EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT
2012 13th ARMORED DIVISION REUNION
September 19-23 Pittsburgh, PA
Contact Jo Ellen Bender at JEBender1520@aol.com for information
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Honor FlightThe "Honor Flight," as it's called, is paid for by local funding. The goal is to take as many World War II vets back to the nation's capitol as possible.
Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Keith D. Bratton is looking forward to being on the first Honor Flight from Kern County to Washington D.C. on May 25th. He's excited at the prospect of spending time with other vets who served more than 60 years ago.
Seven years ago, he remarried after his wife died. Now, at the age of 94 he leads a quiet, but active life. Bratton says he still enjoys a lot of the good things in life. “ Read. We have always like to travel, we have taken cruises, gone to Hawaii, Mexico , he said.
For Bratton, this will be the ultimate trip. He will be able to see the monument built to honor the sacrifices made by millions of U.S. soldiers.
Elmore Lund will also be on the Honor Flight. Lund was with the Army's 13th Armored Division. His brother was killed in the war so this trip has special meaning. “I want to get to the World War II memorial, and I want to find my brother's name, that he passed away in 1943,k" said Lund.
The “Honor Flight” for Kern County has raised $40,000 for the inaugural flight, and organizers hope this flight won't be the last.
Honor F light organizers are hoping to meet up with the "Wall to Wall" riders when they arrive at the Vietnam War memorial to unite the younger vets with the older ones.PATTON IMPERSONATOR
http://pattonthirdarmy.com/13ADreunion2011.html
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Ray Remerowski thoughts on 2011 reunion
http://ivn.stparchive.com/Archive/IVN/IVN10132011p04.php
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2011 13th ARMORED DIVISION REUNION
October 12-16 Dallas/Irving, Texas
Join your fellow Black Cats for another fun-filled reunion! Bring your family and friends!
It is time once again for our wonderful annual gathering of Black Cats and their families and friends. Each year we have new, first time attendees (vets, widows, families) while more and more second and third generation descendants are also attending. Please think about coming to be a part of this wonderful experience—you will be glad you did!!! Our headquarters is the beautiful Sheraton Grand DFW Hotel, which offers fantastic facilities at a great rate of $99 per night that includes a full hot breakfast buffet.
There will be two excellent tours --one is Highlights of Dallas and the other a visit to Eisenhower’s Birthplace! In addition to the tours, we will also have two great presentations--one about Camp Bowie and one about General Patton & the 3rd Army, including the 13th Armored Division. These will be interesting trips down memory lane for our vets and will provide their families with fascinating lessons about what our Black Cat heroes experienced during their training and overseas. Both will be very interactive and we hope our vets will share their stories. There will be very special entertainment at the banquet that will honor our Black Cat vets!
Most of all, it is time for camaraderie, meeting new friends and a lot of fun with your fellow Black Cats, families and friends!!!
HOTEL
Sheraton Grand DFW Hotel 4440 W. John Carpenter Frwy. Irving, TX 75063 Front desk: 972-929-8400
www.sheratongranddfwairport.com
FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS : Call toll-free 1-800-345-5251 or 1-800-325-3535
Mention “13th Armored Division Reunion” to receive our $99 per night single or double rate (+$10 per extra person triple/quad) which is av ailable until September 27th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.
Rate includes full breakfast. (You may want to request a room near the elevator to minimize walking)
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
From Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport (DFW): Free shuttle to hotel
From Love Field (DAL): Taxi or Super Shuttle on your own (Super Shuttle cost is $19 one way)
Call 1-800-258-3826 for Super Shuttle reservations from Love Field
(in addition to individual airline websites, www.kayak.com is a good site to compare airfares)
ACTIVITIES
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THURSDAY, OCT. 13
>9 am- 3 pm DALLAS HIGHLIGHTS TOUR ($68, includes lunch): See top historical and cultural sights of Dallas’ Downtown, Uptown and Highland Park, including Dealey Plaza in the West End Historic District, birthplace of Dallas and site of the JFK assassination; Includes tour of Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza , lunch at world famous Sonny Bryan’s and brief stop at Cowboys Stadium, host of the last Super Bowl.
