10 YEARS AGO in our KTB

KPLT FEHLER (32-+-1984) told me more of the details of his trip with U-234 out of Germany in the closing moments of the War. JAK MALLMANN SHOWELL (73-1984) told us of the rumor that three TYPE XXI boats were still entombed in an abandoned bunker in Hamburg. (We found them one year later)

The best news (in my opinion) of KTB # 29 was that I was alive! I had contracted Hepatitis (B) weeks before the issue went out and while in the hospital emergency room, I was told by 3 doctors (two were liver specialists) that I would not live out the night. I am pleased to say that they were incorrect - very pleased!

KTB #29 was only 6 pages long - times sure have changed!

5 YEARS AGO in our KTB

In KTB #77 five years ago, there was a great cover spread of our trip to Germany and Austria. The main photo was that of HARRY COOPER (1-LIFE-1983) wearing the overcoat and hat of the Camp Commandant of the East German Border Guards camp and holding their flag. HARRY and MANFRED ROEDER (1517-LIFE-1990) went into the camp and took these items while the rest of our group was touring Checkpoint Charlie. Another photo is our group being welcomed in Austria by (then) Landeshauptmann DR. JöRG HAIDER (1616-1990) and yet another shows JIMMY KLINE (300-A/LIFE-1987) in the tunnels beneath the crumbling home of Hermann Göring.

The majority of this issue covered our historic visit to Europe in 1990 beginning with our visit to the naval base at Brest - where we were allowed to take photos and videotapes! This was indeed a first. Then on to Lorient for a similar visit.

After France, we rode the train into Germany for a great visit with dozens of veterans in Hamburg, Hanover and Kiel. Then we went into Berlin and were part of history as this was the Day of Reunification of the divided Germany! We walked on the Unten der Linden and we stood atop the ruins of the Führerbunker. This was indeed, living history to its fullest. The veterans in each of the cities we visited rolled out the red carpet for us - as they always do.

Our bus took us to the southern part of Austria, into the breath takingly beautiful area of Kärnten where we were hosted by the men of the Marinekameradschaft of Villach and of Klagenfurt as well as a personal reception with DR. HAIDER. We took part in the celebration of ‘ULRICHBERGFEST’ and the eerie nighttime ‘STERNMARSCH’ torchlight parade.

Back in the US, BUD DANA (245-A/LIFE-1987) had a ride in ‘TANTE JU’, an old tri-motor Ju 52 aircraft that was touring here.

On a personal note - we reported that my good friend PROF. HENRY HEALD (147-1985) began his ‘ETERNAL PATROL’.

KTB #77 was only 28 pages long and done on an old typewriter. At the time it was published, there were Members in only 31 countries. We now have Members in 65 countries. The sun never sets on the world of SHARKHUNTERS.