Hello veterans and friends of the 75th Division !
We could not send the last email to John Bray, 75th Div, 290th Co. A
email-adress: betjak@primary.net
Are you maybe in contact with him and can supply us with his new email
adress ?
Please send in more emails to forward them to Dannon Schweser and his class.
We also have a new online-member (Phil Pelletter) ! Please send him a hello-email !
We are growing constantly, please tell other members how to reach us,
so we can maintain a fast communication between the veterans of the 75th
!
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
List of contents:
1.) Feedback regarding newsline No. 14 ( 9 May 1998 )
2.) Links found by Steve Graber
3.) Photos of Hagen, Westphalia, from 1945 wanted !
4.) Who knew George Searcy ?
5.) Conference board of the 75th Division
6.) Interesting website
7.) WWII commemorative weekend
8.) New contact: 2nd Armored Division website
9.) Letter from Dannon Schweser, Ohio, 8th grade student
10.) Question for maillist
11.) 75th Veteran Phil Pelletter now online !
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Important: 1998 Reunion of the 75th
Division !!!
Time: 15
- 19 July 1998
Place: Spokane, WA, USA
(please see our homepage at www.mknet.de/75th
for more informations !
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
\\|//
(o o)
----------------oOOo-(_)-oOOo------------------------------75th DIVISION
online
**********************************************************************************
DON'T BE A LURKER.... GET INVOLVED... YOU ARE A MEMBER... MAKE THE
MOST OF IT
**********************************************************************************
(actual count: 97 members online worldwide
!)
1.) Feedback regarding our newsline No. 13 ( 19 April 1998):
From: Jnmcdevitt <Jnmcdevitt@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 00:38:34 EDT
Re: contact with former unit commander's son
Dear Rolf,
This note is just to let you know that through your
page I have made
contact with Rik Peirson who is the son of 1st Lt. John Peirson (Killed
12/25/44). Lt. Peirson was the commanding officer of my S2 unit
at Fort
Breckinridge, Ky. in the summer and fall of 1944. He was transferred
to Co L,
sometime before we went into combat. His son would like to make
contact with
anyone who knew of him. He can be reached through me.
By the way Rolf, you got "your two cents worth"
right!
Thanks again for your unofficial page!
_____________________________________________________________
From: "Bill Burke" <bburke@ipa.net>
subject: 75th Division Flag.
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 21:21:59 -0500
Rolf,
Regarding your request for a 75th Division flag for the city
of Plettenburg Germany.
I am still searching for a discount flag company the will provide one
a reasonable cost.
I'll update you as soon as I have more information.
What is the latest information or news on locating the flags and the
mayors chain ?
Bill Burke, Paragould Arkansas
http://users.ipa.net/~bburke
"Don't
Panic"
____________________________________________________________________
Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 10:05:10 -0800
From: Rik Peirson <rik@dayone.com>
subject: Memorial Day '98
Rolf --
I won't wish you a "happy" one, but nevertheless, I want to thank you
for all you continue to do to bring light and understanding to those
in
and surrounding the 75th.
Best regards --
Rik Peirson
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Rik Peirson
Day One × Santa Barbara, CA × USA
Marketing, Advertising, Interactive Communications
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
____________________________________________________________
Datum: Tue, 26 May 1998 19:35:43 +0000
From: James Controvich <UnitHistory@worldnet.att.net>
Dear Rolf:
I am sorry I missed your calls to my home and office. With this note you will have my new e-mail address. I had some health problems and bought a new computer I am not sure which was worse. In transferring files I lost all my e-mail addresses.
Please advise if I can be of any help.
Sincerely,
Jim Controvich
++Moderators note:++
Jim Controvich is a unit historian. He was a great help in locating
informations about the 75th Division, esp. the 290th. If you have questions
regarding unit histories, fell free to contact him.
