Well done Brixmis outstanding effort - as a young soldier in BAOR, I had little idea this was going on. We were all issued our SOXMIS (Soviet Military Mission) cards and were regularly briefed about not antagonising SOXMIS blah blah blah. I only ever saw one SOXMIS vehicle ( not No 42) ,who were given the victory Vs and had an LMG pointed at them. Toothless threat we had no rounds anyway! But still naughty and not SOPs.
My uncle served with BRIXMIS in the 80’s. I was at Detmold and later Hildesheim during this same period. He used to tell me some harrowing stories about encounters with the Stasi while he was there.
The book written by Steve Gibson "The Last Mission" Behind the Iron Curtain, gives a far deeper insight of the activities in the GDR, in the Russian sector, and the activities of Brixmis in the GDR.
Such a fascinating video! I remember one of our US liaison officers Major Nicholson was killed by the Soviets I believe in 1985. Caused a big deal, as I was stationed in West Germany and would travel to West Berlin often.
I served 12 years as a RAF Driver ('82-'94) and it wasn't until I was demobbed and started working with a former RTC Cpl did I find out that I could have volunteered for this duty! Talk about a missed opportunity!
Absolutely amazing insight, I spent 12 years in the RN and time in the special recon regiment, but i really would have found being in the British military in the Cold War I am fascinated about it
Great video, thoroughly enjoyed listening to Major General Williams experiences…incidentally….Steve Gibson’s book ‘BRIXMIS’ is superb and gives a deeper insight into the incredible work undertaken by the British missions during the Cold War.
A superb presentation. I was just gone 23 in November '89 and always had a morbid fascination with (though not an admiration for) the DDR. I read some books about Brixmis and this lecture has answered a lot of questions for me. Thank you so much.
Met a lovely gentleman at Richmond station this noon . Part of the mission im guessing . When i appollogised in csae i caused any problems and why he looked like hed met an old friend, even though we had never met oct 87
I was serving as a subaltern in 1976 I observed a SOXMIS car on the perimeter fence of RAF Wildenrath where 3 Harrier squadrons were based at the time. This a yellow zone in the GDR? I doubt the Soviet mission faced the unpleasantness as the brave guys who served in Brixmis. I visited the GDR 1989 prior to the fall of the wall. It was dismal and menacing, but I had to see it and try to make sense of it. Who'd have thought that 30+ years later Putin's tyranny would take us not only back to the days of the Cold War, but to an even more dangerous place?
Thank you for this. As time passes, it’s important to learn these stories to prevent revisionist history “lessons” from becoming the norm.
Well done Brixmis outstanding effort - as a young soldier in BAOR, I had little idea this was going on. We were all issued our SOXMIS (Soviet Military Mission) cards and were regularly briefed about not antagonising SOXMIS blah blah blah. I only ever saw one SOXMIS vehicle ( not No 42) ,who were given the victory Vs and had an LMG pointed at them. Toothless threat we had no rounds anyway! But still naughty and not SOPs.
My uncle served with BRIXMIS in the 80’s. I was at Detmold and later Hildesheim during this same period. He used to tell me some harrowing stories about encounters with the Stasi while he was there.
The book written by Steve Gibson "The Last Mission" Behind the Iron Curtain, gives a far deeper insight of the activities in the GDR, in the Russian sector, and the activities of Brixmis in the GDR.
great talk, thanks for uploading
Get out of a wrecked car and make a brew OUTSTANDING.
Such a fascinating video! I remember one of our US liaison officers Major Nicholson was killed by the Soviets I believe in 1985. Caused a big deal, as I was stationed in West Germany and would travel to West Berlin often.
I served 12 years as a RAF Driver ('82-'94) and it wasn't until I was demobbed and started working with a former RTC Cpl did I find out that I could have volunteered for this duty! Talk about a missed opportunity!
Fascinating and lively talk
Absolutely amazing insight, I spent 12 years in the RN and time in the special recon regiment, but i really would have found being in the British military in the Cold War
I am fascinated about it
RN? Rangers? Registered Nurse? Not Royal Navy I hope.
Great video, thoroughly enjoyed listening to Major General Williams experiences…incidentally….Steve Gibson’s book ‘BRIXMIS’ is superb and gives a deeper insight into the incredible work undertaken by the British missions during the Cold War.
Served with Corporal John Boland RCT Good guy. 8 Regt RCT was the usual selection pool of drivers for Brixmis
A superb presentation. I was just gone 23 in November '89 and always had a morbid fascination with (though not an admiration for) the DDR.
I read some books about Brixmis and this lecture has answered a lot of questions for me.
Thank you so much.
Great talk. Brought back some memories. Thank you.
Thanks for Uploading.
A very interesting talk, I enjoyed this immensely.
I wish all presentations were as good as this.
What a great presentation
Met a lovely gentleman at Richmond station this noon . Part of the mission im guessing . When i appollogised in csae i caused any problems and why he looked like hed met an old friend, even though we had never met oct 87
I was serving as a subaltern in 1976 I observed a SOXMIS car on the perimeter fence of RAF Wildenrath where 3 Harrier squadrons were based at the time. This a yellow zone in the GDR? I doubt the Soviet mission faced the unpleasantness as the brave guys who served in Brixmis. I visited the GDR 1989 prior to the fall of the wall. It was dismal and menacing, but I had to see it and try to make sense of it. Who'd have thought that 30+ years later Putin's tyranny would take us not only back to the days of the Cold War, but to an even more dangerous place?
Excellent 👍
Wow.