CHAPTER IIThe Camp in May 1955When I took over command from Major Mick Morris in May 1955, I was thankful to find how much had already been done, but in spite of this the amount which remained at times seemed almost overwhelming. At first sight all seemed confusion. A large chunk of choice
agricultural land, miles from anywhere, was being rapidly converted into a
small military town of some 3000 inhabitants. The streets, houses and
factories had all been planned and were rapidly taking shape. The essential
amenities for visiting units – canteens, cinema, sports
grounds – would all be completed in due course. In fact, there was an ordered
plan which the Royal Engineers and their contractors were steadily
completing. Outwardly, however, one saw a huge mass of vehicles, part civil,
part military, wallowing around in a sea of mud; the former trying to build
and the latter trying to train, each without interfering with the other.
Added to this was the fact that the inhabitants were talking at least four
different languages! Trying to control and direct this confused scene was a small
British staff (some 40 all ranks, mostly RA but including RAMC, REME and RAF
and later RAPC) aided by a force of 120 German civilians. The main secret to
progress at this time was the cooperation between the Gunners trying to keep
the shooting going and the Sappers trying to build. From the Gunner point of
view, we were immensely lucky to have with us as Garrison Engineer the
irrepressible and imperturbable architect 2/Lt. Bob Beaton, nobly backed up
by Lt. Colonel Freddie Mann from Hamburg who was a frequent and ever-helpful
visitor. But this little book is being prepared as a souvenir of Todendorf for past and present members of the small
British Permanent Staff, and for them the picture at this time was not so
rosy. With so many essential projects to complete, second place had naturally
to be given to amenities for the Permanent Staff. The married members lived
in requisitioned private houses more than one hour’s deadly-tedious car
journey away, but once home were within reasonable reach of the This therefore is largely the story of how together we planned
and built a large number of activities, which finally led our little band
into national and even international sporting events. The book is written
because we enjoyed ourselves – we enjoyed having mad-cap ideas, enjoyed
turning them into reality, and enjoyed the use of them once complete. AERIAL VIEW OF THE CAMP
Looking towards Todendorf
village
The Permanent Staff accommodation and
part of “B” and
|
