| 4th Signal Group (BAOR) | |
|---|---|
| 4 Signal Group | |
 Capbadge of the Royal Corps of Signals | |
| Active | 1969—1992 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch | |
| Type | Signals |
| Role | Military Communications for the British Army of the Rhine |
| Size | Group |
| Part of | Commander Communications, British Army of the Rhine |
| Garrison/HQ | JHQ Rheindahlen |
| Nickname(s) | 4 Signal Group |
The 4th Signal Group (BAOR) was a military communications command of the British Army that, as the name suggests, supporting the British Army of the Rhine as its main specialist communications command serving alongside Commander Communications, I (BR) Corps. The group was originally formed to control the signal units that would support the RAF, but its role was later expanded to support the entire British Army of the Rhine.
History[]
On 1 October 1969 the 4th Signal Group was formed from HQ Chief Air Formation Signals Officer Branch, BAOR as a result of the agreement between the British Army and Royal Air Force which gave the communications role for the 2nd Tactical Air Force was given to the army.[1]
Following the group's formation, the command had the following structure;[1][2][3]
- 4th Signals Group
- HQ, 4th Signal Group, JHQ Rheindahlen
- 13th (Radio) Signals Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, Mercury Barracks, Birgelen (Signals Intelligence for HQ BAOR)[4]
- No.3 Squadron, RAF Gatow (Signals Intelligence for BFB)
- 16th (BAOR) Signals Regiment Royal Corps of Signals, Bradbury Barracks, Krefeld (Communications for HQ BAOR)[5][6]
- No.1 Squadron (Static Communications), JHQ Rheindahlen
- No.4 Squadron (Static Communications), JHQ Rheindahlen
- 21st (Air Support) Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, RAF Wildenrath - supporting HQ, 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force[7][8]
- No.2 Squadron - Providing communications for the Harrier Force in the field[8]
- Signal Works Service Troop - Providing facilities for firing ranges and exercises in Germany, made of ex-Wehrmacht personnel
Following the group's formation, the command was placed under command of Commander Communications, BAOR and controlled all BAOR support signal regiments and supervised all the static communications used by British Forces in Germany. In 1992 following the Options for Chance reforms, the group was disbanded.[1][9]
Notes[]
References[]
- Watson, Graham and Lord, Cliff. The Royal Corps of Signals Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and its Antecedents. (2001). Helion and Company. Solihull, West Midlands. ISBN 1 874622 92 2
- Watson, Graham E. and Rinaldi, Richard A. The British Army in Germany (BAOR and After): An Organizational History 1947–2004. (2005). Tiger Lilly Productions LLC for orbat.com. ISBN 0-9720296-9-9
- Royal Signals Institution, Wire Archive