Jungle Napier!

The former Officer's Mess. In the foreground you can just make out the lion statues that sat proudly in front of the entrance to the mess, overlooking the lawn.


The photo on the right is of the former RHQ. 12 Regt. being the last to occupy this reletively new building.

Looking accross from the former 9 BHQ bulding, on the corner you can see the former NAAFI and further up the road, lined with vegitation like elsewhere; you can catch a glimpse of the former 12 BHQ.

Photos courtesy of Creedo who took them in late 2006 upon completing his training on becoming a full professional firefighter - well done mucker!

Royal Signals attached to 47 Guided Weapons Regt. RA

Members of the Royal Signals, possibly 256 Signal Squadron at the MT in 1961

attached to 47 GW Regt.

Photo from the internet

BHQ then and now

The old Feuerwehr (Fire Station) during the Luftwaffe days. Here, either in the late 80's, early 90's, it was then the Battery Headquarters of 9 (Plassey) Battery. On the first floor was the BHQ and sports changing rooms on the ground floor. Annexed, was the HQ Battery (T/HQ) Signals Store.



Now, like all the other buildings, it is derelict and awaits its fate - to be demolished.

Photos courtesy of Bernhard Weiss & John Creedon

Golf Course

Royal Saint Barbara's Dortmund Golf Club. 18 hole course that will survive the re-development of the former barracks. The entrance is near the former RAGTE golf balls!!

Photo courtesy of 16 Regt. OCA Website.

BVB Development

Fussball in Napier! There's always been football played at a competive level within the barracks, but the site, just beyond the entrance; is to be developed into five training pitches for the local professional side: BVB 09 Borussia Dortmund.

Photo from the internet

From T AD Bty. RA to T/HQ Bty. RA

31 October 1991, the last drive past by Tracked Rapiers of T (Shah Sujah's Troop) Air Defence Battery.

The parade was to mark the end of the battery's role as an equipment battery and the start of its new role within 12 AD Regt. as T (Shah Sujah's Troop) Headquarter Battery.

Brig. J I Johnston, the Honrary Regimental Colonel of 12 AD Regt. took the salute with a fly past by Harriers of No.4 Sqdn, RAF.
Gunner Magazine, January 1992 . Bty. insignia courtesy of 12 Regt. Website.

22 Air Defence Regt. RA

St. David's Day Parade 1992. 22 AD Regt. await the arrival of the Inspecting Officer, the Comd. 1 Arty. Bde., Brig. M G Douglas-Withers.

Gunner Magazine, May 1992.

36 Heavy Air Defence Regt. RA

The Main Gate of Napier Barracks whilst 36 HAD Regt. were in residence.

Photo reproduced with kind permission of Keith Holderness (ex 36 HAD Regt. and webmaster).

12 Air Defence Regt. RA Drive past

12 AD Regt. drive past for 36 HAD Regt's. disbandment parade, Syrena Day, May 1977. 12 AD Regt. were stationed at Moore Bks. on the B1 in Dortmund at the time.

Photo reproduced with kind permission from Keith Holderness.

12 AD Regt. RA L/Bdr. Leadership Course

April '92 and its a NBC exercise on the athletics track.

Other regiments held Leadership courses in Napier Bks.

Who's who????

Gunner Magazine, July 1992.

34 Light Air Defence Regt. RA Farewell Parade

Click on the extracts above to enlarge Gnr. H Thomas' 34 LAD Regt's.
Farewell Programme. (58 Bty. 34 LAD Regt. 68 - 69 & 12 LAD Regt. 69 -72).
Kindly sent to me by Michael Mortimer,
Secretary of 42 Regt. RA OCA.
Bty. insignias from the internet.

Graf Zeppelin

The Graf Zeppelin lands at Dortmund - Brackel on 10 Aug 1930.





Photos from the internet.

Storm Chasers by Nicolas Trudgian

JG1 aircraft taking off from Dortmund ready to intercept USAAF bombers. Sturmstaffel 1 aircraft taxi ready for take off: 10 February 1944.

Image from the internet .

