In the early eighties I was summoned to rejoin the army for two weeks (Holland still had compulsory military service in those years). In the army I was assigned to the “Korps Mobiele Colonnes”, an army unit that originated from the B.B., the Dutch Home Guard.

This “Korps Mobiele Colonnes” was supposed to get only in action after very severe accidents had happened. Its primary task was to extinguish fires and look after the wounded. At a later time the corps was supposed to clear the rubble and place emergency provisions like pipes for drinking water. The training I got as fireman was very useful, but of course here we are talking about cars. This army corps still used Magirus Deutz trucks dating from the early fifties. Very Spartan looking trucks, but wonderful to look at and to hear. Click here for the sound of the air-cooled Magirus Deutz engine. After the KMC was dismantled in 1993 the Magirus Deutz trucks were sold to private individuals as collectors items. Now and then you’ll see one that has been converted into a mobile home.