A couple of weeks before I went to Germany to visit family and friends last year I received an e-mail from Sebastian, a reader of this blog. He told me about exploring a rather recently closed US Army base in Darmstadt – half an hour away from where I was staying for my vacation. I really love abandoned military installations, so we continued talking via e-mail and agreed to meet up to have a look at the Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne (CFK) together.
The Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne (Cambrai-Fritsch Barracks) in Bessungen, now part of Darmstadt-Eberstadt, was built from 1936 to 1938 as two barracks next to each other – the southern part was known as Cambrai-Kaserne (named after the French city of Cambrai where Paul von Hindenburg had his headquarters during World War I and where the first tank battle in history took place in 1917), the northern part was called Freiherr-von-Fritsch-Kaserne (named after Generaloberst Werner von Fritsch, Nazi Germany’s Commander of the Army at the time). Most of the buildings on the premises were named after locations where famous WWI battles took place, like Verdun or Flandern.
The Fritsch-Kaserne opened on October 12th of 1938 and was home to the 1st Battalion of the 33rd Artillery Regiment, part of the 33rd Infantry Division. Later that month the 3rd Battalion moved into the Cambrai-Kaserne.
During the final days of World War II the US Army took over the Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne in March of 1945, making it the home of the 22nd Signal Brigade, the 233rd Base Support Battalion and the 440th Signal Battalion. Lots of service and recreational institutions were located at the CFK in the decades to come – AAFES Food Court, American Red Cross, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Darmstädter Catering Center, PX (post exchange), SATO Travel, Shopette, U.S. Post office, USO and standard facilities like a motor pool, a gym, a movie theater, a sports field and a bowling center.
When I met Sebastian on a warm, sunny summer day he told me right away that the CFK was closed, but not really abandoned. The high barbed wire fences were in exceptionally good condition 3 years after the Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne was shut down in 2008 – and Sebastian also mentioned that security guards were still patrolling the outskirts of the premises a couple of evenings per week. Well, we met in the morning, so what could happen, right? Let’s get this infiltration started! Like the *Federal Armed Forces Depot Pfeddersheim* the CFK is now the responsibility of the Institute for Federal Real Estate (Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben / BIMA) – they have to decide what to do with the 25 hectare (250.000 square meters or 2,7 million square feet) big area. Most likely it will be reconverted into housing for 2500 people, but German bureaucracy is slow and of course nothing has been decided yet. Not in summer of 2011 and AFAIK not in late spring of 2012. But while the BIMA obviously doesn’t care anymore about the depot in Pfeddersheim they seem to smell money when it comes to the CFK – housing for 2500 people, that’s serious real estate! And that’s why the keep the area in good shape by hiring gardeners and plumbers to take care of the premises. All the buildings we tried to enter were locked, hardly any of them were damaged by vandalism or graffiti.
It’s an absolutely mind-blowing experience to explore closed US army barracks, especially with a rather tight security system like this one. The weather was amazing that day and the video material I shot turned out to be nice, too. It was a perfect exploration until… well, we were less than 30 meters away from our top secret entrance / exit when it became clear that infiltration is for pros and neither of us was Solid Snake. I will spare you the details, but like running into security at *Nara Dreamland* this wasn’t exactly a fun experience. No legal consequences since we could convince the people involved that we were just harmless photographers, but this was pretty much the day I realized that urban exploration and urban infiltration are two different things – and I decided that I will limit myself to UE and abandon UI.
Sebastian and I were lucky that day, but entering the Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne without permission can have serious, serious consequences, so I highly recommend to stay away or to take photos through the fence.
To all the American (ex-)soldiers reading this article, most of them probably stationed at the Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne: When I was a pupil in the 80s my elementary school was way ahead of its time and had a friendship program with the Benjamin Franklin Village in Mannheim. I have nothing but pleasant associations with that exchange program and I consider this exploration a “Thank you!” for the kindness I experienced during that time (I think we went bowling as a big group and then had lunch at our exchange partner’s home, which is a pretty big thing when you are 8 or 9 years old and barely understand each other’s languages!) – I hope I was able to bring back some fond memories of your time in Germany!
(If you don’t want to miss the latest article you can *follow Abandoned Kansai on Twitter* and *like this blog on Facebook* – and of course there is the *video channel on Youtube*…)
Abandoned Kansai 
Habe sehnlichst darauf gewartet dass du es Online stellst 🙂 Spannende Info’s von denen ich selbst bisher nichts wusste. War ein cooler Tag, auch wenn wir ‘erwischt’ wurden 😀 Schöne Fotos hast du gemacht, würde mich freuen wenn du mir dein *Bonusmaterial* noch zuschicken würdest! Ansonsten weiterhin viel Spaß bei deinen Ausflügen und solange du auf der sicheren Seite bleibst kann ja nichts passieren 😉 Kommt zum Hotel auch bald ein Eintrag?
Hi Sebastian,
ich dachte schon, du würdest nicht mehr mitlesen…
Ja, hat etwas gedauert, aus den unterschiedlichsten Gründen. Der Hotel-Artikel ist in Arbeit und kommt hoffentlich nächste Woche. Aber auf jeden Fall bald. Ein paar Extrabilder kann ich dir gerne zuschicken, allerdings kann auch das etwas dauern, da ich derzeit extrem im Stress und froh bin, den Blog regelmäßig updaten zu können; erinnere mich bitte ggf. in ein paar Wochen noch mal dran, falls du nichts mehr von mir hörst.
Nice Post.
Quite interesting, what this CFK still looks like. Normally i just see the buildings with fences in front of me.^^
Thanks!
Not a lot of people dare to enter the CFK and I think I’m the only urban explorer who published a video. It’s an awesome place, but not one I recommend going to…
aww, that makes me sad. i lived there as a dependant from 68-70. many fond memories of darmstadat, and i loved the beautiful forest that surrounded us when we lived there.
Thanks!!
I was stationed @ CFK from 90-93 and i always wondered what became of this place. Your video brought back alot of good memories. Thanks again and keep the videos comming they are very interesting.
