BAOR Memories
Quote from fpeall on January 21, 2025, 12:15 pmDuring training I acted as the 'enemy' on a scheme in the Eifel region of Germany. With my group of terrorists we came upon a remote gasthaus which we invaded in full battle order which did not seem to concern the natives one bit. I quite liked a brown ale in those days so I went up to the bar and ordered a Dunkel beer, a dark beer. The customers in the pub burst out laughing at that and it was pointed out to me that Dunkel beer is a non alcoholic beer drunk by pregnant women. Not quite so macho after all!
During training I acted as the 'enemy' on a scheme in the Eifel region of Germany. With my group of terrorists we came upon a remote gasthaus which we invaded in full battle order which did not seem to concern the natives one bit. I quite liked a brown ale in those days so I went up to the bar and ordered a Dunkel beer, a dark beer. The customers in the pub burst out laughing at that and it was pointed out to me that Dunkel beer is a non alcoholic beer drunk by pregnant women. Not quite so macho after all!
Quote from jkwebster06 on January 21, 2025, 9:24 pmDuring a major exercise (Lionheart I think) the whole battlegroup was being held up by German protesters blocking a bridge we needed to cross. German police in attendance but they refused to budge - there was no other way to get by, however the police had an idea ; walking to the rear of our convoy of Chieftains they returned to the bridge and spoke to the ringleaders who scattered back to their convoy of VW campervans to find their tyres had been slashed !! It meant we could proceed unchallenged and the protesters couldn't even follow us, too many punctures, LOL. John (JKW)
During a major exercise (Lionheart I think) the whole battlegroup was being held up by German protesters blocking a bridge we needed to cross. German police in attendance but they refused to budge - there was no other way to get by, however the police had an idea ; walking to the rear of our convoy of Chieftains they returned to the bridge and spoke to the ringleaders who scattered back to their convoy of VW campervans to find their tyres had been slashed !! It meant we could proceed unchallenged and the protesters couldn't even follow us, too many punctures, LOL. John (JKW)
Quote from Ron on January 22, 2025, 8:17 pmThere must be so many stories about some of the funny or not so funny stories about life in BAOR.
I recall one incident when I was a 10th Royal Hussar. We were on a major NATO exercise in about 1966 after we returned from Aden and were stationed in York Barracks Munster. Due to the dry weather we were warned about the use of pyrotechnics.
Jimmie & I were both Cpls but Tp Sgts on Armoured Cars. Jimmie was known as the Verey Pistol King. He put a thunderflash in the Verey pistol and fired at what he thought was a sand heap. It wasn't and ricocheted and hit a barn which caught fire. The combine harvester and tractor in the barn were destroyed. Caused £186000 of damage.
The exercise was stopped and the CiC BAOR (Gen Sharp?) came on the scene and was spitting feathers. He said - I'll find out who did this and have him punished. Jimmie was on site directing traffic and trying to look nonchalant.
He went before the CO and was fined £25 which I think was 28 days pay and no promotion for 2 years. In 1968 we transferred to the Carbiniers.
Ron
There must be so many stories about some of the funny or not so funny stories about life in BAOR.
I recall one incident when I was a 10th Royal Hussar. We were on a major NATO exercise in about 1966 after we returned from Aden and were stationed in York Barracks Munster. Due to the dry weather we were warned about the use of pyrotechnics.
Jimmie & I were both Cpls but Tp Sgts on Armoured Cars. Jimmie was known as the Verey Pistol King. He put a thunderflash in the Verey pistol and fired at what he thought was a sand heap. It wasn't and ricocheted and hit a barn which caught fire. The combine harvester and tractor in the barn were destroyed. Caused £186000 of damage.
The exercise was stopped and the CiC BAOR (Gen Sharp?) came on the scene and was spitting feathers. He said - I'll find out who did this and have him punished. Jimmie was on site directing traffic and trying to look nonchalant.
He went before the CO and was fined £25 which I think was 28 days pay and no promotion for 2 years. In 1968 we transferred to the Carbiniers.
