Arriving at Bitbury, winter 1951 by V.H. Cole

From MemoryArchive

Who: V.H. Cole
What: Arriving at Bitburg
When: Winter 1951
Where: Bitburg AB

As part of Company B, US Army 862nd Engineer Aviation Battalion, I arrived at what would later be designated as Bitburg AB in the dead of winter 1951. Company C of the 862nd was at Spang early on also before the Regular Air Force units arrived. The battalions' mission was to provide construction support for runway overruns and other construction efforts. We had transferred from Rhein Main Air Base and remained at Bitburg and Spang for many years after. When we arrived, there were no permanent facilities completed, so we lived in straight wall squad tents for a long period of time, but were eventually being able to move into permanent type barracks. Those members that were authorized to have their dependents with them were required to find housing on the local economy.

The 862nd Engineer Aviation Battalion was part of what was known as Special Category, Army With Air Force (SCARWAF). We were under the direct control of USAFE for all types of support, including promotions. I was promoted to Master Sergeant (E-7) in 1952 and was designated as the youngest Master Sergeant in the US Army or US Air Force at that time. I was not quite 20 years of age, having enlisted when I was 14.

Many stories are swapped at 862nd reunions about the early years at Bitburg and Spang. I remember our first EM Club at Bitburg was a large circus type tent that came up from Fursty -- it was most welcome and a lot of booze was consumed in that tent. When the first contingent of Air Police arrived, guess who received the first Delinquency Report? You guessed right: Me! But Battalion Commander Major John C. Seale was the ranking officer on base at that time, and he ordered the APs to tear it up. They did so under protest.

I left Bitburg in late 1952 and have never been back, but I plan to do so before I get much older.

Co-opted from Personal Recollections and War Stories