My pleasure!
For now I only have two videos of CFK, but I’ll be in Germany for vacation soon – there are lots of abandoned military installations on my “to visit list” and if I pass through Darmstadt again I might have another look…
Do you happen to remember what the Military building was called? Trying to complete my VA papers and I have no idea what it was named. Thanks!!
Not to far away from cfk there was a place called kelly barracks…just a thought.
I actually saw the Kelly Barracks, but there was lots of traffic on the premises. I guess reconstruction already began…
I see…Thats to bad I was there a time or two and i was told it was a panzer kasern in WW2. Ok my friend take care and I will check out some of your other videos in the near future. Thanks for shooting the CFK video, It really brought back good memories.
My husband and I lived on CFK from 05-07, we were the last ones to live in our apartment there, one of the last few families left right before they shut down. Our apartment was directly across from the chapel, third floor corner. The army hotel was right next door. We also lived at another now closed down military base called Leighton Barracks and Harvey Barracks in Kitzingin. We actually lived off base in an apartment in Grosslingheim, from 98-01. I sure do miss living in Germany.
I had no idea that CFK had an army hotel – and I miss living in Germany, too. It’s actually a pretty great country overall…
They sure did! The Patriot Inn. 🙂 We lived there coming and going. When we got there, a German man named Manfred would fix up a traditional breakfast with brochen and cold meats and cheeses. The chapel was right across from The Patriot Inn. Darmstadt was a wonderful military community to be a part of. The schools were across the street in Lincoln Village. My husband worked at Kelly Barracks. Such great memories of our time there. It will always be a special part of our family story.
Thanks a lot for telling me about it!
I am actually really happy how this article became a meeting point for people to share stories and reconnect with each other. I was hoping for it, but never expected it.
I lived at Kelley Barracks from 1994 to 1996 and visited Cambrie all the time. Seeing your post brought back so many memories, especially now it is 2022. I remember the Patriot Inn. It was for soldiers and their families arriving and departing. The dentist office was across from the Inn and I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled. Thanks the the elevation of Germany. I remember the cafe at Cambrie. I had to get a milkshake before my teeth being pulled. I remember going to college there and so many other great memories. I wish I could go back!!!! Thank you for this memory I forgot!!!
Rosa, we lived in the building north of where you lived We were there from 1952-55. I can remember when your building and the chapel were being built. My Father was stationed with the 32nd Signal Bn on CFK.
Florian, Thank You for the blog and video. It has brought back many memories.
You’re welcome, Stewart! I really enjoy exploring closed / abandoned military bases, especially since I know about their historical value. Tens of thousands of people lived and worked there – it was their dedication that helped creating the world we are living in now.
My friends and I just had a mini 440th Signal Battalion reunion and were talking about our time on CFK (85-88). Didn’t see any pics of that section but the view of the old MP HQ was reminiscent, our HQ was in that building and I spent three years working on the 2nd floor. TYVM for the memories.
It’s my pleasure – thanks a lot for your feedback!
Scott, I was there from 86-89, I did not know 440th had get togethers. I left the signal branch after doing an instructor stint at Ft Gordon, I than jumped ship to fly helos, met my future wife there, anyway take care
Santiago
Awesome!!! I was there at CFK in 1986 – 1988 at Cco 440th Signal Bn…after relocating from sister Battalion (Aco 32nd Signal Bn) at McNair Kaserne in Hoechst/Frankfurt…due to the 22nd Signal Brigade reorganizing. I had a great time there!! Especially at the “Rainbow Club”
My wife and I were stationed at CFK from late ’75 thru May ’76 following the transfer of 32d AADCOM HQ’s and HHC 11th Sig from K-town. (Kapaun Bks., Vogelweh) We lived in leased housing, brand new apartments about a 15-20 minute ride from work. I don’t remember the town. It looks like they added to the kaserne since we were there, we didn’t recognize too much. Even some of the other pictures that have been posted at other sites don’t seem familiar, but that could be CRS kicking in. What is amazing is the overall condition of everything. Plop CFK down in the USA and it wouldn’t be very long before the windows would be busted and the graffiti artists leave their mark.
Thanks for sharing these photos and video! We enjoyed our time in Germany very much. It’s kind of strange, we met there, married since ’74, and found out if not for Army service, we would have never met, even though we lived 100 miles from each other. I’m from NE Pa., Aleida’s from Brooklyn, NY.
Hey Les,
Thanks a lot for sharing your memories – it’s always great to get feedback from people who really knew the places I visit now that they are abandoned. I guess the good condition CFK is in is due to the fact that the city of Darmstadt wants to privatize the area soon and CFK isn’t really abandoned. There are almost always security and gardeners on the premises…
Les was with HHC from 75 to 78 made the move myself from K-town to Darmstadt
This is cool I was stationed there from jan 02-04 (A Co 440th Sig) when we came back from deployment we came back to renovated barracks, then I left and a couple years later I heard they closed the whole kaserne down, it’s sad to see how it looks now
Hopefully the place will see new life soon!
My husband was in A co 440th also! We was stationed there oct 02-05ish. We moved into brand new housing at the top of the hill from entering CFK. I miss living there.
If you every go back could you take photos of the front Gate That on the other side of the base by the big tower I live in that bbks right beside the tower when I was 17 years old Im now 58.
Dale Wagner
skywire4@yahoo.com
I might go back next year and I’ll make sure to take some photos of the front gate – since I entered “unconventionally” I missed the obvious places to take pictures of.
Very nice! Tell me when you do go back. I might be there again for a few days between my studies. Surely there’s a lot left to explore in the area!
Maybe summer 2013 – but who knows? Still busy times… I wish I had more time to travel!
I was stationed at CFK from 88-91. I was with HHC 32nd aadcom. I loved that place. Thanks for the memories.
You’re welcome – I hope I’ll be able to go back in summer and see what happened to the CFK.
I also was assigned to the 32nd AADCOM. I was there from 88-92, working for the Command Engineer.