>Evening UNIT REPS MEETING
FRIDAY, OCT. 14
>9 am- 3 pm EISENHOWER’S BIRTHPLACE ($56, includes lunch) The staff at Eisenhower’s Birthplace is thrilled to be hosting our WWII group on Ike’s birthday!! View memorabilia and exhibits featuring his many accomplishments as president and war hero. A highlight of lunch is Ike’s original recipe for Eisenhower Stew. See Southfork Ranch and Ewing Mansion from the TV show Dallas and stop at the Southfork Ranch Visitors Center.
>Evening 13th Armored Division MEMORIAL SERVICE & GENERAL MEETING , including Camp Bowie historical presentation by Mary Irving, curator of Brownwood museums (which are establishing 13th Armored sections and would welcome copies of photos from Camp Bowie or 13th Armored artifacts, if you would like to donate).
SATURDAY, OCT. 15
>Morning INTERVIEWS OF 13th ARMORED VETS by Brownwood historical museums for Camp Bowie history project
>1-3 pm PRESENTATION: GENERAL PATTON AND THE 3RD ARMY, including the 13th ARMORED DIVISION by renowned Patton expert Denny Hair; author, speaker and founder of Patton 3rd Army Living Historians.
>Evening BANQUET with special entertainment honoring our 13th Armored Division veterans
DUES REMINDER : Please consider this your annual reminder to pay your dues if you have not done so already. Complete the reunion response sheet to pay your dues, even if you are not attending the reunion. Thanks to those of you who have already sent this years’ dues!
Please return this form with a check for full payment by September 27 to:
Jo Ellen Bender
1520 Killdeer Dr.
Naperville, IL 60565
Phone: 630-355-5332
E-mail: JEBender1520@aol.com (reference “13th Armored Reunion”)
Checks should be payable to “13th Armored Division Association”
(“X” your response below)
_________ Yes, I will attend the 2011 reunion
_________ If attending, check here if you would be willing to give an hour or two to help staff the Hospitality Room
_________ No, I cannot attend but am sending my dues (complete the form below, incl. # of years you are paying for and total $ amount being paid, in the DUES line below)
_________ I would like to share a hotel room. Please put me in touch with others who want to share a room.
Name:___________________________________________________ Battalion______________ Company_______
Street Address:_______________________________City:________________________ State:______ Zip:________
Phone: (______)______________________ E-mail address:_____________________________________________
Guests names: ____________________________________________________________________________________ (full names and home town for name tags)
TOURS : # of people Total Cost
Thurs, 10/13 Dallas Highlights __________ X $68 = ________
(9 am- 3 pm) includes lunch
Fri, 10/14 Eisenhower Birthplace __________ X $56 = ________
(9 am- 2 pm) includes lunch
Sat, 10/15 Historical Perspectives on __________ X No charge = ________
(1-3 pm) Gen. Patton & 3rd Army (incl. 13th Armored)
BANQUET : # of meals
Chicken Marsala __________ X $38 = ________
Sliced Flank Steak __________ X $38 = ________
Vegetarian Meal __________ X $38 = ________
Children’s Meal (12 and under) __________ X $20 = ________
DUES : # of years being paid for __________ X $15 = ________
REUNION REGISTRATION FEE: (if attending reunion): = $10
TOTAL DUE: ________
Please return forms with payment by September 27!!! Send them to Jo Ellen Bender of the 13th Armored Divison Association: 1520 Killdeer Dr. Naperville, IL 60565 |
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I am posting an e-mail sent to me recently. If any of you have information about men in the 13th Armored Division who were killed in the battle in the Ruhr Pocket, please send information to the e-mail address at the bottom of the letter.
Please let me inform you about the following: I have read your Homepage about the 13th Armoured Division are very interested in your Works. I belong to a group of German historians, who have planned to build up a memorial to the killed American soldiers here in Germany. That’s why I get in contact with you. So I’m looking for further Information concerning the battles of the proud “Black Cats” in April 1945.
