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| 1945 Map of the Army Transportation System in Frankfurt & Vicinity. This map and the others marked 2 through 8 were included in the "Handbook - USFET Headquarters Command", published by the Information and Education Section, Headquarters Command, USFET, 1945. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. |
 1. Army Transportation System in Frankfurt & Vicinity (283 KB) |
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 2. Map "A" - Heddernheim (KB) |
 3. Map "B" - 97th Gen Hosp area (KB) |
 4. Map "C" - I.G. Farben Hochhaus area (KB) |
 5. Map "D" - WAC Circle area (KB) |
 6. Map "E" - Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof area (KB) |
 7. Map "F" - Hauptwache/Zeil area (KB) |
 8. Map - Höchst area (KB) |
| 1946 Map of the Frankfurt am Main. This map was prepared by the 655th Engr TOPO Bn under the direction of the Chief of Engineers, HQ USFET. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. Click here for a facilities list. |
Frankfurt am Main (KB) Map has been divided into four separate sections for faster download. Click on the area of interest for a larger view |
| 1947 Map of the Frankfurt Military Post area. The map was included in Volume V of the "Third Year of the Occupation", OCCUPATION FORCES IN EUROPE SERIES, 1947-1948, published by the Historical Division, European Command, in 1948. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. |
 Frankfurt Military Post and Facilities (440 KB) |
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| 1949 Map of facilities in the Hq Frankfurt Military Post area. The map was included in the "Guide to Frankfurt Military Post" published by the Command Section, Hqs FMP in 1949. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. |
 Frankfurt Military Post and Facilities (440 KB) |
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| 1951 Map of facilities in the Hq Frankfurt Military Post area. The map was included in the "Guide to Frankfurt Military Post" published by the Command Section, Hqs FMP in 1951. (Shows some additional detail compared to the 1949 map.) Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. Click here to see the List of facilities. |
 Frankfurt Military Post and Facilities (168 KB) |
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| 1952 Map of facilities in the Hq Frankfurt Military Post area. The map was included in the "Frankfurt In Your Pocket" guide edited by Ruth Rutledge, Druck- und Verlagshaus Frankfurt a.M., 1952. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. |
 Frankfurt Military Post and Facilities (323 KB) |
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 1. Creighton W. Abrams Complex, 1970s (KB) |
 2. Drake and Edwards Kasernes, 1970s (KB) |
 3. Gibbs Barracks, 1970s (KB) |
 4. Gutleut Kaserne, 1970s (KB) |
 5. McNair and Michael Barracks, 1970s (KB) |
 6. Frankfurt Shopping Center, 1970s (KB) |
 7. Frankfurt MILCOM Headquarters, 1980s (KB) |
| 1980 Topographical maps of Frankfurt am Main and surrounding area. These maps are reproduced from the "U.S. Military Installation Atlas" published by the 37th Transportation Group in 1980. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger format of the same map. Click here for a list of the installations. |
 Frankfurt West (440 KB) |
 Frankfurt East (411 KB) |
 1. ROUNDUP Telephone Directory, 15 July 1945 |
 2. Continental Telephone Directory, 1 October 1945 |
 3. Frankfurt Telephone Directory, 1 April 1946 |
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 4. Frankfurt, 15 September 1949 |
 5. Frankfurt, 1 March 1952 |
 6. NACOM Telephone Directory, 15 February 1956 |
 1. Occupation Chronicle - page 1, Oct 9 1946 (2 MB - PDF!) |
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 2. Occupation Chronicle - page 1, Jan 23 1948 (296 KB) |
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 4. Occupation Chronicle - page 3, Jan 23 1948 (KB) |
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 5. Occupation Chronicle - page 4, Jan 23 1948 (KB) |
 6. Occupation Chronicle - page 5, Jan 23 1948 (KB) |
 7. Occupation Chronicle - page 6, Jan 23 1948 (KB) |
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 8. Occupation Chronicle - page 7, Jan 23 1948 (KB) |
 9. Occupation Chronicle - page 8, Jan 23 1948 (337 KB) |
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 A. Kurhessen Kaserne |
 B. Kaserne des I.R. 81 an der Friedbergerwarte |
