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Photo below was taken by Neil
Aikin
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Signal School |
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| Below is a message written by Neil. |
I remember standing
in front of the main gate at
Fritzlar & remembering
the number of times you & I went through it. I went
to the Banhof. It
hasn't changed one iota. The memories then became good
memories. I would
love to go back again.
Neil
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''
I think the story that stands
out in my memory
was at Grafenwohr in 1949.
I was in the back of a 2 1/2 truck in an HO 17. (Radio hut that slides
into the bed of the truck). We were pulling a PE 95 generator in a trailer
behind us. I noticed the sediment bowl on the side of the unit was leaking.
When we pulled into the bivouac area, one guy jumped on top of the HO17
to raise the three whip antennas that had been tied down during our trip.
Sandoval went to the side of the trailer, reached through the wooden slats
to tighten the nut on the sediment bowl. He was leaning against the fender
of the trailer. When the antenna was released, it hit high tension lines
above the truck. When it sparked, the guy (I can't remember his name) pulled
the antenna
back. It was enough to travel
down to Sandoval & hit him with about 18,000 volts of DC current. He
did a ground loop, landing on his stomach. I think it was Sgt. Brooks that
started artificial respiration on him. Another guy, I think it was Sgt.
Cassadona, grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire at the sediment
bowl. Sandoval recovered with a burn on his leg from the fender of the
PE95. However, the next morning he was so stiff he couldn't move anything
but his eyes without it hurting. He was one lucky fellow!! It did seem
to affect him though, he spent a lot of time just sitting in the sun -
not talking, just sitting.
Neil
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Not until the spring of 1948 did the Constabulary attempt major unit tactical training. Troop exercises were conducted in which both reconnaissance (cavalry) and dismounted (infantry) problems were executed. Units of troop size also were ordered into the field for periods of 1 to 2 weeks to become accustomed to field life and to carry out troop problems. The results of this training cycle were very gratifying. Along with the tactical improvements in all units, an increase in morale was noted throughout. Reenlistment figures went up, and deficiency reports went down. During the summer months, most elements of the Constabulary participated in field maneuvers of from 1 to 3 months' duration at Grafenwohr, one of the former German Army's largest maneuver areas. Several joint exercises, from CPX's to full-scale maneuvers, were held with the 1st Infantry Division, which spent the entire summer there. |
..
Left- Francis Brooks---------------Gilbert Matherne on
Right
.... Gilbert
Matherne
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Gilbert Matherne on maneuver.. and the Circle C Cowboys at Vilseck, Germany 1949.. |
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Have you ever heard the saying, " I feel out of place". Well this little story is about a group of Navy guys in a Navy airplane that was on a special mission flying over Germany. The airplane landed on the Fritzlar air field. The Navy guys were hungry and wanted something to eat. It was about 10 or 12 of them and as they came in to eat with us Army guys, I heard one of them say, "Talk about feeling out of place, well, this is it." Another thing I remember
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Gilbert Matherne I WAS ONE OF the INSTRUCTORS, Gil |
William [Bill] Tevinton
is the second one from the left.
Bill stayed in Fritzlar after he completed radio
school.
Now in 1999, Bill is the Historian of the U.S.
Constabulary Association.
Remembering the Past.
Bill Tevington remembers games
the Russians played.........
Julian McCalla was held at gunpoint
by Russian guards........
Hi, just click on the Constabualry soldier below,
if you want a to read more about Bill and Julian and the Constabulary
History.
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Continue on with Gilbert's tour of Germany. More photos and letters 14th Constabulary Reg. 1947-1949 |
1st Constabulary Regiment Rothwesten |
of the 14th A/C US Army Constabulary |
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