___________________________________________________________________________
Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 01:22:40 -0400 (EDT)
subject: 75th Div newsflash
Thank you for writing to President Clinton via electronic mail. Since June 1993, the President has received over 2.3 million messages from people across the country and around the world. Online communication has become a tool to bring government and the people closer together.
Because so many of you write, the President cannot personally review each message, though he does receive samplesof his incoming correspondence. The White House Correspondence staff helps him read and respond to the mail. All responses are mailed via the U.S. Postal Service. This is the only electronic message you will receive from whitehouse.gov. No other message purporting to be from the President or his staff with an address at whitehouse.gov is authentic. If you have received such a message,you have received a "spoof."
We appreciate your interest in the work of the Administration.
Sincerely,
Stephen K. Horn
Director, Presidential
E-mail
The Office of
Correspondence
P.S. Please read on - you may find the following information useful.
-- The only personal addresses at whitehouse.gov are the following:
President@whitehouse.gov
Vice.President@whitehouse.gov
First.Lady@whitehouse.gov
Please write to Mrs. Gore and to White House staff by regular mail. The address is:
The White House, Washington, D.C., 20501 (Mrs. Gore), 20502 (all WH Staff)
-- On October 20, 1994, President Clinton and Vice President
Gore opened a World Wide Web home page called "Welcome to the White House:
An Interactive Citizens' Handbook," and it remains one of the more
popular spots on the Web. The White House home page provides, among
other things, a single point of access to virtually all government
information available on the Internet. Children especially enjoy
the "White House for Kids" feature -- look for your tour guide, Socks,
the First Cat. "Welcome to the White House" can be accessed at:
www.whitehouse.gov
-- White House documents and publications are available
on the World Wide Web (see above) and by E-mail. To receive instructions
on retrieving documents by E-mail, please send a message to the following
address:
publications@pub.pub.whitehouse.gov
In the Subject line, type "hello" (without quotes); you may leave the body of the message blank. The instructions will be sent to you automatically.
-- The White House Public Access E-mail FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document is available at the following address. Send an E-mail message (no text necessary) to:
FAQ@whitehouse.gov
Among other things, the FAQ lists alternate sources of government information, e.g., the Congressional E-mail projects. (This FAQ address is an autoresponder only; any comment sent to this address will not be acknowledged.)
************************************************************
2.) Links found by Steve Graber
Date: Mon, 11 May 98 12:21:52 -0500
From: "Stephen M. Graber"<stephen.m.graber@bender.com>
subject: Link to your page appropriate
Hello Rolf, in researching Battle of the Bulge info on the internet,
I came across the web site of C.R.I.B.A. (Center of Research and Information
on the Battle of the Bulge) located at http://users.skynet.be/bulgecriba/.
It is an excellent site that many of on your distribution list
may find very interesting. However, the site provides a link to "other
links WWII". On the page, http://users.skynet.be/bulgecriba/others.html,
I think it would be appropriate for a link to your excellent 75th Div.
web site. Thanks again for your excellent work on your web site and your
newsline.
Also, if anyone wishes to contact my father Jack Graber, 75th. Div,
291st Regt., 3rd Bn., I Co., they may email me and I will forward the message
to him.
Sincerely,
Steve Graber
******************************************************************
3.) Photos of Hagen, Westphalia, from 1945 wanted !
Date: Sat, 09 May 1998 15:22:49 +0200
From: Ralf Blank <Ralf.Blank@Hagen.de>
subject: 75th ID
Sehr geehrter Herr Wilmink,
vielen Dank fuer die regelmaessige Zusendung der 75th Inf Div newsline.
Ich hatte Sie vor einiger Zeit - 1996 ?- einmal angemailt und gefragt,
ob Sie vielleicht zeitgenoessige Photographien aus Hagen bzw. dem Raum
Hagen besorgen koennen.
Prof. Sollbach und ich haben mehrfach in den National Archives recherchiert, ohne dass wir fuendig geworden sind. Die einzige Chance scheint in der Tat in Privatpersonen zu bestehen, die evt. anlaesslich der Besetzung am 14-17.4.45 fotographiert haben.
