British Intercept Station Langeleben

entrance decaying camp before demolition



formal blessing , unveiling of memorial stone 13 june 2009



memorial stone intercept station langeleben 13 june 2009

after second world war , subsequent division of germany, british set static listening post @ langeleben intercept , analyse radio traffic of eastern block , monitor movements of warsaw pact military forces. location ideal, being few kilometres iron curtain border. @ first (in 1951) temporary location set using specialised qlr vehicles , tents , 9 members of 101st wireless troop royal signals. @ first considered temporary facility, became clear division of east , west germany possibly last long time, , so, staffing levels grew, wooden huts erected. building of berlin wall in august 1961, clear need bigger , better permanent facility @ location became apparent , in 1963/64 camp totally rebuilt.

royal signals residents 1951 1992

members of intelligence corps stationed @ langleben throughout period.

the military camp officially known anderson barracks , fall of wall in 1989, , reunification, need listening post in middle of newly merged germany became superfluous. in 1992 camp closed , occupants absorbed various other units @ diverse locations. unused buildings vandalised.

since demolition in 2008 buildings have gone leaving roads , concrete foundations remaining show once stood there. fence, gates , other scrap metal have been removed , nature taking on site ~ has done many times before during preceding centuries.

on 13 june 2009 members of langeleben reunion, association of former royal signals , intelligence corps soldiers had been posted langeleben, on parade , after marching down demolished camp nearby clearing paraded close memorial stone has been erected commemorate service there between 1951 , 1992. stone carved paul ellis, son of former langeleben serviceman , uk stonemason of repute stonemason in lincoln cathedral. offered services @ cost , these paid members officially blessed , unveiled.