| It was in the early morning hours
of July 4, 1964, that a small group of soldiers internally fortified with a
sufficient quantity of good brew (Stan Bauer, Archie Brewer, and a couple of
other brave soldiers whose names have been lost in time or who don’t want to
own up to what I think is one of the neatest things I have ever been
involved in) laid siege to the British detachment at Helmstedt, West
Germany. Not armed with musket or cannon but only with an American flag, a
little can of grease, and a knife, we made our way into the British
detachment. The British detachment or NAAFI (Navy, Army, Air Force,
Institutes ) was situated along side the Autobahn just prior to entering
East Germany on the way to Berlin. Among other duties the NAAFI supplied
guards for the border checkpoint and had a great little club. We would go
there from time to time, drink a few beers and socialize. We got to know
some of their guys real well which made our encroachment all the more
meaningful.
Before daylight on that fateful July 4th we made our way into
the compound, through a few doorways and there it was, their Union Jack
flying in all its splendor. Quickly, as daylight was approaching, we lowered
the Union Jack and raised the Stars and Stripes. Stan shinnied up the
flagpole, cut and then tied off the rope and greased the pole on the way
down. We got out of there as fast as we could, only stopping long enough to
catch our breath and laugh a little along the way.
We finally got up enough nerve to drive by the NAAFI about 10 that
morning and sure enough, there it was, Old Glory flying at the British
detachment for everyone, including all who were driving between Frankfurt
and Berlin, to see.
Of all the good clean fun we had in Germany that has to be at the top of
the list.
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