Langeleben

paul croxson · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:21 am Post subject:

can I be boring yet again?
When I was at Langeleben early '55 we had an orgaonised trip to VW Wolfsburg. As a point of comparison I had been to Dagenham some 3/4 years earlier. There was no comparison!, he main office corridor must have been as straight run for 1/4 mile or evn more. The place was spotless and the workers immaculate. Dagenham was filthy and the workers seemingly revelled in looking scruffy. Ther noise was horrendous and having just seen 'Metropolis' the future seemed bleak. In VW There was this German woman on the line who just sat there dropping cylinder block studs in the holes ready for screwing in, the picture stayed with me for yonks.
In 1945 (not another bloody history lesson, Croxson!) I believe that all the British car manufacturers were offered the plant under the reparations scheme but ALL turned it down as a 'failure with no future' Spot on as always. The ''interesting'' part was that the factory was got going by a British Army serving officer to bring back work to the area, I think that he got it going and they produced something like 250 cars in the first year. In my day he was hel in very high regard in the factory but details are very hazy. Has anyone got the full story.
Told my Wife about the possibility of a visit - she can hardly contain her excitement.
Do you recall that in every car showroom there was ALWAYS a tray under the sump, even for new cars. The Japanese, whilst being shown round before setting up dealerships here in the UK asked what are they for? When told that they were for catching the drips from leaking sumps they were utterly bewildered. The concept of a leaky sump had never dawned on them which is why their cars have never caught on!
This is all from the man who bought a Rover 2 weeks before they curled up their toes. Talking about Rovers, one of my jobs in the past was to buy Rovers and Triumphs to export to Taiwan. There was a labour problem at the factory and 'Management' agreed with the unions that all recruitment had to be from within by promotion (how to get a wage increase). In the export dept the lowest job was printing out the invoices on the Banda machine. The highly skilled operative left and the unions would not allow any one new to be recruited. Youve got there. Yes! No invoices could be printed and no cars could be shipped and the place ground to a cashless halt. I promise you this is absolutely true (and boring)

paul croxson · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject:

Oh wonderful internet.
I find that most of what I said was almost true.
The officer was a Major Ivan Hirst (at last a useful officer) and surprise! Wolfsberg was originally called KdF Stadt. Living in Strength through Joy Ville could ALMOST compare with living in Milton Keynes.

Tom Neal · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject:

Just out of interest who is going to Königslutter this year.
I am and so is Helen my wife.

David Thomas · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject:

I am, as is the first Mrs Thomas. All the Best. Dave T.
_________________
Dave Thomas 2 Sqn 13 SR, '63-'66

derek fowler · Groupie Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 20 Location: harrogate

Visited VW Wolfsburg in early 70's and was impressed by the cleanliness of the place, and the efficiency of the assembly lines - no doubt due to the number of ex-225 & 226 squaddies who worked there!!
In my naivety had assumed that all car plants were similar, obviously hadn't considered the effects of a 'Red Robbo', and the professionalism of the British car maker.

I'm hoping to travel Hull - Rotterdam on Wed 30th May (travelling early as I intend to stop over in Effeld and play a round of golf at Birgelen Golf Club.) Anyone else travelling on that date?? Perhaps we could meet up on the ferry and share the odd cup of coffee?
_________________
derek fowler

ken vipond · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject:

Hi Derek,seems like we will be travelling together on the ferry from Hull on the 30th,myself,Stuart McLoud and Ian Johnston,so look forward to meeting up with you,regards from ken.

derek fowler · Groupie Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 20 Location: harrogate

Sounds good to me, Ken. I'll contact you nearer the date to select which bar to meet up in. (I feel that game of golf might be done on the way back!!)
_________________
derek fowler

jr · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject:

I talked to Bob Allum at the reunion last year regarding the possibility of affecionados playing at our local Wolfenbüttel GC.
If enough are interested, then I could negotiate a reduced green fee. Very Happy

Those interested, drop me a PM.

