I visited the Kaserne in October, 50 years after the Royal Signals departed, and the place is still in excellent condition, although now surplus to requirements by the Bundeswehr. Due to close down in 2010.

Photos of 'before' and 'after' 50 years are with Phil, and hopefully the Brannenburg photos will be soon be updated.

Hello everyone know!

Why was the 12th Wireless Squadron of the Royal Signals stationed so far away from the British zone of occupation? Deepest Bavaria is quite a distance away!

What was the pourpose of it?

Hi Oliver,

12 Wireless was a sub unit of 1 Wireless located in Birgelen, in the British Sector, and was formed in 1955 when all Allied Troops had to leave Austria following the Independence Treaty. Units of the newly formed 12 Wireless had been located near Graz. They were an 'eavesdropping' unit listening in to all Eastern Block radio transmissions.
The Karfreit Kaserne was just over the border into Germany, and the Kaserne was empty, the last US Constabulary units having left. There were no DPs, war damage minimal, and a secure site, hidden from the nearby road. Radio reception from the East was good. An ideal location.
Agreement must have been reached by the US/German authorities for us to use the site. There was aslo a small detachment working at the USASA base at Bad Aibling.
I arrived in Degerndorf, (as it was then) in 1957, and left in 1958 when the unit moved back to Birgelen in the north Germany.
.

Hi Bill!

Thank you for your reply. At first I thought that you would listen to the Austrians, just a little bit.

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

Oh to be so young!!!
Yes Austria was a worry in those days. One of the reasons that the Russians agreed to withdraw from Austria was the belief by them that the country would turn to communism after we all left, and it would just 'fall' into the Soviet sphere of influence. Fortunately, it didn't happen.

Remember also in the 50s , Tito ruled Yugoslavia, and he required watching as was he pro West/anti Russia, or just playing one against the other?

But the main fear was from Russian forces in East Germany. The 2nd and 3rd Shock Armies weren't there on holiday, and required constant monitoring..especially when they went on 'training exercises' heading our way.

It was a bit worrying when some of our units near the Border armed with Lee Enfields and 5 rounds of .303 ammunition were the first line of defence.

Excitiing times.. but we survived to tell the tale.
Bill