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Pirmasens
Signal Depot
Signal Division, European Command
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 contact me .
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Depot
History |
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![](../../Communities/Pirmasens/Pirmasens%20Sig%20Depot%20at%20DIsly%20Kaserne%201953%20600.jpg)
Pirmasens Signal Depot was located in the northern half of D'Isly (Husterhoe) Kaserne |
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![](../../Communities/Pirmasens/Pirmasens%20Signal%20Depot%20headquarters%20building%20600.jpg)
Pirmasens Signal Depot headquarters building, 1952 (William Ahlborn) |
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1955 |
(Source: Annual
Historical Report, 1 July 1955-30 June 1956, APO 189) |
Pirmasens
Signal Depot (7773 Army Unit)
The cessation of hostilities in Europe in 1945 found many signal supply
dumps throughout Holland, France, Italy and Germany. In July 1946,
a concerted effort was made to consolidate the signal stocks in Europe
at Hanau/Main in a former German air training site (see Hanau
Signal Depot history). The initial stockage at Hanau consisted
of various types of American, German, French, and English equipment.
For six years the signal supply personnel at Hanau were confronted
with a supply and maintenance mission as well as an extensive re-identification
and reclamation program.
In June 1952 the depot shifted its stocks and operations to Pirmasens.
MISSION (PSD):
- responsibile for the receipt, storage, issue, and repair of Signal
Corps equipment used by all elements of US Army, Europe and USAFE
except for those elements based in the USAREUR Communications Zone
(France), as well as
- for the accounting and disposal of all Foreign Excess Personal Property
generated by the Signal Division, HQ USAREUR.
The Pirmasens Signal Depot was included in the Army
Stock Funding Program in July 1955.
The concept of the Modern Army Supply
System (MASS) is to be implemented later in the Seventh
Army. MASS leans heavily upon the Stock Control Division (PSD) for
EAM support. |
Pirmasens
Signal Depot
Org Chart 1956
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(1)
The birth of the German Bundeswehr and Operation Gyroscope
movement of the 3rd Armored Division brought increased
work load for the Storage Division in FY 1956.
(2) The Depot's Army
Aviation Section was located at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim-Sandhofen.
(3) Liaison Teams
MISCEALLANEOUS INFORMATION:
The Pirmasens Signaleer was the unit newspaper
published by the Pirmasens Signal Depot during this period.
8763rd LS Co was officially designated a "Signal
Base Maintenance and Depot Unit."
The 12th Ordnance Battalion and 447th Signal Battalion
(Construction) were other units stationed at Pirmasens
during this period. |
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If you have more
information on the history or organization of the Pirmasens Signal
Depot, please contact me . |
![](../../EUCOM_patchwhite.jpg) |
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1953 |
(Source: Email from Al Lemus, PSD, 7773 AU, 1953-55) |
I was stationed at Pirmasens Signal Depot from October 1953 to March 1955. I was there when it changed from 512th Signal Base Maintenance Co. to 7773 Army Unit. The photos of the fire station, service club and the long march 4 times a day to and from the depot brought back many memories.
I took basic training and attended Signal School (SWSS) at Camp San Luis Obispo, California. We spent about three weeks at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey before shipping out to Europe. We spent one night in Bremehaven and boarded a train to Zweibruecken the next morning. Upon arrival at Pirmasens we were greeted by some Cpl. wearing those silly 3-D glasses.
I was assigned to the 4th (heavy weapons) platoon. They referred to us as the heavy weapons platoon because we were issued M-1's instead of carbines like everyone else. Captain Abrogast, I think I misspelled the name, was C.O. at the time. Not long after that Captain Swayze took over as C.O.
Because of my civilian background I was assigned to the Electric Section under Cpl. Wallis. We were the only 2 G.I.'s in the section, all the rest were L.S.C.'s. When Wallis Z.I.'d I was left as Section Chief. CWO Herman A. Cheatwood was Shops Branch OIC.
We hoisted many Parkbraus at the Snake Pit, the Atlantic Club, the Green Salamander, the Turnhalle and many other places.
My best friend was Oren L. Williams. We got together a couple of times in the Los Angeles area and I lost track of him in 1956 or 1957. If you see this Oren, drop me an email. Also chummed around with Fred S., Willie S., Ralph K. and others. By the way, I still have my permanent pass.
There were only two Sections Chiefs below the rank of Sgt. That was Tim Harris in the wood shop and myself. We were both Pfc's.
