Guest Comments

Visitor Comments
(See our NEW BLOG for other, current information
http://1141st.blogspot.com/)

SurName

FirstName

EmailAddress

Telephone

Comment

Kämmerer

Helmut

hkpkbe@t-online.de

+49 214 55872

Helmut Kämmerer recently was in contact with Manfred Knake, a former member of the crew from Station 13

at Vilosnes-Haraumont/France.

His email is: mknake@gmx.net

Here is some information about Station 13 (MG-Rheindahlen?) about late 1966:

Werner ? Zielke, GAF (German Air Force), he was Site chief until 1967

Sp 4 Dan ? Perry, US Army

Murray or something like that. He lived in Etain City

Dietmar Ruddigkeit (GAF)

Günther Kruschat (GAF)

Dominik ???

Manfred Knake (GAF)

Maintenance Team was MSgt Nolan (USAF). He came several times in for

making maintenace at the equipment.

Manfred Kranke was on Station Wahlhausen at Luxemburg too. He told for

sure, that this station was called Station 11, so long as he can

remember. I knew that Station Rocqlenge sur Geer was called Station 11 too. Perhaps they changed

the numbers after 1962 when the old LANDCENT and AIRCENT came together to only one AFCENT System.

Station Wahlhausen was called 24, for sure. But when the Station 25 (Perl-Eft) and Station 26

(Trier/Trave) were pulled out, perhaps they changed the numbers too. In 1961 and 1962 the Microwave

Line from Bann up to Baraque de Fraiture was set up and was running over Weiskirchen and Wahlhausen

for sure. (This must have been a LANDCENT link; no new AIRCENT link was built prior to August ’62.)

Station 11 (old 24) at Wahlhausen-Hosingen in Luxemburg:

About 1965/1966:

Sgt Kappa USAF about 1962/1963

TSgt James E. Malloy USAF, SiteC hief, was moved end of 1964 up 1965

TSgt Stevenson USAF, new Site Chief, his German wife was called Karen

A1c or A2c Ken Vallia, he came from the southern state of US

A1c Charles H. Gerber USAF, came from Newark/New Jersey, lives still in

Luxemburg City, probably Manfred Knake has contact to him

A1c James (Jim) Wilson USAF, came from Pittsburg(Ohio

A1c Tom Gregg USAF

Reinulf Bohra (GAF), his rank was Uffz (like Corporal)

Udo Henke (GAF), his rank was Uffz (like Corporal)

Manfred Henke (GAF)

I hope that Manfred will find more names and pictures from both station

in France. Hope that will help you on your information site.

If you have some questions please feel free to write or give my

eMail-address to another peeple.

You know that I changed my address. It is new hkpkbe@t-online.de!!!

* * *

I had not seen the following name from Station Wahlhausen:

A1c Kevin D. Oxberry USAF, he came from New York, and is deceased.

* * *

I know from older information that you have been at Station 13 at

Mönchengladbach up to 1962.

I think that they changed all the Station numbers when they switched over from LANDCENT- and

AIRCENT-SYstems and put together to only one AFCENT-System. It is the same problem with Station 11

at Luxemburg. Up to 1962 it was Station 24. When they took off Station Perl and Trier probably they

changed the Luxemburg Station from 24 to 11. So it is confused to my list to put in the Station numbers. Sometimes 11 here than later there and so on.

Paul Siggins told me long time ago that from his unit were sent some

Soldiers up to Lüttelforst, it is a liitle outside to west from Mönchengladbach-Rheindahlen, where the

2. ATAF and NORTHAG had its HQ.

Probable LÜTTELFORST was only the Rest Area for the soldier, because

Rheindahlen was not build in 1956 o so!!!!

Hope to get some more name from Manfred Knake.

Adler

Phillip

parcco@aol.com

Phil Adler Update: Success in finding Rosie. His first name is Jim and not William. Jack Holland of Portland Oregon a 30450 who was barracked at Station 15, but a member of the Roving Maintenance team emailed me as a result of my post. Jim Rosie Rosequist was an A1c not Sgt. and 30450.

JR's name is Ray Knight and lives in FL again 30450 but I'm not sure about the rank. I am trying to locate him.