Here's the course:
http://www.golfclub-hedwigsburg.de/golfclub/index.php?id=48
_________________
John Richardson

paul croxson · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 9:50 am Post subject:

As instructed, I 'klickened' on the picture of the golf course and had a thorouhly enjoyable round. To be honest though it wasn't very difficult to play, I still prefer snakes and ladders. Did I do something wrong?
Funny how 'clicking' seems so much more aggressive in German! But then - they did invent curried bangers with stewed apples. That takes real imagination. I'm looking forward to trying it for the first time Friday p.m, I've already bought the Rennies. (Who mentioned roast pork and apple sauce and Gammon and pineapple?)

kerby · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject:

Hi All, Sorry I am unable to make the trip, most disappointing. Hope you all have a grand time. Have one on me, will pay next year. Pete and Paul from my year of 55, do not let the side down. Good luck to all, Keith Kerby
_________________
Keith Kerby (1955/6)

paul croxson · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

Thank you Keith. Perhaps we will meet at the loughborough get-together.
had a VERY long and extremely enjoyable chat to Don (Nobby) Clarke today. Amazing what we can dredge from our memories with a bit of jogging!
He is getting his photos together and will put them on the site which will be interesting

paul croxson · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

Preparing to leave for Konigslutter, I was reminded of the words of a famous ex-I. Corps playwright Alan Bennett. When asked "would you like to visit China" he replied "Yes, but will I do in the afternoon?" I had signed up with soime reluctance and was only persuaded by Pete Ellis relatively late in the day. Let's face it the only thing that we had in common was that we had served at the same Army Camp at some time between 1952 and 1992. Was this the basis for spending a few hundred quid for a few days in Germany? Not being exactly hard up (thank God) after having a few words with Mike Stubbins I signed up but only until the Sunday lunch-time.
Anyway ... despite delays with Flybe from Southampton and immense hold-ups on the autobahn not forgetting some minor map-reading lapses by the highly trained Stubbins who had been honed to perfection by the Paras as well as the Signals we staggered in to the hotel. Going down to the bar faces familiar and unfamiliar appeared. 'That must be Dave Thomas, he looks like his picture on the forum. That's the first beer solved'. Then Bob Wells came across, looking amazingly young. After all, there was a wodge of us all of whom were 71. We were the cream of Langeleben, the famed B Watch of 1954-6. Three of us had turned up and another three had sent their best wishes. Not bad out of the 11 who had served together. "Are you the Paul Croxson who writes all that rubbish on the forum?" I was asked frequently. I couldn't very well deny it could I?
Then dear old Pete Ellis came across and with Dave T buying the first of several beers the fun had begun!
Photographs appeared from pockets. "Do you remember him?". "What was that bugger's name?" only to find on occasion that 'bugger' was the grey old man sitting nearly next to you! Stories were swapped, often you would hear the same story several times over (and over; and over). After all it wasn't the most exciting of places up there in the woods. The usual joshing of the I. Corps continued just as in the 'old days'. All in good heart given and taken in great good humour. Had we not worked so closely and interdependently all those years ago?
Those of us who had served and lived in the tents era were justifiably superior, "swimming poll; cinema, what sort of joke army was that?" "Do you remember when we didn't get undressed for 6 weeks living with our pyjamas on under our BD's or denims". "Do you remember ... you know the chap ... dancing around in the Deutsches Haus with his pyjamas hanging below this trousers and not knowing?". Stories of derring-do and the various bars were legion as the beers beagn to flow. It is very much a blurr today but I do remember that I had a great evening - I think!
Saturday was the formal meeting of the re-union branch. This is a minor complaint but I somehow wish that the I. Corps could somehow be incorporated in the title. I know we we were few but without us, particularly later, there would have been no Langeleben.
Was I alone in being very moved when the names of those who have departed were read out. Far more than when I cursoralily read them on the website. Some I only recall in their 'gilded youth' others no longer will turn up at our re-unions. ("Will my name be read out next time?") That's how frail I suddenly felt!
Once again the closeness that we have to the communities of Langeleben, Konigslutter and Helmstedt were demonstrated. The trouble that they have taken to accommodate our desire for a memeorial to our time is, frankly, incredible - possibly unique.
I will not venture into the memorial discussion as Ernie will deal with that formally - these are just my impressions.
Stuubings and I went for a drive in the afternoon. How did we, callow youths that we were NOT appreciate the beauty of the buildings in Konigslutter and the surrounding countyside? We went to Helmstedt that place where the East suddenly became VERY real but dared not venture in as we would have been completely lost!
Driving from Konigslutter up to Langeleben we passed Luttersprings where Bob Wells and I the previous evening had recalled taking 2 young ladies for a walk, eager to have our evil way but getting nothing more than extremely painful 'privates' for our troubles. (Did those other blighters really get their end away that often?)
"We've gone the wrong way" was the cry as the kilometres wound past. We could never have walked this far just for a beer or the possibility of a crafty grope surely! But we must have done! All 6.4kms of it. And back if we had missed the truck and couldn't afford a taxi! How many times the evening before had we heard tales of the truck picking us up at the various drinking haunts and being followed by the wild boars? Dozens!!!
It seemed that we could find someone somewhere throughout the whole stay to share a beer with and exchange stories, even meet newcomers who had travelled several thousands of miles to be with us.
The formal evening buffet/dance was a masterpiece! The hotel had done us proud, beautifully laid out tables and a buffet fit for KIngs and twice as many. I am the wrong person to write about the evening as I slunk away very early indeed. One memory that I will carry with me is that of Jock ordering what seemed to be a constant stream of triple rums and cokes and their not having the SLIGHTEST effect on him seemingly. I got the idea from the number of thimes he threatened to leave home and marry the waitress that he rather fancied her. I believe he performed the cabaret too. What a man!!!
Sunday morning for us was a stroll around town quietly enjoying it and the Dom where there was a sort of Church Bazaar. Stubbings bought his Wife a toilet brush and a jar of honey. I kid you not. The lad was always noted for his generosity (particularly to the young ladies on the Aeroflot desk) and he was in the Paras so you can expect the odd bit of behaviour now and then! When you next see him ask him about the honey and stand clear - watch his temperature rise!
No hold-ups on the motorway and no delays on the flights and there she was, my Wife, waiting for me.
Well Mr Bennett I might not have found much to amuse me in China but I had a hell of a good time in Konigslutter, I promise you. And, Jock, you are right. I apologise. I think that the memorial will drag me back once again. Like our memories of the Camp, we only will recall the good times.
Thank you everyone for your company. Once again, it was marvellous and - what a Committee. Cheers!

