Originally Posted by
langleybaston
We arrived as a family of six for our second tour in BFG in the summer of 1978, with the IRA well into an indiscriminate bombing campaign.
As no MQ was available [funny old thing] we had perforce to stay in Cassells' House, very near the JHQ NAAFI. Outside sat our brand new shiny car, a VX 2300 Estate.
We had only been in residence a few nights when the mother of all car bombs was discovered 100 yards away in the NAAFI car park. I never found out if it was discovered as a result of a partial detonation, or as a result of belated efficiency by the security people.
Either way, Cassells was evacuated as an emergency to ? Salmond ? House, and in the panic some sh1t damaged our car sitting peacefully at rest.
I think we missed the usual nasi goreng for dinner, but Salmond riustled up some grub. After the bomb was made safe, we were allowed back to Cassells. "The cheese and crackers are still out, but the crackers have gone soft!" ...... my youngest.
Regarding the MQ, we were gazumped for the first allocated one, but the gazumper did us a favour because we clicked for Portadown Way, surely the best and friendliest street [a close, in fact] on the patch.
Sorry to trawl the graveyard so to speak, but I have the answers to some of your questions. I was a 16 yr old, working on night staff at JHQ NAAFI in 1978. and was locking my bike up on the raised kerb where Mike, the fish man used to set up shop (before his time) to my right, there was a Ford Sierra which had been sat for over a week.
My girlfriends mum, Joy Reeves, married to RSM George Reeves of Garrison sports and socials thought it looked suspicious and reported it to the RMP. Turns out the car contained over 500lbs of explosives and was timed to go off at 5.00 pm on Thursday pay day the previous week. Right when I was locking my moped to the lamp post to start my shift.
As you recall, we were evacuated, first to the car park behind the NAAFI, then to the mess behind the big house, which I think was Salmond house. Bomb disposal made it safe and removed it. The only mention of this bomb I have ever discovered is this thread and a small mention in the archives of the Rhinedahlen Bulletin. I don't think the forces wanted it publicised.