Guardroom. I summoned the Orderly Officer who, in turn, summoned the Duty Officer who, after signing a receipt, relieved me of my bag, and arranged for our weapons to be stored safely overnight. He then told me that all military movements had been banned for some hours because of the fog, and that there had been some concern as to our whereabouts and safety. The traffic Polizei had been alerted to look out for us, but in that pea-souper had little chance of finding us unless we had broken down. The fog didn't lift until very late the following morning. It was only then that we were permitted to depart. Our return journey took half the time.
In late summer of 1957 I heard that RAF Fassberg was due to close. I also was told that there was furniture available for collection. It wasn't on any inventory as it had been captured from the Luftwaffe. Not one to miss an official trip off camp, and in need of a break from watchkeeping, I sought permission to go and see what was available for the benefit of Borgentreich. So it was that I drove to Fassberg in a Magirus Deutz truck. Sure there was furniture, so I filled the truck with what I thought suitable. I stayed overnight. Again, as when I was at Jever, I occupied Hermann Göring's old room - and his ghost still didn't appear. During conversation that evening I met the Station Armaments Officer who had the task of disposing of all munitions. I happened to mention aviation pyrotechnics and his eyes lit up. "Have you got any?" I asked. "Do you want to take them off my hands?" he offered. I had November the 5th in mind and asked for all that would be suitable for such an occasion.5 Next, morning I drove round to the Armoury where I was met by a Sergeant who helped me find space for several boxes of pyros and Verey cartridges on my already laden truck. No signatures were needed. I set off back to Borgentreich rather pleased with my haul.
I shall finish this tale by saying that the furniture found good homes throughout the camp and, come November 5th, two volunteers and myself, all wearing tin hats, put on a firework display fit for sore eyes. We let off, to a sort of ad hoc programme, dozens of flares, Verey cartridges of all colours, parachute flares, thunderflashes, and rockets. All at no expense. Afterwards there was a huge bonfire and roast potatoes and other food laid on for everyone who cared to attend - all ranks and families.
Late in 1957 there was a tragic fire at a farmhouse in the village. On hearing of this our RAF Fire Section turned out to attend. They arrived before the local volunteer Feuerwehr could get itself organised. The RAF, as was usual practice, went to search the house for anyone who may be trapped but the Burgomeister forbade them from entering, possibly doubting their motives. Minutes passed before the majority of the Feuerwehr turned up with their equipment, by which time the RAF had its hoses deployed and in action, but only from the street. The German Fire Chief turned up and just watched. He did absolutely nothing until someone brought him his fireman's hat, at which point he started to use his authority and give orders. Only then did his firemen attempt to enter the building which, by this time, was engulfed in flames. Owing to this delay, and the prevention of the RAF from entering the building, the farmer's wife perished, trapped in an upstairs room.
At Borgentreich we were all very much aware of the German tradition of Christmas. Snow always came early, usually before Advent, and lay thick on the ground. All houses had Advent Wreaths (Adventskräntze) on their front doors, often with a single candle burning in the centre, in the cold, still, evening air. There were shrines on the approaches to the village, each with a candle or lamp burning within, and carefully decorated on the outside.
The festive season was marked with much religious (Roman Catholic) celebration. Regardless of how cruel the weather, the Priest, carrying a crucifix, and
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5 All firearms and ammunition had to be returned through Stores channels, but these pyros were close to the end of their storage life and, as such, were not returnable and would have had to be set off to dispose of them anyway.
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