I am interested in information about the 14th Cavalry Intelligence Unit, which appears to have been stationed at Brentwood Barracks, England around May 1945. They were present in Kiel harbor after May 1945, which is where the German seaplane picture was taken. What was the unit's responsibility?
That's the British VIII th Corps insignia. VIII Corps (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia The men are wearing British uniforms in both photos. 14 denotes 121 LAA Regt RA up to Nov 44 & then Counter Bombardment Troops 8 Corps - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 Where do the Americans come into it ?
Good question! Here are a couple more photos to add in there. They are amongst 100 or so pics relating to a man who actually told his mother and descendants that he did not do anything in during the war and was just a postman. He was definitely in Kiel after May 1945 as many of the photos are of the damaged 'Hipper' and 'Emden' and submarine pens there. Pictures always show him with a plain cloth beret with no insignia, so its a bit of a puzzle. His grandson has searched for a service number but can find none. I have searched his name on the various genealogical sites and drawn a blank on the military side. Did the 14 have a base in Brentford Barracks after Nov 1944 when they became Counter Bombardment - and would that have counted as an intelligence unit?
Did you mean to post this thread in the US Units part of the forum ? These photos are of British soldiers. Do you or his relatives know his date of birth ?
The reverse of the Brentford Barracks photo is written 14 Cav Intelligence Base. Some research that the grandson embarked upon suggested that the barracks was leased by the Americans next to an air base? If I am climbing up the wrong tree, I apologise!
These guys would have been 8 Corps Counter Battery Officer’s Staff, CCRA 8 Corps became HQ Kiel Area Brigade May 45 to Jan 46, the Counter Battery Officer was Major AL Temple MC RA and the organisation was disbanded 13 Jan 46, his staff would have been circa 30 at the end of hostilities. Kiel Brigade Area 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine (under construction)
I can pinpoint Brentwood Barracks formerly Stohl Kaserne north of Kiel close to the Baltic Sea coast.
Many thanks indeed Steve and Owen for responding. This is all making sense now...especially with the Kiel photo connection. Here is another picture of the 'Barracks'...it looks 'un-English' and not the official signage one would have expected at a 'proper' barracks in the UK.
Philip have found the term "barracks" was used loosely by occupational troops and in many cases just a collection of buildings, this small complex would have been on the Stohler Landstraße south-east of Stolh, put into Google and click on Layers and there is a possible location for you on a bend in the road.
Yes, got it, thanks. What would a Counter Battery unit be undertaking in post-war Kiel or would it simply have been following the troops as they moved towards the Baltic Coast in May 1945 ?
Philip, like everybody else became occupational troops leaving their WW2 tasks behind and dealing with PWs, displaced persons and guard duties.