Also Station 17 is near Munchweiler and not Munchthaler as you indicated. If I spelled it that way, I was wrong. The progress being made is really great. Jack has helped me with some of my muddied memories.

On a sad note Jack tells me that John Stimmel passed away two or so years ago. When I speak to his wife Ushie, I will see what info I can get to pass on to you such as his rank, etc.

Adler

Phillip

parcco@aol.com

I was stationed at both stations from 1963

through 1966 as a radio relay equipment

repairman. Would like to find others that I

served with? I have wondered what the guys

have done over the years and am anxious to

find out. I would particularly like to hear

from Wolfie, Rosie, and Junior.

Smith

Lee

From 1141^st blog:

Hi. I'm Lee Smith. I was stationed in Camp Guyemer the winter of 65/66 for a few months before they sent me over to site 16 at Bann Germany. I can recall going up to Pigalle several times to tease the girls. Never had money enough for that as an A2C but it was entertaining.

We also hung out in a bar in Fontainebleau that would pull a tambour door down over the front entrance and bar at 2:30am so the tables in the rear became a private party. Stay as long as you like.

The Ville de Hericy was labled as a communist sympathizer town and we weren't suppose to go over there, so guess what? Of course it looked and acted like any other town.
I have to say, I learned more French in the several months I was there than I did German in the remaining 3 years due to the fact that the French wouldn't speak English to us. They acted much like us Americans to.

Kämmerer

Helmut

hkpkbe@t-online.de

+49 214 55872

Today I have changed my email-Address.

In the 1141st.blogspot.com I have seen a list with numbers of Microwave-Station in France, Belgium and Germany. This information/question is from February 7, 2009.

First of all I like to write the international Nation-Codes, so probably we can work more easy?

F=France (Frankreich)

B=Belgium (Belgien)

D=Germany (Deutschland

NL=Netherland (Holland)

In the meantime I read many information in your listing of memories, so I find the information, that Station 11 under AFCENT was in Roclenge-sur-Geer (B), former Station 10 at your list from 1141st.blogspot.com.

At 195?? they began to set up many Station between Fontainebleau and Germany North and Germany South. They had different Lines under LANDCENT and AIRCENT, so the Station-Numbers of your list belonged to AIRCENT-System.

A 1 = Fontainebleau

A 2 = Hauteurs de La Solle

A 3 = Melun

A 4 = Marly le Roi (Rocquencourt)

A 5 = Emeville

A 6 = Margival/Laffaux

All Stations in F.

They had another connection between A 3 over A ? up to A 5 at Emeville, but I don’t know the time.

They had a line from A 6 up to Brussels-Evere with only one Relay, maybe these Relay was in Belgium.

They started t build a line from Margival/Laffaux up to Mönchengladbach/Rheindahlen.

A 6 = Margival/Laffaux (F)

D 2 = St. Erme (sometimes D 2 called)(F)

Liart or La Ferree or Marlemont (F)

Les Hauts Buttes or Vieux-Moulins (F)

Baracque de Fraiture (B)

Roclenge-sur-Geer (B)

Lammersdorf (D)

Mönchengladbach/Rheindahlen (D)

The other way to Germany South:

D 2 = St. Erme (F)

La Bascule (F)

Vislosnes-Haraumont (F), US Army called VERDUN

Angevillers ()

Weiskirchen (D)

Bann (D) was near Kindsbach/Ramstein

Münchweiler (D) was close to Ruppertweiler CENTAG) and Pirmasens

Later with AFCENT they had only one System and this with split:

1 = Fontainebleau

3 = St. Mery-Bombon

4 = La Haute-Maison (later Boussieres)

5 = Dampleux

6 = Lagery

7 = St. Erme

8 = Jossigny

9 = Emeville

10 = Margival/Laffaux

12 = La Bascule

13 = Vislosnes-Haraumont (Verdun)

14 = Angevillers

15 = Weiskirchen (D)

16 = Bann (Kindsbach/Ramstein) D

17 = Münchweiler, close to Ruppertweiler and Pirmasens (D)

18 = Marlemont (F)

19 = Vieux-Moulins/Les Hauts Buttes (F)

20 = Baracque de Fraiture (B)

21 = Lammersdorf (D)

22 = Prüm-Post (D) not for sure

23 = Münchengladbach/Rheindahlen (D)

24 = Wahlhausen (L)

25 = Perl-Eft (D) was cancelled 1962

26 = Trier-Euren (D) was cancelled 1962

11 = Roclenge-sur-Geer (B)

Station 2 was cancelled at 1962/1963 when they put in Station 3 at St. Mery.

