52°07′34″N8°40′59″E/ 52.12611°N 8.68306°E
| British Forces Germany | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1945–2020 |
| Country | Germany |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy British Army Royal Air Force |
| Type | Military headquarters |
| Part of | UK Ministry of Defence |
| Garrison/HQ | Bielefeld,Germany |
| Nickname(s) | BFG |
British Forces Germany(BFG) was the generic name for the three services of theBritish Armed Forces,made up of service personnel, UK Civil Servants, and dependents (family members), based inGermany.[1]It was established following theSecond World War,the largest parts of it becoming known as theBritish Army of the Rhine(BAOR) andRAF Germany(RAFG). Both components had the mission of defendingWest Germanyand remained there for the rest of theCold War.
It was the largest concentration of British armed forces permanently stationed outside the United Kingdom.[2]With the end of the Cold War, and theOptions for Changedefence review in the early 1990s, BFG as a whole was considerably reduced, with the British presence centred on the1st Armoured Division,and supporting elements.
Following the2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review,the permanent deployment in Germany ended in 2020. This was after British forces personnel were scaled down over several years, with 19,100 in April 2010, and 2,850 in April 2019.[3]However, around 185 British Army personnel and 60 Ministry of Defence civilians will stay in Germany beyond 2020.[4]
The remaining presence in Germany is known asBritish Army Germany.[5]
History
edit
First established following the Second World War, the forces grew during the Cold War, and consisted, by the early 1980s, ofI (BR) Corpsmade up of four divisions;1st Armoured Division,2nd Armoured Division,3rd Armoured Divisionand the4th Armoured Division.[6]
Disbandment of theBritish Army of the Rhine(BAOR) andRoyal Air Force Germany(RAFG) in 1994, following the end of theCold Warand theOptions for Changedefence review in the early 1990s, reduced the strength of the British Armed Forces in Germany by almost 30,000 with just one division (1st Armoured) remaining by the late 1990s,[7]concentrated inNorth Rhine-Westphalia.The British presence was estimated to have been contributing 1.5 billioneurosannually to the German economy in 2004.[7]Following a further spending review, one brigade was withdrawn andOsnabrück Garrisonclosed in 2009.[8]
Administrative support for British service personnel in Germany and across continental Europe was delegated to United Kingdom Support Command (Germany), (UKSC(G)). The four Army garrisons in Germany were under the direct administrative control of UKSC(G).[1]The General Officer Commanding UKSC(G) also functioned as head of the British Forces Liaison Organisation (Germany), which was responsible for liaising and maintaining relations with German civil authorities.[9]
Under the2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review,it was decided that British military units would cease to be permanently deployed in Germany by the end of 2019. This led to a scaling down of the British military presence, and a restructuring of command and support structures.[10]
HQ British Forces Germany was formed in January 2012, replacing the UKSC(G) and the Germany Support Group (GSG).[11]Rhine Garrison, which principally comprised HQ British Forces Germany in theRheindahlen Military Complexand Elmpt Station (formerlyRAF Bruggen), also reduced in size; the HQ moved toBielefeldin July 2013 and other units returned to the UK.[12]The two central garrisons - Gütersloh and Paderborn - combined to form a single 'super garrison' calledWestfalen Garrisonin April 2014.[13]
With the departure of Major General John Henderson in March 2015, the Commanding Officer of British Forces Germany became abrigadier'spost, with Brigadier Ian Bell assuming command.[14]
In autumn 2019, British Forces Germany effectively closed,[15]with the last military base handed back to the GermanBundeswehrin February 2020.[16]However, some training will still be undertaken in Germany with regard to NATO capability.[17]
Off-duty life
editTheBritish Forces Broadcasting Service(BFBS) services were widely available onFMacross north-western Germany.[18]
TheBritish Army Germany rugby union teamregularly played games against emerging rugby nations likeBelgium,Denmark,Netherlands,GermanyandLuxembourg.[19]
During the height of "the Troubles"inNorthern Ireland,theIRAtargeted personnel in Germany between 1988 and 1990. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nine people, including three civilians, and many wounded. As a result, vehicles owned by personnel ceased to have distinctregistration plates,which had made them easily identifiable.[20]
Commanders
editCommanders have included:[21]
General Officer Commanding United Kingdom Support Command (Germany)
- 1994–1995 Major-GeneralScott Grant
- 1995–1997 Major-GeneralChristopher Drewry
- 1997–2001 Major-GeneralChristopher Elliott
- 2001–2003 Major-GeneralJohn Moore-Bick
- 2003–2006 Major-GeneralDavid Bill
- 2006–2009 Major-GeneralMungo Melvin
- 2009–2012 Major-GeneralNicholas Caplin
General Officer Commanding British Forces Germany
- 2012–2015 Major-GeneralJohn Henderson
Commander British Forces Germany
- 2015–2018 Brigadier Ian Bell
- 2018–2019 Brigadier Richard Clements
Commander British Army Germany
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ab"British Forces Germany"(PDF).www.BFGnet.de.Ministry of Defence.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 14 October 2011.Retrieved2 March2012.