I spent Dec 1985 thru Jun 1986 in the building you zoomed in on the name. Back then it was HQ for HHC and B Company 440 Signal Battalion. My platoon room was in the left entrance just down the stairs on the left. I lived on all four floors. Gino’s was the name of the bar/eatery out the north gate, and the BOQ was out the south gate. The Eagle’s Nest was the name of the bar on base and I played a lot of raquetball on the gym courts. My parent’s still have the coo-coo clock I bought for them at the PX. The MARS station (Military Affiliate Radio System) was where I found out I had been accepted to West Point’s prep school. Thank you for the memory.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing some information about yourself and the CFK. That’s one of the reason I like abandoned military bases so much, especially American ones – you guys are so proud about your service and always willing to share memories and addition information. I really appreciate that!
The Eagles Nest. I was there when you were
Rock N Roll Night. Every Thursday Great times
I was stationed here 1969-1972 with the 6910th USAFSS on Dog Flight. I would love to visit the base again. Enjoyed the videos. Thanks for the memories.
My pleasure! It’s been almost two years since I went there, so I hopefully will be able to go back in summer and have a look if the conversion into a housing project already began.
George- Brad Whipple-203 Syracuse University and 1957-1960 on Dog Flight 6911th RGM before we let you guys in. Good camera, bad photographer (too rushed-panning to rapid) Did see my barracks, and our chow hall. That quad had certainly changed since my time. Did you ride Jake’s buses? Und Danke Florian, for sharing!
You’re welcome, Bradford – I’m happy that I was able to revive old memories!
Brad, Yes I did ride Jake”s bus. I had forgotten his name. Thanks for reminding me.
I also rode Jakes buss. Funny, This is the first time I have thought of that in almost 50 years. I was with the 6910th 1964 til 1966. Loved Germany. Was the best years of my life. Would love to go back.
George, we were there in 69-72, as well! My dad is Don Wadsworth. We lived in Lincoln Village.
I was stationed there with Air Force in 1961.
I wonder why they still guard it… maybe to protect from vandals and whatnot. But if it’s that tight… i wonder what ‘s in there.
Hey Matt,
The guard it to protect it from vandals – they started a process to turn the area into private housing and I guess it’s cheaper to have security there than replacing windows and get rid of graffiti every other day. (That was two years ago BTW – I looked for newspaper articles, but it seems like nothing happened since then…)
I have watched the video a couple times and always brings back some memories. I still live here in Germany Mannheim/Heidelberg area which all the posts here are closing as well. If you make it up to the DA area let me know there are a few other abandoned kasernes that I know of between Aschaffenburg and Darmstadt. A very interesting post that was handed over to the Germans and is actually recently seeing some reconstruction (into what, I don’t know) is Turley Barracks in Mannheim immediately off of the B38.
Hey Matt,
Last summer the city of Mannheim offered tours at the then closed Turley Barracks – I was in Germany at the time, but wasn’t able to go there. I assume the plans are the same as for the Cambrai Fritsch Kaserne and the Taylor Barracks: private housing or dormitories. AFAIK Darmstadt and Mannheim desperately need apartments for students, so old military bases would be perfect to use.
(I will actually come back to Germany for vacation in a couple of weeks and I am eager to visit more abandoned bases!)
Florian,
Sorry I forgot to check back on this page. I still work on Funari Barracks (one of the last) and I have a view of Benjamin Franklin Village and there are Germans living over there now. AS far as Darmstadt being used for student housing, I have heard a rumor. They say that there is too much asbestos for the students, strange because it was okay for the Soldiers and their families. An easy place to check out is Münster Kaserne/Münster-Dieburg Special Weapons Depot mainly because it has been commercialized. However, there still are some buildings there that haven’t been utilized.
Hi Matt,
No worries!
I went to the Münster Kaserne a couple of weeks ago on my way to Babenhausen and Aschaffenburg – sadly there was so little authentic stuff to see that I left without taking a single photo (I was in a hurry anyway and the other two locations seemed more promising – luckily they delivered). The interesting parts in the forest were completely fenced off. And the atmosphere there was really strange, as if it wasn’t part of the area, but some sub-culture bubble. Hard to describe…
It’s good to hear that they found a new purpose for the BFV, I have fond memories of that place. The area in general as my grandma lived just two kilometers away.
(BTW, the almost always incompetent German Wikipedia lists the Funari Barracks as closed in 2012.)
Wow that brings back memories! I was there from 86-88 and absolutely loved it. My bldg was 4028 (11th Signal Bn) in the video. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I’ve just been back there the other day – not much changed, but I’ll write an update soon.
You went back there?? Without me? :O Tell me, what does the place look like now? 😉 Unfortunately I’m preparing for exams so there’s not much time to go around looking for places..
I only stopped for a couple of minutes to have a look for an update, without entering the premises. When I walked down the street outside (!) the barracks a security car stopped next to me and the driver told me not to take photos. So I waited till he left…
Thank you for the wonderful pictures and video. I was stationed there from 1982 – 1985. I lived on the 4th floor. The barracks had the MP’s and 4th plt 421st Medevac. All the women were on the 4th floor. We used to put our milk and beer out on the roof in the snow in the winter to keep it cold. Brings back wonderful memories.
Hey Debbie,
Thanks a lot for your comment! It’s always nice to hear from people who were stationed at CFK.
I believe I was one of the MPs. I was there from 1982-84. We( The MPs) were the security detail for the 32 AADCOM General Hugo then Cooper. Does that ring a bell
Dear Jeff, I was a SGT with 421st Medivac and one of the females on the 4th floor. I was there from December 1982 – October 1985. I married MP SP4 Frank Albano. I use to cook on the holidays when I was working in the tower at Greishiem. I was also friends with MP Daniel Dennin. I celebrated my birthday at a local bar with a few of the Generals MP and we were raided by the GPs looking for some Turkey guys that had hash. LOL. If you were there for any of this, It would be fun to hear about.