 C. Kurhessen Kaserne |
 D. Kaserne des I.R. 81 |
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 E. Kaserne des I.R. 81 |
 F. Kurhessen Kaserne |
 G. Artillerie Kaserne, F.-Bonames |
 H. I.G. Farben administration bldg |
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| I.G. Farben Hochhaus 1945-1989 |
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 1. SHAEF Hqs, mid-1945 (KB) |
 2. SHAEF Hqs from the rear (KB) Click here to supersize (338 KB) |
 3. USFET HQ, Frankfurt, prob 1946 (KB) Click here to supersize (349 KB) |
 4. IG Farben Bldg, prob 1950 Click here to supersize (485 KB) |
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 5. IG Farben, around 1950 (303 KB) |
 6. CPS-5 area control radar, around 1950 (KB) |
 7. Aerial view of Headquarters Building, V Corps, prob. 1954 (363 KB) |
 8. IG Farben Hochaus, 1959 Click hier to supersize (410 KB) |
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 9. IG Farben Hochaus, towards the east (KB) Click hier to supersize (370 KB) |
 10. Aerial view of the Abrams Complex (112 KB) |
 11. IG Farben Building, around 1950 (270 KB) |
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 12. IG Farben, mid 1951 (217 KB) |
 13. IG Farben, mid 1951 (176 KB) |
 14. HQ US Forces, European Theater sign, prob late 1945 (KB) |
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 15. Rotunda Snack Bar, 1948 (227 KB) |
 16. Back of IG Farben Bldg, 1948 (263 KB) |
 17. Frankfurt HS, 1959/60 |
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| Hauptbahnhof In and Around the Train Station |
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 1. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, 1946 |
 2. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, 1946  (186 KB) |
 3. RTO, Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, around 1947 (130 KB) |
 4. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, late 1940s (201 KB) |
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 5. Inside the busy Hauptbahnhof, 1950 (124 KB) |
 6. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, 1954 (143 KB) |
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 7. Frankfurt devasted, 1945 |
 8. Frankfurt a.M., 1958 |
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 9. American Red Cross Club in the Schumann Theater building, 1945 (109 KB) |
 10. Schumann ARC, 1946 (157 KB) |
 11. Schumann Theater, 1946 (232 KB) |
 12. Schumann Theater, 1946 (231 KB) |
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 13. View of Bahnhofsplatz, 1946 (191 KB) |
 14. Schumann ARC, 1947 (206 KB) |
 15. Schumann Snack Bar, 1949 (391 KB) |
 16. Schumann Club and Crossroads PX, 1950 (185 KB) |
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 17. Rendezvous Club, 1947 |
 18. Carlton Hotel, 1947 |
 19. Carlton and Excelsior Hotels, late 1940s |
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| WAC Circle Main PX |
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 1. Frankfurt PX (68 KB) |
 2. Frankfurt PX, prob late 1940s (133 KB) |
 3. Frankfurt PX, 1949 (127 KB) |
 4. Aerial view of WAC Circle with Shopping Center, probably early 1950s (104 KB) |
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 5. Frankfurt PX, 1951 (290 KB) |
 6. WAC Circle, 1951 (230 KB) |
 7. Frankfurt PX, 1953 (169 KB) |
 8 . WAC Circle PX, 1956 (152 KB) |
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 9. Strassenbahn passes WAC Circle, 1955 (191 KB) |
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| Zephyr Diner Autobahn Snack Bar |
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 1. Zephyr Diner, 1950 (250 KB) |
 2. Entrance, 1950 (227 KB) |
 3. Sitting outside, 1950 (227 KB) |
 4. 3rd Food Training Course participants, 1950 (227 KB) |
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 5. Inside the diner, 1950 (227 KB) |
 6. Mr. Heinrich Fischer receives an award (227 KB) |
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| Frankfurt Kasernes 1945-1989 |
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 1. Aerial view of Drake Kaserne (center) and Edwards Kaserne (right), May 1950 (147 KB) |
 2. Aerial view of Drake Kaserne (center) with Edwards in the background, May 1950 (159 KB) |
 3. Aerial view of Gibbs Barracks, May 1950 (173 KB) |
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 4. View towards Main Gate, Gibbs Barracks, 1952 (96 KB) |
 5. View of parade ground on Gibbs Barracks, 1952 (111 KB) |
