Coffee Gatherings

It is time once again, for us to get together for our famous Sharkhunters Coffee Gatherings around the USA. We will try to have one in a city near YOU throughout 2004.

JANUARY 2004

There will be not one but two (maybe more) of our Coffee Gatherings around the State of Florida. To refresh your memories, at our Coffee Gatherings, we’ll select a restaurant then publish this information – when, where etc, in our KTB Magazine. Any and all Members and guests are welcome – just order as much or as little as you like, and you pay your own bill…..but there is a lot of fellowship and meeting new friends at these Gatherings. All details will be in KTB #171 next time. CHECK our WEBSITE.

We hope you’ll make it to at least one of our Coffee Gatherings in 2004. We will try to have one fairly close to you if possible.

Welcome to Germany

We have been getting letters, FAXes and e-mails from the veterans in Germany, telling us that they are looking forward to having us visit them in their country.

Will you be with us? Tomorrow may never come and if you put it off for too long, you may never have the opportunity to meet these great men of history.

WOLDEMAR TRIEBEL (197-LIFE-1986), was I.W.O. on U-978, and he writes: “Looking forward to see you and other friends again in Germany.”

Welcome in Austria!

We have just received an e-mail from our friends in Austria, telling us of the welcome they have planned for us.

On the first late afternoon, we are welcomed by the men of the Marine Kameradschaft (Navy League) in this area for drinks and fellowship. Many of the veterans of World War II will be there including one crewmember of U-172.

The next day, our deluxe bus takes us high into the Tyrolean Alps (some 1,600 meters – about one mile high) for a typical mountain house for our lunch. We will be joined for our lunch by members of the Austrian Army. After lunch, for those wishing to participate, there will be friendly rifle marksmanship competition there.

Join us for a fantastic trip back into history. It will be an experience you will cherish forever. You will meet people who formed the world in which we live and you’ll see the beauty of these countries, cities & villages, and you will visit places not open to anyone else. Austria is waiting for you!

The Clock is Ticking

And time is running out for your participation in either (or both) of our “Patrols” in Germany with Berlin and places in Austria. Dr. Professor RENEE von WORDE (887-1988) was with us on our Southern Germany & Austria “Patrol” two years ago. She writes:

“I would love to join you on this Patrol and see our friends again. You know, if I could, I would strongly urge every Sharkhunters Member to make that Patrol. You are so right about the clock ticking, sad but true. I am glad that I made the trip that I did; it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. To be present at the Admiral Topp ceremony when he dedicated his medals was exciting and forever memorable.

I think that anyone who doesn’t make at least one of these patrols (and soon) is really not thinking coherently.”

We still have a few spots left on both our “Patrols” but you’ll have to telephone, FAX or e-mail immediately if you are going. Don’t miss possibly this last chance to go to Europe and meet some really wonderful veterans of the war at sea. Call now.

U-297

by Richard W. Skinner

Since December 1944, a wreck has lain on the seabed west of the Orkney Islands. She’s no ordinary wreck, because the entire crew is still aboard, still on ‘Eternal Patrol’. This was a crew of very young men. The oldest just 28 and the youngest a mere 19 years of age. They were the enemy – but they were also someone’s sons. The boat has been forgotten by most, remembered by a very few.

This book is the story of a U-Boat on her first war patrol that would suffer badly at the cruel hand of fate…..a U-Boat that was lost as a result of the actions of another German submarine on a completely unconnected patrol. A U-Boat that was sunk while using the new snorkel device thought by the Allied airmen who attacked her, to make such submarines almost undetectable. More important, this book is the gripping story of the discovery of the wreck of U-297 in a location far different to that believed by the relatives of the crew, former comrades and official records. Only now the full story can be told.

This lavishly illustrated book will prove invaluable to any enthusiast of World War II naval history and military archaeology in general. The wreck is illustrated through an incredible series of underwater photographs and schematic diagrams – many of which help explain how U-297 was lost so quickly and without a trace. There are also many photographs of the Skipper and crew as well as the U-Boat, as they were about to depart their homeport. Softcover book.

Order U-297 Only $9.95 (plus $2.50 shipping)

Your e-mail Address

We are trying to cut down on the amount of postage we use each year by using the Internet. Please make sure we have your e-mail address so we can not only save money, but e-mails are answered within the first day whereas ‘snail mail’ can take a very long time.

Please send us your e-mail address.

Phone Number

Sometimes a Member won’t write his/her telephone number on the Membership renewal form. They either leave the space blank or write ‘unlisted’ in that space. We never give out Members address or phone number to anyone for any reason, but once in a while the KTB will be returned by the post office or the items they ordered come back for one reason or another. We try to call the person to get their address straightened out – oops, no phone number so we have a tough time getting your things to you. Please jot down your phone number on your renewal form – it’s only for us at HQ.