Bahrdorf is located north of Helmstedt along what was the East - West German Border, on the north German plain. The site was situated on what was probably a glacial esker, it was on a slight rise, that had a scattering of scrubby pine trees, the ground was fairly sandy.

According to Elston A Taub, he was at Bahrdorf site from September to November 1953, making it ready for the 1954 encampment.  "EA", said they lived in pup tents for a couple of weeks until they had the wooden framed for the squad tent erected.

I visted Bahrdorf in 1954 and was assigned there in 1955, the living conditions were spartan to say the least. We had squad tent stretched over wooden frames, electricty, diesel fuel heaters for warmth, and beds with mattresses, for bathing we went to a bath house. Operations were conducted in van trucks, Bahrdorf was a RDF and listening post site.    Dean Slagle

Dean:

I have just read your informative email on the history of the 331st... I first joined the 331st C/R Company in October 1953.  My first duty station in the field was EASY detachment at Bardhof on the east              German/Russian Border.  As I recall FOX detachment was operating at that time near Konigslutter.  We returned to Geissen in December for the winter.

I returned to EASY Detachment with the 331st in March of 1954 and shared duty at FOX Detachment that spring and summer as a cook.  I remember our stay at EASY because it rained the entire month of April and the road up the mountain to the Compound was a real mess.  The engineers dumped tons of sand in front of the mess hall but it all just washed out and down the mountain.  We did not rerturn to Geissen until December 1954. Captain Sutherland was our commander and agood man he was too.

Early that is before June 1955 the 331st moved to Rothwesten at Kassel. As I was scheduled to return to the states in July 1955, I was not sent to the field and know nothing about the activities from that point onward.  I do remember that there were tame deer around the buildings at Rothwesten and that what later became an antenna field was found still to have live land mines in the ground.  UDT did not find them all as we lost a duece and a half to one of them in June 1955.  I can also recall that the Airforce got paid twice a month and we only got paid one a month and that led to various situations on post and in town.

As to the unit designations:  When I got there the address for mail was: 331st Conn Recon Co.  APO 169 and it remained that until I left the unit only the APO changed with the Rothwesten number of 171.  I do recall hearing that the designation was to change but it did not happen while I was with the unit.  My footlocker in looking at me right now and it read 331st C/R Co.  APO 171, I sent it home in June of 1955 full of goodies for the family.

I am sure that this will maybe muddle the history somewhat but this is how I have it from old letters my parents saved and the old footlocker that shares my memories almost every day as it still seves the purpose of storing many items and photos from this very important period of my life.

Thanks for reading this long email, and I do remain:

Sincerely

Harold I. Sanderson
331st Comm Recon Co. 1953 - 1955