„Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

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John P. Moore
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by John P. Moore »

The 2009 Treffen of the Gebirgsjäger from the “Nord” and “Prinz Eugen” divisions was held in Austria in mid-June. Today I received some photos from the Treffen along with a letter from Rudi Welz. There were not quite as many veterans attending this year, but those who were there had a great time according to Rudi. Below is a picture of the group.

John
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

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This photo was taken during the "Totengedenken" where the dead comrades are remembered. The ceremony took place on private property where the monuments to both divisions are maintained. An Austrian Army horn player (in civilian clothes) played his instrument during the ceremony. Felix Benesch made a speech, a wreath was laid and the veterans sang their "Treuelied".

Rudi Welz is on left in the photo and next to him is his wartime comrade from the Aufklärungs Abteilung "Nord", Dr. Otto Koller, then the former
Untersturmführer Felix Benesch from the Gebirgsjäger Rgt.14 of the "Prinz Eugen" and Untersturmführer Sepp Pointner from the "Nord".
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

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Dr. Otto Koller greets the assembled veterans. Dr. Koller was chairman of the "Nord" veterans association for many years and had a distinguished career with the "Nord" where he reached the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer. He was born in Vienna in 1917 and served as medical doctor of the Pionier Battalion in 1942, III./SS-Gebirgsjäger Rgt. 11 in 1943, Aufklärungs Abteilung in 1944-45 and finally regimental surgeon of SS-Gebirgsjäger Rgt. 12 in March 1945.
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by Jan-Hendrik »

As far as I have heart the Traditionsverbände of both Divisions are officially not active anymore...what a pitty :(

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Franz Repper
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

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Jan-Hendrik wrote:As far as I have heart the Traditionsverbände of both Divisions are officially not active anymore...what a pitty :(

Jan-Hendrik
Jan that is correct sadly the Nord one gave up some time ago and from what I am told know one knows were the records of the Traditionsverbände Nord can not be found
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by John W. Howard »

Thanks for the report and photos, John.
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by Jochen S. »

A big thank you to John and Rudi for keeping us updated. Nice to see that some of the older gentlemen seem to be in a good condition.

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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by Annelie »

Yes, thanks for the photos and update John.

These Veterans look wonderful.
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by Roy »

Very interesting topic, I've always had an interest in the mountain troops, and have studied the Nord Division, but strangely have not focused much attention on the Prinz Eugen Division. I'll have to read more about these fellows. It is good to see that some of these guys appear to be in good health.
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

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Rudi recently told me that he was not able to attend the Treffen this year because his wife was ill at the time. He expects to be at the Treffen next year.

We almost had a good success story last month. Earlier in August I was contacted by the granddaughter of SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Otto Theiss. Dr. Theiss joined the "Nord" as battalion surgeon of the I./SS-Infantrie Rgt. 7 in April 1942 and later became regimental surgeon of the SS-Gebirgsjäger Rgt 12 until March 1945 when he was reassigned to the SS-Lazarett Beneschau. Dr. Theiss became missing in May 1945, thought to be a victim of the Czech mobs at the time. A few weeks ago the grandaughter learned from the German Red Cross of multiple sightings of Dr. Theiss in the Soviet Gulags up until 1949 at the lager Karaganda. Recalling that Dr. Otto Koller took over in March 1945 as regimental surgeon of SS-Gebirgsjäger Rgt 12 (see earlier comments on this thread) I thought we might be able to match the granddaughter and Dr. Koller up through Rudi. Rudi contacted Dr. Koller right away, but unfortunately, the paths of the two medical doctors in the "Nord" had not crossed.
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

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I was at the War and Peace show this year as a Reenactor dressed as a member of SS Nord Pionier Battalion ,Now there was a large group of Reenactors dressed as members of LAH stood talking to a Veteran who up on seeing me dressed as a Nord Soldier burst throw the group and came talking to me . To me great joy he is a Veteran of the Pionier Battalion from Nord who now lives in the UK
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by Annelie »

What a nice story, that this veteran immediately fell at ease and wanted to talk.

Did you get his name or anything else?
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by Franz Repper »

Hi Annelie yes I did get his name address and spent alot of time with him I also passed his name on to Rudi
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by ReinhardH »

A wonderful story, and a great pic! :D
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Re: „Nord“ and „Prinz Eugen“ May 2008 Veteran Reunion

Post by haen2 »

Nice picture; glad to see another vet still alive and not afraid to be seen with re-enactors, but, as i assume, will give them tips on how to do it right.
I hope that he will tell the Rottenführer, that walking around in an SS uniform with a civilian shirt, unbuttoned underneath, is not kosher. :wink:
I also wonder what kind of dagger ??? he is wearing, i see the bottom of it peeking from under his arm. just curious.
To the "old timer " kamerad : 'Live long and prosper !", it's getting lonesome in the ranks. :(
Grüssen,
Haen
joined forum early spring of 2002 as Haen- posts: legio :-)

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think !
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