Reading the note by Stanw regarding Train Guards may I post this story by Jack Parkin which appears on the 11th H site.
Dropping A Clanger
To "Drop a Clanger " in British Army slang is to make the sort of mistake that gives you nightmares. My mates name was Clanger Booth. He earned the nickname clanger because whatever he did, and wherever he went something would go wrong. Just keep that in mind.
In 1948 I was serving with the 11th Hussars in Osnabruck Germany. As the regiment was considered a senior cavalry regiment, we used to get, from time to time,special assignments. Such as guarding Sir Brian Robertson. Commander in Chief. British Army of the Rhine. When he travelled to West Berlin through the Russian Sector. At the time there were no Checkpoints such as Checkpoint Charlie and no Berlin wall but it was understood that no one should stray into the Russian Sector. East Berlin, ringed West Berlin and nothing was allowed through except the C in Cs train ( which had been Hitlers Private Train).
The 11th Hussars provided 10 men as train guard to the C in C. We boarded the train at Bad Oeinhausen after picking up the Old Man and travelled to the Russian/ British border. Here the Russian Zone Guard checked the documents of travel. ( Why, I do not know. The only thing that was allowed through was the C in Cs Train and they had 3 days notice of when it was going to arrive) After about 30 minutes we were allowed to continue to West Berlin. On arrival, the Train Sergeant asked us if we would like to visit our mates in C Squadron. ( The 11th had 3 Armoured Squadrons.A and B squadrons were in Osnabruck and C squadron was in West Berlin. they had been there for some time. Only 2 of us wanted to go. Clanger and me. We wanted to see what the city looked like. What was left of it. We went to C squadron to see the lads and then left for a look around the city.
When it was time to go back to the train, though I was convinced that we should take the main road, Clanger convinced me I was wrong and we should hop a lift on what was really a B class road. We flagged down a truck, hopped in the back and away we went. After about 5 miles we went past a sign which said " You are now leaving the BRITISH SECTOR" I started to cast doubts on the validity of Clangers Mum and Dads Marriage lines and started shouting for the driver to stop. The truck was covered and separated from the cab by a baulk head so the driver could not hear us shouting. It was about 3 miles before he did. By this time we were well inside the Russian Zone. To help matters it was also 5.30PM. The train had left at 5pm. Trying to look on the good side, we analysed our situation. If we got caught in the Russian Sector there was a fair chance they would put us away and throw away the key. With luck we might get out in 10 years and face a Court Marshall for desertion while guarding the C in C BAOR, that with remission might be 20 years. Yes, we would be old men by the time it was all over.
About half a mile before we stopped I had spotted a Railway station, so we headed for that. On arrival we saw a train in the station heading we thought toward West Berlin, so we hopped aboard,standing just inside the doors. As we pulled out of the station we noticed 2 Russian Soldiers standing further down the car. I said to Clanger. Whatever you do don't look at them. With hindsight. I have no doubt the Russians were saying the same. There is an unwritten law in Armies throughout the world. " Keep your head down and don't get involved". When the train stopped at Westcreitz, (I think that's how you spell it) The Russians got out. At the next station we got out and there in the sidings was "our train". It had been moved because of a security scare to its present position. It was just luck that we had ended up at the same place. Someone "Up there" was looking out for us. The Train Sergeant went ballistic but eventually quietened down. He had not reported us missing as he should not have allowed us to visit C squadron. He was just hoping that we might arrive before the train left and save him having to report our desertion. It certainly saved our bacon.
There is a sad sequel to this story. On another Train guard some time later, when the train stopped at the Russian Zone border for a document check, the orders were, that should anyone attempt to board the train, they were to be shot without challenge. This used to scare the life out of me and as luck would have it nobody ever did, but you can imagine how tense everyone was. On this particular Train guard, while standing in the station. One of our own guard accidentally shot Clanger in the throat. The Russians quickly took him to hospital where he was stabilized. He was transferred two days later to the Military Hospital in Hanover, where he relapsed and sadly died.
That was 57 years ago and it is still very vivid in my memory. On a lighter note, when Clanger and I were on leave, we went rowing near the Mohne Dam. I lit a cigarette and dropped the match inside my shirt, Clanger laughed at my contortions and his false teeth fell in the lake. He never did get them back.
Jack Parkin
11th Hussars.
Sunday 31 May 2009
Saturday 30 May 2009
BERLIN AIR LIFT [BY JIM HARRIS ]
THE BERLIN AIRLIFT
THE BERLIN AIRLIFT
In 1948 the Marshall Plan takes effect in West-Germany to rebuild the
country. However, Russia declines thuis offer for East-Germany and feels
it is losing control in Germany, which in turn leads to their blockade
of West-Berlin.
This started in June 1948. Half of the city was occupied by the
Russians, the other half by the British, americans and French. All
transport came to a standstill, even the barges on the canals.