In the List I found Station 20 at Brassoir (F). I know from Paul Siggins that Soldier were sent over to that place. I have no idea, where the station was. Bu watch it, Brassoir is very close to Emeville.

Another place was called Plailly (F). These place is very close to the today French Airport Charles de Gaulle. Perhaps these have made a connection from A-4 up to A-5? Perhaps these Soldiers have installed later the Station Chateney on France, between Jossigny and St. Genevieve, close to Beauvais!

Station Liart and La Feree is not very sure for the connection. Paul did not know, who was his Station at the other side, when he was on Station Liart. The Station La Feree is nearly the same.

In the List you have questions to Thionville (F), Molvange (F), Vieu-Moulin (F), Harmont (F), Teufelskopf (D).

Well, Thionville was the next bigger City east of Angevillers. Molvange was a few kilometers north of Angevillers, this was the Off-area for Soldiers, who have been at Angevillers-Station in the time to built up.

Vieu-Moulin (F) ist Vieux-Moulins (F), north of Charleville-Mezieres, just in the pocket up to the Belgium Border. The next City was Fumay. Harmont (F) ist Vilosnes-Haraumont, several miles north of Verdun City.

Teufelskopf (D) was the following Station behind Weiskirchen (D).

Well, I hope that I could give some help.

I have more information, sure.

I know all the Station which I wrote down on top.

Sometimes we get in trouble with the Station Numbers, because they changed sometimes every day!!!

Another questions could be about the LANDCENT-Stations? OK, I can give it to you or other interested people.

In the internet you find my story about the Stations! Andy Emerson from GB did not put in all the graphics, but only the story.

Many information you find in Walter Elkins HP USARMYGERMANY. We have good connection and I am happy that I could give him many information.

You may give my new email Address to the interested people of the former 1141st! They should feel free to ask me via email.

Many greetings from Germany, Helmut Kämmerer

JOECAT1719@aol.com

I was in Det 2 March 1964 - March 1967 and have many fond memories. One of the first jokes played on me was a bunch of us went to the La Foret Dance Hall in Barbizon. After a while I got the urge to ask a girl to dance, but couldn't speak a word of french. So I asked one of the guys that spoke a little french how to say want to dance. He told me to say, "Voila vous commeil avec moi". Well you can imagine as I picked myself up from the floor. I wondered what that was all about. After the guys got done laughing They told me what I said was, "Would you sleep with me tonight". From then on I was careful what I asked. Later on Big John McClain from the AIRCENT Printing Plant and his family took me for a car ride around Paris. We saw all big sites in Paris and was on our way back to Fontainebleau and I noticed all the cars parked along the road. I asked John what they were doing. He said they going to the bathroom. Men would just turn their backs to traffic and the women would find the nearest bush. Welcome to France. I was there from 1964 - 1967. When I found this site I sent it to all the former GIs that were stationed there. Recently I tried to get a map of Fontainbleau and hopefully one of Camp Guynemer by writing a friend (englishman) that was stationed there. He wrote someone at Camp Guynemer but no luck we never did get a map. Him and his wife lived above us on Rue de Fleury. I have some 8mm films of Camp Guynemer and Fontainebleau's Palace. If you would like a copy let me know...Joe

Anderson

Walt

walthappydog@gmail.com

303-463-4940

All I remember about him (Walt & I were discussing a German NCO at Fontainebleau) was that I went out with him and a few other Gis to a bar in FB and he said we were going out for "two beers". He and the rest kept ordering and drinking and finally I said, "I thought we were going out for two beers?". He replied: "We are; the first beer and the last beer!". After that time, I realized that going out with Germans to drink some beer was going to be some serious beer drinking. I also remember my supervising Sergeant was a career man from England and I think he had a handlebar mustache (Sgt. Major Dungey, perhaps). I learned some good supervisory skills from him since one time our American captain came in and started eating me out for a maintenance problem, and my sergeant intervened and told the captain that if he had any problem with the maintenance procedures at the terminal, take the issue up with him; not come in an chew out one of his men. The young captain didn't know how to handle this rebuff but he backed off! I also remember the crusty old French lady who was supervisor of the operators at headquarters. We all kept trying to get into the operator room and she guarded the young ladies like the wicked witch of the north. Wow, the memories come back if one ponders the situation.