I was there from Jul. 82 to Apr. 84. My room was on the left as you entered the 4th floor. I usually hung out at Smugglers dance bar downtown Darmstadt. Was Frank Albano a MP there on the Kaserne? Do you remember any of the General Security MPs? I never did keep in contact with them after I left and I regret it so much. Now that I think about it, was Frank short with black hair and thin built? If so, he was seeing a German girl with light brown hair and the only reason I remember that is because I took some pictures there at Smugglers and came across them some years back.Was Greishiem a Nike Hurk. Battery Unit? If so then I was there also from Apr. 82 to Jul 82 as a Tower Rat. About the only thing I really remember about that Site was an air strip across the street. Keep in touch
I was there from Jul. 82 to Apr. 84. My room was on the left as you entered the 4th floor. I usually hung out at Smugglers dance bar downtown Darmstadt. Was Frank Albano a MP there on the Kaserne? Do you remember any of the General Security MPs? I never did keep in contact with them after I left and I regret it so much. Now that I think about it, was Frank short with black hair and thin built? If so, he was seeing a German girl with light brown hair and the only reason I remember that is because I took some pictures there at Smugglers and came across them some years back.Was Greishiem a Nike Hurk. Battery Unit? If so then I was there also from Apr. 82 to Jul 82 as a Tower Rat. About the only thing I really remember about that Site was an air strip across the street. Keep in touch.
I was there then I was the supply SGT
I was part of the Security Force that protected the 2 different Brigadier Generals ( BG Cooper and BG Hugo ) 1982-84. The Security Force was on the 4th floor with all the female Medics.
Vielen Dank/Many Thanks!
You’re welcome, Jeff!
Many thanks for photos & video. I was stationed at CFK ,USAFSS, 2nd RSM
and later 6911th RGM, 1953-1956. Ron
Ron- you were in the Bloody Deuce? Did you know Paul Laffitte, Carrol Sickels, Duke Keeter? Please email me so I can get an invitation for you to join us on website USAFSS RollCall. where you can reconnect with guys with whom your served. Where are you now, time-date stamp shows you are about 12 hours ahead of my east coast time?
Hi Brad, Yes, was in 2ndRSM until it changed to 6911th. Sorry, don’t
recall those names. Didn’t know Paul, but have met him on My Family.
com. I was on Baker trick, CW. I recently posted several photos of
some of guys on Baker trick so guess you can see em at the My Family.com
web page. My email: rj361@bellsouth.net. QTH: Marietta, Ga.
My pleasure, Ron! Sadly no news on the Kaserne – they are still discussing what to do with it…
Really enjoyed the walk around CFK. Thanks a lot.
CFK-Cambrai Fritsche Kaserne is a far cry today from 1957 when first arrived there with 6911RGM..Darmstadt. But then we are all much older and deteriorating. Really great memories from back then. See you on RollCall
I saw some old pictures of CFK and it must have been quite a place! As a child I spent a day at the Benjamin Franklin Village in Mannheim and the memories are still with me…
Wow! Thanks for taking me down memory lane! I was stationed at CFK from 1975 thru 1978 a lot of good memories. I was with HHC 11th Sin Bn when transferred up from K-town. The only difference was the empty parking and the missing personnel on the Kaserne. Good training and good friends. I worked in the S2 S3 as the battalion draftsman worked with a lot of fine people and help me from staying out of trouble. Trained for the Staff solders survival course a couple of times and trained for the Nijmegen 100 mile march in holland two years straight. I often think back of my days there with a smile. Good people good times.
Thanks for sharing your story – I am always very happy to hear from people who are part of a location’s history!
I was with Co B, 440th, 1975-1978, Supply. Loading those GP medium tents, pot belly stove and arms racks on those “deuce and a halfs”.. Destination? Oberursal.😀
For Brad Whipple= seems like I rmember u but not sure. I was on Dawg trick the same time you were (CW). Some of us use to hang out at Phillips bar and the Hauptpost. Me James Brand, & Normon Cox & also les Dumbach and of course many otherswere always hanging out together. What is this “Roll Call”. Not familiar with it. can u shoot me some info. some years ago I did a missionary trip to Siberia russia and on the way back we had a layover in Frankfurt. We took a bus down to Darmstadt and I actually had some one sign me in at the gate (otherwise they wouldnt let me in) The old barracks were still standing and looked in good shape – up from the circle. My room was top floor of the barracks all the way up and to the right. Seems like a million years ago.
Bob Gardner = bobusafss@yahoo.com
Bob I was on dog. Fight ,55 to58th was with le s damba c
Thanks for the photos and videos. I spent some of my most memorable days with the 6910th. USAFSS.(1965-67) If you were facing our Headquarter building, my “Able Flight” quarters were in the first building on your right. Great friendships were established there. I remember the iron rings attached to the walls in the basement area where the German Calvary housed their horses during WWI.
Loved my tour of duty. Made wonderful German friends and loved traveling throughout their great country.
One last visit to Darmstadt and CFK is on the top of my “bucket list.” I must
hurry to make my visit for I just celebrated my 71st. birthday.
Many thanks to the Germany people who made my stay in their country a friendly and wonderful memory.
Bob Ferrell Sr.
Thanks a lot for sharing your story – and I hope you’ll have a great trip to Germany soon!
Ghosts and feeling haunted. I was stationed at Kelley Barracks from 1975-1979 with the 547th Engineers and always thought about the previous residents, the German Army. Now I can see that you too are haunted by our occupation, a more pleasant one, I hope. Cambrai was always the place to go. It was the last stop on the #3 trolley. You then walked to the main entrance. It was full of America. I used to take German kids there on Saturdays to get milk shakes from the little cafe. They loved them. This was before McDonalds landed. Cambrai had many resources; one that wasn’t mentioned was the CDAAC program, an entire on the premise counseling service for all of the drug addicts from the Kelley, and Ernst Ludwig Kasernes. Tough time for the American Army. Your video tour was provocative and brought back many memories. Thanks for the effort.