 6. Aerial view of Gutleut Kaserne, May 1950 (143 KB) |
 7. Gutleut Ksn, 1976 (KB) |
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 8. Main Gate, Gutleut Ksn, 1976 (KB) |
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 9. Drake Kaserne, Main Gate 1958 (77 KB) |
 10. Edwards Ksn, Main Gate 1963 (93 KB) |
 11. Gibbs Bks, Main Gate 1954 (58 KB) |
 12. 19th Armor Gp Headquarters Building, Gibbs, 1954 (84 KB) |
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 13. EES Snack Bar, Gibbs Bks 1954 (65 KB) -- see recent pic |
 14. Main Gate, Gibbs Kaserne, 1958 (113 KB) |
 15. NCO & EM Club, Gibbs Kaserne, 1958 (107 KB) |
 16. Clubs, Gibbs Kaserne, 1958 (56 KB) -- see recent pic |
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 17. Main street, Gibbs Kaserne, 1958 (52 KB) -- see recent pic |
 18. HQ 4th Armor Gp, Gibbs Kaserne, 1958 (41 KB) |
 19. Gibbs EM Open Mess membership card (48 KB) |
 20. Gibbs EM Club schedule (44 KB) |
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 21. Gibbs EM Open Mess Christmas Menu (70 KB) |
 22. Main Gate, Gibbs Bks, 1945 or 1946 -- see recent pic |
 23. Main Gate, Gibbs Bks, 1947 (190 KB) |
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 24. Airfield Tower, Bonames, Feb 2003 (KB) |
 25. Hangars, Bonames, Feb 2003 (KB) |
 26. Runway, looking east to west, Bonames (KB) |
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 27. 66th Avn Co Barracks, Gibbs (73 KB) |
 28. Rose AAF, Bonames, June 1967 (62 KB) |
 29. Aerial view of Rose AAF, Bonames, 1986 (178 KB) |
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 30. Saturday Review at Drake Ksn, April 1956 |
 31. Drake Ksn, April 1956 |
 32. Drake Ksn, April 1956 |
 33. Drake Ksn, April 1956 |
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 34. Drake Ksn, April 1956 |
 35. Drake Ksn, April 1956 |
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 36. USAH Frankfurt, around 1956 (KB) |
 37. USAH Frankfurt, around 1956 (KB) |
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 38. Atterberry Ksn, 2004 (KB) |
 39. Atterberry Ksn, 2004 (KB) |
 40. Atterberry Ksn, 2004 (KB) |
 41. TMP #2, 2004 (KB) |
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 42. TMP #2, 2004 (KB) |
 43. TMP #2, 2004 (KB) |
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| In
and Around Frankfurt 2002-2003 Helmut Knauthe |
For
additional photos of Frankfurt City and former US facilities - check
out the Frankfurt
Bilder website! (see
comments below in the Related Links section) |
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 1. 97th General Hospital, 2002 |
 2. 97th General Hospital, 2002 |
 3. 97th GH guard house, 2002 |
 4. 97th GH chapel, 2002 |
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 5. TMP No. 2, 2002 |
 6. Goethe University, former IG Farben Hochhaus |
 7. Back of IG Farben Hochhaus with Rotunda, 2003 |
 8. Former Officers Club, 2003 |
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 9. Bldg on former Gibbs Barracks, 2003 |
 10. Former Abrams Bldg, 2004 |
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 11. Hqs Bldg, Drake (KB) |
 12. Hqs Bldg (KB) |
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 14. Bldg 513 (KB) |
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 15. Former 3rd AD Museum (KB) |
 16. Wehrmacht relic (KB) |
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| Höchst | ||||
 1. McNair Bks, prob 1950s (138 KB) |
 2. North entrance, McNair Bks, 2003 (KB) |
 3. Höchst, mid 1960s (158 KB) |
 4. McNair Bks, 1974 (KB) |
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 5. Main gate, McNair Bks, 2002 (KB) |
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| Bad Nauheim | General Board, APO 807 | |||
 Fifteenth US Army patch |
 1. Sign in town pointing out direction to Hqs 15th Army offices |
 2. Grand Hotel, Bad Nauheim, 1945 |
 3. 15th Army motor pool, Friedberg, 1945 |
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 4. Inside motor pool shop, Friedberg, 1945 |
 5. Service station, Bad Nauheim, 1945 |
 5. APO and message center, Bad Nauheim, 1945 |
 6. 15th Army riding stables, Bad Nauheim, 1945 |
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| Oberursel | |
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 1. Aerial view of Camp King, late 1950s (156 KB) |
 2. Former Officers Club, Bldg 1027, 2003 (76 KB) |
 3. Rear view of O'Club, 2003 (81 KB) |
