Mobile Civilian Transport Group were the successors to the original formations that were born after 1945 out of the masses of civilians, and ex-German forces, who were used as a labour force in the immediate aftermath of hostilities. A lot of the units consisted of Eastern European nationals who were unable, or unwilling, to return to their homelands for one reason or another. Whilst many of those who were in Germany later emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain, and other countries, there were those who remained behind.

Recently received were a number of photographs of one such unit – 606 MCTG. The photographs and text are shown as received. Also mentioned are 432 MCLG. Any further information or corrections are very much welcome.

Hilden, St David’s Barracks, Summer 1958. Main building in the background.

Hilden, St David’s Barracks, Summer 1958. Swimming pool, situated beside the street.
Following this street (leaving the swimming pool on the right) you passed a great open coke depot. The coke was delivered to British families around Hilden up to Hubbelrath and Düsseldorf-Benrath by the the 432 MCLG. The street ended at a little sports field. Turning right there where some garages, turning left you came to a little pond where frogs organized open-air concerts on warm summer evenings.

Halt at Autobahn, 1958. 14th of July.
3 Leyland 10 ton on their way from St David’s Barracks Hilden to Brannenburg in order to empty the British part of Karfreit Kaserne and to undertake the moving for officers and their families around Brannenburg and Nussdorf am Inn.

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), last week August 1958
Handing over the British part of the Barracks to German Bundeswehr. Muster.

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), last week August 1958
Handing over the British part of the Barracks to the German Bundeswehr.
Muster with Major X (name could be Sugden CO but not quite sure of that)

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), last week August 1958
Handing over the British part of the Barracks to German Bundeswehr. Hauling down the British flag,

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), last week August 1958
Handing over the British part of the Barracks to German Bundeswehr. Hoisting the German flag.

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), last week August 1958
Handing over the British part of the Barracks to the German Bundeswehr. Hoisting the German flag.

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), last week August 1958
Handing over the British part of the Barracks to the German Bundeswehr.
Major X, last talks with German Officers.

Brannenburg (Karfreit Kaserne), 1958, August 27th or 28th
Last photo before departure. Major X (first on left) with Leyland crews and the boys of 432 MCLG.

Düsseldorf, Rhine Centre, Summer 1961
(Note: I cannot remember having heard the name “Rhine Centre” for the barracks, but it was situated very near the River Rhine at the end of Stockumer Kirchstrasse, so I think the barracks could really have had this name.)
Block 4d, troop rooms. Turning right after block 4d you see the way to the canteen as on picture 13, turning left the garages as on picture 14.

Düsseldorf, Rhine Centre, Summer 1961
Block 4d, troop rooms. Around the corner the way to the canteen.

Düsseldorf, Rhine Centre Summer 1961. Left canteen, right Block 4d.

Düsseldorf, Rhine Centre, Summer 1961. Garages and Bedford lorries.

Düsseldorf, Rhine Centre, Summer 1961.
Commer Tipper, preparation for monthly inspection.

Düsseldorf, Carnaervon Barracks, Summer 1961. Coke depot with Commer Tipper.
The coke was delivered to British families around Düsseldorf up to Kaiserswerth.
Düsseldorf Airport lay some 100 meters ahead behind the fence.

Krefeld, Bradbury Barracks, Autumn 1969. View out of our room on second floor.

Krefeld, Bradbury Barracks, Autumn 1969. Waiting for VIPs
View out of our room on second floor.

Krefeld, Bradbury Barracks, Autumn 1969. Departure of VIPs

Photographs and (slightly edited) text courtesy of Wolfgang Schipanski 606 MCTG RCT.