I just stumbled across this site. I was stationed at ELK from 1964-66. Married a beautiful young German girl from Griesheim named Gerda. We were married in the CFK Chapel. I was a PFC, then E4&E5. 1/26th & 3/80th at ELK. Break in Service & college on the GI Bill. Taught in Germany for 1 year and then my Direct Commission came through. Back to Germany in 1974 as a butter bar 2LT US Army MSC to 8th Med Bn Mannheim & Bad Kreuznach. Back to Germany 1993-1995 to both 7th MEDCOM & 5th SIGCMD/HQ USAREUR ODCSIM. Up in Griesheim & Darmstadt nearly every weekend visiting Germany in-laws. Also ensured the IT at the ELK & CFK medical clinics function properly and that staff & patients were fully supported. Our youngest daughter was married in the CFK Chapel in 1995 (later divorced back in the States). I retired as a COL Summer 1998. Gerda & I just had our 38th wedding anniversary last month. We celebrated her 65th birthday last month as well. Relatives and friends flew in from Griesheim/Darmstadt and around the US for the bash. We did it German style. We have been and go back to Germany often (save bucks and then head there). Last trip was two summers ago (2012). Took pics of the Kasernes. Went through the fence at CFK. ELK is now civilian housing. However, Griesheim and Darmstadt haven’t changed all that much except for some new buildings here and there. We are members of the Griesheim Stadts Museum (I’m a volunteer Website translator from here in San Diego, CA. While there in 2012, we also spent 5 days at the fairly new Military Hotel (Edelweiss) in Garmisch. Inexpensive, everything is paid in USD, and you can walk to downtown Garmisch. Highly recommended. Germany travel is less expensive than here in the USA now (with the exception of the air plane tickets to get there. v/r dr dan
We lived in Lincoln village in Darmstadt from 68-71. I loved it . Would love to go back. Made me sad that the post has been closed. I love reading updates about it.
WOW I can’t believe this video. I was stationed there from end of Aug 79 to 82. When I say I was stationed there I mean there…. your video started in the motor pool A company 11th signal we started our day there every morning formation, then up the hill the first door you looked at was THE door I used to my barracks, then in front of my barracks the up the stairs over the wall the next door was THE door I used to go to where I worked 32nd AADCOM headquarters building. You really freaked me out dude ….
Hah, I guess I nailed it! 🙂
I was assigned to “E” Company 32nd signal from 6/56 to 6/59. Drank many beers at Carl’s bar just out the main gate. The videos brought back some fond memories. Chuck Balius, USA ret.
I was assigned to HHC 440th 1974,1975. CSM Bell, SFC Watson , CPT McMahon, are a few names I remember
This has brought back wonderful memories for me. I was assigned to the 7th Evac Field Hospital which later became the 7th Combat Support Hospital. I was there from 1971- 1973. So many good memories. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by – comments like yours make me go out there and explore, it’s always great to hear from people who have a personal relationship to the places I visit!
I was at Ernst-Ludwigs 1970 to 1972
The pictures of the 32nd Sig Bn brought back many great memories.
I was in “E” Company from June 1956 to June 1959.
Carl’s bar just out the front gate was always my last stop on returning from a night on the town.
I also served a tour in Hanau 1968-70. During this tour I did visit CFK on two occasions, look as it did in the 50’s.
Chuck Balius-some of our times at CFK overlapped. I was USAF with the 6911RGM in a side loop of Cambrai just above the BX. 1957-1960 and we worked in Griesheim Operations and had perhaps a lot more freedom than our USA brothers. When not at work we were free to be in civies on the economy.
I loved my time here, skied in Austria for 3 weeks every Spring and was welcome in the home of a family in Trautheim with two beautiful daughters. I have been back to Germany 11 times and have a girlfriend from Bavaria who visits me here in NH. My time in Darmstadt was golden. Brad Whipple
Florian and Sevastian- vielen dank fuer this bulletin board. I visit it from time to time, and it is great to see how many army, air force and dependants comment on their great times at CFK. If more USAFSS (Security Service) personnel sign on, I would like them to write me with their emals and we will invite them to join our active watering hole with about 3000 members now, personnel who served literally around the world. Brad@NHSkier.US
Hey Brad,
I am really happy to see that this article helps people reconnecting – while I don’t reply to every comment I read all of them. It’s absolutely fantastic how many people share their memories and it’s great to know that everybody involved felt positive about that potentially dangerous time. Like I mentioned before, I grew up near Mannheim and I always appreciated the influence the US bases had on the area; like festivals or the opportunity to see un-dubbed movies in local cinemas.
Hi Brad,
I was in the 6910th Security Wing from 1966 to 1968. I was a Ditty Bopper and worked at the old Operations Building. I was on the Dawg Flight.,
I had many fond memories of Darmstad. It’s good to hear from some of the guys stationed there.
I was in the 6910th from 1966 thru 1969. Baker Flight. Sometimes those days seem like yesterday. One thing I remember is the movie theater – the price was 25 cents on most movies, 35 cents on the more popular movies. I would occasionally go to Carl’s for a bratwurst. We rode Jakes’ double-decker bus to the operations site near Griesheim. Does anyone know what happened to the site. When the Europeans sent that rocket into space to study that comet, they listed the European headquarters as Darmstadt. I can’t help but think that they use our old site for their operations center. Does anyone know? My regards to everyone who has contributed to this walk down memory lane.
Gerald, I also was on Baker Flight. Was there in 63 thru late 65. Rode Jakes bus and went to Carl’s as well. There was another Gasthouse straight out the gate a few blocks that had great food. We also went to a place in Eiberstadt and became friends with some great People. St Pauli Gasthouse. Would love to go back. Thanks for the memories
Hi Jerry, I check this about once a year for comments! Problem it goes from oldest comment to newest so you have to scroll through several years to get to the recent comments! I was stationed at ELK as a young soldier right out of high school from 1964 to 1966. Married my wife Gerda at the Cambrai Chapel in summer ’66! Went back on AD in summer 1974 to Mannheim. Went back to Heidelberg in ’93. Ironically, on of my responsibilities was the IT at the Cambrai Health Care Clinic! In fact, one of our daughters was married in the Cambrai Chapel in 1995 and we held her reception in the O’Club! My wife Gerda flew out of the Griesheim airfield! It’s closed now! ELK is now civilian housing! We go back to Griesheim frequently! Most of Griesheim and Darmstadt remains the same (kept up and modern) and you would find no problem fitting right back into the place! My Brother In Law and his wife who have a son who works at the Darmstadt satellite tracking organization berween Griesheim and Darmstadt! I hope this helps!