 4. Camp King in 1953, as seen from the Hohemarkstrasse |
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 5. Camp King as seen from the Maschinenfabrik, 1953 |
| Feldberg | |
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 1. Feldberg Radio Relay site, 2004 (KB) |
 2. Communications complex on top of Grosser Feldberg, prob 1950s (254 KB) |
 3. Grosser Feldberg Tower 2003 (82 KB) |
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 4 Feldberg Radio Relay site, 2004 (KB) |
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| Rhein-Main AB |
 Northern portion of Rhein-Main AB used by USAFE and civilian airlines, prob 1950 (254 KB) |
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 Approximate location of next seven photos |
 1. Rhein-Main AB tower |
 2. Passenger terminal |
 3. Passenger terminal |
 4. Rhein-Main AB |
 5. Rhein-Main AB |
 6. Boeing 377 Stratocruiser |
 7. Base ops |
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 8. Rhein-Main AB, prob 1950 Click here to supersize (393 KB) |
 9. Rhein-Main BX, 1990 |
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 Air-To-Air Intercept |
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MILCOM HQ, 1980s |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Thanks for your response. I do recall the engineering unit (Webmaster: Engineer Compound in the 1980s) as well as the dental area (Webmaster: Dental Compound). Last week I met with three others who were stationed there. One actually worked in the engineering unit and lives in Lansing, Il. The other two live in East Moline and Effingham, Ill. Know of two others (one living in St. Louis area and one in West Palm Beach) also in my unit. They couldn't make it. This was sort of a 50th reunion as we all were sent stateside in 1956. Actually, that was my job. Cutting orders and sending people home. We came up with about 20-25 more names.
Where you show the gym on the map there also was another long building to the East on the street. This is where the engineers had their billets. Also the guard was posted from a lower room of this building. I worked for Capt. Yakerson in the redeployment section of NACOM. Our CO was Capt. Wiggins. During my first night in the compound, probably in March of 1955, (and for several days later) two of us had to escort a Pvt. Verdeen everywhere he went. He had defected to the East/Russians and was part of an exchange. Except for daily work routine, the only other event was two planes carrying paratroopers crashing together in the Black Forest and they moved the remains to QM refrigeration warehouses outside of Frankfurt and I had guard duty at night for a week or more. Sort of a lasting impression for a 19/20 year old. |
| HISTORY OF
McNAIR BARRACKS Source: Welcome Issue, 22nd Sig Bde Voice of the Corps, 31 Oct 1989. McNair Kaserne, home of the 22d Signal Brigade, was named after General Leslie McNair, an American commander killed in the closing days of World War II after the arrival of the occupational Army. Originally built between 1919 and 1920, the buildings were designed for use by French occupational forces at the conclusion of the First World War. The French Army lived in the kaserne for 12 years when, with the resurgence of German military might and world prominence, it withdrew to French territory. The kaserne remained vacant for only one short year. Hitler's rise to power was reflected throughout Germany with increased military preparedness and the formation of special guard units. One such unit reoccupied the empty buildings of the kaserne and remained until 1937. With the possiblity of war increasing, the Special Guards were relocated and the kaserne again changed hands. That year, an anti-aircraft unit, whose purpose was defending Frankfurt from enemy bombs, took up residence in the kaserne. When open hostilities broke out in Europe in 1939, the anti-aircraft unit was removed and a unit of the German Highway Patrol Police moved into McNair. The Police force remained quartered at the kaserne until the end of the war, with the mission of controlling and supervising movement of military and civilian vehicles in the Frankfurt-Hoechst areas. The war ended and the occupational Army of the United States moved into Germany to deter further aggression and rebuild a shattered Germany. A unit of the Army of Occupation was moved into the kaserne which was then renamed after Gen. McNair. One year after wars' end, the 9th Artillery