I don't know about Berlin. But the old East/West Geramn border had it high and lows doing duty at Op Alpha near Rasdorf. had some very good times.

Steve Murray
Old Cav bunny

Bad Hershfeld and the Fulda Gap - - seems like it was always foggy and rainy. Reminded me too much of the movie "Battle of the Bulge" - quiet before the storm, and us with no ammo!! "If ya see a T-62, call it in - -!"

Ya you Bad Hersfeld boys had all the luck WW3 started there at the OP. Trooper Stold a Bradly?
went there once or twice.Had a good time with the 11th ACR.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

I was with 1/68 Armor @ Wildflecken. Our First Sgt "volunteered" our unit to replace a border unit that was going on ARTEP.
While we sere up there, Sgt John Allen (now a Baptist preacher) took a bunch of Tin foil and made it look like a "secret weapon" and put it on the top of his OP. Thurout the day, he would move it sighlty to face different directions. He told us the East Germans were taking pictures of it all day long!
Do you blame him for having a little bit of fun!

SFC Teachout
NY Guard

Ya we did the same kind of stuff to the East Germans.Stuff like drive an officer to the border and have him get out and open your door and solute you. Or take a black Cav beret with you and put it on, and have the East German go nuts trying to find out what you are.or the old shoe some alfoil a CVC helmet some pencils and let the fun begin.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

quote:

Originally posted by ThreeBongo:

quote:

Originally posted by 10641231:
Ya you Bad Hersfeld boys had all the luck WW3 started there at the OP. Trooper Stold a Bradly?
went there once or twice.Had a good time with the 11th ACR.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

Long before any Bradley incident, I heard that a young troop named Zetnetski or Zetkowski or something like that (He came into the 3/33d just as I was leaving) got in some kinda trouble (70s - probably drugs) and decided he was going to defect and go back to Poland (?). So he steals one of the new 5-ton trucks we'd been getting and decides to crash the wire!! Well, he makes it through, but when the Russian/East Germans find out what kind of dirtbag he is, they throw him back!! But they keep the truck!!

Yes, I think every unit has a drop kick, that NO one wonts. Some even have more.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

quote:

Originally posted by ThreeBongo:
Roger that - -

We were pretty much supposed to ignore komrade, as he ignored us. But there was always the occasional wave or big smile,etc. trying to get a reaction - -

Never saw anything returned except a scowl - sad. I think, because a few of the GDR guards jumped the wire back in the 60s, before the Berlin wall was complete, the guys they put on the borders were really hard-core. They had to travel in groups, and I heard they had orders to shoot any komrade who tried to make a break for it - - So the fear of one komrade being seen by another komrade as being friendly towards us GIs had to be pretty deep. That even makes it sadder - -

ThreeBongo
Ya we tolked one out of a ditch, and I sware that his partner had his waepon on him the hole time, one with the waepon was a PVT, the one how tolked to use was a very SHORT timer SGT, showed us his short timer chain saying three month,three month on more Army, three farken month.in english.But most were VERY sower faced when we tryed to tolk to them. or try to give them smokes.thay loved to take pic's so we started doing the same to them, but half the time we naver had film in the camera. but thay didn't know that.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

Looking for other VET's that serviced on the Old East/West German border. lets hear from ya.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

After four years as a Grunt, I became an MP. I spent three years at a NATO Site in Hanau.
We would go out, quite often, and play in the field with the Lance Battalions we supported.

I got to know the area between Hanau and the border very well. I had an old German get rel huffy one time in Hammelburg when I asked where the POW Camp had been.(google "Task Force Baum" if you don't know why)

In fact most times, we could move around the different firing points without maps.We never took the transporters or launch units within 5 clicks of the border though, just to avoid trouble. They knew we were there though and often jammed our radios.

The interference at the NATO Site got so bad at one time, MI came out to teach us some choice phrases to respond with.

It was eerie actually getting up on the border.
Looking across the wire at the East Germans who were looking back at you. I NEVER thought I'd see a unified Germany.

Runnng convoys through little towns at 2am was interesting too. You'd see lights coming on in house. Heinrich and Helga would come out on their balconies to watch the show. I always wondered what they were thinking. "Look Helga, they are moving EAST!! Maybe THIS time....."

We learned real quick how to run convoys. Put a Jeep out front followed by a tracked vehicle. We'd tell the drivers to keep their left track ON the centerline and stay there.
German drivers would run a 5-ton in the ditch, while passing and then cutting back into traffic. They knew, undertstood and feared tracked vehicles.
We interspersed the other tracks throughout the column to protect ourselves from the Comrades in their Beemers and Mercedes.

