In August, members of the German and British communities worked together to clean up the war graves in Bielefeld Schildesche.

This International war grave tending mission ‘Operation Friendship 2’ was the idea of Garrison Guard Service shift supervisor Bob Shaftoe and German reservist LCpl Volker Lehmann. The volunteers worked on the 111 Graves, cleaning off the moss and dirt with nothing more than hand brushes and water.

The hard working members of ‘Operation Friendship 2’ were made up of serving members of 1 Army Air Corp, 6 Regt HQ Sqn, German Army Reservists from the Kriesgruppe Bielefeld and Scout groups from Gutersloh accompanied by Mrs Elizabeth Cave and Sgt Mark Ratcliffe.

One minutes silence was observed by the binational team for the sacrifices of the past world wars and the fallen servicemen and women in Afghanistan and other NATO operations around the world today.

Local residence and visitors watched in admiration as both communities worked together to keep the memories of the past alive. 

This event that takes place twice a year helps to foster good relations between both communities. LCpl Lehmann said ‘Operation Friendship 2 offer the helpers a unique experience whilst cleaning the graves in this war cemetery. These cemeteries should make us think and to find new and successful ways to create a good future together. That I feel is their legacy. This operation represents a large contribution to peace, international understanding and to each other’.