RMP Werl as it is today.

In 1967 De Gaulle took France out of NATO,so all US and Canadian forces had to leave.The Us had numerous air bases and a long logistics chain going back as far as La Rochelle with big depots at Orleans and Nancy.This info was in a US Post Exchang Hand book listing all the facilities and was a must for us travelling in Germany,France and Italy so that we could take advantage of their facilitis and in Itally get duty free petrol.
The RCAF was required to leave their two air bases ,1 Wing Marville,(previously at North Luffenham in Rutland,that's where I got my flight to Montreal after joining thr RCASC in London in 54).I digress,1 Wing moved to an ex French air base at Lahr,2 Wing at Gros Tenquin was closed and the units disbanded,HQ 1 Cdn Air Dive Metz was moved to Lahr Kaserne, 3 Wing Zweibruecke nand 4 Wing Baden-Soelingen remained operational till Mr Trudeau made his big decision in 1970.
I was posted to Cyprus in 67 and we had stop at Lahr for a crew change and there was still a small French Air Force presence there. then,

Correction to my last entry,that must have been 66 not 67,I was on a course late 66 when a guy from Air Div told me they had decided on Lahr.By Jun 67 when I went through Lahr they were pretty well established.

How did we get this far away from Werl?

TonyE wrote:

How did we get this far away from Werl?

Down the Auto Bahn due south....

Life "up North" was significantly different to the one "down South". I never lived in Lahr, so perhaps I'm a tad biased :-)

I do remember visiting a girlhood friend of Mom's and the friend's family. They were Air Force (Canadian) and had lived in Metz before DeGaulle kicked them out and they all moved to Lahr, so yes...Lahr was Air Force and always, to me, had that feel to it.

I loved living in NRW and it was the major event of my life.

Hi All

Just joined the forum as I was searching for Werl in google. I spent some time in Werl (1 Black Watch), I went back to Werl last year and managed to walk around the camp for an hour or so. It is in a desperate state of decay. I took a load of photo's of almost everywhere including the church/kirk.

The gate was open when we arrived and locked when we returned, I remebered a gap in the fence by the assault course and on the off chance went to see if it was still there and believe it or not it was and managed to get out.

If anybody wants to see the photos I'll download them, I loved my 5 years in Werl and it was depressing to see the state of the camp.

Hello GlennSimmo, welcome to the forum. Although I was never posted to Werl I did visit Werl a couple of times during the early 1980's (At the time I was at Soltau) I seem to remember the Black Watch being in residence at the time. I would be interested to see your photos and I agree, the state of many barracks in Germany today is, well, just said. Those overgrown and decaying buildings hold so many memories.

I served in Werl between 1983 - 87. Firstly with the Black Watch and then with the Royal Scots. My daughter was born whilst i was in Werl. Best place in Germany that i ever served in.

Hi Wilf & Nobby

I will upload the photos if I can. Is there an area for these anywhere on the site?