Wiesbaden Germany.
1St Constabulary Brigade
Communications Platoon
by
      Sam Zafran
     samz84@hotmail.com

 Commo Platoon
1st Constabulary Brigade
Weisbaden
 Wild Deer and Pig Hunting

Short Bio of Sam Zafran
Berlin Airlift
 OPERATION "DUCK"
Wake up call!
  Assignment of Units for Constabulary Force in Europe

Much of my bio. can be found in the Constabulary Book, Mobilty, Vigilance and Justice.

I left Fritzlar in late 1948 to go to Camp Peri on the hill in Weisbaden.  I stayed there till late 1949 and returned to states.  Later return to Europe in 1950 to Berlin and eventualy got back to 1st  brigade in late 1950.  Last time with the Constab was 1951.   Took a 2 1/2 ton truck with SCR 399. and transferred it to Frankfurt Germany 4th Inf Div.  The commo officer there wanted to send a message back to 1st  brigade but had no signal designation for the radio set (dit Happys call it a Call Sign) so he sent back USS Boozer - arrived safely - alls well.  We had named our trucks in Naval terms USS there were four trucks with SCR 399s on them.  Mine was the USS Boozer, Capt Poet, Quartermaster Koslowski, Helmsmen Zafran.  Other three trucks the same way, different names.  So that's the story.

Sam
More of my bio.


The list below have been taken from orders
dtd 28 June 1951 Communications Platoon
1st Constabulary Brigade
Weisbaden Germany.

Sieffert, William Msgt            MacDonald, Earle SFC                   Phipps Jack Sfc
Allison Bernard  Sgt             Barela, Dionisio Sgt                       Dart, Francis Sgt
Gile William     Sgt                Smejkal, Henery  Sgt                     Stribling Donald Sgt
Anderson, Martin Cpl            Benzel, Rvan     Cpl                       Boudreaux, Ridley Cpl
Bunch, Joseph    Cpl            Charnley, RussellCpl                     Connelly. CArroll Cpl
Danilovich, John Cpl             Davis., Harry    Cpl                        Fortier,Richard   Cpl
Gault,Robert     Cpl               Gilbert, Jioseph Cpl                       Gray, Edward  Cpl
Griffen, Robert  Cpl               Haddix, George   Cpl                      Harwood, VElbert Cpl
Herron, Billy    Cpl                Hope, Walter      Cpl                        Hughes, George  Cpl
Jones, Hugh      Cpl              Kandle, Hugh      Cpl                      Kennedy, Donald Cpl
Kosloski, Thomas Cpl           Lake, Arthur     Cpl                        Lewis, Murl    Cpl
McKay, Duncan    Cpl            Mendler, Ralph   Cpl                     Olivere, Sarafinio Cpl
Philhower, David Cpl            Plamondon, Joseph Cpl                Poet, Robert  Cpl
Poffenburger, Richard Cpl    Proulx, Russell  Cpl                       Ragan, Richard Cpl
Rhodes, Richard  Cpl            South, Jos       Cpl                         Tooley, Arthur  Cpl
Wade, Ray        Cpl                Wiesley, Bert    Cpl                         Zafran, Sam     Cpl
Brickford,Mearl  Pfc               Dobbins, Thomas  Pfc                   Givens, Gene   Pfc
Herman, Paul     Pfc               McKeenzie, Hugh  Pfc              Sonstagen, Owen Pfc
Thoin, Donald    Pfc           Whitaker, William Pfc                     Zubrowski, Stanley Pfc
Simon,Russell    Pvt 1

All stories are
by
Sam Zafran
 

Wild Deer and Pig Hunting

          While on patrol out of Korback Germany we would sneak out the M8 armored car  and go hunting for wild pig or deer. The germans had no weapons and the Forestmeister would ask us for help.  We would shoot off some extra 50 Cal ammo or 30 Cal ammo and kill off some wild pigs or deer in the farmers fields. Bring them back to the Town, the Butcher would cut up the carcasses and give some back to us.  We fashioned a Barbecue Grill out of some old 55 Gal Drums. We would barbecue the meat and  the townspeople would supply the vegetables and potatoes and we would have a weekend feast.  I guess we were the first ones to introduce and  American pastime to the German Populace.  We were billeted in a German Gasthous, the family there took care of us so we took care of  them.  They washed our clothes and the kids washed our vehicles.  When the supplies came up from headquarters we would share them with the populace around us.  We sure hated to leave when our rotation time was up.