The Divisions troops took part in the fighting’s in the so called Ruhr Pocket. On the 11th of April the they closed in on the little town Much, witch lies a few kilometres in south-western direction of Drabenderhöhe, where PFC Joe Hastings of the 97th US Infantry Division received his Medal of Honour.
In the Town Much we are planning to build the above mentioned memorial to our Liberators. This Memorial should bee seen as a part of “shaking hands” after so many years the war is over. Not lost, but won for both sides!
In the Battle for Much there where a few American soldiers killed in and around the town in action on the 11th of April 1945. While getting nearer to Much, fighting’s occurred in the little Towns Niederbohnrath and Werch, where a GI received a shot in his stomach. Those are the men we want to honour. To show, that there lives not were given for nothing, to show that these young boys gave there last to bring freedom also to our country. So were are now looking for the names of these young soldiers and our hope lies on your help. So we would be very appreciated, the receive any help you can provide.
In awaiting your answer I stay with best regards
Sincerely
Ralf Anton Schäfer
Birkener Straße 21
51597 Morsbach
Germany
ralfschaefer62@t-online.de
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Even though this is old news, I have left the notice here because of the information and pictures it contains.
Day 1
Friday, June 20, 2008 – Flight to Germany We depart from JFK Airport in New York for Munich, Germany. Our flight is scheduled to leave at 8pm local time.
Day 2
Saturday, June 21, 2008 – Passau Our flight is scheduled to arrive Munich at 10:15am. After collecting our luggage and clearing customs, we will board our coach and make our way to the hotel. After checking into the hotel, you will have the remainder of the day to relax and acclimate yourself to Bavarian time.
Located in eastern Bavaria, Passau is
known as “the city of three rivers.” The city has a rich history dating from its
beginning as an ancient Roman colony . In 739, the Irish monk, Boniface,
founded a bishopric in medieval Passau and the town became the
largest diocese in the Holy Roman Empire. The gothic and baroque
architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral still gives magnificent
testimony to that history. In addition, a cycling path runs along the Danube
from Passau all the way to Vienna. Many river cruises down the Danube launch from Passau as musicians perform at outdoor cafes and “the Old City” continues to enthrall tourists. During World War II the town housed three sub-camps of the infamous Mauthausen–Gusen concentration camp.
In the evening, we will gather for our Welcome Reception and Dinner, where you will get to know your tour historian and other tour participants. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 3
Sunday, June 22, 2008 – Passau After a good night’s rest, we begin our touring in the city of Braunau, Austria. Braunau was the birthplace of Adolf Hitler and a stone boulder from the former Mauthausen concentration camp has been placed outside of the building where he was born. St. Stephen’s Church, near the town square, was the church where Hitler’s parents were married as well as the place where Hitler was baptized. Our friends from the German Army Reserves will be our guides as we tour Braunau and Simbach. We will next visit the Rottaur Museum in Pocking. The Rottaur Museum is one of the largest private collections of WWII artifacts, including many vehicles from both the German and Allied Armies. Make sure to ask to ride on one of these vehicles while we are here!
Our next stop is the town of Ranshofen. Ranshofen is only 3km outside of Braunau. This was the site of the 13th AD’s liberation of the Allied prisoners who had been held at Stalag 17B. This afternoon we will hold our Memorial Service in the town of Simbach am Inn at their War Memorial. Soldiers from the German and Austrian Armies as well as the pastor from the church in Simbach will be our hosts. Many battalions of the 13th Armored Division were billeted in and around Simbach am Inn during May/June 1945. Tonight we will have dinner at the Wimmer Wiesbrau in Simbach. During this time period in 1945, the 13th Armored Division used the Wimmer Wiesbrau for the soldiers. It is still owned and operated by the same family that owned it in 1945. In fact, Mr. Wimmer was a small boy and remembers the soldiers of the 13th Breakfast and Dinner included.
