Guetersloh, early 70's; TacEval team ordered evacuation of families, MT of all kinds loaded up with spouses and children, set off down autobahn to the west. On arrival at Kamener Kreutz, convoy turned round to return to station to find autobahn behind them jammed full of local residents from Guetersloh believing that the fall of the country was imminent. After that, all exercises were promulgated in local papers to avoid repeat.
I remember that one. After that, the evacuations were restricted to a short bimble in the surrounding countryside before RTU, endex and a few beers. On one occasion, a local in his big Merc was trying to overtake the convoy by weaving in and out as passing traffic allowed. When he came up behind our Landy, our WO leaned out of the wagon, pointed his Stirling at him and gestured that he should remain where he is. The Merc driver duly obeyed and sat behind us for a good 20 minutes before he was cheerily waved on his way. From his gesture as he roared off, cordiale was not very entente.