E-Mail:
Jim Tansey
Steve Krulin
BARRACKS, STOVES and SHOWERS feature in this fascinating exchange of emails...
----- Original Message ----- engo.f.helbig(a)lmco.com To: tanseyj(a)theriver.com
Subject: I need some help finding the building numbers of my barracks at Bentwaters.
Hello Mr. Jim Tansey My name is Engo Helbig. I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters from DEC 1989 to DEC 1992. I worked for the 81st AGS in both the 510th and 92nd AMUs. I'm wondering if you can help me find out the building numbers of the barracks that I lived in. I would also like to find out the room numbers as well, but I think that would be to difficult. I'm attaching a map, in *.gif format if you can't read it please let me know, that I drew from memory. If you are familiar with the Domestic Site of RAF Bentwaters, for my time period, it should be easy to place. I need the building numbers of barracks A and D. I would greatly appreciate any help or referrals that you can provide. Sincerely,
Engo
-----Original Message----- Jim Tansey To: Lots of people
Can anyone help Engo? Please forward your replies directly to Engo at engo.f.helbig(a)lmco.com . You may email a copy to me if you like also. Attached you will also find my 1964 map (jpg) of RAF Bentwaters from my webpages.
Jim
----- Original Message ----- To: Jim Tansey and lots of others
I can't help but you all might like (?) to know that the Officer's Club on Jim Tansey's map has recently been demolished. (That answers one question from Frank Palmer, whose email I still owe an answer to). Regards
Linn Barringer
----- Original Message ----- "Steve Krulin" webmaster(a)tropic-lawyer.com To: "Jim Tansey" tanseyj(a)theriver.com;
I would like to help, however, as far as I know, real airmen only lived in Nissan/Quonset Huts down in Site 7. As I so clearly remember it, there was nothing quite so refreshing as a shower at the Site 7 latrine on balmy English winter morns (watch the black ice on the shower floor). I don't even remember ever meeting anyone who "resided" in "the barracks", the fire department gang certainly didn't drink with them. grin warm regards from sunny Miami,
Steve Krulin
----- Original Message ----- "Jim Tansey" To: "Steve Krulin"
752-B, firemen for roomates! Only way to go! Never know who you would find in that latrine shower on a Friday/Saturday night. Same goes for your bed in the huts. Good old days and they really beat the new barracks. Know we hated to move out of the huts. What number were you in? Mine was to the right heading down toward the large oil tank where we had to wheel the drum trailer to fill up our 55 gal tank, usually in the cold rain or snow, same side as the orderly room. Walked out the door and you were looking into Sheepshanks field.
Cheers
Jim
----- Original Message ----- "Steve Krulin" To: "Jim Tansey"
Hut 371A, furthest hut on right side going into site, faced both the messhall parking lot and the beet field. One hut over from the infamous "vanallen room" of story and verse. Conley, Krulin and Marino with Hatcher, Judy, Smity and Mcvey on the opposite end. (JB correct me if Our fuel drum seemed to suffer total fuel depletion only if the outside temperature fell below 28 degrees (34 if raining). Hard to comprehend how fast those pot bellied stoves burned through fuel, especially since the heat only radiated 18 to 36 inches into the hut although the stove itself would ungulate with a bright red glow when the lights were off. It wasn't only Friday and Saturday's when one might be surprised at who was taking a shower. I remember more than one "lighting raid" by the ever vigilant air police - generally after some malcontent alleged that "women were cavorting through the site". I do not remember any success in apprehension of such naughty girls either - by the air police. I remember soon after settling into Site 7 some short-timer telling me that the farmer whose field abutted the site was known to be a Russian spy. But even I was able to see there was little strategic value in knowing of the goings on in Site 7. I only remember one hut inspection and that vaguely. JB told me who ever it was enjoyed a cold one with them on their side of the hut. warm regards from sunny Miami
Steve
-----Original Message----- Jim Tansey To: Steve Krulin
The famous Vanalen! Worked with him when he came up from London. What a mouth! Great worker. Airman Charles (Chuck) F Vanalen: If you knew him, you would not forget him. Terrific draftsman. Married London girl, had a couple of poodles, no children. Now living in San Antonio, TX. AMWAY is his occupation. Who was the SSgt (German name beginning with H) that was always busting him and caused him to miss his stripe? Agree with the 'any time' in the shower. Many nights came home to an empty oil barrel. Big decision on whether to fill it or huddle up under many blankets, etc. Remember stove glowing red almost to ceiling. Rainwater had gotten in and was sizzling on top of oil. Got GI Can cover to shield heat while turning off. Fear was that FIREMEN would douse with foam starting from roof and left for you to clean-up. Oil burned at an alarming rate with no wick and gravity feed. Never heard the Russian Spy bit. Remember trips to the latrine in middle of night with rats crossing my path and almost running over my feet. Also the sick rabbits. Also in the cold rain with shower clogs and parka on over underwear. Boy, can we go back to those fun days? Cheers. (Sorry you guys that had to live in the new barracks, missed all the fun)