Da z. Zt. das Historische Zentrum der Stadt Hagen aufbebaut wird, waeren historische Aufnahmen waehrend bzw. kurz nach der amerikanischen Besetzung von Hagen beinahe eine Sensation. Wir besitzen lediglich einige offizielle Aufnahmen, die im Mai 45 in der Accumulatoren Fabrik erstellt wurden.
Ich kann es einfach nicht glauben, dass Hagen als zerbombte Grosstadt nicht das Objekt amerikanischer Fotographen geworden ist.
Mit besten Gruessen
Ralf Blank
++Summary by Modearator: ++
The university Bochum is preparing the historic center of the city
of Hagen, Westphalia. They are in urgent need of photos from the occupation
of the city around 14 – 17 April 1945 or dated around May 1945.
Can anybody help ?? Send an email to the adress below !
++ ++
*****************************************************
E-Mail:
1) Ralf.Blank@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
2) ralf_blank@hotmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++
Homepage:
http://homepage.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/Ralf.Blank
*****************************************************
4.) Who knew George Searcy ?
From: <Ron.Searcy@ps.net>
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 13:29:00 -0500
I am interested in hearing from anyone who knew/served with my father
in WWII.
He would have joined the fighting approx. Feb/Mar of 1945. He died
on October 10, 1965. He served with the occupation forces after Germany
surrendered. My mother (17-18 at the time) sailed to Europe and was
with him in Berlin. I have the following information:
George Edgar Searcy (went by George)
Co. F 2nd Battalion
291st Inf (records were burned in St. Louis)
75th Division
Please contact me via email at rsearcy@concentric.net or ron.searcy@ps.net or both. My address is:
George "Ron" Searcy
12124 Basset Lane
Reston, VA 20191
*****************************************************************
5.) Conference board of the 75th Division
Datum: 18 May 98 10:41:19 -0400
From: "Brian Wolff" <BWOLFF@us.oracle.com>
subject: 75th Div newsflash
I am going to open up a conference board for you at the following URL
It will be for ANYONE wanting to start a discussion group about the 75th Division.
Sub boards
History
People Locator
Links
etc..
Do you have any suggestions before I set up the inital discussion groups?
It will also have a chat area which we can schedule a conference with over 1000 IRC chat compatable browsers.
Major Brian Wolff
-Opinions expressed herein are my own and
do not necessarily reflect those of Oracle Corporation.
ORACLEa
Brian Wolff
Principle Sales Consultant
Web and Tools Technology
Oracle Corporation 222 W. Las Colinas Boulevard
phone 972-401-5835
Suite 1000 - North Tower
fax 972-869-2895
Irving
bwolff@us.oracle.com
Texas 75039
www.oracle.com
Cell 214-707-1110
Pager 800-PAGE-MCI
pin 1409525
************************************************************
6.) Interesting website
From: "Bill Burke" <bburke@ipa.net>
subject: Army Links (http://users.ipa.net/~bburke/army.html)
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 23:52:08 -0500
Rolf, you may want to add your 75th Div. site to the Military web ring located at the bottom of my page!
http://users.ipa.net/~bburke/army.html
************************************************************
7.) WWII commemorative weekend
From: RDougR <RDougR@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 21:26:45 EDT
Rolf,
Thanks you for your kind response. Your interest in Media, PA, as the
possible location for one of your missing flags caught my attention as
I grew up not more than 5 miles from that town. If you have a more precise
location, I could easily make a trip to the area on your behalf.
The Reading WWII commemorative weekend is fast approaching,
and although I've been quite busy with school matters (yes, I'm a teacher),
my son and I will certainly attend and inquire about your flags at the
event. For more information on the world wide web, try:
www.avialantic.com/maam/wwsched.html
or www.avialantic.com
Please forgive my mistake....Media is the location of your Mayor's chain...again,
if you could brief me with a little more detail, description and location,
I'd be pleased to research that for you.
again, Thank you for your interest
Doug Riley
Please keep in touch,
Doug Riley
++Moderator´s note:++
A Mr. William Warda, from Media, PA, has the chain in his possesion,
but it seems, that he is not willing to sell it back to Germany. Our hope
is, that where the chain came up, our flags would be around somewhere.
