The Good, the Bad……and the Ugly

GARY van LOON (5688-2003) wrote us the following:

“This October I took a WW II history tour to the Italian battlefields with (another group). It was the worst tour I have ever been on! They sucked! Bad accommodations, bad food, poor planning, poor execution and no one with the slightest of where to go or what to see.

I sure did advertise Sharkhunters, telling everyone on the bus about your patrols and how good it was, and not to judge all WW II tours by (the other group). What I learned from this is just how important the tour leader really is. Not to inflate your ego, but the facts are the facts. You knew everything and everyone! We had a great time last year and saw so much.”

EDITOR NOTE - Thanks for your kind words GARY and much as I’d love to accept your comments about the Tour Leader being so good and much as my ego doesn’t really need any more inflating, it really is not me at all - it is thanks to all our friends in Germany and Austria who do all the arranging, communicating etc. that make our Sharkhunters “Patrols” better than any other in the world! They are the “angels” who make it all happen.

When RICHARD BAER (6855-2004) received his Sharkhunters wristwatch, he mentioned that it was really beautiful. Here is a follow-on email from him:

“I saw where you quoted me on my opinion of the Sharkhunters watch on the website. Just to let you know, I have already received some compliments on the watch.”

Thanks for the update RIC. Some of our Members have seen other Members wearing this watch – on the golf course, in the pits at a sports car race and many other places. GERD THÄTER (194-+-1986) usually got several each year to give them to his crew at reunions. What about YOU? You’ll love your Sharkhunters watch. Look at your catalog or better yet – check it out on the web.

Only Two Kinds of People

According to an email from LARRY KAGAN (5053-C-1996), there are only two kinds of people. Here’s what he wrote:

“There are only two kinds of Members – those who ARE Members, and those who wish they WERE Members.”

How true – thanks LARRY. Sorry for the ones who could and should become Members.

Question from NICK

NICK BROWN (6795-2004) writes: “How do you reconcile the fact that the SS divisions were the spearhead of the ‘final solution’ with your statement that they were like our Special Forces troops?”

We welcome all replies, and we wonder if NICK is confusing the Waffen SS with the Allgemein SS? Your comments are welcome.

“Happy Thanksgiving from an old submariner’s Silent Partner, DORIS BAILEY (3594-2003), Mrs. William H. Bailey. Bill is now deceased. We are losing so many of our WW II friends – isn’t it wonderful new ones are coming aboard!”

LAWRENCE NOTHDURFT (5510-A/LIFE-1998) wrote: “I am so glad to be a Member of Sharkhunters and greatly enjoy my issues of KTB.”

MIKE’s PRIDE!

MIKE LIPSCOMB (6323-2001) writes: “Thank you very much. I enjoy being a member of this great organization – to see these men honored for the courage and bravery that they had shown every day, as well as the sacrifices that were made by them – it is an excellent tribute to all of them.”

Off to the Crim

NICK REVELIOTTY (6839-2004) and his family were on our Crimean tour, and he has this to say: “We all had a great time on the Crimean Tour. Hans was a great guide and the interpreter was terrific.”

DEX’s PRIDE!

DEX ARMSTRONG (6909-2004) recently wrote when he joined: “Your package arrived and all I can say is W-O-W! Not very articulate but an accurate description of my reaction. Thanks for the inclusion of the signed photo. It will be properly matted and framed and placed in the submarine room. Thanks again.”

DEX writes some really great stories, and he continues his letter: “My stories are just for the lads who rode the boats like I rode; just a simple blowing the dust off some great times as enjoyed by a SubForce bottom-feeder – no vain pride of authorship and I fully realize that the bullshit that flows from my pen wouldn’t pass for literature in East Jeezus Zamboanga…..just an old coot running barefoot through some of the most wonderful days spent with the finest men I was ever to know. The acceptance of those lads is the only reward I want, and the kind emails keep me at it.

We all loved REQUIN. Your clarion call for action to get the damn thing out of Tampa made your Good Guy credentials a cement job with the animals I rode with. Thanks for all your kindness.”

EDITOR NOTE – I wish ALL the submarine veterans in our Membership would write stories and keep their memories alive.

RIC’s PRIDE!

RIC BAER (6855-2004) recently joined and asked for some information about OTTO KRETSCHMER (122-+-1985). “Thank you for responding so quickly and thanks for the additional history on Otto Kretschmer. There is so little written on the history of the Spanish Civil War and I really cherish any bit of information I can get.

