27 Army Missile Regiment, RA 1961 - 67

6 Missile Battery pose with their Corporal missiles in 1966

6 Bty. once again pose with the nose of the Corporal missile in the early 1960's

An early 'Noddy' suit worn by members of the missile batteries.

Various vehicles of the regiment:

The regiment consisited of 6 and 23 (Gibraltar 1779 - 1783) Missile Btys. along with its supporting units. The regiment briefly became 27 Light Air Defence Regt., RA with L40/70 Bofors until the regiment was finally mustered into the Gym and shown its new equipment; 5.5 inch guns. This saw them re-roled as 27 Medium Regt., RA and they left Napier Bks in Jan. 1967.

All photos kindly supplied by former Gunner of the regiment and secretary of 27 Regiment Old Comrades Association; Terry St. Pierre.

Digger at work

Click on title to see digger at work near the old Gym

Video courtesy of Sammy DO!

Disappearing fast!

Please click on the title for the link of the latest photos taken by Mick (Scouse) Hart, ex 12 AD Regt. whilst in Germany just before Christmas 2007

The Tunnels!

I was fascinated by your site. I was very interested in the history of the Dortmund barracks when I was there, but information was hard to come by. The Internet has opened up all sorts of sources.

I was particuarly interested in the mention of the famous tunnels. I was involved in investigating these. It was probably 1979? The people involved apart from myself were, as far as I can remember:

Sgt John Barnes - Barney
Lt (or Capt?) Bob Delaney (BK T Bty?)
2Lt Greg Butt, Tp Comd in T Bty.

We did much exploring on the surface, and some digging, but did not come up with any evidence to suggest a tunnel between West Riding/Moore Barracks and Napier. The most interesting finds were when we explored the bunker which lay opposite the guardroom, by the gate of West Riding Barracks.

It seems to have been an air defence control bunker. The interior had been completely burned out and the floor of the main rooms were buried in debris, which explains why such interesting relics could be found so long after the end of the war.
Although the interior was completely burned out we found evidence of a ground glass plotting map with grids and even red and blue traces on them which rubbed off - perhaps the last raid?

We found chest microphones which were standard issue for auxiliaries in these types of bunkers, and spot projectors which would be directed on the ground glass screen to show friendly and enemy aircraft to the fighter controllers.
The only evidence of a tunnel was found shortly after the IRA bomb wrecked 26 Regt's RA Officers' Mess, which lay outside the camp. In the basement we found a walled up passage, which was probaby opposite the bunker? We were not of course allowed to break down walls, but we thought this would allow staff to reach it without coming to the surface? This tunnel would have been only 20 metres long.
There was a report in the BAOR newspaper (Sixth Sense) about our activities, and we were invited to Cologne for an interview on BFBS radio which Barney and myself attended.

We invited the old comrades association of Flak Regiment 4 to the barracks, and we had a really interesting day finding out what had changed since the late 30s (in fact very little). They couldn't tell us anything about the bunker, because it was not there when they left for France in 1940.

I have been told a scarcely believable story about this bunker. A couple of prisoners named 'Boddy' and 'Sole', escaped from the guardroom at West Riding Barracks and were never seen again (!).

Regards,
Paul Mitchell

(12 Lt AD Regt. RA, T Battery 1976-81: Troop Comander, I Troop, Command Post Officer (CPO) & Battery Captain (BK) & 22 AD Regt. RA, 53 Battery

1981-84 as BK & 11 Battery BK very briefly)

2007 Pre-demolition

BVB 09 Borussia Dortmund's Training pitches are clearly visible and work is beginning to start to clear the site for demolition.

Photo sourced from the internet

The Future Look

Supplied by Creedo from a local Dortmund newspaper

Napier Cinema

Just thought that I would remind you that there were two AKC cinemas. One in Napier run by a Mr Porter (-1959) followed by a Mr Marshall(1960-). The projectionist was a German fellow who had knocked out two Russian tanks single handed with a Panzerfaust -somewhere in Germany. He had been a member of the HY at some time.

The second one was in Camp 7, run by a Mr Ashton (-1959-), he had an Italian wife from Triest. The Projectionists here were all squaddies, taking it in turn to run the show. Only when they were on a manoeuvres was I called in (1959/60). Both Mr Porter and Mr Ashton were ex-army, both deciding to stay in Germany when they were demobbed.

Well I think that is all, it`s just that I couldn`t find the cinemas on the Camp list.

Cheerio for now
John O`Meara (ex-AKC. 1959-1965)

T Battery, 1969

T Battery outside the Gun Compound in 1969,

when they actually had Guns!

Photo sourced from 'Googie's' post on 12 Regimental's forum. Follow the associated links to access this forum.

WW2 Aerial photo of Dortmund airfield

Click on image to enlarge and click on title for link to site with further photos (some are replicated from other sites)

Photo sourced from above site.

