Der Mohnesee Dam!

Thanks for info re German Mustard, jerry (Bad Salzuflen post)
My old tin box also yielded the attached Post Card also obtained '57/8.
The recent TV programme about the raid reminded me that I had the card.
I think we were on our way to a "Scheme" somewhere, and stopped off at the dam.
I think I purchased the card from a souvinier shop on the dam.
I remember that even then, the locals didn't seem very friendly towards us.
I also bought a card showing the dam head-on, and remember that the new stonework was very obvious at that time (suppose it has weathered by now.)

[IMG]https://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz306/brrowe/

Can't see the photo, says I don't have permission to access your site

Sorry jim,
I've recently downloaded "Firefox" as my default browser and don't know what I have to do to correct this prob.
I couldn't even see it myself when I attempted to preview the picture, but assumed others would be able to.
Any "Firefox users out there with solution, please?

I don`t think it`s your browser mate.. Try cutting and pasting the IMG url (i think it`s the bottom one) from your photobucket image.

Maybe this will help go t0 Photo bucket click the picture
and follow this pic Jerry

The new stonework between the tower on Moehne Dam were still quite clear even in the 70's, some 30-odd years after the bursting. I forget, now, when the dam was originally built...sometime in the 20s or possibly teens, I suspect so the stone used would be already quite weathered by the time the dam was bombed and as the 'old' stone continued to age, the 'new' stone would age too, of course, but at a 40 or 50 year slower rate.

I suspect, but it's merely a thought, that in certain lights and from certain angles it may still be possible to see the patch as it would never quite 'catch up' with the surrounding stone re weathering, moss, etc.

Some one put this on Photo Bucket i reduced it a bit

I had a flat in Wickede, (?) in the other direction from camp to Werl. anyway it was a two story family house, a lovely flat. there was a brass marker on the wall at about our second story window. the landlady said that was were the water came up to when the dam was breached. must have been quite frightening.

Hi jim,
Trying your suggestion, see below.
Thanks to all for response and photo of the "other" side.
It brings it all back!

Hi jerry,
Sorry, I meant to thank you for the IMG suggestion!

No problem

I and a few other 7th Signal Regt soldiers (Maresfield Bks Herford) learnt to Sail on the Mohne See Dam back in 1969. BTW 7th Sigs in now a private housing estate except for one barrack block in South Camp which is now a German Motor Cycle Museum WITH A BAR!

Has the Gym in North camp gone now?Barry

The Gym that I was aware of was the new one built behind the cook house in South Camp after I left in 1970. Then again, there was a shell of a barrack block next to the NCO's NAFFI at the top of North Camp which was used for Church Parades etc so there could have been climbing bars around the walls so that could have been the Gym you're reffering to. It's all gone now. I've been back to Herford many times because I have a son who was born and raised there, so often use to drive around North and South Camp. Even Barnes Bridge has gone. Those barracks were designed to last only 15 years max ha! Spent 7 years there
There is a reunion club if you're interested in joining? It's called www.herforder-association.org.uk

I'm in touch with Ronnie Sampson who was a Capt back in the 60's who eventully became the Ambassador of the Falkland Islands after the 'conflict'. Did you know him?

The block in North camp is the one i am thinking of.Sampson don`t ring any bells.I was in 5 Sqdn from Jan 62 untill Nov 65.Seven years?Hell i was climbing the walls after four, with pure boredom.

Doe's anyone remember the Portacabin married quarters in N.Camp even as late as 1976ish?

Porta cabins as MQ's? never heard of that one, I've seen them used as sisnglies accommodation though. I do remember living in a nissan hut as a child in Berlin Alan.

More like static caravans.They were quite good,all things considered.Broke a couple of ribs climbing the fence after leaving the Cpls mess one Christmas night

Gordon. wrote:

The block in North camp is the one i am thinking of.Sampson don`t ring any bells.I was in 5 Sqdn from Jan 62 untill Nov 65.Seven years?Hell i was climbing the walls after four, with pure boredom.

Did you know Capt DeBretten-Gordon? Nice guy to all the men. Also, Lt Lenthall & 2nd Lt Graystock, they were my Tango Troop Officers back in 1964/5.

Do you remember the tragic accident in Nov 1964 when 3 of our Tango troop members were killed in a Champ that the driver who slept in the next 'pit' to me wraped it around a tree? The other two were eventully medicaly discharge but 'we' believe they were pulling a 'fast one'. Still in touch with one of them who now lives in Reading.

Hi Barry - breaking radio silence
Capt DeBretten-Gordon 7 Sig Regt became Major OC 3 Sqn 1 Div HQ & Sig Regt late 60s a 100% gent and understand he went through the ranks to sergeant before commissioned was he Alan? A former ex Denbury Boy Alan P De Bretton-Gordon 55-57 passed away in July 2004 and do not know if this is the one we knew or not
Cheers
Steve - back to packing

steve wrote:

Hi Barry - breaking radio silence
Capt DeBretten-Gordon 7 Sig Regt became Major OC 3 Sqn 1 Div HQ & Sig Regt late 60s a 100% gent and understand he went through the ranks to sergeant before commissioned was he Alan? A former ex Denbury Boy Alan P De Bretton-Gordon 55-57 passed away in July 2004 and do not know if this is the one we knew or not
Cheers
Steve - back to packing

Hi Steve,

Couldn't be that many DeBretton-Gordons in the R/Sigs so my money would be on him being the same guy. Sad lost if it's him:(
Have past your info on to former Capt Ron Sampson 7th Sigs to confirm.
Prost,
Baz

Up date;
Capt Ronnie Sampson then Maj then Ambassador to the Falkland Islands after the Conflict wrote that he knew Capt DeBretton-Gordon coz he lived next door to him in Bad Salzuflen which is the next town to Herford back in the 60's. He also knew about his departure

Prost!

alan8376 wrote:

Doe's anyone remember the Portacabin married quarters in N.Camp even as late as 1976ish?

Ah yes! What a wonderful location for those married soldiers..........every NAFFI and Lunch break at home! I was there for 7 long years in the barrack block during the 60's untill I got married and moved out to Married Quarters in Enger thanks to Sgt John Roberts pulling a few strings
The whole of Maresfield Barracks is now a housing estate. 7th Sigs closed down in 1993 I beleive.

Prost!

This one started off as the Mohnesee Dam and we are now in Herford.

Shelldrake wrote:

This one started off as the Mohnesee Dam and we are now in Herford.

Be talking about the SAS next. Oh Herford not Hereford!