Metz, France

When you came into the grounds by the guard house at the main gate, the Support Unit Headquarters was on the immediate left along with the bank. The next on the left was the Infirmary and the Civilian Personnel Officer. After that was the Officer's Mess and NCO's Mess. Then came the Chateau. Past that was the MSE and CE Sections.

When you came in and went on the road to the right (it went down and around and back up to join the main road - in the form of a crescent) there was the Rec. Centre and the Theatre at the top on your right hand side.

Following the road and going down the hill and around - on the left was the Airmen's Club, Stores and the Mess Hall. On the right ride of that road at the bottom was the barracks and a road to the Sewage Plant was somewhere around there. Going back up the hill on the right side was the Offices for Command Headquarters and then back up the hill to face the Chateau.

If you did not enter the gate but went to your left and followed the road around the Chateau property, there was a perimeter fence on your right. This road would lead you to 601 Squadron, Fort Jury and the Power Plant.

There was a road on the station and around to the right of the entrance that lead to the original Chateau farm (still operating in 1967). You have it on one of your picture as "unknown buildings". The sewage plant was near it. The guys at the sewage plant had a garden at the plant and bred escargots. At one time the CO of the Support Unit would frequent the sewage plant just to get in on their lunches.

To the best of recollection - the following were Commanding Officers of the Support Unit between 1963 and 1967:

St. Jean and Robertson were very popular CO's.

Other personnel were:

Air Vice Marshal Bradshaw was followed by Air Vice Marshal Lane (Command Headquarters). G/C Emond was his second in command. Air Vice Marshal Lane move the Command to Germany when Metz was closed in July 1967.