QE2 in Napier Barracks 23rd May 1984

Click on either of the images above to enlarge.

Programme kindly supplied by Peter Harrison (Ex 22 AD Regt. RA)

Going, going........................................gone!

Finally the entrance to Napier Barracks is no more.

Photos courtesy of Creedo, these may well be the last taken? After all; what will be left to photograph of Napier Barracks?

Sad, sad Napier!

Click on the title above for photos of Napier prior to its demolishment, courtesy of Peter Kronfeld

Walls Come Tumbling Down

The start of things to come as the RHQ near the barrack's entrance is demolished. The former NAAFI has already succumbed to that fate. The barrack block is soon to follow.
Photos kindly supplied, with thanks by Creedo

The sad state of Napier Barracks

Please click on the above title for photos of Napier, kindly supplied by Tobias Dziadzin. Be warned though, it's not the place we were accustomed to!

G Troop, T (Shah Sujah's Troop) AD Bty.

G Troop, T (Shah Sujah's Troop) AD Bty., 12 AD Regt. RA pose for the camera in Napier's Gym, prior to a tour of Omagh, Northern Ireland - OP FONDANT 1988.

Photo courtesy of Colin 'Smudge' Smith (Ex T Bty.). Cheers Smudge.

23 Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers

2nd Infantry Division Insignia.

23 Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers of the above Division, moved into Napier Barracks from Hameln in July 1950 until May 1958, when they disbanded with the re-organisation of BAOR.

ORBAT:

2 Field Sqaudron

5 Field Sqaudron

14 Field Survey Sqaudron (Joined Oct. '53 and possibly indenpedant from the regt., but under local command?)

21 Field Park Squadron (Went independant in 1954, but under local command of regt.)

38 Field Squadron (2 Oct. '57, run down to a Cadre and went to Berlin. Insignia, white 38 on a red triangle)

The Napier Cinema (photo taken in 2007) was built by 23 Fd. Engr. Regt. RE within the far end of the barracks, opposite what later became the 'Rapier Club', NAAFI shop.

This information was sourced from the Royal Engineers Museum website/unit history section, but was initiated by former Sapper Peter Bridge, (ex 23 Fd. Engr. Regt., RE) who served in Napier Barracks doing his National Service from 1951 - 1953.

12 (Minden) Bty. on Minden Day

12 (Minden) AD Bty./ 12 AD Regt. RA on their regimental parade square for Minden Day,

c. 1986/7.

Photo courtesy of Taff Morgan.

Sturmstaffel 1 Artwork

Fw 190 A6 'White 7' Flown by Maj. Erwin Bacsila, Jan.'44.

As shown in the artwork further down.

Artwork from the internet

Flughafen Dortmund

Postcards of Dortmund-Brackel, Dortmund's first Airport (Flughafen), possibly 1926/7?

The airport's terminal in 1927.

Possibly the opening of the airport?

These buildings were situated on the Flughafenstrasse leading up to where the Industrial Estate is now, near RAGTE. They were demolished around the late 1950's or 60's; possibly to make way for the estate?

Postcards courtesy of Creedo.

12 Regiment RA November 1994

Regimental line-up and flanked by their colours: HVM 'Starstreak'.

Photo courtesy of Creedo

Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe ranges and bunkers

Different views of the two different length ranges and bunkers used by the Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe.

Photos taken by John in NZ whilst with 47 GW Regt. in 1959

1959 - Gunners move in.

The entrance to the barracks in 1959, the year the first Royal Artillery Regiment moved in: 47th Guided Weapons Regiment, RA. Near the entrance, was the Offices and possibly accommodation of 26th US Army Missile Detachment, who were in support of 47 Regt. and their Corporal Missiles.

Accommodation within the camp for HQ, 3 & 4 (Sphinx) Btys. Plus, 256 Signal Squadron, Royal Signals and other supporting units.

Officers Mess and accommodation.

The MT Garages. (REME Workshop)

What later became the RAOC (RLC) yard.

The old rail platform terminus (NAAFI)

No diving!

Accommodation of possibly HQ Bty.?

Photos kindly sent to me from John O'Meara, now living in Wellington, New Zealand.

Last two photos sent to me with thanks, from Jeff (mollyjeff@talktalk.net), who was a driver in HQ Bty.

Did you know each other?

9 (Plassey) AD Bty. off to Cyprus

The Master Gunner talking to G Troop, 9 (Plassey) AD Bty. before the strat of their UN Cyprus Tour (Dec. 88 - Jun.89).
The other three btys. from the regt. (12 AD) were on OP Fondant, Northern Ireland. It would be a total of 10 months until the whole regt. would be reunited!

Photo taken from 12 AD's Regtl. N.I. Tour Magazine 1988.

1970's Northern Ireland Training for 36 HAD Regt. RA

Heli training on the former airfield close to the entance of the barracks. 260 Signal Squadron, RS are in force as 'Riflemen'














Photos courtesy of 36 HAD website.