defied our surrender order but capitulated just before we were scheduled to pound the city with our artillery. B Company and A Company crossed over the fast-moving Inn in leaky rowboats and over a hastily improvised footbridge and seized the town. A counterattack by a force of SS men was beaten off that night, and some 20,000 Allied POW’s were liberated at an aluminum factory jail at Ranshofen, Austria. The dash into Austria was highlighted by the expedition of Captain ‘Lou’ Weaver, commander of Company ‘B’, in which he was instrumental in rescuing 15,000 Allied POWs, including 4,000 Americans, in camps southwest of Braunau. Infiltrating seven miles behind enemy lines, he arranged with the German prison commandant for the surrender of the PW camp. He then reported to higher headquarters where a formal surrender was affected. Captain Weaver and his driver, Corporal McMahan, both received the Silver Star for this action.
Day 4
Monday, June 23, 2008 - Passau
After breakfast we will make our way to the cities of Mamming and Landau am der Isar, the scene of fierce battles on 30 April 1945. The Mayors of both cities will greet us and we will spend time touring the area and hearing stories of the battles that took place here more than 60 years ago. We will have lunch with the Mayors and then travel on to the city of Plattling. We will be welcomed by the Mayor of Plattling, Erich Schmid, and then visit some of the battle sites of the 13th Armored Division in the city and surrounding countryside. After our time in the Mamming/Landau/Plattling area, we will return to our hotel. Breakfast and Dinner included.
If you’re from ‘C’ Company (16th AIB) you’ll never forget the Battle of Mamming. For you it was the Bulge and the Anzio beachhead all rolled into one. Remember how the bridge over the Isar was blown and the only way you could get across was to climb over on the girders? And remember how tense you were, and that empty place in the pit of your stomach as you scraped your knees on the steel and tried not to see the water rushing by a mile a minute right under you? And once you were across and into Mamming, how surprised you were that the enemy would counterattack, not just once, but three times?
If you’re from ‘A’ Company or ‘B’ Company, you recall the crossing you started at Landau, or do you like to remember that morning? At 0405 the morning of the 30th, it was. You pushed off in an assault boat, with nine other men, paddling like hell to beat the swift current. And all around you seven more boats bobbed about and were swept downstream, while the Germans raked the river with machine gun and rifle fire. Only thirty of you got across, and even then maybe you had to swim part way when your boat capsized. Remember how you hugged the bank all day, and how you thanked God when Captain Geyer brought some men over to bring you back?
Day 5
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 – Passau
Today we spend a day in the Czech Republic. We will have an early morning departure for our great adventure into the Czech Republic. Upon our arrival in the town of Krumlov, soldiers from the Czech Army will greet us. We will visit Krumlov Castle, which dates back to the Bronze Age. After our time in Krumlov, we will make our way to the majestic medieval town of Budweis (as in Budweiser Beer.) Here we will see the sites and hear of all the ghostly legends of the past! The town of Hluboka will be our last stop in the Czech Republic. Hluboka is renowned for its stunning Chateau Hluboka, which we will visit. This will be one of our longer touring days, with plenty of rest stops and touring along the way. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 6
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 – Passau
This morning we will travel to the stunning and beautiful city of Regensburg. Regensburg was one of the few major cities in Germany to escape WWII with no major damage. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany. Regensburg is built on and around the Danube River. We will tour this city with a local guide and then meet with the Lord Mayor of Regensburg at the Old City Hall. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 7
Thursday, June 26, 2008 – Passau to Salzburg
Our first stop today is in the city of Burghausen. Burghausen describes itself as a ‘little city’ which connects “the past and the present; the mystical and the realistic; the traditional and the technological future.” Burghausen grew and became important and rich due to the salt trade during the Middle Ages, since all the salt from Salzburg, Hallein and the Alps had to travel north on the Salzach River by Burghausen to get to the rest of Europe. Burghausen Castle Fortress, the longest Burg (castle fortress) in Europe (dating back to 1255.) Towering over the picture book-like Altstadt, the massive complex stretches for more than a kilometer and spans a trail of battlements, courtyards, chapels and towers.
