G Troop, T (Shah Sujah's Troop) AD Bty.

G Troop, T (Shah Sujah's Troop) AD Bty., 12 AD Regt. RA pose for the camera in Napier's Gym, prior to a tour of Omagh, Northern Ireland - OP FONDANT 1988.

Photo courtesy of Colin 'Smudge' Smith (Ex T Bty.). Cheers Smudge.

23 Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers

2nd Infantry Division Insignia.

23 Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers of the above Division, moved into Napier Barracks from Hameln in July 1950 until May 1958, when they disbanded with the re-organisation of BAOR.

ORBAT:

2 Field Sqaudron

5 Field Sqaudron

14 Field Survey Sqaudron (Joined Oct. '53 and possibly indenpedant from the regt., but under local command?)

21 Field Park Squadron (Went independant in 1954, but under local command of regt.)

38 Field Squadron (2 Oct. '57, run down to a Cadre and went to Berlin. Insignia, white 38 on a red triangle)

The Napier Cinema (photo taken in 2007) was built by 23 Fd. Engr. Regt. RE within the far end of the barracks, opposite what later became the 'Rapier Club', NAAFI shop.

This information was sourced from the Royal Engineers Museum website/unit history section, but was initiated by former Sapper Peter Bridge, (ex 23 Fd. Engr. Regt., RE) who served in Napier Barracks doing his National Service from 1951 - 1953.

12 (Minden) Bty. on Minden Day

12 (Minden) AD Bty./ 12 AD Regt. RA on their regimental parade square for Minden Day,

c. 1986/7.

Photo courtesy of Taff Morgan.

Sturmstaffel 1 Artwork

Fw 190 A6 'White 7' Flown by Maj. Erwin Bacsila, Jan.'44.

As shown in the artwork further down.

Artwork from the internet

Flughafen Dortmund

Postcards of Dortmund-Brackel, Dortmund's first Airport (Flughafen), possibly 1926/7?

The airport's terminal in 1927.

Possibly the opening of the airport?

These buildings were situated on the Flughafenstrasse leading up to where the Industrial Estate is now, near RAGTE. They were demolished around the late 1950's or 60's; possibly to make way for the estate?

Postcards courtesy of Creedo.

12 Regiment RA November 1994

Regimental line-up and flanked by their colours: HVM 'Starstreak'.

Photo courtesy of Creedo

Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe ranges and bunkers

Different views of the two different length ranges and bunkers used by the Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe.

Photos taken by John in NZ whilst with 47 GW Regt. in 1959

1959 - Gunners move in.

The entrance to the barracks in 1959, the year the first Royal Artillery Regiment moved in: 47th Guided Weapons Regiment, RA. Near the entrance, was the Offices and possibly accommodation of 26th US Army Missile Detachment, who were in support of 47 Regt. and their Corporal Missiles.

Accommodation within the camp for HQ, 3 & 4 (Sphinx) Btys. Plus, 256 Signal Squadron, Royal Signals and other supporting units.

Officers Mess and accommodation.

The MT Garages. (REME Workshop)

What later became the RAOC (RLC) yard.

The old rail platform terminus (NAAFI)

No diving!

Accommodation of possibly HQ Bty.?

Photos kindly sent to me from John O'Meara, now living in Wellington, New Zealand.

Last two photos sent to me with thanks, from Jeff (mollyjeff@talktalk.net), who was a driver in HQ Bty.

Did you know each other?

9 (Plassey) AD Bty. off to Cyprus

The Master Gunner talking to G Troop, 9 (Plassey) AD Bty. before the strat of their UN Cyprus Tour (Dec. 88 - Jun.89).
The other three btys. from the regt. (12 AD) were on OP Fondant, Northern Ireland. It would be a total of 10 months until the whole regt. would be reunited!

Photo taken from 12 AD's Regtl. N.I. Tour Magazine 1988.

1970's Northern Ireland Training for 36 HAD Regt. RA

Heli training on the former airfield close to the entance of the barracks. 260 Signal Squadron, RS are in force as 'Riflemen'














Photos courtesy of 36 HAD website.

A Troop 12 (Minden) Bty., RA HVM Conversion

From 'Rapier' Surface-to-Air Missiles to 'Starstreak' High Velocity Missiles. Conversion course held in Napier's RAGTE. (12 Regt.)

Bty. insignia from the internet. Photo courtesy of 'Creedo'

10 (Assaye) HAD Bty., 36th HAD Regt 's Thunderbirds

Parading their colours on the old airfield for a special visit during the 1970's.

Bty. insignia from the internet. Photos courtesy of 36 HAD Regt.'s website.

32 (Minden) Bty., 16th Regiment RA Guard bid farewell

Battery insignia from the internet. Photo courtesy of 16 Regiment OCA.

Aerial changes of Napier

Before any changes and whilst the barracks are occupied by both 12 & 16 Regts. c. 1994.

Summer 2005 and the clearing of the barracks has begun.

Winter 2006 and the Garrison ammo dump has gone and made way for the golf course to be extended. Groundwork excurvasion is still underway. Buildings can clearly be seen through the leafless trees.
Top photo courtesy of Fliegerhorste website, others courtesy of Google Earth.

Thunderbirds are Go!

Sportsmen from 36 HAD Regt. with their Syrena Cups, with a Thunderbird SAM in the background to keep them company!

Photo courtesy of Keith Holderness.

12 AD Regt. Sergeant & Warrant Officers Mess - 1987

Flanked by regimental colours: Towed Rapier and their Warrant Officers and Sergeants are: CO Lt. Col. Smith RA and WO1 (RSM) Francis.

Photo courtesy of 'Taff' Morgan & 12 Regimental Forum.

T (Shah Sujah's Troop) AD Bty. RA - 1986

The Battery from 12 AD Regt. line up with their colours: Tracked Rapier and support vehicles at the regimental 'Gun' Compound; the former airfield runway.

The Battery Boxing Team.

Photos courtesy of Graham 'Taff' Morgan, bottom left & the 12 Regimental Forum.