A Troop 12 (Minden) Bty., RA HVM Conversion

From 'Rapier' Surface-to-Air Missiles to 'Starstreak' High Velocity Missiles. Conversion course held in Napier's RAGTE. (12 Regt.)

Bty. insignia from the internet. Photo courtesy of 'Creedo'

10 (Assaye) HAD Bty., 36th HAD Regt 's Thunderbirds

Parading their colours on the old airfield for a special visit during the 1970's.

Bty. insignia from the internet. Photos courtesy of 36 HAD Regt.'s website.

32 (Minden) Bty., 16th Regiment RA Guard bid farewell

Battery insignia from the internet. Photo courtesy of 16 Regiment OCA.

Aerial changes of Napier

Before any changes and whilst the barracks are occupied by both 12 & 16 Regts. c. 1994.

Summer 2005 and the clearing of the barracks has begun.

Winter 2006 and the Garrison ammo dump has gone and made way for the golf course to be extended. Groundwork excurvasion is still underway. Buildings can clearly be seen through the leafless trees.
Top photo courtesy of Fliegerhorste website, others courtesy of Google Earth.

Thunderbirds are Go!

Sportsmen from 36 HAD Regt. with their Syrena Cups, with a Thunderbird SAM in the background to keep them company!

Photo courtesy of Keith Holderness.

12 AD Regt. Sergeant & Warrant Officers Mess - 1987

Flanked by regimental colours: Towed Rapier and their Warrant Officers and Sergeants are: CO Lt. Col. Smith RA and WO1 (RSM) Francis.

Photo courtesy of 'Taff' Morgan & 12 Regimental Forum.

T (Shah Sujah's Troop) AD Bty. RA - 1986

The Battery from 12 AD Regt. line up with their colours: Tracked Rapier and support vehicles at the regimental 'Gun' Compound; the former airfield runway.

The Battery Boxing Team.

Photos courtesy of Graham 'Taff' Morgan, bottom left & the 12 Regimental Forum.

BVB start training at former barracks

The new training facilities in Dortmund - Brackel, the former barracks. After the return to Dortmund from the training camp in Turkey, the BVB players could for the first time use the new training facilities. The first pitch was ready and the heated surface gave the team a chance to practice under ideal circumstances despite the cold temperatures in Westfalen.

Photos courtesy of BVB.

Click on link for photos of training ground. In the distance you can see the former RAGTE Rapier Domes. http://www.indianfootball.com/specials/wc2006/pics/2006wc/2006wc-28/2006wc-28.html

Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau'

Jagdgeschwader 1 'Oesau' (JG 1 - Fighter Wing 1 'Oesau', in honour of Oberst Walter 'Gull' Oesau).

1 Gruppe (Group) stationed at Richthofen Kaserne, Dortmund: 6 Dec. 43 - 16 Feb. 44.

In both photos above, can be seen the former 9 (Plassey) BHQ when 12 Regt. was stationed there. The above photo shows a large hangar in the distance, this was near the RQMS and HQ (T/HQ) Bty. building. The JG 1 aircraft is outside the hangar that was situated where 12 RHQ would later stand.

Top photo, courtesy of FELDPOST. JG 1 FW 190 illustrations, insignias & other photos from other sources on the internet.

Further Fire Training by Creedo in 2006

Top right: One of the many accommodat-ion blocks.

Above photo: Outside the old Cinema opposite the Rapier Club.

Right and bottom photos: HQ Bty. (T/HQ Bty.) offices/MT Garages.

Thanks Creedo for photos.

1938 Lufwaffe Officers in Dortmund

Photo supplied by Creedo with many thanks.

Jungle Napier!

The former Officer's Mess. In the foreground you can just make out the lion statues that sat proudly in front of the entrance to the mess, overlooking the lawn.


The photo on the right is of the former RHQ. 12 Regt. being the last to occupy this reletively new building.

Looking accross from the former 9 BHQ bulding, on the corner you can see the former NAAFI and further up the road, lined with vegitation like elsewhere; you can catch a glimpse of the former 12 BHQ.

Photos courtesy of Creedo who took them in late 2006 upon completing his training on becoming a full professional firefighter - well done mucker!

Royal Signals attached to 47 Guided Weapons Regt. RA

Members of the Royal Signals, possibly 256 Signal Squadron at the MT in 1961

attached to 47 GW Regt.

Photo from the internet

BHQ then and now

The old Feuerwehr (Fire Station) during the Luftwaffe days. Here, either in the late 80's, early 90's, it was then the Battery Headquarters of 9 (Plassey) Battery. On the first floor was the BHQ and sports changing rooms on the ground floor. Annexed, was the HQ Battery (T/HQ) Signals Store.



Now, like all the other buildings, it is derelict and awaits its fate - to be demolished.

Photos courtesy of Bernhard Weiss & John Creedon

Golf Course