I visited "the trace" in the British Sector of the Harz Mountains in June, 1987. There were no British Army or Bundeswehr troops within ten klicks of the trace at that time, but the Grenzschutz was there, prowling in the woods. They kept out of sight, but you knew they were there. If you were lucky, and were looking in the right direction, you'd see DDR border police looking at you, but, for the most part, they laid low. It still gives me goose bumps to this day remembering how there were no birds chirping or any other "sounds of nature" while walking the trace. After a few hours I posed for a picture next to one of the concrete pillars painted in the schwarz-rote-gold colors with the bronze plaque that proclaimed the Worker's and Peasant's paradise known as "Deutsche Demokratische Republik". After that I walked about five meters east past the pillar, and then back into the FRG. At that moment, an oberwachtmeister of the Grenzschutz emerged from the dark pines and in perfect english said "The Communists would've shot you dead had you walked in five meters further. Please return to the trail and give the Communists no more reason to become alarmed. We cannot help you when you are "out there", as he pointed to the death strip. He then raised his right hand and made the "move out" sign. At that moment, 18-20 Grenzschutz policemen in ghillie suits emerged from the "RATHER SPARSE GERMAN BRUSH AND UNDERGROWTH", and set out in a wedge formation. The gefreiter bringing up the rear of the formation stopped briefly to pack a dip of AMERICAN KODIAK, compliments of an American buddy of his in the 8ID at Bad Kreuznach, and he then told me that they had used me and my companion as a training device, and showed some "greenhorns" fresh out of the Grenzschutz academy how to track people who have no idea they are being tracked. He said they followed us for four hours. I had no idea! They looked liked brown, green, black and tan phantoms as they emerged from the dark pine forest. They reminded me of the Germans of the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest, in 9AD, in which they annihilated the Roman XVII, XVIII and VXIX Legions. The Romans didn't know they were there in the woods until the Germans revealed themselves with blood-curdling screams. I'll never forget that day at the Inter-German border, on THE front line of the Cold War.

Bundesgrenzscutz/Bundespolizei -- Germany's Finest!

SpartanPhalanx8588,
Yes your O so right about the BGS. But as far as the German Army being on or near the border, they were only allowed within 5K's near the border in uniform.and yes the BGS officer was right to tell you that the Old East germans would shoot first then ask quistions. You my friend had violated the old border. but thats the spice of life.
Good to hear from ya.

Steve
Old Cav bunny

Oh man, there's some memories! I was GSR went tyo the trace somewherewith the rest of the platoon, in 82- 84. We recieved a call from the radar team on the gp. said the radar was F----- up at ten pm. It was snowing like the deuce my plt sgt our driver and me in the personell hole. in a 113 it took like an hour and a half to get theredue to the snow,putting along ,
knew we were close ya couldn't see jack. I happened to look down to the right and told Plt sgt to back the ruck pu FAST as the grenze marker was right in the middle of the track! Finally we got to the op .Fn dingbat had'nt hooked up the power connection right!! Ssgt chewed him out hard. We left, STILL snowing haard, got into the middle of town andthwap along side my head!! Then it was all hell.
We got ambushed by a bunch of German kids with snowballs. They tore our collective arses up bad!

Second tour to Germany, not my last ! Had left the Great Place, short as it was at RGAAF. My CSM at the time had indicated he had greased the wheel for a great assignment in USAREUR . Arrived at the 21st Repo depo when it was located next to the Bahnhof at Frankfurt. Par for the course there was a a three to five day hangover at the kaserne awaiting assignment instructions, and off to Fulda, Downs Barracks, 01/74. What a surprise to meet by two troopers of the BlackHorse Regiment, they had just been redesignated from the 14th ACR, and so it was for 4.6 years. Had to have been the best assignment other than the one that followed with 5th Div(M) at Ft Polk, and as it was, where many of us from Fulda ended up serving again. Gotta say those those trooper with 3/11 ACR at Bad Hersfeld kept their vigil at Rasdorf. Can't say which squadron had the most border incidents faling asleep on the train back from a weekend in Frankfurt.

The Rhone (gap) was always active with AH1s, Wildflicken, 8th ID (M) & 3rd AD. Both ADA battery's drawing in the SMLM vehicles, Air Cav troop buzzing the east, and those guys manning the radar on the kuppe. The night that COL(LTG)Schweitzer pulled a regimental alert at 0100 New Years Day and if it couldn't move it was towed. Or the formations that COL Schwietzer would call, bringing out the other two squadrons from Bad Hersfeld & Bad Kissingen. On that platform stand in the quad giving his best Knute Rockne speech. As much as he was disliked his was a great Leader as were many of the troop & squadron commanders and those that followed, ya know itz true if ya ain't Cav ya ain't.

But my hat off to those in the BGS, the opportunity to know them, and the many that aspired to be a member was obvious as to the honor and distinction to serve. The respect and apprection that the citizens of the Rhone rendered to the US Army far surpased that I've ever experienced anywhere else in the world, even to this day!

I would challenge anyone that had served outside the period of '74 thru '78, it had to have been the toughest in all aspects, training was constant, with few and meager breaks, yet the Troopers and their familes were taken care of. Equipment maintence was neverending, and the facilites were far from what garrison is today. The economy was misreable and it was tough for a a Soldier and his family. Supplies and equipment were short in supply, yet the mission was accomplished. The Mess SGT of 1/11th and his cooks had to be the best, it wasn't pretty but it was good.

