Soviet Military Mission in Bünde

[Taz]

Guys,
This brings back a few memories for me.
I found this set of cards with the number plates of the Soviet Military Missions here in Germany.
Now living in Herford were I was stationed during the late 70's I remember being issued these cards.
Of course my set have now been long lost but still.....

Anyway the story is in November 1944 an agreement was made between the Allies ( "Londoner Protokoll" ) that in the four Zones, British, American, French and Russian that a Military Mission was allowed to be set up for the other Countrys.
In East Westphalia the British Zone HQ was in Bad Salzuflen (about a mile from were I live) so the Soviet Military Mission was set up there to ensure an open Military policy between the British and Soviets.
After being stationed in Bad Salzuflen for many years the mission was moved to Lübbecke and then finally in August 1957 to Bünde (about a mile in the other direction) were it remained until its closure in 1990.

It was a building in the Engelstraße near to the British married quarters surrounded by a Mesh fence covered with sacking.
There was about ten semi-detached houses, a Casino, offices and Kitchen.
In December 1990 after 33 years in Bünde the mission was closed.

I remember seeing the cars used and reporting them to the exact number on the pic!

Eddie.

[HuliganRS]

Taz,

Maybe I didn't catch it but what where these cards used for?

Rusty.

[Taz]

Rusty,
They were issued to Soldiers here in Germany for quick recognition of the Soviet military Mission number-plates on cars.
These sightings had to be reported straight away.

I think this is correct it's been a long time:

30 - SMM in the American Zone (Frankfurt)

3 - SMM in the British Zone (Bünde)

68 - SMM in the French Zone (Baden-Baden)

Eddie.