4 Oct. (Thursday) We went to the Audi production plant and it is amazing! Just about no people in the plant at all - it’s all done by robots. From the time the sheets of metal come in to the time the car is almost finished, it’s all robotically. Sorry, no photos allowed.

After lunch, we were guests of Dr. Aichner, Director of the Bavarian Army Museum. We were treated to a special, SHARKHUNTERS only tour of this tremendous museum. It is housed in an old fortress and each room is better than the last. We walked a lot, and we saw a lot - photos and videos always allowed.

Then we received a special treat - we were honored guests of the Museum as they welcomed our friend ERICH TOPP (118-LIFE-1985) and dedicated a room to him. Admiral TOPP was very pleased that our SHARKHUNTERS group was there on this monumental occasion. Both he and Dr. AICHNER mentioned SHARKHUNTERS at length in their speeches. Then we went into this new exhibit room. All of TOPP’s orders and mementos were there - the Knights Cross that his men made on board his submarine when it was announced that he had been awarded this medal; the oil painting of TOPP in his oilskins on the bridge of his boat; many tonnage flags from his boats; the actual flag that flew on his boat and so much more it is impossible to mention it all. After the ceremony, all the guests went into another room for sandwiches and drinks. As always, ERICH TOPP was happy to sign autographs & stand for photos with all Members of our group.

Late in the evening, we arrived at our hotel in a suburb of München and after checking in, we scattered. Some of us went to the little Italian restaurant a block or two away while others headed for the Irish pub a little further on.

5 October (Friday) The people who own this hotel thanked us for coming, as their tourism had all but dried up since the 11 September attack on America.

Our guys who hit the Irish pub last evening did something previously thought impossible. They drank the pub out of beer! The bartender had to put a sign on the door that said they had no beer in this pub. In some places, this could be considered a national emergency.

After breakfast, we went to the Viktualienmarkt (farmer’s market) as we did last year, and the lack of tourists was quite evident. The crowds were way down, so we had no lines to deal with and no delays in restaurants. Then our bus took us to Feldherrnhalle where we began our walking tour of the famous buildings in this historic city. Our tour was quite complete, and we went by foot in some areas, on the bus in others. There were photos and videotapes aplenty shot here.

Feldherrnhalle. Left: in the 1940’s and Right: in October 2001

We spent the afternoon at the Wiesen, the meadow where Oktoberfest takes place and again, the crowds were way down from normal. The weather was fantastic - blue skies, sun shining and temps in the 70’s. It was reported by reliable sources that, try as they might, JOHN BUCK (3884-LIFE-1994) and friends were not able to run the Oktoberfest out of beer. Next year guys - try it again in 2002. (check our website for many more photos).

After refreshing at our hotel and getting spiffed up, we were back at the Pschorrkeller for our evening’s dinner and entertainment. The food was great as were the beers, and the band and dancing were great like in 2000 but what was missing were the crowds. Last year, it would have taken a shoehorn to get anyone else into the room. This year, it was only about 1/3 full and 2/3 empty. Osama bin Laden even screwed up attendance at the Oktoberfest.

Patrol 2001 in Southern Germany and Austria

September 29 and 30
October 1, 2, and 3
October 4 and 5
October 6 and 7
October 8, 9, and 10