8 MFPS Laarbruch and Bruggen. 8 MFPS (8 Mobile Field Photographic Section)Purpose was to support a photo reconnaissance squadron by processing and printing photos taken when on photo reconnaissance flights, i.e. aerial surveys for mapping, or anything requiring aerial photos such as in war, pre and after attack. The number, 8 in this case, is taken from the first figure of the parent squadron. 8 MFPS supports 80 Squadron.
The writer was posted from RAF CME London, to 8 MFPS, Laarbruch, (newly built and opened in 1954), as it was forming in 1956.
3 MFPS supporting 31 Squadron, was already based in Laarbruch, up and operational.
Most vehicles were already on site, eventually consisting of 4 photo labs, (2 CPUs, (continuous film processing unit), 2 multiprinting units). All 4 were trailers drawn by Magirus Deutz. Unlike other MFPS's our trailers were brand new, with all mod cons, made in Germany, electrics by BBC (Brown Boverie & Cie), Mannheim.
There were also 5 Ford Koln trucks used as offices, one equipped and used as a chemical mixing and storage truck, another as a general darkroom? Support vehicles included a Mercedes water bowser/tanker, mobile Bosch generator units. Magirus Deutz 3 ton trucks, a Volkswagen Beetle (for the boss), Volkswagen Combi, a motor-bike for film carrying at speed from the squadron. As with the trailers, all vehicles were new. It was now the job of the writer to order all the trimmings, i.e. furniture and items needed to run the unit.
We were based on an airfield dispersal apron, (next to a second apron on which 3 MFPS were based), not far from the runway, the aircraft taking off and landing would make it very noisy for us.
Our first winter in Laarbruch brought freezing problems with the photo labs. Although ultra modern, the plumbing systems had not been lagged against frost, neither had we drained down prior the freeze up! There were many pumps and pipes that had split! We had learnt our lesson.
Before the move to Bruggen, 8MFPS assisted 3 MFPS with a Royal Flush? Exercise, which included the US air force, mentioned in this link:
http://www.sembachveterans.org/66thTRWEurope.pdf which gives an insight into PR work.
Royal Flush is mentioned on p10 Laarbruch, and p16 Eindhoven.
Moving to Bruggen, (June? 1957), an older camp, we were once again based on a dispersal apron, unlike Laarbruch this apron had a protective bank with rooms inside which we put to good use. Unfortunately, the apron was subject to severe flooding from the airfield. In view of this we were found half a compound within the camp area, giving us the comfort of centrally heated office space etc.
We could now settle down, staff gradually increasing to full strength. The main body of men consisted of photographers, support men were electricians, and a transport team. All staff were required to be able to drive plus one or two to ride a motor bike. In the field, the parent squadron (80), would be responsible for catering and accommodation.
The Film and Printing machines.
In the processing unit, the film was fed in one end of the machine and came out dry the other end. It was then passed to the multi-printing trailer where it would be printed in a similar way, i.e. the exposed photographic paper would be fed into the processing machine until the prints emerged the other end, already dried.
Whilst the unit's main objective was the processing of PR photography at speed, there was the occasional minor requirement for local ground photography.
Some links of possible interest, re squadron history. (no mention of MFPS)
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/h80.html
'On 1 August 1955, No. 214 Squadron flying Canberras at Laarbruch was renumbered No. 80 as a photographic reconnaissance unit until it was disbanded on 30 September 1969'
Moved to Bruggen Jume 1957
The squadron reformed just over a month later on 20 June 1955 as a photo-reconnaissance unit in RAF Germany at Laarbruch. Equipped with Canberra PR Mk 7s, it moved to Bruggen in June 1957 and remained there until disbanding on 28 September 1969
http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn076-80.htm
Below are a selection of photographs from 8MFPS, in this instance, it is not suposed they will be of general interest, as they have been placed here for those who were involved or may have a specific interest,, and that they not be lost over time as can happen with so many. Please remember that they are copyright to http://www.transportcafe.co.uk Permission to use these photographs for business purposes is granted free to educational establishments and governments. Copyright applications will be sent on making a request to the Webmaster. Use on personal computers at work or home is permitted, provided no copy/copies made or distributed. Please refer friends direct to the website. Thank you! The actual ownership of these photographs is the RAF or MOD basically, however they will not be aware of them possibly, for this reason please regard the copyright so that a track record can be kept if any are required.
Copyright Information & how to use as your computer desktop wallpaper
ALL photos are copyright http://www.transportcafe.co.uk ,, but,, free to use on personal or workplace computer as desktop wallpaper.
