Sir Alan Donald recounts his experience doing National Service in the British Army of the Rhine in Germany in 1950
You cane watch the video here
The British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) was the name for the British occupation forces stationed in Germany following World War II, officially established in August 1945 from the 21st Army Group. Based in West Germany, it served as a primary NATO land force during the Cold War to defend against the Warsaw Pact, operating until 1994.
Key Details About the BAOR:
- Purpose: Initially established for the occupation and administration of the British Zone in north-west Germany, it later became a core component of NATO’s Northern Army Group.
- Timeline: While a smaller, short-lived force operated from 1919–1929, the main BAOR was active from 1945 to 1994.
- Role: The BAOR was responsible for protecting the North German Plain during the Cold War.
- Disbandment: Following the end of the Cold War and the “Options for Change” defence review, the force was reduced and eventually disbanded in 1994.
- Legacy: The force was highly significant in British military history, with many veterans maintaining a connection through the BAOR Locations project and Facebook memories pages.