They are of historic value for our traditional rifle association from 1836.
If someone finds the flags and is willing to give them back, he will be
invited for a free trip and holiday to Germany as a guest of honour, all
expenses paid.
Please check our homepage at www.mknet.de/75th under „flagsearch info“
for more informations.
*********************************************************************
8.) New contact: 2nd Armored Division website
From: "Howard Swonger" <hswonger@email.msn.com>
subject: Exchange lLnks
Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 19:59:12 -0400
Gentleman:: We would like to exchange links with the 75th Infantry Division,
Would appreciate. http://www.plettenberg.de/75th/index.htm
Sincerely, H. Swonger
Howard Swonger
The Official U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division "Hell On Wheels" Website
http://www.2ndarmoredhellonwheels.com/
********************************************************************
9.) Letter from Dannon Schweser, Ohio, 8th grade student
Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 10:30:29 +0200
subject: 75th Div newsflash !!!
75th Inf Div newsline
newsflash
26 May 1998
Hello veterans and friends of the 75th Division !
I recieved today a very touching, handwritten letter from a very young
student from Ohio.
It is especially touching, because it is a thank you for all you american
veterans, and it came to a german.
I could not wait to include it in the normal newsline, and so I am
sending this letter in advance.
I would be very glad, if :
- you would send a letter or a fax to the student directly (and email
a copy to us), or
- if you would send us an email for the student. I will include all
answers in the next newsline and fax it directly to the school of
the student.
You veterans must be proud that these little american persons recognize what you have done over 50 years ago. Please read the letter below, then you know what I mean.
(To where should I send the original letter ? To Mr. Stephan of the
veterans association or to the museum of the 75th in
Houston, TX ?)
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
___________________________________________________________________
TROY Jr. High School
556 Adams St.
Troy, Ohio 45373
Ph.: (937)332-6720
Fax:(937)332-6739
Marcia D. Rarick, Principal
Lee Maidment, Assistant Principal
From: Dannon Schweser c/o Mrs. Wagner
May 22, 1998
Dear Mr. Wilmink,
my name is Dannon Schweser. I am an eight grade student at Troy Junior
High School in Troy, Ohio. My reading class has just finished the play
"The diary of Anne Frank". Of course it would be impossible to understand
the play if we didn´t have the necessary background information on
World War II. As we studied the war and read the play, it became obvious
to us that our present society would be very different today if Hitler
had won the war.
I am thankful for the freedom that my generation has and I would like
to thank you for your part in obtaining that freedom for me.
If it weren´t for the veterans of World War II, the society that
I know today would probably not exist.
Thank you very much for your part in World War II. I appreciate everything
you did to help, support, and defend our nation.
Many students like me sure taking the time to thank a World War II veteran for what he has done for our country over fifty years ago. Even though I don´t know you, I am glad that I have been given your name so I could write and say thank you.
Sincerely
Dannon Schweser
________________________________________________________________
Do you know what I mean ? Please let´s all tell Dannon Schweser
and the class, that the veterans of the 75th have recieved the
letter !
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
75th Inf Div WWII Veterans Association Unofficial homepage
www.mknet.de/75th
____________________________________________________________________
From: Audri & Chuck Allred <allredanc@olympus.net>
subject: 75th Div Newsflash May 28, l998
Dear Rolf - Thank you for forwarding the letter from Dannon Schweser of Troy, Ohio, expressing his thanks to the 75th Division veterans for their part in securing freedom from the Nazi threat. We are answering his letter directly by FAX, as printed below.
You asked where we thought Dannon's original letter should be
filed.
