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No 46 Squadron and LTG 62/63 German Air Force |
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In 1968 No 46 Squadron became the first squadron in the RAF to host a German Air Force exchange officer. The first exchange officer, Oberleutnant Horst Abromeit came from LTG 63 at GAF Base Alhorn which were operating Nordatlas, later to be replaced by the Transall C160.(a twin turbo like the Andover). Horst trained as co-pilot but quickly moved to the left-hand seat. Horst fitted into the Squadron extremely well and was soon an expert in RAF banter countering the inevitable reference to the previous Luftwaffe. In 1970, he was replaced by an equally capable officer, Oberleutnant Klaus (Paul) Mindner who followed his predecessor’s rapid progress from right to left-hand seat . Paul was the most Anglophile of the exchange officers even marrying a member of the WRAF. The last exchange officer, Oberleutnant Rinehart Hoppe, arrived in 1973, however, when news of the Squadron’s disbandment was announced , Rinehart returned early to the GAF at the beginning of 1975. All of the exchange officer were successful in their subsequent careers. Klaus rose to Oberst Lt (wing commander) and spent many years flying in GAF Special Duties (VIP) Squadron. Horst retired as an Oberst (Group Captain), among his many prestigious postings was as Station Commander of LTG 62 GAF base Wunstorf and Special Mission Wing (VIP) at Cologne and Tegel. However, Rinehart surpassed them both rising to Generalmajor (Air Vice Marshal) and commanding the GAF equivalent of Transport Command—not bad for an Andover co-pilot?; Both Paul and Horst are regular supporters of Reunions.
LTG 62/63 and 46 Squadron had visits to each others bases and some pictures of the visits are shown below. |
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