and 317th Engineer Battalion were assigned to McNair. Gradually, the emphasis in defense and rebuilding changed to defense of a revitalized Western Europe against the aggressive nature of the Communist governments of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in 1949 and Germany was welcomed back into the world community and rebuilt its defense forces. The mission of the units stationed at McNair Kaserne reflected these changing attitudes. Finally in 1964, the 317th moved to Camp Eschborn and the 9th Artillery relocated at Giessen and V Corps ordered the 32d Sig. Bn. (Corps) to take up residence at McNair. Company B of the 18th Service and Support Battalion was assigned to the kaserne also but was moved in late 1972. On March 16, 1981, the 22d Sig. Bde. (Corps) was activated and the 17th and 32d Sig. Bns. and Headquarters and Headquarters Company were located in Hoechst, while the 440th remained in Darmstadt. The rest is history. |
HISTORY OF GUTLEUT KASERNE
Gutleut Kaserne has been part of the city of Frankfurt's history since the early middle ages. It is depicted as a site for billeting military troops with knights in armor galloping to and from the Gutleut Complex. Gutleut's name dates back to these very early days; to the street that passes in front of it. At the time, it was named "tauten Leute" for it was a path to a religious monastery. A translation of "tauten Leute" represents good people. At this point in time, the "tauten Leute Haus," run by monks was a sanitorium for the ill I and aged. In 1776, Germany's 81st Infantry Regiment was billeted on what is now referred to as Gutleut Kaserne. These Germans, known also as Hessens, were the allies of the British during the United States Revolution of 1776. These hired soldiers were led from Gutleut to the United States by Count Frederick I I of Hessen, and fought until 1784. Almost one hundred years after the American Revolutionary War, the original Gutleut Kaserne was torn down, in 1870. New plans were drawn between 1877 and 1879 by the Royal War Minister of Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm I. The Kaserne was constructed by the Architectural Engineer Association of Frankfurt. Upon completion, the Kaserne was divided into three individual kasernes, each occupied by German Army Battalions. The present transient detachment, building #1164 and #1162, housed the 31st Infantry Battalion and the 21st Replacement Battalion Headquarters, now located in Building #1163, housed the German 2nd Artillery Battalion. As of 1910 all three individual kasernes became one complex known as Gutleut Kaserne. During World War I, the Kaserne housed the District Commander of Frankfurt. Buildings not used by the Commander, were used as a stockade, Military Police Station, and Dining Hall. Military Police Detachment personnel were responsible for keeping the law and order within the Frankfurt Guard. After World War I, the German Army had no further use for the kaserne. It became a private family housing area for the handicapped people with a small income. In 1930 the German Police took over the ownership of the kaserne. Gutleut Kaserne was not used to any great extent during World War II by Hitler. He wanted his troops to have all new facilities so he ordered Gibbs, Betts and Atterbery Kasernes to be built. One of Hitler's requests was that no church or chapel be built on these kasernes. Above the archway to the entrance of Gutleut Kaserne is the original chapel. Today, this large room stands empty, but the vaulted ceiling, and cathedral windows hint of its former function. The present Stateside NCO/EM Club, at one time was nothing more than a supply room. Upon the close of World War II, in 1945, the United States Army confiscated Gutleut Kaserne and the Army Security Agency, Europe, occupied it. After the ASA moved from Gutleut US Army units moved in and out of the Kaserne. The stockade in the rear of the kaserne was used until 1972. In that year all confinement duties in USAREUR were taken over by Mannheim and Fuerth, Germany. Today, Gutleut Kaserne is occupied by Headquarters, 709th Military Police Battalion; Alpha Company, 709th Military Police Battalion; 570th Military Police Platoon (Railway Police); 21st Replacement Battalion Transient Detachment, and Headquarters, 21st Replacement Battalion. |
A brief history (in German) of the Kaserne on Bieberer Strasse in Offenbach -- Landser, Schupos und Agenten.
