HERZOBASEPAGE

Herzo Base was built in the 1930s as an airfield for the German Luftwaffe. A primary mission was as a training field for Lufwaffe Pilots. Following WW II, ASA moved into the facility in 1947. In the 1960s, the units located there were reorganized and redesignated as the 18th USASAFS and shortly thereafter, retitled again as USASAFS Herzogenaurach.

In October 1957, the 318th UASA Battalion was activated to replace the concurrently inactivated 302nd ASA Battalion, as part of a worldwide force structure change in ASA. Personnel and equipment were transferred from the 302nd to the 318th Bn. In addition to manning Herzo Base, the 318th also maintained several remotes sites. At Mt. Schneeberg, Mahring and one at Mt. Hoherbogen.

In 1972 Herzo Base was discontinued as part of an effort to centralize operations in Germany, at a new station in Augsberg, FRG. The 318th ASA Battalion was deactivated during this same general time frame and was replaced by the the 302nd ASA Battalion. Herzo Base was turned over to an Artillery Unit and subsequently became a German Military Base. Recently word has been received that the post is no longer military - having been turned over to German Business concerns.

The heritage, techniques and accomplishments of USASAFS Herzogenaurach contributed to the founding of USASAFS Augsburg while those of the 318th Bn. were a foundation which future tactical units built upon and refined. To those of you who served at Herzo, you were a Key part in keeping watch during the Cold War. You made a contribution to peace and stability and to the eventual end of the Cold War. Be Proud Of Your Legacy.

Repinted with permission of ASAVETS . 1998 Copyright by ASAVETS

A History of Herzogenaurach

Dense woods used to cover the area between Bamberg and Nurnberg. During the 8th Century, Church & Crown agreed to cooperate in colonizing the land. There was a merchants road leading from Forchheim to Weissenburg ( South of Nurnberg ) which required more supporting points in the form of big farms, where food and shelter for men and horses would be available.

The first row of such farms was founded in Buechenbach, outside of Erlangen; the next, about 8 km away, on the banks of the little river Uraha (old German - today Aurach ). More settlers came from the West and soon, the two villages Buechenbach and Uraha were founded. Uraha was named after the river. Uraha belonged to the Crown and soon became important, drawing more settlers who turned more woodlands into farms. More little villages appeared, enlarging the Towns land property until it stretched from the Zenn to the Seebach Rivers.

Uraha was mentioned in documents for the first time in 1002. Some nineteen years later, Emperor Heinrich II presented it, with all its' holdings to the Bishops Church of Bamberg. A few years later, Bishop Eberhard gave all this property to his Cathedral. Then, in the first part of the 12th century, it was all given back to the Bishop of Bamberg.

When the "Town Rights" were granted to the office seat of the Church of Bamberg, Uraha was also given this honor and from then on, was called Herzogenaurach, which means Herzog's (Dukes, in honor of the much admired Duke of Ernst of Middle Franconia), town on the river Uraha ( Aurach).

In Herzogenaurach, around the old fortified "Kings Farm", a town had grown and in "Friedrich von Hohenlohe's "Book of Rights", 1348, published by the Bishop of Bamberg, it is described. "The City wall with its two gate towers encloses 12 big and 13 small farms, 17 burger houses, 2 forges and a mill. 12 new farms and a brick-kiln lie outside the wall." The government board of the city consists of the Governor, who was put into office by the Bishop and 12 well to do Burghers. The town was called Oppidum, which means fortified market town, with town privileges and the inhabitants were called Civies, meaning they had civil rights and paid taxes.