There had never been a more sincere atmosphere as there was with the 11th ACR, it's troopers, and support elements, of the fact we would be at war at any moment, and no one ever tired nor failed to accept it. Even then during the distractions of the terroists of the BaderMeinhof and their senseless acts and killings, the focus was what if Ivan attempted to breach the gap.

Salute to all of those that Served in support of defending the borders, the mission was not in vain. It was Selfless Service and Duty.

daCAT,
I don't say this often.Put thanks. As being former 1/11th Hwb I thank you.

Steve

Steve, you guys in HWB, much like those in tank company (D Trp), were a highly respected bunch of Troopers, right on the same road as those of the 58th (CEC). 1st Squadron was a highly respected organization within the BlackHorse Regiment. Never recall a howitzer ever being deadlined and not making it out the gate in my 4.6 yrs. You guys had a special mission and your standards were far above those of your fellow Redlegs, and during my tenure those standards were few and far between in being comprimised. It is evident that 10 years prior to your assignment to that organization the tradition carried on through the time of your assignment! Simply the standards of the BlackHorse Regiment as it has and is.

Again SALUTE, and thank you for your Service!

An old Constabulary Trooper told me a story from 1948: Because of thick forest, his unit screened a section of East-West German border on horseback. One night a Trooper fell asleep while riding & his horse wondered into the Eastern zone. Next morning, a Soviet captain called the Constabulary captain informing him his Trooper & horse were captured but he would release them for two cases of American whiskey & ten cartons of American cigarettes. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. officer arrived at local Soviet HQ delivering the requested items. When the Russian asked what he should do with the horse, the Constabulary captain replied, "That's what I came for. You can keep that worthless, lazy ba***** who fell asleep on duty."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 13433578,

quote:

Originally posted by 13433578:
An old Constabulary Trooper told me a story from 1948: Because of thick forest, is unit screened a section of East-West German border on horseback. One night a Trooper fell asleep while riding & his horse wondered into the Eastern zone. Next morning, a Soviet captain called the Constabulary captain informing him his Trooper & horse were captured but he would release them for two cases of American whiskey & ten cartons of American cigarettes. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. officer arrived at local Soviet HQ delivering the requested items. When the Russian asked what he should do with the horse, the Constabulary captain replied, "That's what I came for. You can keep that worthless, lazy ba***** who fell asleep on duty."

That's great get the horse and leave the troop.

I'll drink to that.
Steve

Great story!

I've told of this one on Hack's column, since the subject of the old border is current, thought I'd share this one.

I had just arrived at Fulda's Down Barracks. Somehow the Regemintal XO thought I'd make a bartender for the upcoming Annual Armor Ball at the O club. It was an impressive event hosted by the 11th Cavalry, guest of honor was a Regimental Commander that was now a LTG. I had been serving most of the pilots from Air Cav and couple of the docs. The Regmental XO entered the bar and asked all to leave, the Regemental CDR entered with the Cdr of D Trp (Tank Co), it was the 3 of them and myself. The COL took full liberty of his postion and laid into the Captain on how did three of his Troopers fail to navigate the border and end up captured by the DDR? Obviously it was an embarrassing situation to have a border incident of this magnitude, but to have have it this evening and with the guest of honor present and obviously aware of the incident.

The Captain excussed himself along with his officers, and the formal event continued, with no obvious lull of drinking & dancing. The next morning (Sunday) had duty at the Regemental HQS along side the Borders OPS. One of the NCOs ran out of the OPS and went directly to the stairs to the Regemental Cdr's office, later that afternoon, the XO entered my duty office and explained I could report the Trooper's had been safely returned without further incident.

The incident had occurred as result of routine patrol, yet the DDR had been replacing their fence with a more effective method of deterent from entering the west from their border. The patrol had failed to identify the gap in the fence and had entered the DDR and captured. Upon their release, two of the Troopers had somehow taken the opportunity to secure a trophy. They had taken one of the DDR's soldier's beret. Which inturn was handed from them thru the Troop, Squadron to the Regemental CDR.

So having entered their border, being captured, we had been the victors in returning with all of our equipment in hand, and a DDR soldier having to explain to why he was without a item of his uniform.

That's great daCAT,
That's bloody marvel, leave it to the Cav to come back with more then what they left with. that count for trophys we've all taken them?

Steve

Ahh, the DDR....Who else longs for the good old days of the readily identifiable enemy with readily, identifiable intentions and "centers of gravity"? I know I do....Remember the power we had on hand in USAREUR: one army (Seventh Army), two corps (V and VII Corps), four divisions (1AD, 3AD, 3ID(M) and 8ID(M)), two armored cavalry regiments (2ACR and 11ACR), the V and VII Corps ARTY and the ADA brigades, plus the CS and CSS assets????? What an iron fist!!!! But also, the adversary, the Warsaw Pact and the USSR, were VERY well-defined, as were their intentions, unlike the foe we face today in the Long War, or is it the GWOT, or is it the War against Extremism, or whatever REMF buzz-word is getting play these days in the five-sided building.