Thank you for keeping the history alive and current. Individuals like Otto Kretschmer need to be remembered & known. Those of us who search out the truth and knowledge of past events lost a great deal when we lost Otto Kretschmer & I know it was a great loss to you being he was your friend.

I enjoyed reading my first issue of the KTB. I cannot overstate how much I enjoy reading it, and I have read it over and over already and enjoy it every time.”

The Only “REAL” History

Richard Todd is not a Member, but he had been looking for some specific information and he got it on our website. He wrote: “I was looking on the web about information about Erich Gimpel and saw the most all ‘real’ information was provided by your group. Why would I write? My uncle John Grier was the judge in the Erich Gimpel trial and he has passed on but one thing I have is the original court transcript, which he swore me to burn. Well, I did not burn them and they are still in a box. I have no need for them and I wish that I had taken the time to look prior to Erich passing on. If you would like these, I have no use for them as they serve me no good, but you and your team may want them.

I remember my uncle telling me about a passage in the book mentioning my uncle as a ‘mean SOB that said I will die, but in a way I liked and respected him.”

EDITOR NOTE – as I told Richard, ERICH GIMPEL (884-1988) is not dead, but is about 95 and in really good shape. And Richard, many thanks for the court transcripts.

Remain on ‘Patrol’

Col. ROBERT WICKE (6625-2002) USAF (Ret.) was with us on our 2003 “Patrol” in Northern Germany and he writes this:

“I urge you to continue organizing your tours because

1. You know your way around;
2. The tours are complete and very enjoyable;
3. You take in many areas of interest;
4. I would not hesitate to recommend your tours;
5. You are very personable and you take everyone’s interest at heart;
6. The tours of the highest quality;
7. You have great German guides who speak very good English;
8. No one pressures any tour participant to purchase anything;
9. You have something for the ladies as well as the men;

I hope all this adds up to ‘don’t quit’. The legacy of all submarine activity of all nations lie in the Sharkhunters. You cannot stop compiling data and leading tours.”

Very nice comments – thanks Col. We’re having 2 great “Patrols” in Olde Europe September of 2005. Watch for the details.

Great Book “U-BOAT” Vol. I

This is what BRIAN STOBO (6903-2004) said. He wrote: “Hope you have a great holiday season. Keep up the great work. Many thanks. Also, I just finished reading your book ‘U-BOAT’ Volume I. It was excellent reading – very objective, factual and historical.”

EDITOR NOTE – We still have some copies of this book on hand and we can ship immediately. For your copy, just send $15 (plus $5 shipping) to us and order the book. It is THAT simple, and you’ll love the book – GUARANTEED or your money is refunded.

Love the Videos

ANNE FLEUREN (6841-2004) received the Sharkhunters History Videos she ordered, and she wrote this: “I have managed to watch 5 of the videos so far, and I am pleased with the quality of the war film footage. It is also great to watch Admiral Topp and Captain Hardegen as they speak.”

EDITOR NOTE - Members may either look to their 2004/2005 catalog or on the website for all the great videotapes available, and more are being added weekly. In fact, HARRY just returned from Germany with nearly a dozen more videotapes, some direct from the veterans who fought in the war. More information soon.

JIM’s PRIDE!

Combat submarine veteran JIM EWELL (6620-2002) USN, wrote this to us recently: “Just a short note to tell you how much I enjoy reading about the exploits of the U-Boat sailors. Take care and keep the KTB’s coming.”

DENNIS’ PRIDE...And Our Concern

DENNIS STOCKS (4813-1996) ordered some of our videotapes but he lives in another hemisphere, and not all video players will play the NTSC format that our tapes are furnished, so we emailed and asked him if his player would work. Here is his reply: “Yes, ‘Down Under’ we are on the PAL system but I have a VCR DVD which will play multi-regional formats so that won’t be a problem. I sincerely appreciate your asking…..just shows a refreshing concern for Members that is conspicuously absent in some other groups.”

“Dex” ARMSTRONG (6909-2004) rode the boats, and he is a wonderful writer of submarine stories. He recently emailed this:

“You come highly recommended by Captain ART RAWSON (774-1988), an old and dear family friend, and by KEN HENRY (1468-1990) another old friend, but most importantly your work to preserve submarine history is well known. If ever there is ANYTHING I have written that you find a use for, it would be an honor.

I will be honored to be a part of your great organization. I would be honored to be a part of anything a friend of OTTO KRETSCHMER (122-+-1985) has anything to do with.”