There was a threat of war, Soviets stopped all transport in and out of
Berlin at Helmstedt which was the border between West- and East-Germany.
My first involvement with the airlift was whilst I was stationed in
West-Germany. On parade one day the Sergeant said" I want 12 volunteers,
you, you and you". We all piled into lorries and drove to Hannover
airport to transport the goods from the depots to the waiting planes
which were loaded by Germans before they took off on their flight to
West-Berlin. That lasted for us for 6 weeks straight off.
In November 1948 our Squadron was flown into West-Berlin to take over
from another British outfit.
Children, the Elderly and the Sick were evacuated by air to West-Germany.
There were 3 air corridors which the Allies were allowed to use to gain
access to West-Berlin and it was decided to supply the city by air which
was the brainchild of the British to which the Americans agreed.
IT WAS THE VERY FIRST TIME EVER THAT SUCH AN OPERATION TOOK PLACE AND IT
HAS NOT BEEN DONE SINCE.
2.5 million people needed to be supplied by air. Pilots flew 3 to 4
missions a day into Berlin with supplies. A plane took off every minute
and another one landed. If, by any chance, they strayed outside the 3
corridors they were buzzed by Soviet MIGS. Earlier on during the airlift
one plane was rammed and all on board were killed.
Often it was a 20 hour day for the Pilots who flew from 8 bases in
West-Germany with food supplies. All were dried goods, they also ferried
coal and petrol, anything and everything that was needed to keep the
people and the city alive. Hot water was in short supply, Electricity
was only on in the evenings and early mornings. There was only 1 petrol
station in West-Berlin to supply all the Allied troops. 5,000 tonnes of
provisions came into West-Berlin every day on its 2 airports and in
flying boats on the lakes.The black market flourished, fresh foods were
smuggled into West-Berlin from East-Germany and people risked their
lives to do it. A lotof Berliners lived in their allotment huts and so
grew their own vegetables.The winter of 1948/49 was a very harsh one and
flying became a hazzard.2 American planes crashed in the suburb of
Tempelhof, also one British plane crashed. During the airlift 40
British, 31 Americans and 7 Germans were killed. Provisions flown in
after the winter went up to 13,000 tonnes a day.
All Allied troops had to do Sector patrols in their respective aereas.
Our Squadron had armoured cars and to show our strength we often drove
right up to the barricades, gave the Russians a scare and then
withdrew.Our rations were the same as for the German population, dried
vegetables, dried eggs, dried milk, corned beef, spam, tinned sausages
and tinned bacon, but the Yanks were better off, they even had icecream.
The Russian troops still came into West-Berlin during the airlift to man
their War Memorial and Radio station, both situated there. However,
Allied troops were not allowed to go into their sector. Who wanted to?
Stalin at last realised that the blockade was not working as he had
expected and in May 1949, 11 months after it started, the blockade was
lifted. The first food-supply lorries rolled into West-Berlin by road
and received a very warm welcome from the people.
In 1969 our family visited West-Berlin before migrating to Australia. We
took a guided tour on a bus to show our girls "The Wall". The tour-guide
asked if any passengers wer stationed in Berlin during the airlift.
Deveral of us put up our hands and were re-imbursed with ourfare as a
"thankyou" for what the Allies did to keep Berliners from starving over
those 11 months
THE BERLIN AIRLIFT
In 1948 the Marshall Plan takes effect in West-Germany to rebuild the
country. However, Russia declines thuis offer for East-Germany and feels
it is losing control in Germany, which in turn leads to their blockade
of West-Berlin.
This started in June 1948. Half of the city was occupied by the
Russians, the other half by the British, americans and French. All
transport came to a standstill, even the barges on the canals.
There was a threat of war, Soviets stopped all transport in and out of
Berlin at Helmstedt which was the border between West- and East-Germany.
My first involvement with the airlift was whilst I was stationed in
West-Germany. On parade one day the Sergeant said" I want 12 volunteers,
you, you and you". We all piled into lorries and drove to Hannover
airport to transport the goods from the depots to the waiting planes
which were loaded by Germans before they took off on their flight to
West-Berlin. That lasted for us for 6 weeks straight off.
In November 1948 our Squadron was flown into West-Berlin to take over
from another British outfit.
Children, the Elderly and the Sick were evacuated by air to West-Germany.
There were 3 air corridors which the Allies were allowed to use to gain
access to West-Berlin and it was decided to supply the city by air which
was the brainchild of the British to which the Americans agreed.
IT WAS THE VERY FIRST TIME EVER THAT SUCH AN OPERATION TOOK PLACE AND IT
HAS NOT BEEN DONE SINCE.
