HAROLDS MEMORIES PAGE 2
About Goats and Planes
There are many myths surrounding
almost any military installation, which has to its acclaim a history like Camp King.
However surprisingly enough, in comparison to other famous (or infamous) places, like for
instance Pullach or Berlin, there has been very little written about Oberursel and Camp
King. Yet, Camp King had played a very big part in the world of intelligence during
WWII and post WWII. A large reason for this void of information is the fact that
much of the "interesting" details are still classified.
Various sources have made reference to Camp King, when it was under German control, (as a
POW camp and interrogation center for Allied pilots) as "the goat farm."
Furthermore, others have laid claim to the potential of an airfield or improvised landing
strip in or around Camp King.
I have researched both claims through the historical archives of the City of Oberursel and
personal accounts from townspeople who resided around Camp King during WWII and
thereafter. In addition, I have some personal observations and recollections to
offer which range back to the late 50's and early 60's.
As to goats - I ran into a dead end. Oberursel's historical archives make no
reference to any goat farms or goats in or around the camp area. There are however
several references to sheepherders and large flocks of sheep, which were roving the
pastures around the camp in the vicinity of what is now called the
"Eichenwäldchen," a very exclusive residential area. I personally recall
seeing in the late 50's large flocks of sheep, which were herded through that area.
These flocks started their journey in the upper mountain regions of the Taunus and stayed
on the move all summer long, ending their journey below Oberursel, around
Bommersheim. So, muttons, yes, but sheep - no. But I am always willing to
re-visit this topic if more information becomes available.
As to the possibility of a landing strip or small airfield (for single engine planes?)
around the camp - there is more information available, including some personal
observations. While there is nowhere any official reference made to an airfield,
there was an area, still visible in the early 60's, which would have lend itself to
minimal or periodic landings and take-off's by small, single engine planes.
Furthermore, the probable "airstrip" was within 2000 meters of the outer
perimeter of the camp. Based on today's map of Oberusel, one would start from the
Hohemarkstrasse, intersection Glöcknerwiese (street car station) and proceed east on Im
Heidegraben, past the Dornbachstrasse for approximately 2000 meters. On the right
hand side is a "Bauernhof" which has been operating there for the past 100 plus
years. A good reference point is that it is the only farm which has a stonewall
surrounding the main buildings. Just beyond this farm, proceeding east, approx 50-75
meters, to the right was (1950's) a rough, unimproved road leading to a strip of improved
pasture leading to nowhere. In other words, the unimproved road leads to the strip,
but the strip leads to nowhere. The question is: why a strip of improved pasture in
the middle of orchards? The length of the strip I will have to estimate at
approximately 500 meters, as the last time I visited that site was some 45 yrs. ago.
I do however recall the site very vividly, as we kids used to get our daily ration of
fresh fruit from the orchards and rode our bikes on the improved, smooth dirt strip.
The strip was also used by the local farmers during the harvest season to rally their
pickers, farming vehicles and feed their workers. I recall specifically, as we kids
would come back to the strip after dark and harvest from the loaded tractors.
Incidentally, never underestimate the scouting abilities of an American GI on a
date. The strip had become somewhat over a lover's lane in the 1960's. As the
access road to the strip was fairly unimproved, quite a few GI's had change their
intentions and have their vehicles pulled out of the mud (after a rainy day) by the local
farmer.
Could small planes have landed there? Certainly. Was the strip remote, yet close to
the camp? Absolutely. But the more important question should be: why a landing
strip surrounded by orchards so close to the camp?
Well, maybe this little bit of detective work will shake-up someone's memory and who
knows, what else will be found out about our now famous Camp King and Oberursel/Ts.
My last visit
I visited Camp King last year and had a difficult time to find anything as it is becoming/has become a beautiful residential area for Germans.