Includes a photo of the area today. The kaserne was torn down and a large retail store built in its place.
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| The General
Board was established on 17 June 1945 (Note)
to prepare a factual analysis intended to present the strategy of
the campaign as it had been planned and as it actually had been carried
out and to formulate recommendations pertaining to such changes in
tactical and administrative doctrines, techniques, organization, and
equipment of the U.S. Army ground and air forces as were indicated
by the analysis to be desirable. The Board was also to make studies
and recommendations on special problems referred to it by Theater
Headquarters. The Board was assigned as a special unit within the
headquarters of the Fifteenth U.S. Army and shared its commanding
officer. Gen Jacob L. Devers was president of the General Board, in addition to his his other duties, and Lt Gen Leonard T. Gerow, deputy president. On 4 July 1945, General Gerow succeeded General Devers as president. Gen George S. Patton was appointed Commander, Fifteenth Army, and President of the European Theater General Board on 14 October 1945. (See article: Patton's Secret: "I Am Going to Resign From the Army." by Robert S. Allen, The Patton Society website. In November, Patton replaced Gen. Eisenhower as commander of US Forces in Europe. However, as a result of a car accident, Gen Patton passed away on 21 Dec. 1945 in Heidelberg, Germany.) The Fifteenth Army consisted solely of a small staff quartered at Bad Nauheim, in the interior of Germany. At that time the photos above were taken, the staff of the General Board was keeping itself busy collecting and sorting documents and material for the compiling of histories of the war in the European Theater. The Fifteenth US Army consisted solely of a small staff quartered at Bad Nauheim, in the interior of Germany. At that time it was keeping itself busy collecting and sorting documents and material for the compiling of histories of the war in the European Theater. The General Board was established by General Orders 128, Hqs European Theater of Operations, US Army, dated 17 June 1945, as amended by General Orders 182, dated 7 August 1945 and General Orders 312, dated 20 November 1945, Hqs US Forces European Theater, to prepare a factual analysis of the strategy, tactics, and administration employed by the United States Forces in the European Theater during World War II. |
(Source: Army Navy Journal, Oct 6, 1945) The Fifteenth Army at present consists only of headquarters and special troops assigned to gather historical data on Allied operations during the war. |
| Related Links: I.G. Farben Building V Corps History - to view the excellent History document, select Library, then History, and finally, V Corps History Revised November 2001. The file (over 3 MB; but worth it) is in PDF format and will require the Adobe Reader. Camp King, Oberursel - great site hosted by Sam Flynn; my home from 1957-1960 3rd Armored Division Association - in Frankfurt from 1956 to 1992 4th Infantry (IVY) Division Association - in Frankfurt from 1951 to 1956 Palmgarten Club - American Red Cross club (german-language) 12th Troop Carrier Squadron - Rhein Main Air Base, 1951-1954 McNair Kaserne - Late 1970s - Doug Otoupal's website dedicated to his tour with the 32nd Sig bn at McNair Kaserne Feldberg RRL Site - Veterans of the USAF communications site in the Taunus Mountains Frankfurt - Dokumentation zur Nachkriegszeit - a German web site (sorry, only auf Deutsch!) that focuses on the rebuilding of the beautiful city of Frankfurt am Main that had been significantly damaged during World War II. This is a "must see" for anyone stationed in or near Frankfurt between VE-Day and the 1970s. Lots of great photos! Frankfurter Bilder (photos) Website - the team of photographers working on this website has collected over 4000 great photos of the city since they started taking pictures in 1996. Currently they are working on documenting the former US military facilities and dependent housing areas. To find the US Army related pics, type the keyword "USARMY" into the textbox next to the SUCHEN button (top right hand corner). Another "must see" for anyone stationed in or near Frankfurt who wants to "walk down memory lane ..." Forgotten Memories - Dan Nisto has created a
wonderful Photo Page that he keeps updating as he visits abandoned, and now almost forgotten US military installations in Germany. |