Brabon

Ralph

941-613-1898

Worked NCOIC in crypto most of time, also on AIRCENT staff; left as E9, later serving in Pentagon; retired as CWO

Burgardt

Fred J

Was an AP at Guyemer -- left Det 2 in early 1958

Crider

David

I was with the 33rd Filed Hospital, Dental Clinic. Were you on the Post when the Post Office caught fire on the weekend? We lived on the top floor of the Hospital.

Ferris

Margaret

I was stationed in Fontainebleau from Nov 1962-Oct 1964. I was in Hq, Det. USAG, SA APO 11, Camp Lariboisiere. I don't remember a Det 2, 1141st Spec Activ Sqdn, so I would thin k you must have been Air Force. There was a NATO base called Camp Guynma or somwthing like that were we played softball. Being so close to Paris was something else for an 18 year old kid from Bucksport, Maine. Don't know if you remember a bar in the Monponase section of Paris called the La Boheme. Spent all my free time there.

Gervais

Louis

louis_gervais@hotmail.com

902-462-7355

I was in Fontainebleau from 1958 to 1961. Serving with the RCAF contingent. Was employed as a crypto tech in the Comm's Group (Bldg 10). Also did work in the Met office and SRO. Both situated in the AAFCE HQ building. Was very good friend with Larry Zachary (USAF supply) who worked the bar in the airman's club. We kept in contact till 1971. We completely lost track of each other when I got posted back to Germany and Larry went to Vietnam. Re-established contact (which was no small feat taking in consideration the number of Zachary's living in the US) in 2005. We had a great reunion. Any one interested in getting Larry's phone number etc. let me know and I will forward information. I can be reached at 1-902-462-7355. For pictures go to http://www.louisgervaisonline.com/pers

Herzfeld

Dick

dick.herzfeld@ieee.org

435-272-4189

Went back to Germany on business (again) in March 2006, and also visited some relatives my wife just found last summer, who live in Viersen,25 km from 2 TAF HQ in monchengladbach Germany. That's where I spent one year. Turns out my Viersen cousin went to school in the 80s with my 1966 landlord's grandson!! SMALL WORLD.

Joppa

Jake

Bonjour! My family was stationed at Fontainebleau May '61 - July '65. My dad, Jake Joppa, was in AIRCENT as the weapons logistics rep to NATO. We lived close to Melun for 2 years and then moved into the International Apts. for 2 more. My mother's name is Dolores. They currently live in Arkansas. Dad retired almost 29 years ago. They are currently visiting my family in Bellevue, Nebraska,

Kämmerer

Helmut

bkaemmerer@t-online.de

+49 (0) 214-55872

Well, I am retired too and I am working to make the history of the several Microwave lines from Fontainebleau over to Germany, except to Mönchengladbach/Rheindahlen too. When I was in Fontainebleau from October 1964 to December 1965 I was outside on Station 10 at Margival/Laffaux (A-6), later Station 10. At these time I only knew the Station 10, 7, 9, 5 and 7, all around 20 km far from my own. Since several years I am working at the history to find all the other stations. Now at the moment I have finished my work but I hope always to find more information. I have had contact to Paul Siggins from the 5th RRS. He was in France too and he knowed the Station A-1 (Fontainebleau), A-2 (Hauteurs de la Solle), A-3 (Melun), A-4 (Marly le Roi), A-5 (Emeville, A-6/D-1 (Margival), D-2 (St. Erme) and others in Liart, Poix Terron and more. A friend of him was in A-6/D-1 too and in B-3 at Angevillers. One of his friends was sendet to Aachen (Station at Lammersdorf). So, I have contact to Glen van der Ploeg, he was in Aachen (Lammersdorf), before he was in A-5/D-1 too. Later he was in Ramstein and Bitburg. I had a friend he was in Mönchengladbach in 1960/1961, but sorry he died. I have contact to a former site chief from Lammersdorf, he was there for one of the biggest Tropospheric Site in Germany. Would be nice to have contact to you and others from the 1141. Best wishes from Leverkusen, very close to Cologne City,

