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62nd MP (Highway Patrol) Company
USAREUR Provost Marshal's Division
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

History (1948 - 1958)
HP Stations

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Reunion Group
 
History

DoD Video: MP Highway Patrol in Germany, early 1950s (YouTube)
62nd Highway Patrol Company DI
EUCOM Highway Patrol
1948
(Source: OCCUPATION FORCES IN EUROPE, Third Year, Fourth Quarter, Vol III)
Post Highway Patrols

A significant change in highway traffic control was the establishment of a highway patrol at each of the military posts, except Berlin and Garmisch. The objective was to assure safety on highways and law enforcement in rural areas, as well as to provide assistance to motorists.

Units were provided with white motor vehicles prominently displaying the organization's insignia, and with radio equipment for intercommunication between stations and patrol cars.


(Source: OCCUPATION FORCES IN EUROPE, Fourth Year (1 July - 31 Dec 1948), Vol V )

Page 1
  Brief description of the formation of the EUCOM Highway Patrol at the military post level in late 1948..

Page 1
Page 2

Highway Patrol sedan at Gutleut Kaserne, Frankfurt Military Post, August 1951

Munich Military Post
508th MP Bn, Stetten Ksn
   

1. HP sedan at McGraw Kaserne (KB)		  

2. Members of the HP detachment(KB)
3. 508th MP Bn CO inspects HP det (KB) 		 
1951
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, March 4, 1951)

508th MP Bn Patrol car, early 1950s
  The EUCOM Highway Patrol, with headquarters in Heidelberg, consists of 270 troopers and 11 officers. The unit operates a fleet of 131 vehicles -- 69 white patrol cars, 24 jeeps and 38 motorcycles. Personnel of the Highway Patrol are stationed at 25 patrol stations within the US Zone of Occupation.

Each HP patrol car carries extra gasoline, chains, extra shovels, tow chains, a jack capable of lifting ten tons, and wire cutters. The car also carries such equipment as flares, red warning flags, fire extinguishers and special repair and first-aid kits.

Each car is manned by an experienced, trained driver and a car commander. Frequently, a German state policeman (wachtmeister) accompanies the pair. They are there to aid in the enforcement of the law on Germans.
The first patrol was conducted in November 1948. Founder of the Highway Patrol was Brig Gen H. Norman Schwarzkopf (who designed the unit based on his experience with the New Jersey State Highway Police).

The Highway Patrol is one of several law enforcement agencies that fall under the EUCOM Provost Marshal. Chief of the Highway Patrol Section, Provost Marshal Division, Lt Col Andrew Eaken is also know as the chief of highway patrols.

Between October and April, the Highway Patrol maintains a road and weather condition service. These 24-hour reports are issued to the STARS & STRIPES and AFN or can be obtained by individuals by calling their local patrol station.
62nd MP Highway Patrol Company
1954 
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Dec 4, 1954)

1954 Ford Mainline Patrol car at the Seckenheim HP station
 

Early December 1954, STARS & STRIPES ran an article on the new white patrol cars that were being issued to the 62nd MP Highway Patrol.

The cars were 1954 Ford Mainline sedan models that had been specially equipped for highway patrol duties.

Special equipment included:
-- blue emergency lights mounted on the front of the sedans;
-- beacon ray warning light mounted on top;
-- siren under the hood;
-- heavy duty generator and electrical system;
-- oversized tires for better traction;
-- heavy duty springs and shock absorbers;
-- trunk modifications for radio equipment; and
-- racks for emergency equipment (including fire extinguishers; pioneer tools; first-aid equipment; blankets; portable lights; fuses; and extra gasoline).


1954 Ford Mainline Patrol car
   Both pictures are courtesy of the 62nd Highway Patrol (MP) - Germany website.
 

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