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1st
Signal Battalion |
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| Battalion History | |||||||||
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1st Signal
Battalion DUI |
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1st Signal Bn (Combat Area) (HHC, A, B, C & D Companies) was activated at Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen, Germany on 1 October 1961. |
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| (Source: Email from Bob Drapeau, B Co and "Jump" Pltn, Hq Co, 1963-65) | |||||||||
I was assigned to the 1st Signal Battalion at Panzer Kaserne, Boeblingen from April 1963 to September 1965. I was assigned to B Company as a Carrier Platoon and Radio Platoon Leader, and then moved to Headquarters Company as the "Jump" Platoon Leader and Company Commander.
HQ, B, C and D Companies were at Panzer Kaserne - Boeblingen.
A Company, 1st Signal Bn was in Karlsruhe and we picked up A Company, 26th Signal which was in Ludwigsburg - 6 Companies = 5 AASC and Jump
I had the shot from Army Main to the First French Army in Rastatt (I speak French) and the Army shot to VII Corps in the field. In wartime, 1st Signal provided five AASCs and a "jump" capability - In peacetime, the Battalion participated primarily in training activities. We had some limited garrison signal requirements. In peacetime, we did not have any skeleton AASCs in place - when we went to the field we normally went to the same places but we did not maintain any permanent sites there. The circuits from 7th Army Main to 1st French Army were routed through (as I recall) a couple of AASCs then to Rastatt. As I recall the 1st Signal unit at the Konigshof (Webmaster: Koenigstuhl?) overlooking Heidelberg - I believe it was C Company (with HQ Company co-located) had the shot to Rastatt. I don't remember if any relays were involved. I had a MRC-54 (3 GRC-50s) and a MCC-6 (2 ea AN/TCC 7) - plenty of spare equipment. I terminated the shot in the carrier rig and the French took the circuits to their comm center. We lived with the French on their kaserne and traded parts of our "C" rations for their wine. The shot to VII Corps was from Company B to VII Corps Main - a direct shot - no relays - we terminated it with a MRC-54 and a MCC-6 - the circuits again were routed through a couple of AASCs. The mission of the 1st Sig Bn in wartime was to provide area signal
centers in the rear of VII Corps. Our prime mission in garrison was training and maintenance - test shots were conducted on a regular basis - an aside - the Battalion never passed CMMI inspections on vehicles because the trucks were coded yellow because of age! In peacetime, there were some remote sites supported by the Battalion. I believe they were assigned to C and D Companies.
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| If you have more information on the history or organization of the 1st Signal Battalion, please contact me. | |||||||||
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| Related Links: 1st Circus/1st Signal Battalion - great site dedicated to 1st Signal Bn and Kaiserslautern. |
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