Osnabruck: The City that was the largest Garrison Town in BAOR (British Army of the Rhine)

[@tonybekk2939]

Hi Frankie, I was stationed at Roberts barracks, 80 to 86, with 7rha artillery, can't recognise it now whatsoever, great memories tho, thanks for the post, your mum was right, unrecognisable, thank you, x

[@frankie_s_world]

Hi Tony, you were leaving as my mum was arriving. Mum found it really sad that all trace of the British Army has been eradicated and even sadder that she couldn't find her way around.

[@tonybekk2939]

@@frankie_s_world exactly, I do know it is now a coffee drive in, can't even fathom where the guard room used to be, even the roads have disappeared, sad really, thank you for replying appreciated,

[@william_marshal]

I was stationed at Roberts Barracks from 1972 - 1975 with the Royal Engineers. Probably the best 5 years of my life, sleeping under a cam net in the MT yard all day and chasing the Fraeuleins every night until one finally nailed me down. Now only the memories remain.

[@jokgoo]

At least you have the memories.

[@naguerea]

At 212 Sig Sqn the German lady squadron office clerk too a shine to me, I missed my chance there,

[@naguerea]

Thank you for posting.

[@stuc734]

I was A Squadron 4th Royal Tank Regiment (Scottish Tankies) stationed at Imphal Barracks at Dodesheide next to Naafi from 1984 to 1991 and lived in Belm. My how things have changed eh....but great memories living in The Traz eh!!

[@jokgoo]

No more tank road.

[@stuc734]

@@jokgoo aye its all changed so I see from this vid plus still have friends from the old German net still living in Belm who give us updates. Best times of my younger life spent there.

[@GazzaBoo]

I lived in the Dodesheide married quarters on Schlesische strasse in 83-84, worked in the camp as a REME mechanic.

[@jokgoo]

We just missed each other by 2 years,, 86-89.

[@samueltempleton741]

I was stationed at Belfast Barracks from 1985 - 1st Batt Royal Irish Rangers 7 platoon B Coy then Signal Platoon. I bought my first car in Osnabruck a Gold Opel Manta (3000 deutsche marks) which I did my driving test in as I was never in the UK long enough to get driving lessons. I was surprised they knocked the camp down due to it's long history and solid buildings. I remember the weekly run round the near by lake, and helping out in the battery store next to the REME, this is what set me on the course to become an engineer which I greatly enjoy. I drive past Osnabruck several times a year it is pleasant to see the autobahn sign Osnabruck.

[@stuartbrown8259]

I was also 7 platoon in 1985, I'm assuming your username name isn't your real name?

[@grahamsibbert2412]

Hello. I was stationed in Osnabruck for three years, I arrived Easter 1966. I was at Scarborough Bks ( Kaprivi Kaserna) which is now the Osnabruck Uni. Some KZbin film of the old buildings are great but the vehicle parks and POL points etc are all gone. I couldn’t find any reference to the Old Onsnabruck of my time. Have you any idea where I might find some. Oh and I was in 15Sqn RCT, we had Ten Ton AECs, or knockers as they were known. Fantastic vehicles and a fantastic posting. I went to Sennelager after this.

[@frankie_s_world]

Hi thanks for getting in touch. The following might give you some info. Osnabrück has changed so much over the past 40 years, so for you, the change will be even bigger at nearly 60 years after your time.

[@edpzz]

Next 15 Sqn RCT Reunion is in Weymouth May 2025

[@grahamsibbert2412]

@@frankie_s_world Hello. Yep, correct. I only recognise parts near the Opera House, even the pub that was beside the monument of a miner under a waterfall is still there but so so different. A Goggle Earth search shows the roads around the old camp almost the same, especially the back way in that used to be the main entrance and guard room prior to 1965. But as you say the whole area has changed beyond recognition. I loved Osnabruck, it was several classes above Sennelagar and Paderborn.

[@grahamsibbert2412]

@@edpzz can you send me details please.

[@jameseadie7145]

Quebec Barracks is a housing estate now, the blocks at Roberts on the Nette Heide are still standing. One is a cop shop and part of land is Caffe Perfekt. Last time i was back was 2019.

[@roydavidlivermore4664]

I understood that our old RHQ block 20,the first on the left inside the main gates was still there ? I was there in the early 1950s but have been back many times.

[@jokgoo]

It was very hard to get any bearings, so it's hard to say which blocks were the ones left standing. I had worked in Quebec Bks and couldn't work out where they had been. My husband worked at Roberts, so a drive I made every day (down the backroads) between the 2 Bks wasn't traceable either.

[@MrSteve_Luddite.]

Sad to see. I was 1 Royal Irish 85-86. Belfast Barracks has completely gone except for the half wall and gate posts.

[@jokgoo]

The roads all round there have totally changed. It was totally barmy.