Ron
Quote from jkwebster06 on January 28, 2025, 9:43 pm"A" Sqn, circa late '67 - it was thought a good idea to have an exercise in the woods involving 3 man teams on foot at night. The "prize" was a crate of beer, awarded to the 1st team finding the "enemy" & extracting with the crate. I was L/Cpl i/c my 3 man team, and luckily , remaining unseen found the enemy holed up in a derelict. To distract their attention I hurled a half brick into the general area (so I thought), and upon hearing a scream we rushed into the derelict - I saw a figure holding his head, bleeding & so I threw him my grotty hankie & yelled "Grab the crate" as we departed sharpish. Arriving back at SHQ the 2i/c Capt Cable Alexander was smiling as he told me that brick had bounced off the corrugated roof (my intended target to make the noise distraction) and hit the SSM Bill George on the head ( well known that the 2i/c & SSM didn't get on ) ! Cable A told me to take the crate & enjoy, the SSM was with the medics getting patched. Next morning at breakfast (SHQ at the field kitchen had theirs cooked for them) the SQMS , Danny Huxley ( a big buddy of Bill George) was behind the 6' table and seeing me pushed the cook aside saying "I'll serve him !!". He looked for the smallest sausage in the tray, the hardest egg yolk and slammed them into my mess tin. I was popular throughout the Sqn afterwards but NOT with those two! How I ever climbed the promotion ladder I'll never know, SSM & SQMS were obviously not on any promotion board LOL, but at least I became well known ! John (JKW)
"A" Sqn, circa late '67 - it was thought a good idea to have an exercise in the woods involving 3 man teams on foot at night. The "prize" was a crate of beer, awarded to the 1st team finding the "enemy" & extracting with the crate. I was L/Cpl i/c my 3 man team, and luckily , remaining unseen found the enemy holed up in a derelict. To distract their attention I hurled a half brick into the general area (so I thought), and upon hearing a scream we rushed into the derelict - I saw a figure holding his head, bleeding & so I threw him my grotty hankie & yelled "Grab the crate" as we departed sharpish. Arriving back at SHQ the 2i/c Capt Cable Alexander was smiling as he told me that brick had bounced off the corrugated roof (my intended target to make the noise distraction) and hit the SSM Bill George on the head ( well known that the 2i/c & SSM didn't get on ) ! Cable A told me to take the crate & enjoy, the SSM was with the medics getting patched. Next morning at breakfast (SHQ at the field kitchen had theirs cooked for them) the SQMS , Danny Huxley ( a big buddy of Bill George) was behind the 6' table and seeing me pushed the cook aside saying "I'll serve him !!". He looked for the smallest sausage in the tray, the hardest egg yolk and slammed them into my mess tin. I was popular throughout the Sqn afterwards but NOT with those two! How I ever climbed the promotion ladder I'll never know, SSM & SQMS were obviously not on any promotion board LOL, but at least I became well known ! John (JKW)
Quote from fpeall on February 3, 2025, 12:16 pmWho could ever forget SQMS Tyson of B Squadron mid sixties. "The answer is no-what is the question?" In early 1965 there was a dire shortage of coveralls. The existing coveralls were so covered in oil and crud that they took on a life of their own. I am sure they could have stood up on their own if required. The explanation for the shortage became apparent in May when the 20th Armoured Brigade paraded before the Queen at Sennelager and as if by magic Mr Tyson produced new coveralls for the whole Squadron to look smart for the parade. I suppose his heart was in the right place but one did wonder sometimes.
Who could ever forget SQMS Tyson of B Squadron mid sixties. "The answer is no-what is the question?" In early 1965 there was a dire shortage of coveralls. The existing coveralls were so covered in oil and crud that they took on a life of their own. I am sure they could have stood up on their own if required. The explanation for the shortage became apparent in May when the 20th Armoured Brigade paraded before the Queen at Sennelager and as if by magic Mr Tyson produced new coveralls for the whole Squadron to look smart for the parade. I suppose his heart was in the right place but one did wonder sometimes.
Quote from DavidFullard on February 5, 2025, 12:59 pmJohn Tyson [ JT] RIP was a good man. He became a good friend to me after I was commissioned. I never reminded him of the time he bollicked me rigid when he was RSM and I was a Sgt. He never mentioned it either. Beneath his brusque personsa dwelled a kind heart. I was at his second wedding in Southport to Joan. I drove him up from Tidworth. He fixed me up with free accommodation in The Kelly’s B&B. I had never met Brian [OB ?] ] Kelly before.[ can’t remember names since my brain bleed LoL] but he and his lovely wife were very hospitable. We spent a few hours the day before the wedding walking around Southport together. I could easily see why Brian had been a daunting presence to young soldiers in his day.
John rang me once just before he and Joan settled in Spain. They had been sailing their yacht around the Mediterranean apparently. And then I heard he had died from a heart attack sat with a cold beer in a Spanish bar watching British football on the TV. Way to go I suppose. Not for me. I hate football. John Tyson was a Hull man and I learned his taciturn nature is typical of Hull folk after settling just across the river.
RIP John.
John Tyson [ JT] RIP was a good man. He became a good friend to me after I was commissioned. I never reminded him of the time he bollicked me rigid when he was RSM and I was a Sgt. He never mentioned it either. Beneath his brusque personsa dwelled a kind heart. I was at his second wedding in Southport to Joan. I drove him up from Tidworth. He fixed me up with free accommodation in The Kelly’s B&B. I had never met Brian [OB ?] ] Kelly before.[ can’t remember names since my brain bleed LoL] but he and his lovely wife were very hospitable. We spent a few hours the day before the wedding walking around Southport together. I could easily see why Brian had been a daunting presence to young soldiers in his day.