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Tony Woodward (writer/photographic supplier of this page) Photographer 8mfps. Tony was regarded as the very best in his job by all members of the unit. IT IS WITH REGRET THAT TONY WOODWARD PASSED AWAY ON THE 19TH OF MAY 2009. Tony was a decent chap and NCO, not a person who liked bull, he never charged anyone nor would he be involved with such matters, he was an honourable man who was a photographer foremost. (Please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Lee Palmer co od 8MFPS in 1957/1958. Lee Palmer was an Australian and the very best co. THIS IS A LARGE 400KB FILE DONT DOWNLOAD UNLESS YOU HAVE BROADBAND OR REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS OLD BW PHOTOGRAPH (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Funeral Parade with your webmaster at 18 years old (47 years ago in 2005) middle front on this page. This page is a large 650kb file, so dont download unless you are broadband or really want to see this BW photograph 2644X1976 (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
8MFPS 8th Mobile Field Photographic Section or Unit on remote location, being visited by a young German lad from a nearby village (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
This 8mfps photo might remind you of the Mash TV series, except their kitchen was better! and they thought they had it hard! (Please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Bull Night in the RAF is a known phenomena, seems the word got around (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
8MFPS group, casual photograph. (Please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
RAF Mobile Field Photographic Unit or Section circa 1950's (Please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Frank Morgan was an Instrument mechanic on 8MFPS. I have shown this photo as a matter of being complete, and showing all available possible photographs, that they might not be lost over time. My greatest respects to his family (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Group of 8mfps chaps again. (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Chiefy Donaldson 8mfps, with his Opal Capitan, like the American Gangster Cars (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
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Please remember you wont see ANY of these photographs in good resolution if you don’t enlarge the new page when it opens after you click the link. ALSO you must enlarge the photo to its full size by moving the curser over the image and waiting until the bottom right icon appears which you need to click to enlarge the photo. Viewing the photos in reduced size causes distortion in the image. The images sizes are 99.9% of the time 1024X766/768 allowing you to use them as wallpaper on your computer. Wallpaper is your desktop background. Right click on the picture and then select Set as Background.
8MFPS (8MFPU) in the Mist (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
8MFPS airmen on Funeral March 1958 Your webmaster is in this group. (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
8MFPS colour photograph (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
8MFPS another colour photograph (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Australian Unit Commander Lee Palmer having a milk race with his men (please note this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
Jacks Hill Garage & Transport Cafe on the old A1 near Baldock. Tony/RAF took this in about 1954. One truck leaving is Lin Can. The actual name on the garage as you can see is Jacks Hill Filling Station. Dont get mixed up with Jack Hills Transport Cafe on the A5 by Towcester (A43 intersection). By printing this photo and taking it to the actual location you can see its where a hotel type restaurant has taken the place of the Transport Cafe,,, and the original filling station building and wording over the building is till there,,, all this said some locals involved in webpages production for the area say that its not where it is,,, dont ask me how they deny its where it is,,, the matter is De-Facto courtesy of the RAF at that time. The photo does not lie! (Please dont forget this is a NEW WINDOW. Please close after viewing photograph)
This photo was taken from a Lancaster Bomber flying over Mont Blanc in 1949. The camera used was a Purma Special which Tony bought off one of the lads .......... his very first camera. Shutter speed control was via gravity! Depending on which way the camera was held, I think about three speeds! The above comments by Tony. A remarkable photo considering the camera and vibrating conditions plus any air turbulence.
This photo was taken of 8MFPS whilst in tents on exercise I think it was a competition called Royal Flush between countries of the 2nd Tactical Allied Air forces, known as 2TAF. Its certain that they were making no attempt to hide their location in this instance.
One of the Tractor Units that pulled the photographic laboratories Note the radiator has its cold weather cover in place,, it used to get damned cold in Germany and snow and ice would be with you for weeks.
Some of the 8MFPS personal I understand this group used to go around together, but its just a few of the unit members, pity we all didn’t do this at the time, but its good that someone has saved this one. I will attribute this when I look up my records.
Some of the same 8MFPS personal on an outing with their wives. Its interesting to look at the ladies dress,,, it makes me think I was in another world at that time.
Lee Palmer the unit commander getting ready to lead the convoy of the 8th Mobile field Photographic Section. The vehicles you can see are just about 25/33% of those on the unit. The generator you can see being towed is a 60KVA generator and there were 6 of these on the unit. Quite often more than one would be running to supply enough power for the various labs. These were 3 phases of course and they were as required paralleled up together, the armoured supply cables were laid across the ground and terminated in large eyelet connections on each lab requiring power.
I STILL HAVE MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR POSTING ON THIS PAGE. DATED January 2010