Jerry – You must have left before I got there. I’m guessing we knew a lot of the same guys. I believe that gasthouse was called the K-House by most of us, the ‘K’ representing one of those long German names that no one could pronounce. One of my favorite things was taking the train into Frankfurt and going into the stores and restaurants there. I would occasionally take the train to Wiesbaden and shop in the BX there since it was so well stocked. During my tour I was able to travel in 13 countries something I might never have done otherwise. One of my big regrets is that two of my best friends that I traveled with in Europe are now deceased. They would have loved this website. Jerry, take care!
From 1982 to 1984 I was an MP who was attached to the 32 AADCOM HQ(Cambria Fritsch , Darmstadt) to be apart of the Security Force for the Maj. General Hugo then Cooper. We stayed on the 4th floor which was all females. We had 2 rooms which was on the ends of the hall. Hope I get some responses. I lost all contacts with my MP buddies
Its been since 1984 that I was at CFK and as I watch the video I have know idea which is the 440th building which I stayed in, 4th floor. Could you tell me what time frame in the video is 440. Very nice video by the way.Thank you
I was the Supply SGT Then for HHD in the Basement I supported the MPs you all Had SSG Flagg and SSG Richardson
I worked in the “Verdun” building at the time the US Army handed CFK back over to Germany. Building 4006 was mostly the V Corps legal branch office (it had unused bedrooms on the top floor and a couple small agencies on the 2d floor, but mostly it belonged to the JAG office).
If you’re curious on what the closing ceremony looked like, or photos of the inside of the Verdun building at the end of the Army days, I have some on my Darmstadt page, about halfway down:
http://cldphoto.com/germany/Darmstadt/index.html
Thanks a lot, Christian, I’ll definitely have a look!
Florian, have you been back to the old post or villages? I think you’re the one that did the video. The building I lived in was in the video. Can’t remember bldg # we lived right off of Heidelberg Strasse. It was so great to see the video. I would love to go back.
I went back in 2013, but there was not much to see… This article here has three more photos you might be interested in: https://abandonedkansai.com/2014/04/30/worst-of-germany-2013/
Thank YOU
Gerald: I was stationed at Darmstadt in the 6911th in 1970-1971 then the 6911th moved to the I.G. Farben building in downtown Frankfurt. I managed an audio club in the basement of one of the barracks at CFK. I loved my time n Darmstadt. Jim Betterton.
I was also there in 71 stationed with the 7th Evac, I purchased most of my equipment from your audio club, some of it I’m still using.
Jim – I remember the audio club. I bought a stereo receiver and speakers that were handcrafted with wood by a local. After a few years, the whole set was stolen during a breakin. I also bought a reel-to-reel tape recorder which was the ‘in’ thing back then. I have a lot of reel-to-reel tapes and nothing to play them on. Jim, did the I G Farben Bldg still have those crazy continuous elevators? Jim, take care.
Those elevator in the IGFarben were called Paternosters I believe. I too was 6911RMG at Cmbrai Fritche Kaserne in Darmstadt…I left 4/60, then 6911 became 6910 and moved to Augsburg. Never heard of 6911 at the IG Farben.Our Intel HQ was there but we were afield and flying out of Rhein-Main AFB.
I left Darmstadt in early May 1972 and worked in the IG Farben in Frankfurt with the 6911th Comsec unit. it closed in early summer of 1973 when the AFSS and ASA . they worked together in Augsburg.The paternosters were different than elevators. I actually was clearing into the bldg when the O club was bombed, killing at Lt.Col. Part of the work of the Baader-Mainhof gang.
I was stationed here from Aug. 1971 to Dec. 1973 / 440th Signal Battalion Charlie Co. So sad to see CFK abandoned. At that time, Charlie and Alpha Companies were located in the last barracks, across from the theater. Many old memories there. I, also, remember Carl’s, just outside the front gate, great sandwiches. Darmstadt was, and I hope, still is, a great community.
Hi Clarence, unfortunately, most of the Kasernes are no longer abandoned. They are being filled with Syrian refugees. You can go online and check them out. Other areas of Linkedin are also showing videos of what’s going on in Germany with refugees and it’s not pretty. For the mostpart, they are destroying what’s left that’s great about many Kasernes (that aren’t actually falling apart, such as in Heidelberg). They are being provided 3 squares a day, free cellphones/service, housing (some of the very best in all of Europe because of renovations that took place before closure), most, if not all, have formed Muslim gangs that are now spilling over into the Germany communities . For example, it’s not uncommon any longer for Muslim gangs to go into small Germany communities, walk into stores, and blatlantly steal anything they want. Rapes are going up by scores as well (very well documented, not heresay). Those that are lodging complaints are being branded as Racists. Immigration isn’t working in Europe and it’s not going to work here in masses either. BTW, my wife is German and came to the USA legally. We have hundreds of relatives in Germany, visit there often, and keep up to date. We don’t listen to rumors, but facts are facts.
I was stationed there from 1994-1997 and loved partying at Smugglers. I went back after I got of the army and lived in Darmstadt for a year.
Don’t K ow if this gets to a human or not. But I lived there in the 60’s. I was so sad to see it closed. I would love to go back to Germany Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Of course this will get to a human! Despite being quite old, this article is still really popular; bringing people together.
