Helmstedt

HI Wolfgang

yes i operated out of helmstedt brocken down vehicles were all returned to Helmstedt. I only went as far as the river zaza which was a bout 1/2 way to Berlin the Americans in Berlin covered the other 1/2 .IF you need more information please ask

jimpan

Jimpan,
I served with Paddy Carruthers in 1966 on Aden.

Hi jimpan,

thank you for the explanation.

I am interested in the history of the allied administration in Westberlin after the war and of course the military transit between Berlin and the western zones of occupation is part of this.

Regarding to your recovery activities some more questions.
How did you manage the necessary U-turn on the Autobahn on your way back to Helmstedt? Could you cross the green between the two lanes or had you use the next exit/entry? Had you ever contact or assistance with the eastern Volkspolizei?

Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang
yes we were allowed to do a u- turn do not forget 1958- 1960 there was very few cars on the autobahn, we only had contact with the Russian military we were not allowed to talk to east Germans . One time a volkspolizie fell of his motor bike in front of my scammel we stopped to help but a Russian arrived and told us to keep moving

jimpan

Hi jimpan,
you encourage me to ask questions, here I am.
What was the chain of command/information?
How were the checkpoint officers informed that a vehicle was to recover?
Who gave you the order to go on a recovery mission.
What kind of paperwork you had to present the soviet sentry at the border?
Was there a different doing between an accident and a simple break down?
Did your recovery mission include medical assistance if necessary?
Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang
the checkpoint officer was actually a L/corporal he would be told by a fellow allied traveller or the Russians.
The duty corporal of the day would make the order to do the recovery after informing the commanding officer
you had to present your id card plus a travel document in English and Russian, he was not a sentry but he had a small office and was at least a Captain.
we also had a ambulance and a medic at Helmstedt so yes we dis have medical assistance if necessary.

Hi jimpan,

what was the frequency of your recovery missions weekly, daily or more?

Wolfgang

HI Wolfgang

in the 2 1/2 years i was at Helmstedt I only to do 4 recovery's 3 for USA serviceman and 1 British serviceman as you can see I had a lot of time sitting waiting , this was my only duty. I did play football for HSV HELMSTEDT 3RD team in my spare time.
jimpan

Hi jimpan,
a job one can be obvious.
I assumed the number of missions were higher.
Good to get first-hand information.
Wolfgang