Karselis

Terry

804-745-9561

I was a member of the Radio Relay Maintenance section along with Sgt. Jaques Coutou. I was an Airman 1st Class when I left in 1959. Two other friends that I still have contact with are Tom Farnan, Mckeesport, Penn., who was in Ground Power, and Gery Zitzmann, Gonzales, La., who was a clerk and my roommate. Another, Jerry Brayton, now lives in Arkansas. Tom, Gerry, and I had a reunion in New Orleans in May (2005?) -- Looking through thee site's list of names, I see a few familiar ones, and know of some that are missing. (Terry is a sculptor)

Krogstad

Rodney

rkrogstad@charter.net

715-755-2105

Was a S/sgt with the 1141st 6/1960 to 3/1963. Assigned to NATOs AIRCENT Regional Air Operations Center. Worked the shifts with many great Nato people. Great stories were told. Even was asked by Gen. Hans Spiedel where I was from. Great Memories. Would like to attend a reunion if one were to be.

Lawerence

Don

My name is Don Lawrence 1956 - 1960 remote microwave sites out of Fountainbleau. Haven't had much contact with anyone except for one or two. Get back to me and let me know what's going on, appreciate it.

Lindenburg

Ron

tomlmich@aol.com

Was with Army Quartermaster in Orleans, but travelled frequently to Fontainebleau

Sievers

Jerry

jjsievers@juno .com

Wow ! ! What a flood of memories came rushing back while browsing this website. We arrived at Camp Guynemer November 1960, and departed November 1963. I was assigned to the AFCENT Printing Plant which was housed in the NAVCENT building near AIRCENT Headquarters - just across the street from Camp Guynemer's main gate. We stayed at the Cascades Hotel (80 days) until the house we would rent was vacated by Bill and Jeannine Crossman in La Rochette (near Melun). Bill was the area Fortune Insurance representative at the time. They were expecting an addition to their family and needed more room. We lived there for two years and our final year at the interallied apartments on Rue de Belgique in Fontainebleau. We fondly remember the many friends made during our assignment there: Capt Charlie Nessosis, Pete and Edna Kidwell, Vern and Doris Liverman, John and Dorothy McClain, and all the multinational crew at the printing plant. There were also Joe and Pat Rescigno, H.R. and Nita Norman, Ken and Pat Evans, Les and Lou Tate, Don and Unni Nichols, Ray and Nita Holla (our mixed doubles bowling partners), Jim and Nancy Teepen, and so many more that this old brain has difficulty retrieving their names. There were the many impromptu clubbing and sightseeing trips to Paris. We used much of our free time to travel and explore all the countries (except Portugal) west of the Iron Curtain and even joined a group trip to Berlin after a lengthy wait for clearances to travel through East Germany. We stayed in touch with Serg and Lili Buison (our French neighbors in La Rochette) for many years, but not recently. Even though we complained about our stay at the Cascades Hotel when we arrived, we again chose to stay there while waiting for our final departure because it was an easy walk to work at the printing plant, to Camp Guynemer, and to Caserne Lariboisiere (President Kennedy was assassinated during our last stay at the Cascades). There were so many things to see and so much to do -- never a dull moment. Our three- year NATO assignment in France was the most interesting assignment in my 20-year Air Force career. Having a reunion would be great -- although, having one 10 years ago would have been much better because some that have already departed their earthly adventure would also have been interested. Jerry and Joyce Sievers jjsievers@juno .com

Wulf

Gary

frg@qwest.net

425.390.0222

Saw your entry in the August 2004 "In Search of" column in the American Legion Magazine. I was stationed in FB From March '56 thru December '59, when I rotated back to the states. I was a member of the communications construction team, travelling throughout France, Germany, and Belgium building and maintaining microwave sites. For a six-month period I was assigned to a site in Thionville as a site team radio operator. After my last duty station at Norton CA, I was discharged, joined the ANG in my home state of Washington, and remained active until I retired in 1980 after 26 years of service as a SMSGT. I can be reached at 1525 Monterey Avenue NE, Renton, WA 98056.