jr · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:58 am Post subject:

Yes, I'll second most of that. It's always nice to see the old crowd, and just that bit better to see those who made the Reunion for the first time, a special mention to our own, Jim "Thumbs" Hammond, from the land of Oz.
Hope everybody got home safely.

My only disappointment was missing out on the Friday evening thrash, this is usually one of the highlights, being able to have a chat and a beer with all and sundry, remember the good (and not so good) times and sound out views on the topics for the AGM. This year somebody spread a story that the Sportklause was closed for a private party, so the majority of members avoided it on that evening. (Admittedly, there were 2-3 tables reserved for asparagus eaters, but in the event they didn't stay long and we had the pub just about to ourselves after 10pm). Still, had a chat with Tom and Heather Neal, and Derek Fowler's party turned up as well. Didn't get the opportunity to put my views on the History Project to Mr. Croxson Crying or Very sad

Maybe next time we should just reserve the pub for us; I don't see any problems if Frau Schütte knows that enough people will be eating there.

Good as the Königshof is, I still feel that we should try and attend the Schützenfest. For those who have never experienced this jamboree, I can only say it was the icing on the reunion cake for me (for the last few years this has been held the first week in September), and the opportunity to make direct contact with the citizens of Königslutter was always important for me, plus the opportunity to "show the flag" in the Fest procession. We don't need to organise an expensive Saturday night bash, as there is free entertainment in the Fest Marquee, plus you can eat what you want (if you like sausage and chips etc.) and I think they sell beer, as well. Wink

_________________
John Richardson

paul croxson · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:01 am Post subject:

I too was sorry JR not to have chatted re the history project but I failed to recognise you without your hat.
I was one of those put off by being told it was a full house!
I am totally in favour of meeting up with the Schutzenfest and it might be an opportune time for an unveiling of the memorial should it get the go-ahead which surely it must!
I would willingly forego the beanfeast on the Saturday night, but that's just me. I don't eat those sorts of meals any more (I couldn't believe the amounts that some of them could put away!) and even worse - no-one asked me to dance.

Tom Neal · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject:

I have enjoyed reading the messages regarding our last reunion and fully endorse them. I enjoyed your company on the Friday night John but for the future remember the name of my wife is Helen who is also ex I Corps or she may have words.
I too enjoyed previous reunions when we could march with the Schutzendguilds and would like to do it again.
Tom


Home - Links - Contact us - FAQ - Search - Memberlist - Usergroups - Join! (free) - Profile - Log in to check your private messages - Log in