Lol! Oh good. Wasn’t sure how this worked. Not very computery.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
No worries! Sometimes it takes me a while to answer though…
Awesome so did I! Was there 94-98. Was signal worked at brigade hq Loved it. I wonder if we ever crossed paths. I am a 5’ tiny blonde. Spc walker at that time. Spent a lot of time in bowling alley, got pretty good at it. Lol
I was there from Jan 1970 to Feb 1972 in the 93rd Signal Battalion. I know they had Air Force in some of the upper floors of the barracks.I’m going to Europe next month and plan to show the grand kids the apartments I lived at in Pfungstadt and Greisheim. Hope I can find a hole in the fence. Does anyone remember taking a piece of cardboard down the hill at Frankensteins castle ?
Bruce Hausmann
I was stationed at HHB 10th ADA Group on Ernst Ludwig Kaserne in Darmstadt, from Feb. 1976-July 1978, as a comcenter operator(72E20, Telecommunications Center Specialist). Ernst Ludwig was the smallest Kaserne of the three and consisted of HHB 10th ADA, Co C 11th Signal, and the 94th Combat engineer bn. There were approx 7 buildings on the entire Kaserne counting the Mess Hall and Theater. Kelly Barracks, which was mostly administrative, was about 1/2 mile up the road. Cambrai Fritz Kaserne was slightly further away where the shopping for all the bases in Darmstadt was done. All shoppind was done on the basis of what was left on your ration card for the month, for cigarettes and liquors especially as they were big black market items during those years( a bottle of Jim Beam or a carton of Marlboros could get you anything in Germany). HHB 10th ADA Gp was a Brigade hq’s so i also spent a lot of the at the Airfield which was down the road in the other direction. I, as a comcenter operator, was often assigned courier duty to our outlying companies and got to visit a lot of smaller German communities such as Giessen and Wildflicken(sic). i was also a shiftworker and had a lot of off time so i was constantly in the Bahnhoff going somewhere or the other, mostly Frankfurt or Heidelberg….those were some good days back then…..
My dad was stationed in Darmstadt from 68-71. I loved it. So beautiful. Makes me sad that the post is closed. I would love to go back.
I was there 1975-1978 in (HQ?) Co 440th…worked at a Microwave site near Zwingenberg. Good memories – thanks for posting this!
My dad was 440 Charley Co. 1974 to1977.
I was stationed there from 1966 – 1968 as a Non-Morse Intercept Operator on Dog Flight. Loved the time I spent in Germany. After me wife came over from the US, we lived in Pfungstadt and I worked at the Operations Site off base.
Would love to see the area again.
I was stationed there from August 1975 until Jan 6th 1977. I have a lot of excellent memories from there
The army asked me to come back in for a 10 month duty assignment after i left the service, i went to Germany in support of Bosnia in 1996-1997 and was stationed at CFK. The 1st video you walked right past my barracks and like Debbie McDonough Albano Travis stated above i stayed in the same barracks as she did and funny to say the same units were still in the barracks… I was on the 2nd floor with the MP’s on 3rd and Women was on the 4th. I actually controlled all the keys for that building and some people didn’t realize it but the building use to be a German hospital and if you had access you could go in the lower area and i saw some old metal tables you would use but im not saying they were from the 30 or 40’s but sure the hell looked old. I had some great times at the Escape club and the bowling ally which you sort of walked by if you had filmed to the left, but then you can’t film everything. Thanks again for the memories.
Great post! My German wife and I had our church wedding in the Cambri Chapel! 39 years later so did one of our daughters! My first military assignment right out of HS was as a private to the 3/80th on ELK which is now civilian housing!! My wife Gerda was born in Darmstadt and grew up in Griesheim. Gerda is the first female pilot from Griesheim and flew her family up and down the Rhine River before the airfield closed down! Jump a few decades, other tours to Germany, and back to Germany stationed in Heidelberg ’93 to ’95. Was dual hatred at 7th MEDCOM and 5th SIGCOM! Was on the team that closed down units across Germany and prepped others for future closeing! Imagine being back there as a Colonel and having to close down places near to your heart where you served as a private (through sgt) decades before! We go back frequently to visit family and always drive by the Cambri Ghost Town as we call it! Griesheim is our second home! V/r, Dan & Gerda Hatton
I remember your barracks vividly, the MPs had some great parties! I was in Signal 74B at Brigade HQ. I became a pretty good bowler while there from 94-98. I wonder if we ever crossed paths. I was Spc Walker at the time. Then married a civ veteran that worked at the bowling alley. Cedric. He was a better entertainer than the comedian by that name. We had so many great friends. Wonderful memories. So glad for this site to bring back those memories.
I was in Darmstadt ( 1970-1973) at another kaserne, across town from C
-F. I can’t remember the name of it. It was a group hq of the 32 Air Defense Command. Anybody remember the name or know anything about it?
Ernest Ludwig Kaserne (ELK) may be the one you are referring to! It’s now German civilian housing! It was right across from the POL storage area (not forest once again)! Dan
Wow. Thank You. I was stationed there between 85 & 87. What a great time in my life.
My name SP-4 Robert Ford
I was stationed here from 1970 to 1972 as an Air Force intelligence officer. Great assignment.
I was stationed at ELK in the mid-60’s as a young Private right out of high school (infantry, field artillery, missiles-then sent to Frankfurt for finance school)! I was in the 3/80th & 1/26th! Spent nearly all of my off duty hours in Griesheim! The then small town pretty much adopted me! Met my German wife Gerda! Our legal marriage was in Darmstadt! Our church wedding was in the CFK Chapel! Returned to CONUS made E5! Break in service! GI Bill and College! Direct Commission and back to Germany in Summer 1974 with Gerda and daughters Heidi and Anna! 8th ID 8th MEDBN! We were up in Griesheim at every opportunity so our daughters could spend as much time with theircOma & Opa as possible! Assigned to several places in Germany and back in CONUS! Back to Germany in 1993! Was part of the steam that began closing bases (Medical and Signal to include Berlin)! Our daughter Anna met a young soldier and they were married in the CFK Chapel as well! We spend a great deal of time in Germany split between there and California! Darmstadt and Griesheim! In fact, we were there this past July (2017) for my Father-In-Law Gerhard’s 90th Birthday Bash! Of course we went by CFK which is overgrown with weeds, disrepair, and vandalism! ELK has been turned into pretty nice housing! V/r, Dr Dan Hatton, Colonel, US Army (ret)
I lived in Lincoln Village from 1973-1978 and I clearly remembered walking through the Kaserne to get to the movie theater. Your videos brought back so many memories; thank you for sharing!
