New website britisharmyingermany.com

Have been working away with JPW over several years trying to piece together the early days of BAOR, a missing piece of history from the late 1940s, folks talk about WW2 but the chat disappears shortly after VE day 8 May 45, some regimental histories give a brief account of occupation duties, however JPW and myself quickly realised that memories cannot always be relied on, enter documents from the public records office in Kew, to cut a long story short we have been able to piece together an Order of Battle from 8 May 45 to 1948, in brief:

21st Army Group
2nd Army
4 x Corps
14 x Divisions
84 X Brigades including HQ Corps, Divisional and Army Group Royal Artillery who were at brigade strength

This is just the British formations; need to add the Canadian, Polish, Dutch, Belgium, Norwegian and Danish troops, who were part of 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine

https://britisharmyingermany.com

My first attempt at building a website, be gentle with me and your input will be appreciated, this will “under construction” for several years and will complement http://baor-locations.org

by early 1948 HQ British Army of the Rhine consisting of:
2nd Infantry Division
Hamburg District
Hannover District
7th Armoured Brigade
4th Army Group Royal Artillery
31st Independent Infantry Brigade
Norwegian Brigade Group
Danish Infantry Brigade Group

Life did change with the Cold War but 1949 can wait for now!

BTW on a personal note, arrived in BAOR 50 years ago this week from Boy Service in Verden-Aller and been back here living in Lower Saxony since 2011

Quote: BTW on a personal note, arrived in BAOR 50 years ago this week.

Thanks Steve, I just figured out mine: 52 years ago last Oct 12. Whaa, time does creep up on us.

PS: Tried your new site, it won't let me in. Opp's it did now.

Arrived BAOR 65 years ago next month (Feb 1952) 6 Armoured Div ... how time flies

That can only mean, we're a bunch of old farts.

ciphers you'll have to get a grip.

On this very special day an update for my website https://britisharmyingermany.com

Major update 1 January 2023

Have now competed records best I can for nearly all Cap Badges that are listed under:
Combat Arms
Combat Support Arms
Combat Service Support Arms

Higher formations are listed from their command as at VE Day 8 May 45

To follow:
Miscellaneous units
Military Government
Allied Armies – Belgium – Dutch – Norwegian – Danish

Wishing everybody a Happy and Healthy New Year

https://britisharmyingermany.com (under construction)

Update for 5 Dec 2023 - First Canadian Army

Up to now have only recorded the Canadian major units on German soil, as the formations/units in Holland were under command 21st Army Group later BAOR, only seems correct to recorded them as well, for now only formations/armoured/artillery/infantry, thanks to Canadiana Heritage war dairies are available online, however some post war formations are not yet available, have withdrawn all Canadian files from the website for updating, except 3rd Canadian Infantry Division (Canadian Army Occupation Force) and created a new page First Canadian Army the start to record my research, it is very sad that JPW can no longer assist due to his poor health, he has been a great help in the past.

https://britisharmyingermany.com (under construction)

If you are in the mood to "buy me a pint or a coffee" please go to the home page to help with the website running costs.

Pleased to announce thanks to Canadian Héritage with their war diaries on line, I have been able to update 31st Anti-Aircraft Brigade units while in Holland prior to moving to Wilhelmshaven, the Brigade war diaries failed to show for May 45.

Just a pity JPW is no longer on air to see this, we have worked together for many years trying to piece the complicated structure of locations for 21st Army Group later BAOR units post VE Day, this is my 1000th post and dedicated to JPW who sadly cannot be with us due to health reasons.

I will not be holding the Lt-Gen sticker and remain as LE Major the rank I aspired to while serving but did not achieve.

Belated Happy New Year to all.

https://britisharmyingermany.com (still under construction)

On starting britisharmyingermany.com only recorded the Canadians on German soil, as the First Canadian Army were under command 21st Army Group later BAOR, felt it correct to include them in the Netherlands, thanks to Canadiana Héritage War Diaries being available online have been able to update the website, at the moment just the chain of command and major units, needing further research to add divisional troops along with batteries/squadrons locations, have been very pleased to have found more information on British units serving in the Netherlands before moving to Germany.

https://britisharmyingermany.com (still under construction)