I was born in the BMH in Berlin in 1948. My dad was in the 11th Hussars and my mum was a member of the NAAFI. I have never returned to Germany and would like to this year. I would like to find where the original BMH was and where dad and mum were stationed in Berlin. We then moved on to either Oldenberg or Osnabruk where my sister was born, before returning to Barnard Castle in 1950(?). Both my parents are now dead so I cannot get any info from them. I believe the hospital stood near the prison which was destroyed when Hess died, i think in '87 and I don't know if the hospital met the same fate. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Fred

Fred,

Firstly, let me welcome you to the Forum. Thank you for joining us.

If you have any memories of your time in Germany, or old photographs, etc., that you would be willing to allow to be published, please let me know. You can let me know either through this thread, or via a Personal Message.

Now, down to your query.

BMH Berlin (as was) is still there. It is still in use as a Hospital, called now Paulinen Krankenhaus. It is bounded by Heerstrasse, Ragniter Allee, Passenheimer Strasse, and Dickensweg.

The prison had Smuts Barracks to the south, and Brook Barracks to the north, with Wavell Barracks north again. BMH Berlin was actually about 4km east of Spandau. The prison was indeed demolished, and the area now seems to be industrial.commercial.

The 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own), an Armoured Regiment, are recorded as being in Delmemhorst, near Bremen from April 1947 to Feb 1948 when they moved to Qsnabruck. A Squadron of the Regiment was in Smuts Barracks from Jan 1948 until May 1949.

If you look at the link below, it is a photograph of BMH as it is now.

http://baor-locations.com/bmhberlin.aspx

I hope this helps.

Paul.

Thank you Paul for your help. Mum often spoke of Delmenhorst, but I often got confused between Osnabruk and Oldenberg, one of which was were my late sister was born, (obviously Osnabruk). I will certainly check with the family if there are any photos etc, but a lot of stuff got destroyed when first Dad died in 1969 and then Mum in 2000. Dad didn't talk much about his time in Germany but he often talked of his time in the desert with the Rolls Royce armoured cars they had then and about Egypt and Palestine, of which I remember lots of tiny photos.
Thanks again
Fred Macey

Only too glad to be able to help.

Paul.

I lived in Berlin from 1965-1968, and I think you will find that there was a BMH prior to the one at Dickensweg-this was in Spandau, and I think it was on Radelin Strasse. I lived in Kisseln Allee, and the BMH was next to this. The BMH at Dickensweg opened while we lived ther - not sure exactly when, but I do remember this, and the existing BMH while locked up, to begin with was not completely secure and as children we used to go inside there- very creepy too, all empty.

Hope this helps. Jane

Hi All

I was born in Berlin 1959,so by the looks of it i was born at the old BMH ???

Here is my Birth Certificate

I would think so . The BMH at Radelandsstrasse (just checked the address) was a very old building. I remember when the new one was being built because we originally lived in Dickensweg and later on moved to Kisseln Allee and the bus to the NAAFI went through Dickensweg. Ihave just googled the address and it looks like the old building is still standing. There are four rows of flats, in Kisseln Allee, which is where we lved, and this all looks the same and the old building can be seen right next to these. Have looked at the link to the BMH Paul has supplied and this is definitely the new building.

Jane

Unfortunately, not. My parents would have had any that were taken from our time there, but I have lots of memories of our three years there. I attended school firstly at BFES Charlottenburg and later at BFES Gatow.

Went on a school trip to Harz Mountains, so had a trip on the train!! Lots of happy times, even if it was a little different living there then.

I remember a Soviet spy plane crashing into the Havell, 'exercise rocking horse',the school at Gatow with the cellars which went for miles.

Sorry about the pictures. Jane

Thanks for that -very interesting. My father was RAOC at Alexander Barracks. Jane

I was never stationed in Berlin, but stayed many a weekend in the underground hospital which was beneath the BMH. It was a full functioning hospital.

I was in the RAMC from 1962 to 1981 after transferring over from the Royal Artillery. I played hockey and we would play against the other RAMC units in Germany in a knock out.

Great times.

Silky