We had another SUPERB time at the 10th ANNIVERSARY of the first ever SHARKHUNTERS Convention. This was called ‘PATROL in PARADISE’ and the weather certainly cooperated. In case you wondered who are the guys on the front cover of this issue, from left to right they are:

CAPTAIN EDWARD L. BEACH (1163-LIFE-1989) winner of the NAVY CROSS, submarine Skipper & Skipper of USS TRITON that was the first submerged circumnavigation of the world, author of several books including the well- known ‘RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP!’
MAJOR HANNES ESKEN (SH1601 & EH67) Luftwaffe
DETLEV ZIMMERMANN (247-LIFE-1987) planesman, U-315
GERHARD RICHTER (214-LIFE-1986) Radioman, U-81 when they sank the RN aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL.
WERNER KRüGER (325-LIFE-1987) crewman on U-571 and survivor of the sinking of U-960
OBLT. HANS-GEORG HESS (125-LIFE-1985) Winner of the KNIGHTS CROSS, youngest combat submarine Skipper of World War II in any Navy
CAPTAIN AL CHESTER (3791-1994) Commanded the first US Navy destroyer escort in combat
PETER PETERSEN (1113-A-1989) crewman on U-518
WALTER TEGTMEIER (1221-1989) U-Bootfahrer
‘RED’ NORDENBERG (523-1988) US Navy, USS SARGO
FRED WEILMINSTER (4956-1996) he rode USS PINTADO
JOHNNY JOHNSON (4736-LIFE-1996) US Merchant Marine
ROLF ROSELLEN (2985-LIFE-1993) Was in boot camp for the Kriegsmarine when the war ended
Kneeling is RADM SHELDON KINNEY (5152-1997) Youngest US Navy destroyer escort Skipper; he sank three U-Boats

Special guests from the left: OBLT. zS HANS-GEORG HESS (125-LIFE-1985); CAPTAIN EDWARD L. BEACH (1163-LIFE-1989); CAPTAIN SPENCER SLATE (1567-1990); HARRY COOPER (1-LIFE-1983)

This was taken during our FAREWELL Dinner at the end of our 1997 ‘PATROL in PARADISE’. Did you miss this great gathering? Take heart - you may have another chance.

Another view of some of our group having fun on the ocean. We are on the bow of the glass-bottom boat of CAPTAIN SPENCER SLATE.

From the left, they are:
WALTER TEGTMEIER - German U-BootFahrer;
PETER PETERSEN - veteran of U-518;
HARRY COOPER - founder & President of SHARKHUNTERS
WERNER KRÜGER - (almost hidden) vet. of U-571 & U-960;
Capt. Mark on the bridge;
HANS-GEORG HESS, Skipper of U-995, won the KNIGHTS CROSS, youngest combat sub Skipper of WW II;
RED NORDENBERG, vet USS SARGO;
CELESTE RINELLA;
CAPTAIN EDWARD L. BEACH (with hat) USN submarine officer, C. O. and author.

The rest of our group was below, watching through the glass windows in the bottom of the boat.

Are YOU in this picture? If not, take heart - there will be a 1998 ‘PATROL IN PARADISE’ so buy your suntan lotion now and get ready for it.

As you can tell, our 1997 ‘PATROL in PARADISE’ was a superb time. There were more than half a dozen German U-Boat veterans including the youngest combat submarine Skipper of the war (HANS-GEORG HESS 125-LIFE-1985) pictured here; there were a number of US Navy submarine veterans, including CAPTAIN NED BEACH (1163-LIFE-1989) who wrote several fine books including ‘RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP!’; there were two destroyer escort Skippers one of whom (CAPTAIN ALVIN CHESTER 3791-1994) commanded the first US Navy destroyer in combat & the youngest destroyer escort Skipper (RADM SHELDON KINNEY 5152-1997). HESS sank two American LIBERTY SHIPS; KINNEY sank three U-Boats and assisted in sinking another; they all had action against each other’s countries but there was no anger, no animosity. It was often heard: “I’m glad we didn’t meet on the ocean fifty-five years ago; we have more time for beer now.”

This truly was a testament to the motto of SHARKHUNTERS: “YESTERDAY’S ENEMIES ARE TODAY’S FRIENDS” which initially came from the DRUMBEATER, REINHARD HARDEGEN (102-LIFE-1985) and we saw it in effect in the Keys.

Here is what HANS-GEORG HESS wrote:

“I will repeat my last words during our Good Bye at Key Largo: PATROL in PARADISE from January 24 through February 2 was a huge success!

Just like ten years ago seven Germans thank you with full hearts for all that we were allowed to experience. SHARKHUNTERS planned an excellent program and arranged everything into a flawless reality.

We thank all American friends for their most friendly reception and readiness to engage in conversations. Yes, the presentations and individual discussions about war and peace were filled with deep thoughts and again revealed the togetherness of the former maritime and today’s political understandings and experiences between the former enemies at sea and in the air. All have long since become true friends. How big was the happiness to meet again old friends of earlier SHARKHUNTERS meetings in the US and Germany - new friendships were formed.

HARRY guided all these affairs with excellent German and English speaking bus driver, through the Everglades and many interesting sights in the Keys and its coastal waters all the way down to Key West where we experienced something like the Biblical flood.

We wish all SHARKHUNTERS a good time, and look forward to an early reunion in Germany.”

HARRY’S NOTE - the Biblical flood OBLT. HESS mentions referred to our day in Key West, when the weather just did not cooperate. The weather was typically gorgeous all the way to Key West, but a huge black cloud hovered over the island and when we got off our bus, the deluge began! We spent our day dodging from one flooding store to another - some even needed sandbags to keep the rising water out! Most of us found our way into some bar or restaurant, but it was a lot of fun.

BECK’s ON HAND

What would a U-Boat gathering be if there were no BECK’s beer? We didn’t have that problem. As we sat down to our WELCOME DINNER, the restaurant manager gave us a very nice surprise. BILL OLSEN (2431-1992) could not be with us in the Keys, but he arranged with the restaurant manager to provide two cases of BECK’s beer for our group at our WELCOME DINNER. Thanks BILL, everyone loved the beer, and the thought was really great.

‘PATROL in PARADISE’ 1998

Did you miss this ‘PATROL in PARADISE’ and are still kicking yourself? No problem - response has been so positive over our 1997 ‘PATROL in PARADISE’ that we will soon begin planning our 1998 ‘PATROL in PARADISE’! The date is not yet firm, but we are quite certain they will be in late January or early February. As soon as we know for certain, we will let you know. Pencil the dates on your calendar; you can put them in ink soon; buy your suntan lotion and swim suit - the dates will be upon us sooner than you think. WE’LL SEE YOU IN PARADISE!