Sirs, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the website dedicated to the British Army of the Rhine and its Locations.
As the Site nears its second birthday much has happened over the last 22 months. After what had been initially a one man attempt to discover more about the British Army of the Rhine, to which he had never served under, there is now a full team in place determined towards preventing this precious history drifting into obscurity. Although the Cold War did not evolve into a Hot War, many soldiers went on to dedicate the best part of their adult lives ensuring that the Russian hordes would not come tearing across the German Inner Border. Whilst doing so many of these soldiers made good friends, established relationships and had their offspring grow up in a foreign land. Some after many years decided that Germany had become their home and happily settled.
Because of this we have a team of people from as far as New Zealand to Northern Ireland and from Lieutenant Colonel to Trooper working behind the scenes to ensure nothing is lost. These people are searching libraries, contacting other organisations and associations, writing to friends and then compiling it together to form what is extremely concise and accurate documentation of our time in Germany. From what was a very broad, yet pictorial website we now even have contributions from German civilians who grew up in garrison towns, adding great depth in places. A good example of this would be Jürgen Balke's Rhine Army Summer Show. The site is being edited by numerous personalities with us even having a team member dedicated solely to Google Earth plots. Branches are being spread out to other sites. We are working together in our own specific fields to make a web of all this information without duplication, yet striving to ensure that all levels are satified from those persuing history, to those looking at reminiscing, whether Colonel or Corporal.
With all this going on, it does not mean that there is not room for improvement. We still ask for contributions no matter how small. Vast amounts of information and advice arrives by email on a daily basis of which we use to complete the jig-saw. As stated previously, the site is for the benefit of those who it serves and to those that follow its progress. We need to know where we are lacking and which direction we need to be heading in. You can determine this should you be willing to push the subject matter in this direction. We are also looking for further long term, substantial contributors and for those with the time to edit the site or moderate the forum.
So, may I have the great pleasure in thanking everyone involved for what has been a continuous and demanding labour of love. I also need to thank my wife for being so patient and understanding with me over the last few years. She has contributed by translating, to which she has a natural talent. All these efforts have been thanked by those viewing the site, which can be seen in its exponential growth. We march forward with our achievements becoming greater by the day.
The BAOR Locations team - 31 August 2008