I am delighted to be able to address you in the final edition of the Victory Division News. I want to tell you that it was always a great pleasure and privilege for me to be with you at the reunions over the last eight years. We had many good discussions about history and American - German relations. I hope my comments and articles in the Victory Division News, assisted by Will Cook whom I owe so much, jogged your memories and helped to recall those dramatic days in early April 1945. Moreover, I was honored to become an Associate member and later even a Board Member to assist your association in historical matters. Through these experiences, I was able to befriend many of you and for that I am most grateful.
I was very pleased to be invited in 2008 to give a talk at the Louisville, Kentucky reunion, focussing on the advance of the 5th Armored Division in April 1945. As a result I was able to present you a small brochure at the reunion in 2009, Carlisle, PA, entitled “April 1945 - The rest of the story”. Later I presented reels on the 5th Armored Division recalling the dash to the River Elbe and the surrender of Peine. Even Ernest Jelinek was recorded near Herford as supply officer of the 10th Tankers. He told me about Colonel Anderson and the way he led his Soldiers. It was amazing to meet those magnificent men personally. I quickly felt welcome by all of you and must say that my interactions with the group have been wonderful experiences. Andy Cambron took me under his wing from the very beginning. I also became acquainted with the descendants of famous Major General Lunsford E. Oliver who led Victory Division. They were also great to me. Thank you for your advice and kind assistance, Thomas.
On this occasion I have to thank those who shared their memories and photographs with me. In particular I want to mention Kenneth J. Wagner and Stanley Wosniak who assisted so greatly when screening their photographs for me. Their contribution shed more light on the fire fights that happened with German elements in Peine County. The Jagdpanther photographs they found were a superb gift to me, as there were no pictures recorded by the locals shortly after the war. Former Major Cannon also contributed when sending me a superb photograph showing Maj Gen Oliver talking to Lt Col Hamberg and Major Cannon. His guidance was very fruitful to understand the concept of married companies and the operations of the 10th Tankers spearheading Combat Command Reserve. Once again I wanted, personally, to express my sincerest thanks to all of you for supporting the idea of presenting the plaque of the 5th Armored Division for display in Peine in order to commemorate the peaceful surrender of the town on 10 April 1945 to Victory Division. The plaque is now displayed permanently in the old city hall for the public to see. Once again the inhabitants of Peine and I are grateful for such a meaningful gift and gesture. It was an out-standing commemoration and very much appreciated by the Mayor of Peine (Michael Kessler) and all those took part.
In particular I am grateful to Richard Brown and his family for their continuing support and for coming over in 2010 presenting the plaque to the Mayor of Peine. It was superb to have them among us, after 65 years, to commemorate the event. Their presence made it very special and was a true sign of our special relationship which reinforced all my efforts to shed more light on the events of April 1945. Thank you all. Good health to everyone and please keep in touch if possible. Auf Wiedersehen!
Regina and I send our best from Cologne.