2.5 million people needed to be supplied by air. Pilots flew 3 to 4
missions a day into Berlin with supplies. A plane took off every minute
and another one landed. If, by any chance, they strayed outside the 3
corridors they were buzzed by Soviet MIGS. Earlier on during the airlift
one plane was rammed and all on board were killed.
Often it was a 20 hour day for the Pilots who flew from 8 bases in
West-Germany with food supplies. All were dried goods, they also ferried
coal and petrol, anything and everything that was needed to keep the
people and the city alive. Hot water was in short supply, Electricity
was only on in the evenings and early mornings. There was only 1 petrol
station in West-Berlin to supply all the Allied troops. 5,000 tonnes of
provisions came into West-Berlin every day on its 2 airports and in
flying boats on the lakes.The black market flourished, fresh foods were
smuggled into West-Berlin from East-Germany and people risked their
lives to do it. A lotof Berliners lived in their allotment huts and so
grew their own vegetables.The winter of 1948/49 was a very harsh one and
flying became a hazzard.2 American planes crashed in the suburb of
Tempelhof, also one British plane crashed. During the airlift 40
British, 31 Americans and 7 Germans were killed. Provisions flown in
after the winter went up to 13,000 tonnes a day.
All Allied troops had to do Sector patrols in their respective aereas.
Our Squadron had armoured cars and to show our strength we often drove
right up to the barricades, gave the Russians a scare and then
withdrew.Our rations were the same as for the German population, dried
vegetables, dried eggs, dried milk, corned beef, spam, tinned sausages
and tinned bacon, but the Yanks were better off, they even had icecream.
The Russian troops still came into West-Berlin during the airlift to man
their War Memorial and Radio station, both situated there. However,
Allied troops were not allowed to go into their sector. Who wanted to?
Stalin at last realised that the blockade was not working as he had
expected and in May 1949, 11 months after it started, the blockade was
lifted. The first food-supply lorries rolled into West-Berlin by road
and received a very warm welcome from the people.
In 1969 our family visited West-Berlin before migrating to Australia. We
took a guided tour on a bus to show our girls "The Wall". The tour-guide
asked if any passengers wer stationed in Berlin during the airlift.
Deveral of us put up our hands and were re-imbursed with ourfare as a
"thankyou" for what the Allies did to keep Berliners from starving over
those 11 months
Friday 29 May 2009
1960/62 REME LAD
How many personnel from the 1960/62 Ipoh and Nee Soon REME LADs are members of this web site. I would like to contact you, if you are interested, to revive old memories and photos of that period.
Thursday 28 May 2009
Wednesday 27 May 2009
videos
Please go into inbox as it seems that some of the videos have been taken off the main page for some reason that we do not know about at the present time.
John
John
video
Anyone looking at the videos will you please make a comment so we will know what sort you prefer.also please put some on yourself.THANK YOU
Tuesday 26 May 2009
ROYAL DRAGOONS BB
JUST TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT JOHN ATKINS WILL BE TAKING OVER THE BB WITH DENIS SOWERBY AS SECOND IN COMMAND ON THE 6TH JUNE.I WILL STAND DOWN AND PUT MY FEET UP.
THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN DURING MY TOUR OF DUTY
THANKS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL DEREK
THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN DURING MY TOUR OF DUTY
THANKS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL DEREK
Monday 25 May 2009
Saturday 23 May 2009
Friday 22 May 2009
TONY BOON
Has anyone got Tonys email address all the mail i send him is being sent back,
HELP PLEASE regards derek
HELP PLEASE regards derek
Thursday 21 May 2009
“Ayo Gorkhali”
“Ayo Gorkhali” — the Gurkhas are coming. ...
Well Done Joanna, they should now make her a Dame.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Sound Advice
Never argue with an IDIOT,he/she will drag you down to their level and beat you on EXPERIENCE.
Grumps.
JIM BYRNE REME 1961
WELCOME to the BB Jim hope you find your way around ok.. you should find some of your old pals on the .BB ...JIM was in C sqn..tell the members all about yourself Jim...when did you move to AUSSY LAND,
REGARDS DEREK
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Youtube 4/7 RDG
Go to youtube....type: Dave Meldrews memories to see 4/7th RDG band members to dee ex Royals PAT BURGESS SID SKEWS TAFFY WILLIAMS PETE EVERSON ? HARMAN AND bandmaster CHARLIE BRIGGS. There are also two others that went there at amalagamation time but cant remember them.
There are also some other Tankie pictures on the 4/7th around amalgamation time or just after.
New Music Site
Ok lads,try this site out for LOADS of whatever music you enjoy,you need to enrol but it is FREE and SAFE.****
"SPOTIFY"
Bri.
Monday 18 May 2009
Friday 15 May 2009
over 60's guys
Drafting Guys over 60----
obviously written by a Former Soldier-
New Direction for any war: Send Service Vets over 60!