Anderson

Walt (Andy)

walthappydog@gmail.com

I found an old photo (Now posted with Photos) of one of our radio relay sites that we served as mobile radio relay maintenance people. The Ford truck on the left is the actual radio relay station and our truck was backed up near the relay station truck. Our truck was filled with repair parts and spares. It also had two bunk beds, a hotplate, and 5 gallon cans – some filled with drinking water and others with gasoline. (Notice the water can in the doorway.) We lived in the truck. Behind the truck is the new barracks built for the eight USAF personnel who manned the site 24/7.

This site, Station 11, was in Belgium near the Holland border. The photo was taken in September, 1960. This site was located in the middle of grain and sugarbeet fields and in the fall during the harvest, the dust would clog the air filters on the radios. From pieces of cardboard, we cut out a circle the size of the fan filter and stretched women's hose over the cardboard frame. It helped. You can see that these surroundings weren't too much nicer than the M.A.S.H. TV set, except they had tents AND beautiful women nurses!

Sullivan

Earl

esullivan7@neo.rr.com

I was stationed at Camp Guynemer from 1956 until 1961. I am trying to locate my old sergant from that time frame. I only know that the outfit was. Det.2, 1141 SPACTRON 7th Radio Relay Squadron, at Fountaibleu France. His name is, Staff Sgt Dale Monteith and wife is Joan, they are both American. If you could possibly help me or at least give me your opinion if it would be possible to find them. Thank you

Panten

Bob

r.panten@comcast.net

I was stationed at Det. 2 1141st Spactron Radio Relay site 14 from December, 1963 to December, 1966. We were part of JCA (Joint Communications Agency), a NATO organization to support AIRCENT (Allied Airforces Central Europe) and LANDCENT (Landforces Central Europe).
We were located on a hill top above Angevillers. We were located on top of the Magino line (the series of fixed fortifications the French built to defend France from Germany). We were staffed by US Airforce and German Airforce personel.
We ran communications from Sta. 7 thru Sta. 13 thru Sta. 14 (us) thru Sta. 15 to Sta. 16 (Ramstein) and Sta. 17 (Piermissons I think it was).
Angevillers is a village just southwest of the village of Molvange F.
Angevillers is a village just west of the city of Thionville.
Molvange was apparently the original location of this site and was operated by US Army personnel. In 1965 we tore down and removed the last of these old abandoned buildings.
We lived in a quonset hut that was divided into three parts. The center part had been extended out and had our front door, this was our living room. In it, we built a bar and paneled the room with wood. The right side of the hut was our kitchen and eating room. The left side of our hut was our sleeping room.
We also, built a building to house our microwave equipment, as the truck kept leaking and was hot and June bugs kept crawling in at night in the summer. By 1964 we were pretty sure we would not need to be mobile and I don’t think the truck had been run for quite a few years before that.
NATO supplied us with 8 bags of cement for this project; all of the rest of the supplies were scrounged. Yes, that is a lot of scrounging. We were a lot like a mix of “Hogan’s Heros” and “McHale’s Navy.”
Our Site Chief was Tech Sgt. Robertson (Robbie) his assistant was an Unterofficer name Horst ???. Robertson was eventually replaced by MSgt. Redmond (Red). Other USAF personnel were SSgt. Ted Pollock, A1C Charles W. Browning (Skip), A1C John Johnston. German personnel were Unterofficer: Horst ???, Ralph Weddeling (C – section maintenance mechanic for generators and vehicles), Sepel Baur, Gefr. Peter ???,
At one end of our hill was the US Army 102nd signal battalion; at the other end was US Air Force Det. 6 of 1141st Spactron.
Like many microwave personnel we were pretty isolated from normal military life. I remember visiting Etaine AFB and passing a 2nd Lt., only to stare at him, completely forgetting to salute, since we had not seen a 2nd Lt. in a couple of years.
An interesting fact is that the 1141st had more Generals assigned to it than enlisted men, as the majority of the squadron supplied personnel for embassies and other special assignments.

Our supplies were usually leftovers from the army.
One day one of the German Sgts. wanted to know what we used Clorox for? (Our supply room was overflowing with it.)
I told him that it was used as a bleach for clothes. Everyone used it till we used it all. We ordered more and when one of the supply truck people commented that we must really chlorinate a lot of water…well it was too late since we had been drinking the local water for a couple of years, by then.