Among the many interesting tidbits one finds when rummaging through history was the following post by the Oberurseler Kurier, dated 4 September 1979.

Local residents took to complain about reveille being played eight times a day.

Interestingly enough, the complaints collected in the petition came only from one side of the fence – the 1972-built area of Im Rosengärtchen and Neuhausstrasse (both facing the Feldberg). The tenants of the high rise buildings Im Rosengärtchen #11 and #13, mostly the upper floors, were hardest hit by the daily round of reveille.

Back then, the Rosengärtchen area was considered a plush neighborhood and residents had a lot of pride in living there. The article also stated they paid high rents and felt entitled to a more comforting and quiet surrounding.

By the time we had moved to the Rosengärtchen in 1995, people only shrugged when I stated my address. By then, this high rise architectural style of the early 70s had definitely lost its former grand appeal.

Residents sent their complaints to the U.S. Colonol, the local regulatory office, and the city of Oberursel. When that did not work, they started an initiative to stop this noise pollution (Lärmbelästigung).

Reveille sounded off at 5:00, 6:00, 6:10 and 7:30 every morning. The evening schedule called for 17:00, 17:15, 21:30 and 21:45 for the trumpet to announce the last call (Zapfenstreich).

The ´Zapfenstreich´ is defined as “Beating Retreat”.
Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating back to 16th century in England and was first used in order to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle.

The article also mentions that reveille had enjoyed a rest period of six years until May 1979 when it started up again. Back in 1973, a citizens initiative had already brought reveille to a halt.

For those who haven’t heard reveille or just want to reminisce, listen to First Call/Reveille on YouTube.

Alles wird vergehen,
Geschichte bleibt bestehen.

(Everything comes to pass, history will remain)

Quoted from the German Camp King website