Updated 28 September 2024

Vogelsang was the responsibility of the following higher formations:
Guards Division 18 Jun 45
1st Belgium Infantry Division 31 Mar 46

3 Company 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards arrived 25 Jun 45 – Wollseifen Stadium south-east of Aachen – moved to Euskirchen south-west of Bonn 8 Nov 45
4 Company 21st Belgium Fusilier Battalion arrived 17 Sep 45

2 Jan 46 – Training area first established as 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Divisional Battle Camp – Commandant: Lieutenant Colonel MR “Pat” Douglas MC Black Watch
1 Feb 47 – HQ 2nd Infantry Division for administration

Source: 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine to Mar 49

Part II

The NATO training area “Vogelsang” in the Effiel region of Germany was administered by the Belgium Army. Ex-National Socialist “Indoctrination School” used as an Armoured Vehicle training area until 1st Jan 2006…handed back to the German Government and now a National Park.

22 Signal Regiment, Royal Signals, on exercise at Vogelsang, 1988.

Courtesy of Maj Ian Dudding

Vogelsang training area in the Eifel – it has been empty and falling apart since the Belgium Army left in 2002. However I read yesterday in a German paper that 17million euros has been granted to do it up again. It will supposedly become some sort of learning centre for young Germans. However they will also make a visitor centre and restaurant there as it is very historical with ref to the Nazi era.

Richard L

Vogelsang in April 1985 was host to 6 Armd Wksp REME. It’s wet, keeping with the age old adage: if it ain’t raining, it ain’t training.

This wreck reminds me of a CRARRV we borrowed not so long ago. It took more effort to repair than the entire 14 tanks which we supported during the range period. It was given back in good order, as expected, and the ASM duly wrote a letter of thanks to the lending unit which resulted two heels being placed very firmly together.

All photos above courtesy of Andy Dace