Perhaps the best place would be with the Museum of the 75th in Houston,
TX, with a copy to Mr. Stephan of the 75th Div. Association.
Thanks, Rolf, for making all of this possible. We appreciate the news
that comes through on your newsline and are happy for those persons seeking
information who find it on the website you have so generously established.
Sincerely, Chuck Allred
Dannon Schweser
% Mrs. Wagner
Troy Jr. High School
556 Adams St., Troy, Ohio 45373
FAX 937-332-6739
Dear Dannon:
Hello to you, your classmates, teachers and principals.
It was a thrill to hear one so young express his thoughts – thoughts mature beyond his age. As a veteran of the 75th Infantry Division, I really appreciate the gratitude that your letter expresses.
Several months after the 75th Div. participated in the Battle of the
Bulge, we were stationed in Plettenberg, Germany, when the Headquarters
of the 75th received the message via cryptographic transmission that hostilities
in Europe would cease at 1300 hours the next day.
However, with the technology today this message would have been quite
different - like instantaneous, saving many lives.
My wife and I had the great privilege of returning to Plettenberg, Germany the summer of l997 as guests of Mr. Wilmink and officials for the city's 600th anniversary. One of the many expressions of thanks from our German friends was for the United States' Marshall Plan, which helped rehabilitate their country ravished by war. Their city was neat & beautiful, and the people friendly.
We live in Sequim, Washington,located on the Olympic Peninsula about 17 miles from Port Angeles. We have been married for 56 years,still play golf, and support and attend the local school activities. If you ever find yourself in the Pacific Northwest we invite you to visit us in our home.
Thank you again for your kind letter and what it means to me and all my fellow veterans. It is nice to read such beautiful thoughts from the younger generation.
Sincerely yours,
Charles N. Allred
121-D Hilltop Drive
Sequim, WA 98382
PH: 603-683-2408
FAX 603-683-5761
E-Mail: allredanc@olympus.net
___________________________________________________________________
From: <JanCampell@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 00:19:54 EDT
subject: 75th Div newsflash
Dear Rolf:
This is a copy of a letter that I sent to Dammon Schweser, at Troy Junior High School: (Thank you for sharing it with us) We appreciate all the hard work Rolf!!!!
1315 Ambrosden
Channelview, TX 77530
May 29, 1998
Mr. Dammon Schweser
Troy Junior High School
556 Adams Street
Troy, Ohio 45373
Dear Dammon:
I am one of the Veterans from World War 11, 75th Infantry Division,
that
fought all the way across Europe. It makes me feel very proud
that we have
boys of your age; our future generation, that realize what it meant
to win
World War II. Some people, young and old, do not realize what
price we had to
pay for our freedom. There is no other country in the World that
could be a
better place to live.
Your letter was very up lifting and it touched me and hundreds of other
veterans heart, to know that we have not been forgotten after 50 years.
I am retired and have a son that searches everything on the internet
about the
75th Division. Now that you know me, we or your class can correspond
on the
internet with e-mail. My e-mail address is JanCampell@aol.com,
my phone
number is 281-452-2433, and my fax number 281-457-2927. I would
love hearing
from you or your class.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts about our country.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Campbell, Sr.
Formerly Sgt., 75th Infantry
289th Regiment, Company "E"
________________________________________________________________
****************************************************************
10.) Question for maillist
From: Eric Heijink <e.heijink@student.utwente.nl>
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 15:52:24 -0500
A veteran of the 2nd Battalion, 424th Infantry Regiment of the 106th
Division told me that in
the night of December 15, 1944 he and three others were briefed for
a Recon. patrol, which was to take place the morning of December 16. He
claimes that the Lt. that was planning to go on this mission with them
was the only one that would be carrying a carbine and a pistol. The only
items that the three soldiers would be carrying was Garrote wire and flares.
They were told that if they would lit the flares, the artillery would direct
fire directly on the flares. He says that the mission never took place
because the bulge started before they had taken off.