I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I'm too old to track down
terrorists. You can't be older than 42 to join the military. They've got
the whole thing ass-backwards. Instead of sending 18-year olds off to
fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn't be able to join a
military unit until you're at least 35.
For starters: Researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10
seconds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a day, leaving
us more than 28,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the
enemy.
Young guys haven't lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky soldier
is a dangerous soldier. 'My back hurts! I can't sleep, I'm tired and
hungry' We are impatient and maybe letting us kill some asshole that
desperately deserves it will make us feel better and shut us up for a
while.
An 18-year-old doesn't even like to get up before 10 a.m. Old guys
always get up early to pee so what the hell. Besides, like I said, 'I'm
tired and can't sleep and since I'm already up, I may as well be up
killing some fanatical s-of-a-b....
If captured we couldn't spill the beans because we'd forget where we put
them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real
brainteaser.
Boot camp would be easier for old guys. We're used to getting screamed
and yelled at and we're used to soft food. We've also developed an
appreciation for guns. We've been using them for years as an excuse to
get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling.
They could lighten up on the obstacle course however. I've been in
combat and didn't see a single 20-foot wall with rope hanging over the
side, nor did I ever do any pushups after completing basic training.
Actually, the running part is kind of a waste of energy, too. I've never
seen anyone outrun a bullet.
An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him. He's still learning to
shave, to start up a conversation with a pretty girl. He still hasn't
figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the
back of his head.
These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little
more about life before sending them off into harm's way.
Let us old guys track down those dirty rotten coward terrorists. The
last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple of million pissed off
old farts with attitudes and automatic weapons who know that their best
years are already behind them.
***How about recruiting Women over 50 ...with PMS !!! You think Men have
attitudes !!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhh my God!!!
If nothing else, put us on border patrol....we will have it secured the
first night!
--------------------
obviously written by a Former Soldier-
New Direction for any war: Send Service Vets over 60!
I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I'm too old to track down
terrorists. You can't be older than 42 to join the military. They've got
the whole thing ass-backwards. Instead of sending 18-year olds off to
fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn't be able to join a
military unit until you're at least 35.
For starters: Researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10
seconds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a day, leaving
us more than 28,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the
enemy.
Young guys haven't lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky soldier
is a dangerous soldier. 'My back hurts! I can't sleep, I'm tired and
hungry' We are impatient and maybe letting us kill some asshole that
desperately deserves it will make us feel better and shut us up for a
while.
An 18-year-old doesn't even like to get up before 10 a.m. Old guys
always get up early to pee so what the hell. Besides, like I said, 'I'm
tired and can't sleep and since I'm already up, I may as well be up
killing some fanatical s-of-a-b....
If captured we couldn't spill the beans because we'd forget where we put
them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real
brainteaser.
Boot camp would be easier for old guys. We're used to getting screamed
and yelled at and we're used to soft food. We've also developed an
appreciation for guns. We've been using them for years as an excuse to
get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling.
They could lighten up on the obstacle course however. I've been in
combat and didn't see a single 20-foot wall with rope hanging over the
side, nor did I ever do any pushups after completing basic training.
Actually, the running part is kind of a waste of energy, too. I've never
seen anyone outrun a bullet.
An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him. He's still learning to
shave, to start up a conversation with a pretty girl. He still hasn't
figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the
back of his head.
These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little
more about life before sending them off into harm's way.
Let us old guys track down those dirty rotten coward terrorists. The
last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple of million pissed off
old farts with attitudes and automatic weapons who know that their best
years are already behind them.
***How about recruiting Women over 50 ...with PMS !!! You think Men have
attitudes !!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhh my God!!!
If nothing else, put us on border patrol....we will have it secured the
first night!
--------------------
Thursday 14 May 2009
Tuesday 12 May 2009
NIGEL REED
Welcome back NIGEL please give us a update of what you have been doing during your AWOL time.Photos please as we have lost the ones you had on the previous bb
regards derek
Monday 11 May 2009
DON MALLINDER,PHOTOS PLUS OTHERS
These PIC,S have been sent in by DON..GREAT SET DON AND YOUR ARE SURE LOOKING WELL
Sunday 10 May 2009
Sunday June 21St Royal Dragoons Service at the NMA
I wish to inform all those that are coming to the Sevice on the 21St June at the Blues and Royals Memorial plot at the NMA,that the Rev.,Ann Taylor,(the North Staffs Branch Chaplain), will be taking the Service.
Ann, is doing a service at her local church in the morning and HOPES to do ours at APPX 1400 Hrs,Please tell those you know that have not got a PC about the timing please.
Bri.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces
The Staffordshire branch of the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces,and their families will be attending a ceremony to unveil a plaque in memory of the branch`spast and present soldiers.
It will take place at the NMA on Saturday May 16th at 1100Hrs.
All are invited.
Grumps.
Saturday 2 May 2009
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