#baor

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). Family Icteridae, order Passeriformes.

Chieftain Mk.10s of C Squadron, 14th/20th King's Hussars, West Berlin, 1989.

Baltimore Oriole

Cold War Weapons: The Off-Route Mine

During the Cold War NATO was understandably interested in capable anti-armour weapons. One interesting weapon which entered service was the Off-Route Mine, sort of like a Claymore for armoured vehicles. In this video we'll examine how they worked, how they would be used and why they were removed from service!

Check out the video below:

Inside the Hofbrauhaus, Munich, West Germany in 1973 (1/3) All the men at the table were on summer camp in Bavaria from the 22 Signal Regiment, Lippstadt, West Germany (BAOR 109). I'm facing the camera right of center, just above the froth on the over-sized mock beer mug (or stein), and wearing a barely visible bobble, or pom pom hat. My beloved USAAF-issue parka with fur-trimmed hood is at top right. To my left is the up-turned face of Colleen Stewart (1952 - 2017) who came from Hooksett, New Hampshire, USA. A very pleasant and pretty girl with whom I began a correspondence that lasted for several years.

(UPDATE: I am in contact with one of Colleen's daughters who would like to hear from anyone who knew Colleen before she became a mother. Please contact me at jorolat AT gmail.com.)

On the far side of the table, slightly left of center is Pete Kirrage wearing a check shirt. The chap with glasses and a moustache on the left-hand edge of the photo is Fred Bennett. The girl to Fred's right is Colleen's traveling companion whose name I can't remember (I was captivated by Colleen, to be honest, and had only briefly turned from her on hearing a photo was about to be taken). In the left-hand corner foreground wearing a polo neck jumper is Mick Green. On another occasion during the camp, Mick Green and I pleaded for a day off so that we could climb and explore a nearby mountain range. The Army likes such displays of derring-do and initiative and permission was duly given. We caught a bus to a village in the foothills and spent the entire time in a pub. The military mind can be unforgiving: during my time at Lippstadt there were a number of other occasions in which I showed similar "initiatives" but I'm not  sure the people I served with are ready for their disclosure yet (🙂) Original photo was probably taken before the Munich Beer Festival itself (Oktoberfest, begins early September) by Sergeant Gerry Garland, F Troop, 2 Squadron, 22nd Signal Regiment, BAOR 109.