Oct 00 - Aug 04
ARRC, Sp BN, Powertroop (Support Troop)
JHQ Rheindahlen
Cupar Way
JHQ History
After the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945, the main task of the allied forces was to organize the zones of occupation which had been laid down in the Yalta Conference. The British set up their Headquarters roughly in the centre of their zone in the Westphalian Spa towns of Bad Oeynhausen for the Army and Bad Eilsen for the Royal Air Force. Fences were thrown up around these towns and the occupants evicted except for those who were needed to provide the services in the Headquarters. The British Naval Headquarters was in Minden!
The criteria used in the selection of the site of the Headquarters were of a non-military nature. The Rheindahlener Wald was eventually chosen (which is the reason why despite there being a town called Rheindahlen not far away the inhabitants also refer to the JHO as Rheindahlen). This site was within easy reach of the electricity grid, gas and an established water supply and since the land was owned solely by a local textile magnate acquisition was easy. The JHQ Site was chosen in August 1952, surveyed in September and the first order was issued in October for 126 buildings (barrack Blocks, Messes etc).
The main consideration was that completion of the project had to be within two years. Even so it was not permitted to ignore barrack synopsis scales, as far as possible standard barrack construction had to be used with existing drawings and contracts making up the bulk of the building. This is the reason why so much of the architecture is in single storey flat roof blocks. New planning of buildings and services had to be done on the spot.
Despite the coldest winter for 50 years, during which the workforce of 7,000 went down to 56, followed by a wet summer during which three inches of rain fell in one evening causing severe damage, the camp was ready for occupation in October 1954, only three months later than originally planned. The determination and endurance of the German labour force was an important reason why the project was completed so rapidly despite the weather conditions. This 18 months timescale was important because up to end of these 18 months the money came from the Germans, after that it came out of British Occupation funds. Fortunately, the date of the introduction of the new scheme was put off until later in the year 1954. Early in 1954 it was agreed that the HQ would not be ready for occupation in July as originally planned, the new date was October and the move into the HQ building took place in October 1955.
· The only cultivated portions of the site were the small areas behind German Shopping Centre and the small area between the Other Ranks Hostel, (Now Salmond House) and the wooden hut at the end of Norwich Walk.
· NO.4 Marlborough Road was the first Officers Quarter to be completed for one of the Site Staff. Work started on 1st December 1952 and was completed on 28th February 1953, a total of 3 months in the depth of Winter. It was occupied by Major White, RE. and Wife and Daughter on 2nd March 1953, there was about 9" of liquid mud outside the front door!
· The Area from the Boiler House behind the School up to Queens Avenue was swamp which was drained - the ducks were here.
· There was no restriction on visitors and when the main roads were completed hundreds of local German civilians toured the site at week ends.
· The first Site Office was the wooden hut at the end of Norwich Walk and every day the Union Jack, RAF Flag and Royal Engineers flag were hoisted and lowered on their respective Flag poles.
· The successful completion of the project within such as time scale and against such adverse weather condition was certainly a mammoth achievement. The project was built to Joint Service specifications by the Royal Engineers and over 2,000 German contractors.
Probably not since Roman times has one military engineer been asked to build a complete town from nothing and it was all achieved in little more than two years.
The HQ
building ( The Big House)
was
built on the highest part of the site. Because of many changes in plan during
the course of the construction, apart from the structural shell of the building,
which is of a hollow concrete block construction, most internal partitions were
designed to be factory-made interlocking wall plates of heraklith and gypsum not
bound onto the floors and walls. These can be easily removed or can have doors
sawn into them. They also save many square metres of map boarding since they can
hold drawing pins but, for those who work in the building sound proofing can be
a problem.
The
building has approximately 2,5000 rooms and, for the statistically-minded, the
main corridor is 300 yards long and there are many others of 100 yards.
Later the work was extended to include the South West Extension. Schools, Clubs, Churches and other additional buildings.
House Design Traditional differences in house design caused many disagreements between the German Ministry of Reconstruction and their British counterparts and this led to much heated discussion. German tradition demands a cellar but it is not provided for in barrack synopses. The war Office eventually conceded to half a cellar for every house. The German architects regarded the demand for a traditional English fireplace in officers' quarters in addition to modern central heating as extremely old fashioned. Colonel Grattan also insisted on English sanitary practice ie. the 'wash-down' type of toilet instead of the European 'hospital pan' type. By August 1953 one house of each of the eight types of design had been completed, and their interior fittings and furniture had to be selected. To effect this, "committees of ladies, the wives of Army and RAF Officers and ORs, ranging from brigadier to corporal, were invited down to criticize. Particular attention was directed to the kitchen, which had been initially designed by mere men. There were several visits, and there was seldom much unanimity of opinion, but the average findings of the Committee were of immense value. Thereafter, we knew exactly what was required for the other 1,100 houses". Private garages were considered by the War Office at that time as an amenity and a concession of garages for 50% of the houses was granted. This was totally inadequate. The small garden shed came on the insistence of the ladies' committee.