQ & Signal Squadron 1962
200 Signal Squadron (Armoured Brigade Group) – Hobart Barracks Detmold
redesignated 20 Armoured Brigade Group HQ & Signal Squadron 1962

to return to 4 Divison in 1964 than consisted of
4 Guards Brigade HQ & Signal Squadron – Aldershot Barracks Iserlohn moves to York Barracks Münster Mar 68 renamed 4 Armoured Brigade HQ & Signal Squadron
20 Armoured Brigade HQ & Signal Squadron – Hobart Barracks Detmold

History is a mystery and hope I have this correct

Best regards
Steve