Shiel Barracks

Shiel Barracks

Built -
Type - Wehrmacht
Original Name - Brunnenweg Kaserne/Nebelwerfer Kaserne
History -
Home to -

HQ 7 Armoured Division 194? - 1958 (1)
HQ 5 Armoured Division 1958 - 1960 (2)
HQ 1 Armoured Division 1960 - 1993 (3)
HG Verden Garrison
11 PC Sqn RE
71 Int Sect
Verden Garrison Sadle Club

(1) April 1958 7th Armoured Division was retitled 5th Armoured Division.

(2) On 30 June 1960 5th Armoured Division was retitled 1st Armoured Division.

(3) Hoving to Herford.

Brunnenweg Kaserne

This camp was used by the Wehrmacht to train their troops on the use of the dreaded Nebelwerfer. Although this translates as "smoke thrower", it was actually a six barrelled motar peice. Labelled "moaning minnie", this towed brute had a maximum range of 8,600 yards (7.5 of a kilometres) and accounted for 75% of Allied infantry casualties in Normandy. To read on please click here.

A picture of Shiel Barracks in German ownership.

I received my release papers from the 'Colours' on the 20th December 1966. It took me a furtherthree years to get a complete discharge from the 'Reserve' to come out to live in Germany. And on the 9th November 1969 I received the letter fromthe MOD and singed by the 'Infantry records' in Exeter to say that I could live in BAOR as a civilian. As my wife comes from Verden/Aller (near Bremen), I found a job with the RE in Verden through the PCLU (Forces-Civilian Exchange) as a postal-and courier driver, due mainly to mebeing an 'ex pat' and having knowledge of military life and the forces, also the fact that I had a BAOR army driving license, led my 4 years, the best 4 years of my life with the 1 Div P.C.C.U - RE (Army postal service unit of the Royal Engineers) BFPO32. I took the place of a soldier, but with acivilian status. It was my job courier-mail to and from corps command and the different battle groups to 1BR corps and back to the depot for dispatch.I hope this information helps you with your web site.

Main Gate in Nazi times.

Looking towards Divisional HQ and the Parade Square.

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

The same view in 2007.

Guard Room and Commcen

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

Commcen, Guard Room and Transit Accommodation.

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

Parade Square and Divisional HQ

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

1st UK Armoured Division HQ

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

Officers' Mess

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

Officers' Mess entrance.

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

Accommodation, RMP MSO blocks.

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

Accommodation and RMP blocks.

Courtesy of Mr Steve Wright

In 1977, whilst the Officers' Mess was being reroofed, an unexploded British 3" mortar bomb was found. This was embarassing for the Squadron Commander of HQ Squadron, 1 Div HQ & Signal Regt. - during the advance on Verden, he was a private in the Mortar Platoon of a battalion of the Black Watch - it was one of his!

Roger

As can be seen; there is not much left of this camp apart from Block 24 and 25

Block 24

Block 25

The roof had collapsed due to extensive fire damage.

Interior of Block 25

BAOR Locations

Did you serve here...