BFG bases to shut by 2019.

It's sad to see but in these days of economic crisis it makes sense, it also makes sense that the UK economy will benefit from the spending power of the troops that are relocated back home.

I think the biggest downside will be for all the new squadies that will miss out on travelling around Europe with ease and just about whenever they like

Les

Another downside will be the loss of duty free perks. There again by the time it takes place it will be what you have never had you never miss.

BobG

All very topical actually now, what with BAOR being run down over the next few years. The things is, do the Germans actually want us Brits out of the place, or would they be quite happy for BAOR etc to continue? It will certainly impact on those local German comunities around and nearby barracks and garrisons.

One question possibly already been taken into account by MoD and the govenment - is where to put around 20, thosuands Squaddies and their famileis etc back here in the UK. Unless there are old barracks and old RAF airfields that can be taken over, refurbished and utilised as new barracks etc. Whatever happens, whether we have a Tory government, a Labour government, or another Coaltion government - this is going to cost heaps to bringe veryone back, run down thsoe facilities in Germany and create new barracks and garrisons beack here in Blighty, unless many of these Troops are earmarked for redundancy.

Will the RAF elements of 2ATAF also be run down and brought back to blighty?

Well,the troops coming home to the UK need to be seen to be working but what at?Is there any work for them to do other than guarding the monarchy and their homes.Will the MOD build new homes for the families?The armed forces will rely on the NHS now for help as there are no military hospitals.Never ending exercises around the UK preparing for ...what?I suppose they could be used to stop the illegal immigrants coming in and preventing those who will be coming from Bulgaria,Romania etc seeking our benefits.Where are the jobs coming from for the families of the armed forces?This country is in one helluva mess folks and it is getting worse,

Gordon. wrote:

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

Well done Gordon, I knew you could be relied upon to halt this damned display of 5th Column invidious speculation! I've put a word in with GCHQ - you should hear from them soon!

Its sad to see the end of BFG the last vestage of BOAR, but from apart from a sentimental point of view it makes sense really, bringing BFG home which coupled with the announced Military Hubs will save a deal of money over time, even off setting the cost of barrack refurbishment/expansion so to me it makes sense

What will they do? Well I see and extra 7500 troops for the North East - clearly a response to potential scots independance and the need to re-garrison Hadrians Wall bom

Quote :

the need to re-garrison Hadrians Wall

Would have expected better from a Scaley....sniff

Thanks Gordon
Would have thought 7 Armd Bde the Desert Rats would have survived instead of 20 Armd Bde...looking at the list it is 2017 not 2019 and the very last units will be Gütersloh/Sennelager/Paderborn areas...end of an era

Unclevanya, all the RAF pulled out of Germany a good number of years ago. Bruggen was taken over by the scalleys and Gütesloh by the RLC.

Except for a small RAF recruiting team in JHQ...not sure if still there...and at Ramstein there is a RAF detachment

The end of an era, I guess we were lucky to have served when we did. Sad really.

Once all the troops are repatriated to the UK this will form the perfect opportunity for our illustrious Defense Minister to announce another reduction in the numbers of our armed forces. Cynical view I know but I just don't trust any decision made by politicians, and especially this present Government. We are already at an armed forces strength that makes "defense of the realm" very difficult but I just cannot shake off the feeling that our political masters are hell bent on reducing the armed forces to a level less than that of our already depleted police force.

lab1950 wrote:

Once all the troops are repatriated to the UK this will form the perfect opportunity for our illustrious Defense Minister to announce another reduction in the numbers of our armed forces. Cynical view I know but I just don't trust any decision made by politicians, and especially this present Government. We are already at an armed forces strength that makes "defense of the realm" very difficult but I just cannot shake off the feeling that our political masters are hell bent on reducing the armed forces to a level less than that of our already depleted police force.

I think that has to be a serious option sadly.

steve wrote:

Except for a small RAF recruiting team in JHQ...

What would be the need for an RAF recruiting team at JHQ? Is it there to poach trained personnel from the other services, recruit from the dependent population or sign up the odd German or two?

Cheers,
Dan.

