4 Signal Group (United Kingdom)

The 4th Signal Group was a group sized unit of the Royal Corps of Signals within the British Army that supported the British Army of the Rhine. The group's main job was to supervise all of the static communications used by the British Forces in Germany.[1] Although it had a very short history of just under 30 years the group did have a vital role of supporting the British Army of the Rhine and 2nd Tactical Air Force.[2]

4th Signal Group
Active1 October 1969 - 1992
Country United Kingdom
BranchArmy
TypeSignals
RoleMilitary Communications
SizeGroup
Part ofBritish Army of the Rhine
Garrison/HQJHQ Rheindahlen

History

The 4th Signal Group was originally formed in 1969 after major reforms to the British Army, the group was created from the original HQ Chief Air Formation Signals Branch, British Army of the Rhine. The group was interestingly created as a result of an agreement between the Royal Air Force and British Army. The army agreed to take control of the signals between the British Army of the Rhine and the 2nd Tactical Air Force of the RAF. The group's first HQ was at JHQ Rheindahlen where it commanded the 16th Signal Regiment (Supported BAOR), 21st Signal Regiment (Supported 2nd TAF), and Signals Works Service Troops (Static Rear Communications). Because there was no war with the Soviet Union the group never saw active service. In 1992 as a result of the Options for Change the group was disbanded and in its place the new Headquarters Communications Branch, British Army of the Rhine was created.[2] In 1990 during Operation Granby, the 16th Signal Regiment, making is the only regiment of the entire group to deploy during its entire existence,[3]

Units

Structure of the group in 1969;[2]

Structure of the group in 1989;[1]

Notes
  1. Made of ex-Wehrmacht personnel
  2. BAOR's Signals Intelligence unit, one squadron at RAF Gatow in West Berlin
  3. supports Royal Air Force Germany/2 ATAF
  4. Commanders Communications, British Army of the Rhine - Theater Reserve Squadron
  5. Royal Signals Inspection Team
  6. Made of ex-Wehrmacht personnel

References
  1. "BAOR-July-1989" (PDF). www.orbat85.nl. 12 March 2019. p. 82.
  2. Lord, Cliff (2003). The Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and its Antecedents. Solihull, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Helion and Company Publishing. pp. 130–131. ISBN 1-874622-92-2.
  3. "British Army units from 1945 on - 16 Regiment". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
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