- ^Chandler (2003),The Oxford History of the British Army,p. 360
- ^Annual Location Statistics,1 April 2019
- ^"UK to maintain military presence in Germany".GOV.UK.Government of the United Kingdom.30 September 2018.
- ^abBFG, Commander (23 September 2019)."So, it is time to say Aufwiedersehen. It has been an honour to command this fantastic organisation doing its very best to support our people here in Germany. Thank you. This account will transfer to the new Comd British Army Germany, Col Tim Hill. Please continue & follow him.pic.twitter.com/TU3GKnZFPU".
- ^"British Orders of Battle & TO&Es 1980-1989"(PDF).Battlefront: Modern.Retrieved29 September2015.
- ^ab"From occupiers and protectors to guests".News.BBC.co.uk.BBC News.20 July 2004.Retrieved11 February2006.
- ^"Osnabrück picks up the pieces after British withdrawal".www.DW.com.3 September 2009.Retrieved26 October2015.
- ^United Kingdom Support Command[permanent dead link]
- ^"All British army bases in Germany to close by 2019 with 20,000 troops returning to UK".Metro.co.uk.Metro. 5 March 2013.Retrieved24 October2015.
- ^"HQ British Forces Germany".www.Army.MoD.uk.British Army.Archived fromthe originalon 1 August 2016.Retrieved20 July2016.
- ^"Long goodbye almost over".www.BFBS.com.British Forces Broadcasting Service.Archived fromthe originalon 18 July 2013.Retrieved16 July2013.
- ^"Farewell to the 1st Westfalen Garrison Commander".BFGnet.de.16 June 2015.Retrieved24 October2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^"A Queen's birthday reception was held in Germany".11 June 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved4 October2015.
- ^"The British Army in Germany".www.Army.MoD.uk.Ministry of Defence.Retrieved15 August2015.
- ^"British army hands back last headquarters in Germany".The Guardian.22 February 2020.Retrieved23 February2020.
- ^"Defence review ends Iraq-sized ventures".Financial Times.Ft.com. 19 October 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 10 December 2022.Retrieved22 October2010.
- ^In West Germany: Military Networks Spreading Pop,Billboard,Billboard - 27 Mar 1982
- ^British Army (Germany) RugbyArchived2010-04-02 at theWayback MachineARU website, accessed: 29 March 2010
- ^Secret squad sent in to track down IRA killers,Glasgow Herald,3 May 1988
- ^"Army commands"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 July 2015.
- ^"Anglo-German Club Paderborn with new British Patron and Secretary".Retrieved4 December2023.
Further reading
edit- Durie, William (2012).The British Garrison Berlin 1945 - 1994: nowhere to go... a pictorial historiography of the British Military occupation / presence in Berlin.Berlin: Vergangenheitsverlag (de).ISBN978-3-86408-068-5.OCLC978161722.
External links
edit
- British Forces Germany
- BBC News: Army to scale down Germany troops,2006-07-24
- BBC News: From occupiers and protectors to guests,2004-07-20
- British Forces Germany(BFGNET website)