2003 ‘Patrol in Europe’

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, there will be a super ‘Patrol in Europe’ in 2003. We don’t have all the details at this moment, but by the time this issue is in your hands, all the details will be up on our website and you can get answers to all your questions there. It will be during September, 2003.

If you cannot access the website, full details will be in KTB #167 next month or you can e-mail or call here for the details.

Make sure to save your vacation time, as this will be one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, SHARKHUNTERS ‘Patrols’ ever!

Why Do They Want This Skipper Dead?

KARL SIPPEL (841-1988) recently wrote and asked why that website (known to serious researchers as ‘U-Boat-Dot-Not’) lists Captain HERMANN HOFFMANN (1365-LIFE-1990) as being dead way back on 1 November 1982.

KARL met Captain HOFFMANN on a SHARKHUNTERS tour and neither man was unaware that one was dead – according to that website. Captain HOFFMANN has been with us on several of our ‘Patrols’ both in Germany and in America; HARRY COOPER (1-LIFE-1983) has visited him in his home in Germany on many occasions – he seemed pretty lively for a man who died twenty years ago and we think he’ll be pleased to learn that he is not dead.

To answer your question KARL, the reason that website lists him as dead when he really is not is simply that the website which touts itself as accurate etc. is run by a computer programmer helped by some friends who read some books – none of them are historians and none know any of the Skippers. The U-bootfahrer do not give them any assistance. No wonder, if this site kills them off so early.

SHARKHUNTERS tried to help correct this error on the website in question, but were met with yet more attacks.

Welcome New Board Members!

To replace our outgoing Advisory Board Members, we are pleased and proud to announce the appointment to this Board of:

GERD DIETRICH (5923-LIFE-1999). GERD was a cannoneer with von Mannstein’s Army in the Crimean campaign as well as in other theaters of battle. GERD is a tremendously valuable help in Germany where he has been the man responsible for all the arrangements on our ‘Patrols in South Germany and Austria’ and he shares his combat films with us, after they have been converted to videotape. Welcome to the Board GERD.

JOHN ZARO (5480-1998). JOHN has been a great help in many areas. He has recruited quite a few new Members in the past, and he is helping greatly in preparing for a major SHARKHUNTERS event on the west coast. Welcome to the Board, JOHN.

HARRY has met with both men many times, and considers them good friends personally, as well as outstanding Members of our SHARKHUNTERS. Welcome - we know you’ll do a good job.

Welcome New Board Member!

Because our SHARKHUNTERS has gotten so big over the years, we have three new Board Members coming each year and the third one to begin his ten year term in 2003 is long-time Member C. J. CHRIST (47-1984). As you can see by his Membership Number, C. J. has been with us for a very long time.

He is a very strong supporter of SHARKHUNTERS and loves this history. On his own, he has been to visit many of the veterans in Germany and has proven himself to be a Member we can count on, the same as all our Board Members.

Welcome Aboard to C. J.!

Thanks

to BOB GRAHAM (4650-1996) for the item he donated to our Archive. This was an item that came to him via a friend who had a relative who served in the US Army in Germany in the war. The veteran had died, and the artifact was passed to another relative and then to BOB, who sent it along here. The item is an SA dagger in perfect condition. Many thanks BOB. This dagger will take a prominent place in our new building.

also to RON LADD (3844-1994) for the beautiful black leather greatcoat he donated for our archive. This beautiful coat will go on a mannequin in the new building.

Many thanks to all our great Members who so strongly support SHARKHUNTERS. You’re the reason we are the world’s leader! Remember, once we obtain our 501 (c) 3 you may send a letter stating your gift/donation and the approximate value – we’ll sign it and you will be able to get a break on your taxes.

2002 Membership Contest

The 2002 Membership Contest is rolling along nicely. We see several ‘veterans’ of the recruiting contests bringing new Members aboard and many new Members have also made their mark in the Membership Contest. Now it’s time to get cranking 2002 Contest:

3
AUGIE GOELLER (1693-2000)

1
MIKE KOSS (299-1987)
BILL CHIVIL (314-1987)
CHUCK MYLES (1068-1989)
Major DICK SMITH (1213-LIFE-1989)
HANS SCHMIDT (1721-1996)
MARSHALL CLARK (1942-2002)
KEN BARNES (2437-2001)
WERNER HUBER (3898-1994)
DAVID M. BICKFORD (5495-1998)
VALOR TOURS (5576-1998)
MIKE JOHNSON (6268-2001)

Our Membership Contest is really winding down to a finish now and so far, only these Members will be winning discounts off their next annual dues – why not put your name on this list and get some money off your next annual dues? It is easy – I’ll bet you have friends who read your KTB…..sometimes they even give it back. Why not sign them up and they’ll get their own copy, and you will get credit for the Membership Contest and have your name here.

This issue of the KTB Magazine is being typeset and finished in early December 2002 so the final results will be in KTB #166 next month. We hope there are more names to be added at that time.

Well, this is going to the print shop before Christmas, so perhaps a few more names will creep into the Winner’s Circle. But here is one who is always in the winner’s circle. His score does not count for the Grand Prize, but we didn’t post him as we didn’t want to frighten others away.

JOE BURGES (605-A/LIFE-1988) : 13 new Members!