Soldiers in the back of a deuce and a half returning from a ReForGer
exercise. (very tired)
I arrived in Germany to join the 3rd Mechanized Commando in September 1975. It was a cold dreary day and I was expecting some time to acclimatize myself to my new home but, that was not to be. I was hoping for a little less excitement having just spent 6 months in Cyprus following the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey in 1974. During this time we were constantly working to keep the warring sides from doing grave damage to each other, or us.
Unbeknownst to me, I was about to be a part of one of the largest military exercises in peacetime Europe.
I flew into Lahr West Germany from Wolseley Barracks in London Ontario. I was picked up, along with 2 other soldiers, and driven to the Airbase in Baden-Soellingen.
The base was set up in the early 1950s to meet Canada’s NATO commitment. It was never meant to be a Canadian base. The home for the Canadian Air force was supposed to be at Pferdsfeld but it was being built and behind schedule. France had Air units in Baden-Soellingen and it was decided by NATO to relocate them for a short time and move the Canadians to that location. Six months after the Canadians established themselves in Baden, NATO decided they would stay there permanently. One wing of fighter jets consisting of three fighter squadrons was housed at the base. Our purpose, as infantry, was to defend the Airbase if hostilities erupted with our Soviet neighbour.
Armoured Personnel Carrier set up in a town during ReForGer. The German people in a town of 1000 people would wake up in the morning and find about 1000 armoured troops, APCs and tanks parked in the village.
I arrived at the base and immediately was assigned to A Company 2 Platoon. The battalion was about to be deployed for ReForGer (return of forces to Germany) and me with it. Never mind that I had never been involved with a Mechanized army unit before and didn’t know anyone. The large ReForGer exercise was based on the premise that the Soviet Block had attacked NATO and we needed troops in Germany fast. An air bridge was set up to fly thousands of troops from all the NATO countries into Germany.
The US flew in the 1st Infantry Division which was mechanized, the 1st Cavalry Division, the 2nd Marine Division/32nd Marine Amphibious Unit. This totaled approximately 47,000 troops. Add the 6,000 American troops who were already in place in the form of the 3rd Armored Division Frankfurt-am-Main, the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division stationed in Wūrzburg and, from Nuremberg, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The Canadians flew in troops from different regiments in Canada as well as militia units. Britain also flew in a number of British troops. The German army activated the Territorial Army which was organized into six divisions (8th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Jaeger Divisions. These units were not under NATO command but under the German high command.
Relaxing during a lull in the exercise.
Our 3rd Mechanized Commando was a strange beast, not like the normal battalions in the Canadian army. Its total life span was only 7 years and came into existence with the stroke of a pen by a politician in the late 60s when units of the Canadian Army were being cut back. Some leftover units of both the Royal Canadian Regiment and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry had no home so they were attached to the Airborne Regiment as 3rd Mechanized Commando and stationed in Baden. From that point on you could rest assured it would be a bumpy ride for the armoured vehicles and all their occupants. Being designated as part of the Airborne caused a lot of strife between the paratroopers, who had worked so hard to earn their maroon beret, and the armoured infantry soldiers who had never jumped out of a plane or even wanted to but had been given a maroon beret anyways. The real Airborne Regiment soldiers always thought of 3rd Mechanized Commando as a type of bastard child, one that was tolerated but not necessarily loved.
A snowy walk in the mountains of Germany.
The other issue with 3rd Mechanized Commando was that soldiers were always rotating in and out of the unit. Since it was a mix-up of units thrown together, the soldiers did not spend the usual four year tour as a group which would be rotated back to Canada. As people left 3rd Mechanised Commando in dribs and drabs, the unit drew new volunteers from all the units in Canada. This was the same process used by the U.S in Vietnam and it was not a good model. Eight soldiers would leave Germany and go back to their units in Canada, two to the PPCLI in Edmonton, three to the RCR in London Ontario and three to the Airborne Regiment. They would be replaced by people from all different units in Canada. When they arrived they would not know anyone and would be placed in a group of established soldiers. As the new man on the block you always had to prove yourself. This would happen on a monthly basis so Sections, Platoons and Companies were always in a state of flux. Sometimes soldiers did not even have a chance to form a bond of trust which was very important when you were putting your life in the other person’s hands.
Sleeping in a snow bank after an 18 hour forced march down a very steep mountain. In the sleeping bag, boots and all.
The ReForGer exercise was already started and I, like my comrades who had just rotated in, were dropped into this melee. I did not have any equipment with me, nothing but the clothes on my back. The stores man had pity on me and issued me some temporary kit. It was about 2 degrees below freezing. I was loaded on an M-548 Cargo Carrier. This vehicle was a variation of the Armored Personnel Carrier M113, same chassis but made for transporting supplies.
Check back in the coming weeks for ‘Part 2’ of this multi-part blog on ReForGer.
Frank Reid is an author, playwright, consultant, and a former soldier in the Canadian Army. This blog series offers accounts of his experiences as a member of Canada’s military during the Cold War.
We served with 4CMBG from 1967 to1970. Fond memories of Soest and Ft Henry which we could not find last year on a return trip.
Our son is now in a Geilenkirken flying the NATO AWACS machine.
I was shipped over to 3rd Mech in september 75. Only was there for too short a time, but remember ReForGer that fall very well. Was in Scottie’s section.