I spent the last two hours looking for the Skatepark on CFK because i was told there used to be one. I did not find it though. Does anyone know about that?
If you guys are interested: CFK is still closed off and abandoned. Lots of trees and bushes everywhere, nature is coming back. In one building there were people, security maybe.
I was stationed at CFK from spring 1982 to fall 1984, Det II 44th Signal. Thanks so much for the the video. I just can’t believe it has been over 30 years since I lived there. What great memories I have of it all!
I was stationed here in 1976 to 1979 with a co 11ad signal bn.
Thank you very much Florian. I must say that this page proves to me you can find ANYTHING on the internet!
How would you characterize Cambrai-Fritch comments to the comments of other places you document?
I was stationed with 32nd Army Air Defense Command (AADCOM) HQ in 1982-83. At 21, and my first trip overseas, it was a great place to be. I have many, many fond memories. This place evokes more memories than most other places in my life.
I was young and unaware of the Pershing missile crisis at the time. It took me recently watching the TV drama “Deutchland ’83” to recall some of the underlying fear also at that time. There was a car bomb on the Kaserne in 1983, outside the single officer barracks on the road south out of the Kaserne. A Captain was injured. As a headquarters unit for missiles (air defense), we were prime candidates for resistance to pershing missiles.
In retrospect I probably should have been more afraid, but ignorance can be bliss.
It was a very active place though. I got my first year of college through the Uof Maryland in after hours courses. My most memorable course was a history of WW2/Hitler. It was an intensive 3-week course that consisted of a local History professor providing about 2-3 hour lectures 4 nights a week and on weekends. He was so skilled he just walked in, sat down and talked for the duration without a single note. I couldn’t take notes either. His lectures were so captivating. I was probably hungry for knowledge at the time too. In fact it is only now, as I write this comment, that I appreciate the irony of that class being taught in the basement of barracks built by Nazi’s.
The 32nd HQ was the first large building to the left (east) in the front gate on main square. I had a great MOS (job) as a graphic artist (81E Illustrator) on the second floor in the “g-3” section. My coworker was SP4 Drucilla Demming. Hey Dru! Helen Tierney was one of the many interesting ex-pats working for the US military complex abroad I also remember. The community also brought in some ex-pats that just worked in the area, such as the couple Roger and Becky Davenport, who just liked the break from speaking German all the time. Becky was a software developer for a German company.
Some of the more human events I remember are the Annual Frankenstein Castle Run, German American fair on the Kaserne. I learned how to pour and serve Germans beer. There was a community theater there where I had the lead in “Wait until Dark” and some other one act plays. They were performed for the community and Germans attending local English classes. I especially remember an audience of young German children on base for a performance of one-act plays. I remember crying at ET in the movie theater. I remember doing my laundry in the laundromat.
Wow. Surprising how clear some of these 35 year-old memories are.
Thank you again!
I was an 81E at 32nd AADCOM in Darmstadt too! I was there from ’79 to ’82. Just missed you. I think Jeff Burroughs was working as an 81E when I left. Loved Darmstadt!
stationed at CFK 63 to 64 air police billeted with the 709th MP battalion C co.
I SSG Gonzalez (Speedy was my nickname) was part of the move from Kapaun barracks to CFK. Ktown & the CFK move w/my best friends was my first assignment from 1973 to 1976 in Germany and I loved it. I did 3 more tours after that. David C. was my roommate and best friend and John & Henny were also best friends. In fact John took me Rhein Main AGB for trip back to the world for my next assignment which was at HAFB Florida. On my 2d tour late 1977 I came back to visit CFK and Dave was already pcs and was told Dave & Angie had a baby. Anyways I hope you guys are doing well in health and spirit. And I still miss you guys. Proud to have served with you guys.
1964 TO 1967 LINCOLN VILLAGE MANY MEMORIES
Lincoln village was my home when my dad was stationed there. 1974 to 1977. I was 14 until 17.
I’m now 62.
My dad was in the army. We were stationed there from 1974 to 1977. I miss it. I was not aware of it being closed until I looked it up.
Appears the CFK is still there. I recently found it using Google Earth. I was in E Co 32nd Signal Bn 6/56 – 6/59
I was the Supply SGT for HHD USAMCAD from 82-85 I love Darmstadt it was one of the best assignments I had in my 25 year career. Myu wife at the time was in 30th Postal
I was part of the Security Force that protected the 2 different Brigadier Generals ( BG Cooper and BG Hugo ) 1982-84. The Security Force was on the 4th floor with all the female Medics.
Was stationed there. B Company 94th Engineers (Combat Heavy) Earth Mover Platoon, 18th Engineer Brigade. 1983-1983.
I was there at the cambria fitch kaserne signal brigade in 94-98..loved it!
This makes me so happy! My dad was stationed in Darmstadt 1968-70. We lived in Lincoln village right off of Heidelberg Strasse. It does make me sad that the post is closed now. But, I love seeing the pictures and videos.
Oh My!!! Cambrai….I was stationed there from Feb. 77 to June 79. At TADS Det. 440th Signal Battalion. The first barracks to the left as you entered the front gate. We also had a TS compound that was from our barracks, past 32 Adcom at the opposite end going towards the back gate of the kaserne where each of us rotated weekly as armed gate guard as the compound was where our 8 or so 5 ton vehicles that house our field computer systems to connect field units to the rest of the world and red cross to US families….Really brings back memories…I had the best time there…For a 17 to 20 year old, it was the best education you could ever get…
Thank you for posting this. I was here in the 440th signal battalion in the late 80’s. This sure brought back some great memories