 



        Berlin Airlift
          In april of 1948, the Russian government decided to try and put the squeeze on  the other three countries governing the occupation of the four zones of conquered Germany. They shut down the Autobahn corridor and train connections to Berlin, leaving no way to get in except by air.  The choke hold was meant to cut off the entrances to the city and force the Americans, British and French governing bodies out of Berlin leaving the Russians in sole controlling power. The answer to this move was a massive Airlift of supplies and equipment.  American and British planes took off from bases in the Occupied Zones, flying tons of badly needed supplies to Berlin.  I was stationed in Weisbaden with the 1ST Constabulary Brigade (Camp Peri). On my off time I would go down to  Y80 Airfield in Wiesbaden, and volunteer my assistance.  I worked the control  tower directing planes in and out (when things were well organized they were coming and going in minutes).  I also helped load trucks and drove trucks.  It was quite and experience.  The 16th Constabulary in Berlin was the only recognized Unit, but there were other Circle C Cowboys that helped in some way.  For me getting the Berlin Airlift Pin was a Great deal.  The Berlin Airlift pin was awarded
to participating units and as the Brigade was not one, I technically am not authorized to wear it.  It was of a appreciation award from the Air Base Commander.

 

: 


        OPERATION "DUCK"

           The 14th Con Reg. on 18 Dec 1946 joined forces with other of the 1st and 3rd Con Brigade to conduct operation "DUCK" at Wildflecken IP Camp. With only the use of 1,600 troopers and 125 officers, this was the same DP Camp that was raided at one time, which required well over the size of an Inf. Reg.. to require the same results.  Surrounded by a perimeter of hand picked guards the entire camp at wildflecken was isolated from the outside world for the duration of the  raid.  All unauthorized vehicles were forbidden to enter or leave the grounds.  Those making there home at the DP camp were restricted to there lodgings with the men and woman being separated from each other. they were placed in separate areas and guarded. This action was taken so that no one would be able to conceal or get rid of ant unauthorized materials.  Searching teams of 3 Enlisted and 1 Officer were dispatched to search each building.  The leader of each building, the situation was explained to him, to include that there would be no looting or theft.  Before any trooper departed on operation "DUCK" it was made clear that he would not have on his person any type of Jewelry, or carry any money, to make sure that there was no doubt that any items confiscated were turned in to a central point.  Each person in possession of contraband material  was arrested had to sign a written statement that he was not looted. The operation uncovered 12 Schnapps stills, illegal food stuff valued at 1000 Dollars.  A quantity of drugs weapons and US Property with a estimated value of $500 was seized. The raid was considered a Great success and was used as a model in all subsequent raids.


Wake up call!
          The call came early in the morning, M8 and M20 crews, prepare to move out in Two hours.  We loaded alert bags and full load of ammo and equipment, took off and got on the autobahn for Frankfurt, Germany.  Out on the autobahn, we pulled over and slipped in the balls and clips
to override the Speed control and took off at high speed to our destination. Arriving there, we spent the night wondering what all the Hoopla was about.  The next morning, when we arose, we noticed a large
contingent of other constab vehicles plus our other vehicles which arrived after us. A convoy of trucks appeared in the area, and started to load sealed boxes in our M8's and M20'S. After receiving instructions,
the armored cars moved out escorted by a machine gun and radio jeeps.  We proceeded to different towns and cities, dropping off boxes at the local banks.  We found out later on, that we had been tasked with delivering the new Deutch Mark to the german populace.  Once again, the US Constabulary had been called on to do a difficult task and to accomplish it in an orderly and efficient manner.


HEADQUARTERS
THIRD UNITED STATES ARMY
AP0    403
Pursuant to the authority contained in War Department letter, file AG
322 (2 April 1946) AG-GMGCT-M, DTD 6 Apr 1946, subject: "Reddesignation,
Reorganization and Assignment of Units for Constabulary Force in Europe", and
War Department Cable Number W-84897, dated 18 April 1946, and letter, file AG322
GCT-AGO, Headquarters United States Forces, European Theater, Dated 24 April  1946, subject: "Redesignation, reorganization, Assignment and Activation of
Certain Units",the following action became effective on 1 May 1946, at stations as shown:
H/H Troop 14th Cav Group to H/H troop 14th Constabulary Regiment
Auth strength  off    WO  En
               27      1  185 location KITZINGEN
10th Armored Inf Bn to 10th Constabulary Sqdn
               off        EM
               37         860          KITZINGEN
22 Armored FA Bn  to 22 Constabulary Sqdn
               off        EM
               37         860           Neustadt
27th Armored FA Bn to 27th Constabulary Sqdn
               off        EM
               37         860           BAD BRUCKNEAU
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