Wore the maroon beret which felt odd with no wings. Got those in 76 🙂
I am upset to see you did not list my unit from Ft. Hood. We were the 2nd batallion of the 67th armor of the 2nd Armor division. Also shown as, 2/67 2AD. We flew in and picked up our long term stored from Nam era M60 tanks at Baumholder and had to clean the cosmolene off of everything.
Frank, having served as a Supply Tech with both 3 Mech CDO and 3 RCR, I found very little difference in operating modes. I found them both to be excellent units and enjoyed my time with them.
When you talk about getting to a unit and not knowing any one and having to prove yourself, well……welcome to my world. I was with 3 Infantry Bns, an Armoured Corps Unit, an Artillery Regt, a Service Bn, a third line field support unit, several Base Supply’s and other asst gaggles. When I arrived at these organizations I seldom knew anyone and always had to prove myself.
My old man served in this unit. In 33charlie his name is David Lawrence
Was david lawrence from canada and there in 69/ 70?
I believe so, he was with 3 mech and 33c was his call sign
Yes he is from Canada
Enjoyed the read!! I remember my dad going on “exercise” many times, ReForGer was the big one, not that I understood it at the time. I was born and raised RCR. Started in Soest, London, Soest again, Baden, Gagetown, Baden again, Gagetown again lol and lastly NDHQ. I was there when 3 Mech was born in a storm and again when it was lost in the fog. Last tour ended in ’78. We have stacks of photographs of parades mostly of ladies hats because my mom is short, but we know somewhere in the march past is my dad! My dad Bob (R.H.) Smith was ADP and Recee with 3 Mech. Oddly enough I now live Belleville and this army brat still loves to hear the jets and Hercs fly overhead. My dad is still will us 84 years young and counts his 28 years with The Regiment as the best of his life. Pro Patria!!
I deployed Sept. 75 from Ft. Hood with B Btry, 1Bn/78 FA. Spent 6 months in Graf. One of the best times of my life. Wonderful country.
That was where we had gun camp at Graff
1st of the 39/ing div baumholder 1972/1976. One cold bitch . Hated that exercise every year.
Lawrence Tengram , CSC 4th battalion 73rd armour , 1 Id big red one , ground radar servalince , panzer kaserene 1972 1974 , boblingen Germany reforged 1973 2 times , reforger1974 once , traveled Europe several times, my wife there at my side all the way.
Spec 4 gary Shepherd, PFC jerry McCoy ,macmann,lt meade ,lt bradford, cot. Nichols,ground radar 17k30 sgt Tengram , 1st infantry division forward Europe ,1972-1974,
Hello , I just read your article on Canadians serving over seas in Europe with the NATO , I served with the first Royal Canadian Horse Artillery “C” Battery from 1975 to late 1976 and then returned to Canada 🇨🇦, I was hoping by posting this message friends that served with me in Germany 🇩🇪Could get ahold of me it would be great to hear from anyone from the 1st RCHA , before my deployment I was stationed at CFB Petawawa with the 2nd Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, I’m planning on taking a trip back to Lahr Germany it’s a beautiful country, I love the people there and they love the Canadians when we came through there little towns and beautiful villages they were so friendly to us , I’m very proud to have been apart of the whole COLD WAR AREA gig and being apart of the NATO allied command and happy it ended well , for the whole world in fact . I’m long retired now and live in Bowmanville,Ontario I’ve alway said . IF YOU DONT STAND BEHIND YOUR TROOPS YOUR MORE THEN WECLOME TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM , 🙏 amen. Thank you .
Hello George
You should look at this site Remembering Baden Sollingen good way to make connections.https://www.facebook.com/groups/2233423718/
Cheers
Frank
I was the first Grunt posted to Baden, 3 Mech, in early 1970. Great place, super Reforgers and loved the 104s.
I have pics of the first APC arrivng at Baden.
My dad was 3 Mech 72-77, Larry Hiltz. Not sure what he did as he doesn’t talk about it.
I was in the POL section 3 mech Cdo I was part of the first militia infantry platoon 1 Nova Scotia Highlanders sent overseas since World War II
In a 7 day period adveraged about two hours sleep per day.
Note I was driving a vehicle with over 300 jerrycans of gas through built up areas.
Anyone remember a John Stack? My father, can’t find any info but he was part of the unit. Any info is appreciated.
Hi Jon,
Are you on the 3 Mech or Baden Remembered website? Someone there would know him.
Cheers
Frank
Hello my Dad served here as a 3rd Mech Commando – John Stack, wondering of anyone knew him and had any stories of the ol StackPack? 🙂
Awe I didn’t notice my brother Jon had already posted and there is a reply – thank you
Frank thanks for history of 3 Mech. I was posted from 3 RCR to 3 Mech in August 1975. I was served with B Coy until Aug 1977 .
Was at graf. 1973 when my friend and fellow soldier tried to commit suicide . I was 5 feet away from him when I heard the 3 shots in his chest . I ran to next billet at graf. To get medics. I was told he had died , but the medic brought him back . I am looking for the first medic jello Biafra is his professional name. Please contact me. 405-778-1116. CSC 4/73 Armor.
Sgt Lawrence Tengram 1973 1974 cactus 4th battalion 73rd armpit panzer Kaserne looking for J T Young company armor . Gary Hanson , al mogenson Gary Shepherd jerry McCoy radar please contact me for a veteran reunion cpt Tom Robbins
Fuller…csc 4/73…72-74 was track and wheel mechanic remember some of thenames you mentioned worked with Fabian,larry smith mike king etc