John rang me once just before he and Joan settled in Spain. They had been sailing their yacht around the Mediterranean apparently. And then I heard he had died from a heart attack sat with a cold beer in a Spanish bar watching British football on the TV. Way to go I suppose. Not for me. I hate football. John Tyson was a Hull man and I learned his taciturn nature is typical of Hull folk after settling just across the river.
RIP John.
Quote from Bob Riley on February 6, 2025, 1:45 amAnyone from B Sqn Herford on the nett ,when the team of BUBBLE and SQUEAK were in charge ,I was the refuelling guy who always got it in the neck from JT and Co ,have you ever been chased by a SSM in HIS Ferret ,you should try it sometime .Then the Scottish takeover F it for us from Cheshire.
Anyone from B Sqn Herford on the nett ,when the team of BUBBLE and SQUEAK were in charge ,I was the refuelling guy who always got it in the neck from JT and Co ,have you ever been chased by a SSM in HIS Ferret ,you should try it sometime .Then the Scottish takeover F it for us from Cheshire.
Quote from jkwebster06 on February 9, 2025, 9:40 pmGot to disagree re your "Scottish Takeover" & "F it for us from Cheshire" comment Bob. I'm from Wallasey ,Cheshire , born & bred, and don't recall it ever affecting me moving on the promotion ladder both as a Carabinier (Tpr to Sgt) and as a SCOTS DG (Sgt to RSM). Comments like yours can cause friction & are best left for other forums on which to discuss, and that particular subject is well worn out now anyway. Back to the subject as per the Heading ! I was well into the boxing game in Detmold, having arrived late there after JLR & a short spell with the Para Sqn. Moving from A Sqn to HQ Recce Troop as a rookie Cpl, Gordon Hatfield took me under his wing & took it upon himself to become my "manager" ! A fluent German speaker he touted me around the bars of Detmold, offering anyone to fight me for money, usually picking the ugliest brute to take me on !! Afterwards he'd slip me 10 DM as my reward for winning, keeping who knows what as his commission LOL. Memories of BAOR, some great ones ! John (JKW)
Got to disagree re your "Scottish Takeover" & "F it for us from Cheshire" comment Bob. I'm from Wallasey ,Cheshire , born & bred, and don't recall it ever affecting me moving on the promotion ladder both as a Carabinier (Tpr to Sgt) and as a SCOTS DG (Sgt to RSM). Comments like yours can cause friction & are best left for other forums on which to discuss, and that particular subject is well worn out now anyway. Back to the subject as per the Heading ! I was well into the boxing game in Detmold, having arrived late there after JLR & a short spell with the Para Sqn. Moving from A Sqn to HQ Recce Troop as a rookie Cpl, Gordon Hatfield took me under his wing & took it upon himself to become my "manager" ! A fluent German speaker he touted me around the bars of Detmold, offering anyone to fight me for money, usually picking the ugliest brute to take me on !! Afterwards he'd slip me 10 DM as my reward for winning, keeping who knows what as his commission LOL. Memories of BAOR, some great ones ! John (JKW)
Quote from DavidFullard on February 16, 2025, 11:27 pmBob, I echo JKWs comments apropos the Scottish takeover. Just as many 3DG persons were taken into SCOTS DG on amalgamation as Greys. You were perhaps an unlucky victim of falling into a rank/ trade structure that was overrepresented. Not everyone from both regiments could join the new regiment on formation.
I know you have always been bitter but consider this, apropos Scottish Takeover.
JKW, Beastie, JT, Dave Roberts. RSMs
Terry McMahon, JT, Ben Woodall, Robbie Bennett, Graham Pearce, Dave Roberts, Me. Commissioned LEs.
Marcus Coombes, Roland Notley, JFMC, Commanding OfficersAll former 3DGs and I’m sure the brain bleed remnants of my memory bank has excluded others. Time to let the demons disappear Bob. It was a long time ago. Saw a recent pic of you in Goa with a suntan rivalling that of the indigenous population. Enjoy. Let bygones be bygones. No one cares. .
Bob, I echo JKWs comments apropos the Scottish takeover. Just as many 3DG persons were taken into SCOTS DG on amalgamation as Greys. You were perhaps an unlucky victim of falling into a rank/ trade structure that was overrepresented. Not everyone from both regiments could join the new regiment on formation.
I know you have always been bitter but consider this, apropos Scottish Takeover.
JKW, Beastie, JT, Dave Roberts. RSMs
Terry McMahon, JT, Ben Woodall, Robbie Bennett, Graham Pearce, Dave Roberts, Me. Commissioned LEs.
Marcus Coombes, Roland Notley, JFMC, Commanding Officers
All former 3DGs and I’m sure the brain bleed remnants of my memory bank has excluded others. Time to let the demons disappear Bob. It was a long time ago. Saw a recent pic of you in Goa with a suntan rivalling that of the indigenous population. Enjoy. Let bygones be bygones. No one cares. .