128 Det Hannover District Workshop REME

Hi guys,

I am researching the village in Germany called Hambühren near Celle where my wife grew up, which until 1945 was a Luftwaffe Main Ammunition Factory. As such I am at the point of establishing the units that were located here following the end of the war.

260 (Wessex) Field Company RE were involved in the destruction of the vast amount of ammunition that remained and of the demilitarisation of the factory area.

My research indicates that a detachment of the Hannover District Workshop REME quite possibly 128 Det were also based here which in 1949 became part of 31 Armoured Workshop.

I have been to The National Archives and read WO267/128 HQ Hannover District REME which does give some indication but very little.

Any pointers or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ian

Unit details for Hambühren taken from nigher command Kew documentation from May 45 to Mar 49:

260 Field Company RE of 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division arrived from Bad Bevensen north-east of Ebstorf 19 May 45 – Gamsen south-east of Celle 30 May 45 – returns to Hambühren 29 Jun 45 – moved to Schloss Lembeck north-west of Recklinghausen 12 Sep 45 – 12 Corps Engineers of 18 Army Group returns 19 Sep 45 – disbanded relieved by 101 Field Company from 8th Corps District 28 Mar 46

101 Field Company RE – arrived from Dummersdorf north-east of Lübeck 28 Mar 46 – 43 Army Troops 30 Jun 46 – 29 Army Troops 30 Aug 46 – moved to Hamburg ?

827 Armoured Troops Workshops REME arrived from Fallingbostel 20 Sep 45 – redesignated 128 Sub Workshop 24 Oct 45.

128 Sub Workshop REME – 30 Corps District 22 Aug 46 – 1 Corps District 24 Oct 46 – 5 Infantry Division 1 Jun 47 – Hannover District 15 Jan 48 as 128 Sub Area Workshop – less Sub 1 Apr 48.

Hope this helps.

https://britisharmyingermany.com (under construction)

This appears to be the location of 827 Armoured Troops Workshops later 128 Sub Workshop in Hambühren

Steve, thanks for this additional information, much appreciated.

I served in Hohne with QOH and 13/18th Hussars from 1973 to 1977 before moving across the ranges to Fallingbostel with 7 Armd Wksp until 1980. Finished my career in 1995 at Vehicles and Weapons Branch REME UK.

In terms of your aerial photo and relating back to circa 1974 when I first became aware of Hambühren... Where Lidl is currently located is on the junction of the 214 and Ostlandstrasse. This was the site of the former German barracks before it was closed in 1994 and demolished in 2000. North of the 214 to the right of where the current buildings are located was the accommodation area and Commandant's Offices. Of interest is the name of the main road through the village, Ostlandstrasse. At the time of this area being a Luftwaffe Ammunition Factory, this road was called Herman Goring Strasse and about 800 metres down the road was the junction with Adolf Hitler Strasse, now renamed Oldauer Heu Weg. Hambühren was born out of the former ammunition factory when displaced persons (DPs) arrived from their temporary camp at Reinsehlen. Many of the DPs were from Silesia and former eastern areas of occupied Germany, hence the name Ostlandstrasse linked them to their former nations.

Steve, I have just spotted you were in Iserlohn.

I was with the Wkps there from 1980 to 1983 with what was 3 Armd Div Eng Regt who were then re-named 26 Engineers. My youngest daughter was born in the BMH.

We just missed each other in Iserlohn, served Nov 77 to Dec 79 in 30 Fd Sqn aka "Dirty Thirty" with 4 months at the CETC in Hameln, returning as a civilian May 83 having a long association with the town.

I was 30 Sqn Fitter Section, my boss at the time was SSgt Kenny Graham, also I have a good friend who was ex 30, Rob Wilkinson. Small world. Incidentally, I have the 1994 map section of the photo you found on Google maps but I don't know how to attach it to this message.

1944 map not 1994 - it is from when the whole area was a Luftwaffe ammunition factory

I have sent you a PM Message with my email Address.

Send the Map to me.

Alan...

.Map Removed to save site capacity.

Scroll down to alternative Map.

Thanks
Alan

Is this Larger Version of the Map easier to read?

I know Large photo aren't always liked, due to limited site.

Thanks Alan, in terms of clarity, that's about as good as it gets, but at least it indicates the size of the complex. The REME workshop was in the area of grid square 9C.