German General visits Salisbury Plain
The British Army is to work more closely with the Bundeswehr (German army) in future following discussions between the two nations’ armies this week at the Headquarters of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division on Salisbury Plain.
MajorGeneral Johann Langenegger, Commander of Hanover-based 1. Panzerdivision, visited southern England to cement the official ‘Patenschaft’ (partnership) with the British Army’s 3rd (United Kingdom) Division
The two-day visit saw the German officer explore how the Bundeswehr may develop ties with the British military.
The General held meetings in Bulford Camp with his British counterpart, Major General James Cowan, before joining 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (1 RRF) on exercise on the Salisbury Plain Training Area.
It was the first opportunity that Langenegger has visited the British Army since the bilateral relationship was formally established during a parade in Germany in July last year.
Speaking at the end of his visit to Salisbury Plain, he explained:
“My experience tells me that close cooperation is needed now more than ever, especially with the challenges our countries are facing abroad.
“General James Cowan and I have decided to create a roadmap for the future, and I expect we will focus on training together more often, in command exercises as well as field training exercises.
“I am very confident that we can look forward to seeing more Bundeswehr soldiers working alongside the British Army – and of course vice versa.”
The 3rd Division’s ties with Germany go back 200 years when the Division fought at the Battle of Waterloo under the command of the Hanoverian soldier Major General Sir Charles Alten. 3rd Division was also briefly part of the British Army of the Rhine, as an armoured formation based at Körbecke, near Soest from 1978-92.
Today 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, based at the heart of the British Army on Salisbury Plain, is the only division at continual operational readiness in the UK. It maintains its links with Germany through Paderborn-based 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade, and its partnership with 1.Panzerdivision in Hanover.
