Estetal-Naval Kaserne and the Town of Buxtehude

»Am 22. April 1945 ging für Buxtehude der Zweite Weltkrieg zu Ende. An diesem Tag wurden die Estetalkaserne und die Stadt kampflos den britischen Truppen übergeben. Dadurch wurden der Tod von Menschen und Zerstörungen verhindert.« "On 22 Apr 45 WW2 ended for the Buxtehude community. On this day the Estetal Barracks and the town were handed over to the British Forces without a resistance, avoiding the death of people or damage to the locality."
a later observaion reads "War Illustrated 249, January 3, 1947: 'The German naval Headquarters at Buxtehude, on the Elbe, was captured complete with it's admiral and 400 German Wrens, who were far from pleased at finding they were no longer considered to be of the master race.'

Resident Units

213 Military Government Detachment from Sep 45 (with Kreis Resident Officer)
1st Bn York and Lancaster Regiment 1948 - Mar 1950
1st Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers 1950 - Jan 1951
1st Bn East Yorkshire Regiment 1951 - Feb 1952

1st Bn Black Watch Oct 51 (from Berlin) - Feb 1952
1st Bn The Seaforth Highlanders Apr 1952 - May 1954
1st Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Jul 1954- Apr 1956
(Under command 31 Lorried Infantry Brigade)
Handed over to Bundeswehr - appx Sep 1956/7

There is an interesting description of the camp on the main site at

http://baor-locations.org/Spey.aspx.html

Thanks...Didn't realise we stayed until 1956.


I enjoyed reading the camp description on the main site.

Alan

Thanks Pborn 4

Have yet to start on 30th Corps District however from my notes so far…the Royal Navy were the first occupants!

Estetal/Kriegsmarine Kaserne later Spey Barracks Buxtehude

May 45 – one company 27th Infantry Battalion of 116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines to Jun 45 – the barracks were used as concentration area for Royal Marine units prior to return to the UK

HQ Flag Officer Working Group Royal Navy closed Apr 46

Mar 46 to Jun 46 – 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) (less one company in Cuxhaven) of 154th Infantry Brigade command 51st (Highland) Infantry Division

Jun 46 to Sep 46 – 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (less one company in Cuxhaven) of 6th Guards Brigade command Guards Division/Hamburg District

Sep 46 to Sep 48 – 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) (less one company in Hamburg) of 6th Guards Brigade command Guards Division/Hamburg District to Dec 46 then 4th Armoured Brigade/Hamburg District to Mar 48 then Hamburg Sub Area of Hamburg District

Sep 48 – 1st Battalion (Hallamshire) York and Lancaster Regiment from Hamburg command Hamburg Sub Area of Hamburg District

https://britisharmyingermany.com

1. Royal Navy: Flag Officer Western Germany Command
a resumé of RN activities in Germany following the cessation of hostilities is here: (Will insert it into the RN heading elsewhere on this site),

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/LondonGazette/38171.html

The Pied Piper - Flag Officer Western Germany Command Magazine

"Pied Piper" was a nickname in Bomber Command for A Hitler. The Nov 45 and Dec 45 editions are known to have included photos of their new home at Spey (Marine) Barracks Buxtehude. Try here:

https://picclick.co.uk/The-Pied-Piper-November-1945-Flag-Officer-Western-202007493456.html