The Band of the Royal Air Force College travelled to Germany in December 2024, to mark perhaps the most poignant moment in the calendar for RAF Music Services. The Band’s visit to Monchengladbach comprised of two engagements dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Langenbruck coach crash, which tragically claimed the lives of twenty-one people in 1985.
At this time, RAF Music Services had a permanent overseas presence, with the Band of the Royal Air Force Germany based at RAF Rheindalen performing ceremonial duties and defence engagement across Europe. On 11th February 1985, they were travelling to an engagement at the RAF Winter Survival School in Bavaria, when their coach collided with an aviation tanker on the autobahn. The final death toll stood at nineteen RAF Musicians, an RAF Policeman and the civilian coach driver.
In an astonishing display of resilience, the surviving members of the Band, many of whom were injured in the crash, were back in the band room and undertaking engagements within a matter of weeks. Musicians from RAF Uxbridge were re-mustered to Rheindalen and the Band was fully operational again by April the following year.
Although the Band of the RAF Germany closed in 1993, this tragedy will never be forgotten. A memorial stone inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives was unveiled at RAF Cranwell, whilst a memorial window bearing the same inscription was installed at RAF Northolt. Memorial services are held at both stations each year on the anniversary of the disaster.
With the 40th anniversary approaching, the Band of the RAF College was honoured to stage a memorial service at the Rheindahlen Military Cemetery, the resting place of six of those killed in the crash. The Venerable Dr (Air Vice Marshal) Legood, Chaplain-in-Chief (RAF) led the service, during which the names of the fallen were read out and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded.
The original Band of the RAF Germany emblazoned drums were used to create a ‘Drumhead’ altar. Air Marshal Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command and Felix Heinrichs, the Lord Mayor of Monchengladbach were in attendance, along with families and friends of those who perished. The Band performed several reflective pieces under the direction of Warrant Officer Scullion.
At the time I joined the RAF, a number of survivors of the crash were still serving – it was clear how this tragic event had affected those involved all those years later, and indeed affects us all to this day. It was undoubtedly the greatest honour of my tenure as Acting Flight Commander to lead the Band in this beautiful and moving tribute; the players gave absolutely everything to remember our fallen colleagues with the pride they deserve.
Warrant Officer Scullion
Bandmaster, Band of the RAF College
The Band also performed a Musical Tribute at the Hauptkirche Rheydt Monchengladbach under the baton of Principal Director of Music (RAF), Wing Commander Murray. The Standard of the Rheindahlen Branch of the Royal British Legion was marched through the church at the beginning of the tribute. Readings and addresses were made in both languages and the Band performed a programme of marches, fanfares, reflective and festive music, celebrating the ties between the two nations, whilst paying tribute to the fallen.
RAF Music would like to thank everyone involved with these memorials; the survivors, families and friends of those we lost whose presence made the events all the more poignant, and the support of the Rheindahlen Branch of the Royal British Legion, the Church, the Stadt, and Rheindahlen Military Cemetery, without whom, the tributes could not have taken place.
On 10th February, the same Musical Tribute will be performed by the Band of the RAF Regiment at the Church of St Clement Danes, starting at 7pm. All are welcome and entry is free. Memorial services will be held on 11th February at RAF Northolt and RAF Cranwell as we mark the tragic loss of our former colleagues 40 years ago.
