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"If It Continues Like This - I Will Lose My Job"
(German reporter's 1960 Interview With Capt Bill Stoker) |
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Extract from Westfalisches Volksblatt, dated: 14 June 1960: Excellent Co-operation between Canadian Troops and German Police: |
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Paderborn County -
If it continues to be so quiet, I will soon lose my job, affably smiling Captain
Stoker of the Canadian Military Police said at a press conference in Sonnelager. Our straight-forward question had been: How many incidents,
involving German Nationals and Canadian troops have occurred since the beginning of the exercises? His answer was extremely comforting and
we could easily gather from it, that the Canadian Brigade is willing to avoid anything which in anyway might disturb or alarm the German population.
During the last few weeks, Canadian troops have been participating in an exercise in the Sonnelager Training Area. Prior to their arrival, all questions
regarding the camping of the troops have been discussed between Captain Stoker and Polizierat Koenig, the responsible Chief of the Detmold
Police, to enable by close co-operation to avoid all incidents - or, if necessary - take immediate and effective action. The main body of the Canadian
Military Police consists of 2 Officers (seven specialists) 37 Corporals, who are divided into three sections with 17 patrol vehicles. In each section there
are six Corporals on duty. - Every night at 2100 hrs 2 patrols consisting of two Corporals and an interpreter and an interpreter report to the German
Police Station In Paderborn and Schloss Neuhaus, from there they report to their H.Q. by phone, every hour.
Captain Stoker was full of praise regarding the co-operation between the German Police and the Canadian Military Police. He further states that the
discipline among the Canadian troops has considerably improved in the last few years, more so sincethe Canadian soldiers are all voluntarily serving in
the army. Already at home, as the Captain emphasised, a high standard in character must be maintained. In addition to this, more importance than in the
past is allocated to good conduct whilst undergoing basic training.
In summarizing, Captain Stoker pointed out: our biggest problem is among the troops is alcohol. However since no incidents have occurred so far,
we hope that everything continues to be as it is and that we do not have to worry about anything that will dim the harmony between the German population
and the Canadian troops.
Translation: Gerhard VIOHL Interpreter 4 Provost platoon |
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Addendum:
On the 27 June 2017, Major (retired) Bill Stoker forwaded the following information in support of the foregoing article:
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