Taylor Barracks

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Taylor Barracks is a military installation in the Vogelstang suburb of Mannheim, Germany, operated and administrated by the United States Army, Europe, USAREUR.

[edit] History

The original Scheinwerfer-Kaserne (Searchlight Barracks) was constructed between 1939-40 as part of the Wehrmacht’s rapid expansion following the Nazi takeover. The unit stationed there during World War II was part of the Luftwaffe’s Flakscheinwerfer-Abteilung 299 (299th Anti-aircraft Searchlight Detachment) and the installation supported the various searchlight units posted around the city to protect it from bombing. The anti-aircraft artillery units were supported from Sullivan Barracks, then known as Flak-Kaserne, and home to 1st Bn, 49th AAA Reg. Anti-aircraft positions stretched from the Coleman Army Airfield (then known as Fliegerhorst Kaserne) where two batteries of heavy guns were positioned, around Käfertal to Wallstadt.

The American garrison has its roots with the American occupational forces immediately following World War II. In those days, Mannheim installations were administered by 2nd Military District (renamed Heidelberg Military Post in 1947, Headquarters Area Command in 1952 and in 1965 North Baden Area) that also managed Heidelberg, Worms and Karlsruhe posts.

In January 1948, the 547th and 584th Ordnance Companies were moved to Taylor Bks from Mannheim-Rheinau to operate Heidelberg Military Post Ordnance. In June, the companies were joined to form the 7859th Ordnance Company and over the years this unit was renamed many times becoming the current Maintenance Activity Mannheim.