Post by jack90th on Aug 25, 2008 11:37:59 GMT -5
Hi folks!
After a long time, here are some new information from the ETO.
700-Year Celebration in Merkers – Operation “Gold Digger”
We were invited to the 700-year celebration of the founding of Merkers from 3-6 July 2008. We built up a little camp with two field tents, one small tent as an aid station and some pup tents. In one of the field tents was our field kitchen, where we cooked our meals and in the other was our weapons exposition. Some medic’s field equipment was on display in front of the aid station.
In addition to our encampment, we were allowed to garrison the old post office—actually used as the town command post by the US Army—as our barracks and company command post. During the day, all the standard field equipment of the US infantry soldier was on display for the viewing public.
We also had four 4x4 Willys MB Jeeps, one CCKW 6x6 2 ½-ton truck (“deuce and a half”) and one M3 Scout Car for our "show". All in all, we were about 23 men.
But why Merkers? And why is Merkers so important for the Tough Ombres?
In 1945, US troops from the 90th US ID found a large quantity of the gold and treasure in the salt mines of Merkers, taken from all over Europe by the Nazis and hidden there. Over 220 tons gold bullion, 15 billion in British Pounds, Reichsmarks, historical artifacts and works of art were found by the American soldiers. Even US generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley und George S. Patton went in the mine to personally examine the find in April 1945. Even though there was such valuable treasure sitting in the salt mine, there were no German troops in the area at the time, allowing Dr. Günther Deilmann to peacefully deliver the town to the arriving US troops.
On Saturday morning we re-enacted the peaceful capitulation of Merkers with the help of Dr. Deilmann’s grandson. Afterward, the public (over 2,000 people!) were able to look around our encampment and the command post. We stood by to answer any questions about ourselves, our hobby, and the history behind the events or the equipment. The population of Merkers was very interested in our show and our hobby and the reception was amazing. Some eyewitnesses and veterans still living today related sometimes funny, sometimes humbling and sometimes tragic accounts of their actual war experiences, and all of us had a very good time.
At midday, we went on a special tour of the "Gold Room" in the salt mine of Merkers. We went with our vehicles to the mine and went in with full equipment. We were allowed to go behind the barricades and pose with the "gold", staging an impromptu re-enactment of its discovery. We, our families and the local press had a very nice time there, too. After that, we went back to the camp and enjoyed the rest of the day.
On Sunday, we took part in a parade through the town with the town’s other clubs and organizations. It was a real bash and we felt very welcome. It also helped that we handed out “dollars”, “rubles”, candy and gum to the kids and frauleins!
We spent the rest of the day at the encampment and command post, accommodating any inquiring or interested minds.
OK, that’s all. Enjoy the pictures and articles!
www.tough-ombres.com (GALLERY – Merkers 2008)
www.stz-online.de/nachrichten/regional/badsalzungen/fwstzslzlokal/art2446,812802
www.osthessen-news.de/beitrag_C.php?id=1152154
www.by-sandra.in-kieselbach.de/?cat=78
s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn17/Humveedeisi/
Martin
a.k.a. PFC Jack D. Russell
P.S.: For it being our first re-enactment in Germany, it was a big triumph!
After a long time, here are some new information from the ETO.
700-Year Celebration in Merkers – Operation “Gold Digger”
We were invited to the 700-year celebration of the founding of Merkers from 3-6 July 2008. We built up a little camp with two field tents, one small tent as an aid station and some pup tents. In one of the field tents was our field kitchen, where we cooked our meals and in the other was our weapons exposition. Some medic’s field equipment was on display in front of the aid station.
In addition to our encampment, we were allowed to garrison the old post office—actually used as the town command post by the US Army—as our barracks and company command post. During the day, all the standard field equipment of the US infantry soldier was on display for the viewing public.
We also had four 4x4 Willys MB Jeeps, one CCKW 6x6 2 ½-ton truck (“deuce and a half”) and one M3 Scout Car for our "show". All in all, we were about 23 men.
But why Merkers? And why is Merkers so important for the Tough Ombres?
In 1945, US troops from the 90th US ID found a large quantity of the gold and treasure in the salt mines of Merkers, taken from all over Europe by the Nazis and hidden there. Over 220 tons gold bullion, 15 billion in British Pounds, Reichsmarks, historical artifacts and works of art were found by the American soldiers. Even US generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley und George S. Patton went in the mine to personally examine the find in April 1945. Even though there was such valuable treasure sitting in the salt mine, there were no German troops in the area at the time, allowing Dr. Günther Deilmann to peacefully deliver the town to the arriving US troops.
On Saturday morning we re-enacted the peaceful capitulation of Merkers with the help of Dr. Deilmann’s grandson. Afterward, the public (over 2,000 people!) were able to look around our encampment and the command post. We stood by to answer any questions about ourselves, our hobby, and the history behind the events or the equipment. The population of Merkers was very interested in our show and our hobby and the reception was amazing. Some eyewitnesses and veterans still living today related sometimes funny, sometimes humbling and sometimes tragic accounts of their actual war experiences, and all of us had a very good time.
At midday, we went on a special tour of the "Gold Room" in the salt mine of Merkers. We went with our vehicles to the mine and went in with full equipment. We were allowed to go behind the barricades and pose with the "gold", staging an impromptu re-enactment of its discovery. We, our families and the local press had a very nice time there, too. After that, we went back to the camp and enjoyed the rest of the day.
On Sunday, we took part in a parade through the town with the town’s other clubs and organizations. It was a real bash and we felt very welcome. It also helped that we handed out “dollars”, “rubles”, candy and gum to the kids and frauleins!
We spent the rest of the day at the encampment and command post, accommodating any inquiring or interested minds.
OK, that’s all. Enjoy the pictures and articles!
www.tough-ombres.com (GALLERY – Merkers 2008)
www.stz-online.de/nachrichten/regional/badsalzungen/fwstzslzlokal/art2446,812802
www.osthessen-news.de/beitrag_C.php?id=1152154
www.by-sandra.in-kieselbach.de/?cat=78
s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn17/Humveedeisi/
Martin
a.k.a. PFC Jack D. Russell
P.S.: For it being our first re-enactment in Germany, it was a big triumph!