BEST DETACHMENT IN AFRICA

Company “F” MSG BN

MSG Detachment Yaounde, Cameroon 1977

Submitted by Roger Eich
The detachment had four watchstanders and the NCOIC until the SgtMajor of the Marine Corps and the OIC of the MSGBn visited and increased our numbers to a T/O of five watchstanders.  It was pretty good duty, but we were not allowed to leave the city and that cut into options for travel and sightseeing.  

The embassy was pretty basic and a plain building with no frills.  The Marine House was located in the Bastos area of town which is where most of the diplomatic corps lived.  While somewhat isolated, a year’s tour there went by pretty fast. The American Club was a most popular spot for off-duty Marines when they were not training.  Running was tough in that city as there were few level spots and the 3 mile PFT run was a “killer.” 

 I have fond memories of the tour.  Poffenroth was a hard-corps PT freak and we did some running with him there as NCOIC!  I recall running up to Mont Febe about twice a month with him.  When I was first in country, the initial run to Mont Febe was tough.  I remember that I never stopped, but I was losing my cookies just as I hit the top of that hill.  I recall that Poffenroth was just running by me telling me not to stop...or I'd never make it up in the future. 

I think that they were just beginning to paint the house red with a Marine Corp symbol on it...nothing like a nice easy target!  Of course, back then we didn't have the threats that may be part of the MSG tour today.  Ben was our laundry fellow, and the others I think were different guys.  I have a picture of all three...somewhere.  I'll see if I can digitize it and forward it. 

I also recall that the Marine House vehicle was a broken down jeep which we had to leave parked on a hill ... the starter didn't work so we had to always leave it parked in a downward spot so we could pop the clutch after it started rolling.

When I transferred to Paris, I remember arranging to get a NCO sword hand-delivered by someone who stopped by on his way back to the embassy in Yaounde.  The detachment NCOIC did not have a sword and they wanted one for the ceremonies that year...I have a feeling you were there then...and I was the one who got that sword to you guys.  Small world.

The Cannings (British family - Admin Officer) lived right behind us and I remember that he'd be out on his back porch listen to the BBC first thing every morning....loud!  I think it was like a precursor to the thumping stereos that wake people up today.  I dated his daughter, Feona.  

I was in charge of the bar while there, and we got a new hand-carved bar that still might have been at the base of the stairway when you were there.  The MC Ball was always held at the Ambassador's residence...and it was a pretty low key thing...nice, but very low keyed. 

C. Robert Moore was the ambassador back then and he really did not like the idea of having Marines at the embassy...so we could only wear our uniforms at night while in the embassy.  Day watch was always civilian attire.  No weapons at all...never.  Only time you got to touch the .38's was during training.

SSgt Poffenroth – returned to MSGBn as an instructor 
Sgt Eich – transferred to Paris
Sgt Zaborski – returned to CONUS at left the Corps
Sgt Arnold – became ANCOIC in Yaounde
Cpl Smith – rotated by to CONUS and left the Corps
L/Cpl Winningham – Uncertain