Haven't been on here for ages. For one, I really miss living and working in Germany. I think I may have uttered this on an earlier thread, but I grew up there. I went out at 17 and a half and served several tours at varying ranks and locations thereafter. It was great. I wasn't too keen on Minden, but you take the bad with the good. I joined in the late 70s so saw what it was like when it was full of Brit locations. I just loved the place. I appreciate that some of the Germans weren't so keen on us, but they could be forgiven on account of some of our behaviour. I met my first big love out there and I've since caught up with her again on FaceBook, so for me there are many great memories. I've also managed to catch up with a few of the other German lasses that we knocked about with and some of the blokes I served and drank with at that time, so it's a bit like being back in the City Club in Paderborn, only this time we're sober. Would I do it all over again if I could turn the clocks back? Definitely.

I even loved going to Soltau and Hohne! Jumping in a car with three or four others and heading off to 'Whateverstadt' was great. We spent a lot of time looking for places that hadn't seen Brits since the back end of '45 and there were a few. Once other Toms found these places, we'd look elsewhere for others. Friendly(ish) women, cheap fags, beer, crap fashions, money in your pocket and really good scoff...what wasn't there to like?

I hear loads of complaints from Toms who don't like serving there. Personally, I can't understand it. Going abroad (even if it did end up as only a ferry trip) was one of the reasons why I joined up. I may be looking through rosier tinted glasses than I had done before, but why hang on to bad memories, when there are so many good ones to brighten up your day. God, I feel really old for saying that.

Well said Rocky.






BAOR there were none so fine
Then us who served on the Rhine
As NATO to counter against the WARSAW Pact
We knew that was a matter of fact
We did our service truly well
To protect our freedom from the Communist swell

Memories which we share might grow dusty and old
But we know BAOR made a statement that was bold
The barracks are closing with faint echo of marching boots
Across deserted parade squares march those ghostly troops

We proved our point to those in the east
That on our democracy they would not feast
Shoulder to shoulder we did our best
Now stand down and have a deserved rest

Politicians will not thank us properly I am sure
They will take our hard earned credit, we will have to endure
The Germans know we were good and sound
And Tommy has earned his right to be proud

Hardrations, a Canadian soldier in 4 CIBG, BAOR 1964-1969
with a side trip to Lahr 71-74

^Very nice.

Well said Hardrations

Rocky wrote:

Haven't been on here for ages. For one, I really miss living and working in Germany. I think I may have uttered this on an earlier thread, but I grew up there. I went out at 17 and a half and served several tours at varying ranks and locations thereafter. It was great. I wasn't too keen on Minden, but you take the bad with the good. I joined in the late 70s so saw what it was like when it was full of Brit locations. I just loved the place. I appreciate that some of the Germans weren't so keen on us, but they could be forgiven on account of some of our behaviour. I met my first big love out there and I've since caught up with her again on FaceBook, so for me there are many great memories. I've also managed to catch up with a few of the other German lasses that we knocked about with and some of the blokes I served and drank with at that time, so it's a bit like being back in the City Club in Paderborn, only this time we're sober. Would I do it all over again if I could turn the clocks back? Definitely.

I even loved going to Soltau and Hohne! Jumping in a car with three or four others and heading off to 'Whateverstadt' was great. We spent a lot of time looking for places that hadn't seen Brits since the back end of '45 and there were a few. Once other Toms found these places, we'd look elsewhere for others. Friendly(ish) women, cheap fags, beer, crap fashions, money in your pocket and really good scoff...what wasn't there to like?

I hear loads of complaints from Toms who don't like serving there. Personally, I can't understand it. Going abroad (even if it did end up as only a ferry trip) was one of the reasons why I joined up. I may be looking through rosier tinted glasses than I had done before, but why hang on to bad memories, when there are so many good ones to brighten up your day. God, I feel really old for saying that.

Think that just about sums it up for most of us - we had the best of times before the 21st Century ruined it!

Shelldrake wrote:

Think that just about sums it up for most of us - we had the best of times before the 21st Century ruined it!

@Shelldrake - not a truer word said

@Rocky - What you have written here could be a mirror image for myself. You are right about the growing up part - did that. City Club in Paderborn I had forgotten all about that den of iniquity until you reminded me once more

Civil Labour Germany (lots of ex pats/former soldiers) got their Brown Envelopes yesterday (12 Mar 18) - Notice, Endex is 31 Dec 19

Possibly changes ahead! Germany is asking for troops/barracks due to Russian stance.