After our visit to Burghausen, we will make a stop in the town of Marktl. Many Veterans of the 13th AD should remember spending several weeks in Marktl at the end of the war. Marktl is a picturesque village in a typical Bavarian setting. Pope Benedict XVI was born in Marktl and a marker identifies his birthplace. Later this afternoon we will drive to the city of Salzburg – you will have the remainder of the day on your own in Salzburg. Breakfast.
Day 8 In the morning we will visit the beautiful mountain town of Salzburg, which was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. Salzburg is possibly most recognized as Mozart’s birthplace and home, as well as the city where The Sound of Music was filmed. It’s Old City features buildings from the Middle Ages, Romanesque, Baroque and Renaissance periods as well as elegant classical burghers’ houses dating from the monarchy. In the afternoon we will visit Berchtesgaden and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest retreat with local tour guides. Please be sure to read below about the Eagle’s Nest. Breakfast & Farewell Dinner included.  The Kehlsteinhaus, also known as “Hitler’s Tea House” or the Eagle’s Nest, was built as a 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler from the Nazi Party. The Eagle’s Nest was meant to be a retreat for Hitler and a place for him to entertain visiting dignitaries (which he almost never did here.) It was commissioned by Martin Bormann, its formal presentation to Hitler in 1939. It is situated on a ridge at the top of the Kehlstein mountain (1835 m), reached by a spectacular 3.9 mile road. The last 124 meters up to the Kehlsteinhaus are spanned by an elevator bored inside the mountain, reached via a granite tunnel, the elevator itself is surfaced |
With the end of the war on 8 May 1945, the battalion began the duties of assisting the Military Government in the Simbach area. The following eight weeks were spent there. In addition to military police duties the men were given every opportunity to relax. A recreation area was established in the Austrian Lake Country. Excursions were made to Chiemsee, Salzburg, and Berchtesgaden and to the Austrian Lakes.
Day 9
Saturday, June 28, 2008 – Home
After an early breakfast, we will prepare for our journey home. Before we bid adieu to our WWII European trip, we will make our final visit of the tour to Dachau, site of some of the most nefarious acts of and against humankind during the war, as we travel south through Bavaria. Constructed in a disused gunpowder factory, Dachau was the first concentration-style camp after which all subsequent concentration camps were modeled. In total, over 200,000 prisoners from more than 30 countries were housed in Dachau, with at least 30,000 registered prisoners believed to have died in the camp and its subcamps: notable Jews, resistance fighters, clergymen, politicians, communists, writers, artists and royalty. The second camp to be liberated by British or American forces, Dachau was one of the first places in which the west was exposed to Nazi brutality.
After this solemn visit, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States. Those tour participants who have opted for the post-tour extension will continue on to the city of Munich and check in at the King’s Hotel where you will have the remainder of the day on your own.
Tour Includes:
Tour Price
$3,495 per person based on double occupancy
$3,975 if rooming alone
Deposit at time of registration: $300 per person
Note: Please send your deposit as soon as possible so we can hold your flight at the lowest cost.
Post Tour
Participants can spend three nights and two full days in Munich. Sometimes called the "Village of One Million," Munich is a charming 800-year-old city and the capital of Bavaria located near tje Alps in the south. The city is an important cultural center with special opera, theatre, ballet, and concert searson. It also has museums and galleries on every imaginable subject (including one about unusual museums).
Post Tour includes
Important Note:
Return airfare on July 1 could vary upwards evern though we have already paid the deviation fee. Ass a results, we can't guarantee the same fare for the airline prior to booking.
Call Today to Reserve Your Spot
P.O. Box 19864
New Orlleans, LA 70119
Toll Free (888) 903-3329
(504) 821-9283
Fax (504) 821-7578
Transatlantic round-trip airfare: New York (JFK) - Munich Germany (MUC).