QE2 arrives in Napier, 1984

Who remembers Her Maj. on parade in Napier and which regiments were present?

Photos from the internet.

Richthofen Kaserne

Map of the old airfield when in 1939 it became known as Richthofen Kaserne during its Luftwaffe days. (Flughafenstrasse for this duration, was renamed Richthofenstrasse)

Many of the original buildings were utilised by the Royal Artillery when they moved in. The aircraft hangars were demolished on orders, by the Wehrmacht as Germany fell.

The rest of these buildings will be demolished when the site is redeveloped.

Map courtesy of FELDPOST.

Fire Training in Napier

During 12 Regt's residence, these photos are of:
Ground Floor: 12 (Minden) BHQ, BQMS, Sigs. and Armoury.
1st Floor: Accomodation
2nd Floor: Training Wing.

HQ Bty. MT, BQMS, Sigs. Store (briefly), Bty. Bar & Tally's Games Room (1980's)

Swimming Pool near the Stables, where the horse flies bit you!

Outside the old Rapier Club/NAAFI and Juniour Ranks Club.

Photos supplied by John (Creedo) Creedon, ex 12 Regt. Now Dortmund Firefighter. c.2006.

Did tunnels run from Napier to Camp 10?

From John (Jock) McGowan (Ex 12 AD Regt.)

The [12th] Regt. has a dossier somwhere of when we were in Moore Bks. on the B1 in the 70's. Sgt. John Barnes, T Bty., lead a team to explore tunnels which supposedly went from Moore Bks. to Napier Bks. some 10 miles plus as the crow flies? They received permission from the German authorities to go so far and eventually met with a tunnel closure some miles in. However, when permission was asked to break through the wall to continue, all access was denied, fueling speculation as to what was beyond the wall? Rumour has it that there were barracks, ammo dumps, a vehicle pool and even a hospital?
I used to have contact with Barney, but haven't spoken to him for years and can't remember who else was involved with him? But, remember he made a full written report on the whole Op and its findings...John

Artillery Regiments that have served in Napier Barracks

Courtesy of RAA - Germany Website

Aerial photo of Napier before its demise

Great photo sent to me from my former 12 BSM, now Maj. Dai Ransom, RA (12 Regt. RA). Many thanks.

Taken in 1994 before 12 & 16 Regts. moved elsewhere and BAOR ceased to exist due to the end of the Cold War.

The Future of Napier

What Napier is to become. Housing at the former entrance and throughout the camp, which surrounds numerous training pitches for BVB Borussia Dortmund. The Golf Club remains, which has also been extended. Most, if not all original Napier buildings demolished. That's progress folks!

Map from a source on the internet.

9 (Plassey) Air Defence Battery, RA - 1985

9 (Plassey) AD Bty. outside BHQ in 1985. Me, I'm just to the right of the left lamp on the back row. Where are you?

If you look at the old Luftwaffe photo, you'll see the BHQ in the background! Back then it was the Feuerwache (Fire Station).

Photo supplied, with thanks by Pete Taylor - Webmaster, 12th Regiment, RA. Bty. insignia courtesy of 12 Regt. Website.

Sturmstaffel 1

Pilot exits his FW 190 A and the groundcrew attend to the aircraft

Luftwaffe crew pose with one of their aircraft.

Sturmstaffel 1 (Storm Squadron 1). Formed at Dortmund on 19 Oct 43, leaving on 29 Feb 44.

Photos and Sturmstaffel 1 insignia, courtesy of FELDPOST.

Dortmund Airport/Aerodrome in the 1930's

On the aerial photo, the terminal is the center building. These may of been destroyed at the end of the war by the Wehrmacht ?

Photos courtesy of Bernhard Weiss - Fliegerhorste Webmaster.

British Cap Badges that have served in Napier

Badges and cypher that have graced Napier over the years. Some have amalgamated to create a new badge and others are no more. On the RE's cap badge, it has changed due to Monarch's Reign. Thanks to 'Taff' Morgan who states that the stables were under the RHA cypher, Intelligence Corps were housed in a Block near the main entrance and not to forget the WRVS who also doned a cap badge.
Cap Badges from the internet.