Francisca Barracks

I know that there is possibly a problem with this Barracks location but I have found a site with references to both Francisca and Kitchener Barracks. Although not totally military, there are some good photos of blocks in Francisca, and some views of blocks in Kitchener.

I have asked permission to publish a link and await permission or refusal.

Paul.

Paul wrote:

I know that there is possibly a problem with this Barracks location but I have found a site with references to both Francisca and Kitchener Barracks. Although not totally military, there are some good photos of blocks in Francisca, and some views of blocks in Kitchener.

I have asked permission to publish a link and await permission or refusal.

Paul.

Hi Paul
Francisca Barracks is St Tonis just outside Krefeld well recorded as home to 19 Army Group Sig Regt later 28 Sig Regt later 280 Sqn from ? to 2002 and Kitchener Barracks is the HQ BAOR RE depot at Willich bit further from Krefeld from 1952 to 1992 under various titles hope this helps
Regards
Steve

Ah, yes Fransisca Barracks St Tonis - I knew it well. I was stationed there at 28 (BR) Sigs between 1964 to late 1967, before being posted out to HMS Jufair in Bahrien.

I was also posted to 16 Sigs at Bradbury Barracks for Trade Training as a B3 Comcen Op for 4 months over the summer months of 1964. Does anyone know if the rumours about old rusting German Panzers quietly rotting away in a flooded underground hanger that was suppsoed to be under the main drill square of Bradbury Barracks were correct or not...?

unclevanya wrote:

Ah, yes Fransisca Barracks St Tonis - Does anyone know if the rumours about old rusting German Panzers quietly rotting away in a flooded underground hanger that was suppsoed to be under the main drill square of Bradbury Barracks were correct or not...?

Worst kept secret in BAOR - full of Tigers, I believe.

Tsk Tsk Shelldrake...That was Maresfield barracks..

Thanks to 'Crusader' Army Rumour Service Website regarding Aldershot Barracks Iserlohn

"Absolute fact. If there are any crusty old 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards veterans here, they will remember that it happened in Aldershot Barracks, Iserlohn in the winter of 1966/67. The barrack square was at the top of the camp and had a slightly raised approach to it. A crack appeared over several days (or weeks), running the width of the square where it was joined by the approach road. One evening, the prowler guard failed to return to the guardroom at the end of his stag, and a patrol was sent out to locate him. After some time, they heard a faint sound of someone calling for help and, following the voice, found that the crack in the road had opened up and the prowler had fallen into it, and was now about fifteen feet below in a large dark hole.Ladders and lights were brought at which time it was discovered that the square was actually the roof of an underground tank-park with a large steel door and it had all been covered in tarmac or concrete. The weight of the concrete had collapsed the rusted door thereby forming the crack, which eventually gave way. There are many other "interesting" tales about that place, but for another time, maybe. By the way...."No" I was not the prowler"

No Tiger tanks either...

I did see photo's taken in Baden at the air base, where they uncovered some German vehicles when extending the run ways. The girl who showed me was the daughter of the Base Fire Chief (RCAF). Can't remember if they just covered it over or removed them.

But rumors of underground, undiscovered storage spots from WW 2 abound on a lot of former German bases.

Hardrations wrote:

But rumors of underground, undiscovered storage spots from WW 2 abound on a lot of former German bases.

Wouldn't it now be easier to list all of the British Barracks in the BAOR that are not rumoured to have a secret underground casement full of Panzers beneath its parade square?

I wonder if this same rumour made its way around the GSFG Barracks before the fall of the Wall. "Hey Comrade, did you know that there is a secret compartment full of fascist tanks below the turnip field?"

Cheers,
Dan.

I would be incredibly surprised if no such u/g places existed; After all there were large such places in uk built at the start and during the WW II. My Uncle-in-law worked in such; Three shifts per day and bussed in from Bath.

We had a lad of German birth in our unit (1 SSM Bty) who was a great collector of WW 2 German items. On talking to some locals, he was informed of a former Ack Ack position up in the hills above the Weisswald just out side of Deilinghofen/Hemer. He found his way up there and did find some items of interest long abandoned there. This was in 65. Later on he was posted to CFB Shilo and had a real museum in his PMQ basement.

I wish I'd known about that place when we were in Deilinghofen, Hardrations.
We used to go scrambling up the rocks in the old quarries in the Honnertal, a search on the Weisswald would've been right up our street.

I was talking to a guy that I knew who was stationed at RAF Gutersloh, recently. He told me that there was Squadrons of Stukas and Messerschmidts not to mention Heinkels (He told me not to mention the Heinkels) lagered up under the main runway.

Unclevanya,

some time around 1967/1968 I was invited by a soldier on guard to come and watch a game of cricket in Francisca Barracks.

Kind regards,

MB aka Mike the Fritz