Please keep me informed if you hear from any more Pirmasens "alumni". |
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1954 |
(Source: Email
from Ronald Smaller, 7773 AU Sig Co, 1954-56) |
I was stationed
with the 7773rd Army Unit in Pirmasens from 1954 to 1956 and worked
at the depot repairing AN/GR3-8 radio units.
First was sent to the replacement center at Zweibrucken and had
a short bus ride to Pirmasens. At that time there was also an atomic
cannon batallion stationed at the Kaserne.
What the Signal Corps did at the Depot was to call in all of a type
of radio. Then totally take them apart, reassemble them, fix em
back up and then send them back out to the field.
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All
pictures are from 1954-1955.
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![](PSD%20Smaller%201%20sm.jpg)
1.
Off to work (KB) |
![](PSD%20Smaller%204%20sm.jpg)
2. Depot
Fire Station (KB) |
![](PSD%20Smaller%205%20sm.jpg)
3. Service
club in the kaserne (KB) |
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![](PSD%20Smaller%203%20sm.jpg)
4. 7773 AU going off to bivouac near antenna farm (KB)
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![](PSD%20Smaller%202%20sm.jpg)
5. Roxy Theatre (KB) |
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Thanksgiving
1954 Menu
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Holiday
Messages
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Click
on the thumbnail to read the messages |
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1955 |
(Source: Email
from Terence P. Keliher, 7773 AU Sig Co, 1955) |
I was stationed
at Pirmasens from Jan.1955 to Dec. 1955. I was in the 7773 A.U. Signal
Corps. I believe I was in the 2nd. Platoon. I had received Radio receiver
and transmitter training in Ft. Monmouth, N.J. Then shipped out on
the Private Thomas. It was a bad crossing as it was normally
7 days. Due to a storm, it took 14 days. Sea Sick? Yes sir. Real GREEN.
The first 2 months, I repaired tube type Walkie-Talkies. Transister??
Never heard the word. Boring!! Asked for other work.
Got assigned to work with German civilian techs. They worked for the
US Army. Their unit was called the LSC's These guys taught me a lot
about generators. It was like the basic training for my career. (I
spent 40 years as a generator tech. with Caterpillar dealers ).
Dec.1955, I shipped out for home on the Gen. Brukner. Big change
from the trip over. Didn't even get sick.
My anecdote: While in Pirmasens, 6 of us privates asked for and received
permission to purchase motorcycles. We made grave promises to the
C.O. that we would be carefull and not get into any trouble. He was
a trusting soul. By the time I was to ship out, all 6 of us had accidents.
One guy derailed a street car in downtown Pirmasens by wedging himself
and bike under it. He did survive. I missed a turn onto a bridge one
nite and landed it a canal. Got a broken arm and knocked out. Spent
time in a US hosp. in Landstuhl. While healing, I helped put casts
on other GI's. Also learned to play guitar with arm in cast.
My best buddy was Eldon Viner. He lived in Davenport, Iowa. We lost
track of each other in 1956. I hope he has done well, he was a good
guy. Terence P. Keliher |
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(Source: email from Donald R. Smith, 7773 AU Sig Co, -1956) |
Was interested in seeing your web site about the Pirmasens Signal Depot.
The pictures of the fire station, movie theatre, etc brought back some real
memories.Also the picture of the troups leaving the area for work. I
remember that mile "march" four times a day very well.
I entered the Army in March, 1953. After basic training at Fort Knox, Ky,
I went to the Ordnance School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md to be a fire
control repairman.
Upon arrival in Germany (Zweibrucken) they didn't know what to do with me
so they sent me to the Signal Depot at Pirmasens. Again, they didn't know
what to do with me there so I was assigned to the camera repair section in
the Maintenance section. There I leaned from scratch to repair cameras
(mechanical). We repaired many PH-47's (Speed Graphic press cameras), and
a few mechanical 35mm Eyemo movie cameras and a few other cameras. There
also was a projector repair shop there but it wasn't used much. We also
had a dark room there where we did some other photo work. The photo
section was located in the corner room of the maintenance building closest
to the gate where we used to march in and out of the Depot.
When I first arrived in Pirmasens I was assigned to the 512th Signal Base
Maintenance Company. Some time during my first year there the 512th was
"sent back" to the States (without us) and we were reassigned to the 7773rd
Army Unit (The "triple seven third"). We stayed in the same buildings -
only changed the name of the Company. We were in the first two buildings
across from the 417th.
After many months as a pfc, I was finally promoted to Corporal for one
month and was almost immediatedy made a Specialist third class, along with
all the other Corporals.
I shipped out in February, 1956 to return Stateside. |
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