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0 NeutralAbout Long Thrust VI
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Southern Colorado, USA
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Fire Brigade Armband
Long Thrust VI replied to Sapper533's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
Your speculation is probably correct, Sapper. U.S. Army's German labor battalions wore a "GERMAN" English language patch. There are others on this site with more knowledge than I. -
I recall seeing East German personnel wearing the "field cap" (last photo) in 1963. The cap is the same shape as the "M-43" style made famous by the WW II Afrika korps except the cloth strap was attached over the cap's crown (as shown). West German troops wore caps of the same style on which the cloth strap attached in front, as the original.
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BGS photo album 1957 ish
Long Thrust VI replied to Jock Auld's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
Thank you, Uwe, for setting me straight. This is a good site to become educated. Thanks, again, Jock for your generosity. If there's a change of heart, I'll get back in contact with you. -
BGS photo album 1957 ish
Long Thrust VI replied to Jock Auld's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
That's generous of you, Jock -- I'd love to have 'em but got rid of nearly all my collections a few years ago & don't want to start over at my age. Thank you. Everyone on this page will probably recognize that at least one (& perhaps more) of the photos are of men wearing Bundesheer rather than BGS uniforms. -
BGS photo album 1957 ish
Long Thrust VI replied to Jock Auld's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
There was a BGS General Heinrich Muller who served in North Africa during WW II. General Muller led BGS efforts in the "Battle of Gorleben" to confirm West Germany's right to survey parts of the Elbe River in spite of communist East German interference. -
BGS photo album 1957 ish
Long Thrust VI replied to Jock Auld's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
Jock, this is excellent! Few North Americans are aware of the BGS & its history. Keep up the good work! John -
Labour Service Unit helmet
Long Thrust VI replied to Gordon Craig's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
Gordon, my only recollection of gray uniforms worn by 6941 Guard Battalion is from 1963. In later years, I'm told, Guard uniforms were standard U.S. Army OG-107 "fatigues" (I assume with appropriate insignia). -
Labour Service Unit helmet
Long Thrust VI replied to Gordon Craig's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
6941st Guard Battalion has a website: http://www.guardbattalion.de During my 1963 U.S. Army service in West Berlin, 6941st Guards wore gray uniforms, cut in the style of U.S. Army's short "Ike Jackets," with black U.S. combat boots & helmet liners as shown above. Here are two photos sent by a former 6941st Guard with whom I'm in regular contact. -
BW Panzerlied
Long Thrust VI replied to Jock Auld's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
VERY NICE! In 1963, West German units at Wildflecken often sang traditional songs while marching. One of those songs, as I recall, was named Erika. -
Amusing Purple Heart tales..........
Long Thrust VI replied to bigjarofwasps's topic in United States of America
A Vietnam Veteran (supply clerk for a 155 mm howitzer battery) told me he was sleeping on a cot in the supply tent when his base came under rocket fire. A sliver of shrapnel penetrated the tent, grazing his right-small toe -- for which he was awarded the Purple Heart for a combat wound. Although the wound was slight (almost nonexistent) the award was legitimate. -
Early Bund picture negatives
Long Thrust VI replied to Jock Auld's topic in Germany: Post 1945: Bundesrepublik & DDR
The vehicle appears to be a Borgward B2000, one of the first military vehicles to enter service with the West German Federal Armed Forces. Between 1955 & 1961, 5,672 were produced according to MILITARY VEHICLES (2003) by Chris McNab. -
Duarte 1223, regarding that red-painted helmet: Red helmets were often worn by the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of a "hot" (live-fire) firearms range.
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MP armbands, one is pretty rare.
Long Thrust VI replied to duarte1223's topic in United States of America
In about 1956, U.S. Army Military Police armbands were redesigned & enlarged (they're now called brassards) so as to include the parent unit's shoulder sleeve insignia ("shoulder patch"). The brassard includes a loop on its top to fit over the shirt's or jacket's left shoulder loop, to hold it in place. If the garment is without shoulder loops, the brassard is held in place by use of a safety pin. -
During the U.S. military occupation of West Berlin, Germany (1945 - 1990), a Kaserne there was named McNair Barracks in honor of General Lesley McNair. It was formerly a Telefunken assembly facility for communications equipment & taken by occupation forces for use as troop billets. McNair Barracks was home to Soldiers of 6th U.S. Infantry & 502nd U.S. Infantry. More recently, it has become an apartment/condominium complex.