I am wondering if anyone has had experience with these kind of recon. patrols? The way he told it, it sounded like a suicide-mission. Has anyone heard of patrols only armed with garrote wires and or flares?
please contact me on:
e.heijink@student.utwente.nl
Eric Heijink
*********************************************************************
11.) 75th Veteran Phil Pelletter now online !
Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 12:18:35 -0400
From: Phil Pelletter napa@netsync.net
subject: 75th Division
To 75th Division Buddies,
My name is Phil Pelletter, Company K 289 Inf. just found you on the
internet, I joined the 75th at Breckenridge, summer of '44, and went
to Wales and then to France.
Entered combat, Christmas eve 1944. (Salmchateau) Wounded at Appenwhir
in February, returned to 75th on VE day. Occupation forces Brugge,Westphalia.
And then Metz and Camp Washington. Have subscribed to the Bulge Buster
for many years, but never see much mention of K Co. 289. Now live in Dunkirk,
NY (near Buffalo) and Port Charlotte, Florida.
(winters).
return e-mail @:
napa@netsync.net
Phil Pelletter
******************************************************************
And in the next newsline...............
........your feedback to this newsline !!!!
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
75th Inf Div WWII Veterans Association
Unofficial homepage
www.mknet.de/75th
**************************************************************************
**************************************************************************
Who are you? What's your specialty and/or interest? Let
us know about your unit... What would you like to see on the list? Post
it. Let us know... Do you have something to contribute? We'd like
to hear it...
We want to know EVERYTHING and ANYTHING about the 75th
Division and Plettenberg, Germany, the last command post of the HQ in 1945.
... Remember: who, what, where, when, how & why... we want ALL the
details...
(If there are developments in the today´s 75th
Division (Exercise), that are public and could be interesting for the veterans
of the Division, please e-mail the info also to us. )
Do you have a question? Post it... A little free time?
Help a member...
With the INCREDIBLE brain power on this list, someone
should have the answer ;-)
P.S. Don't be a LURKER... Members take the time to post
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give something back... Don't just take... Your input/knowledge
is valued...
**************************************************************************
Send Postings to: mkw-detective@t-online.de with
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**************************************************************************
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In the subject field type: subscribe-75th list e-mail
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**************************************************************************
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In the subject field type: unsubscribe-75th list e-mail
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**************************************************************************
. If you want to become a member of the 75th Div Veterans
Association, please contact the president of the Association:
Paul C. Stephan (I-289)
5281 Byview Rd.
Hamburg, NY 14075
USA
Phone: 1-716-649-4807
..The Simple Rules of the 75th Div List...
The 75th Div List Owners may remove a list member for
violation of the following rules. The list owner may also reject any posts
that are/contain:
1) Info Unrelated to 75th Division in WWII and today,
or WWII in the ETO.
2) Flames or Negative posts (if you must flame do it
in private)...
3) E-Signatures that are considered excessive...
4) Advertisements not DIRECTLY related to the list topics...
5) Attached Files... (sent them, but we have to see how
to include them)
6) Oversized Posts... (May be edited to save room - <snip>)
7) Spamming list members will result in removal from
list.
8) Thou shalt not lurk ;-)
***************************************************************************
The information transmitted on this list may not be reproduced,
reposted or forwarded to any non-list member without expressed written
permission of the List Owner. (Everyone can be a member, and if we have
informations about each recipient, we can bring members with special interests
together).
(The 75th Div newsletter „Bulgebusters“, secretary Jim
Warmouth, hereby has the permission to print everything out of our newsletter,
as long as we as the source are mentioned with e-mail and internet-adress)
Violation of U.S. copyright law is a criminal and civil
offense...
***************************************************************************
The 75th Division list is moderated by Rolf G. Wilmink,
Plettenberg, Germany.
The List Owner will make EVERY effort to protect subscribers
from spam...
The membership list is NOT available for loan, sale or
rent. It is private. All Rights Reserved...
***************************************************************************
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
end of transmission