Serving on the West German destroyer “Hamburg”


Karl-Heinz served in the Bundesmarine as a Signalman on the West German destroyer “Hamburg” in the late 70s.

He talks of his training, his role and shares details of manoeuvres in the North Sea and Baltics involving East German and Soviet ships.

He also speaks about a cruise to West Africa where the sailors were briefed to stay away from any East German merchant marine sailors and not to engage with them in any form – he and his mates didn’t keep to the rules…

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I am delighted to welcome Karl-Heinz to our Cold War conversation…

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