Nils Wolpert

During an excavation on the Rotenbreite near Borgentreich, Kr. Höxter, it was possible to document and analyze a disposal pit of a military unit. The findings show that a British unit camped at this hill for a short time. Primary the inventory of findings consists of ca. 340 tins and in addition of a spoon and a plate belonging to the war department plus e. g. german and scandinavian beer- and colabottles. By means of the findings it is possible to date the feature into the 60s/70s of the 20.th century with a terminus post quem of 1968. Because the British barrack in Borgentreich was abandoned at this time, there has to be another explanation for the presence of British troops. Presumably the soldiers participated in the manoeuvre "Marsh Mallow" in 1969.
In this manoeuvre 10 000 soldiers from different nations trained under a British command in the regions Niedersachsen and Nordrhein-Westfalen.
After abandoning the camp, the waste was partial burnt and afterwards buried.
The pit delivers insight into the military course of life of British soldiers who were garrisoned in Germany (British Army of the Rhine/Rhine Garrison). Besides it shows how the British troops were supplied and how they complemented their rations with foreign, e. g. german and scandinavian, products.