For those Huertgen Forest Buffs (Hürtgen if you use the umlaut), here is some of the correspondence from Ron van Rijt (Bullfrog) who lives in the Dutch Mountains (a 600 foot hill) in Heerlen, Holland.
Want a tour through the Huertgen Forest? Here is the man to see, Ron van Rijt
January 2010 Update: Ron's absolutely latest update: Salute to John Schaffner
February 2010 Reminder: The use of metal detectors in the Forest is not well received and the removal of objects is illegal but visitors, especially vets and their relatives are warmly received. Service personnel from all countries are also very welcome.
Update: Ron is still the best guide when you want to visit the Huertgen Forest -- but he admits that he's not quite as fast making the rounds as he was a few years back. But he'll still get you there and back. To contact Ron, For info about the good old Hürtgen Forest contact General Westwall. The "General" is actually Ron in disguise -- He can be reached at: westwall@home.nl
Don still recommends that we -- Salute Darrell "Shifty" Powers
From: Fabio Biondi To: westwall@home.nl Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:12 PM
Subject: Hurtgen Forest
My name is Fabio, I'm Italian and I live in Belgium because of my current work; I'm very keen of history of WWII and I'd like to visit the Huerten Forest. I have heard that you are the best guide of this place and I'd like to know if we can arrange a visit there. If so I'd like to know the cost and the time needed as well.
Kind Regards,
Fabio
Tuesday, August 05, 2008 3:49 PM
Hi Ern
Richard Quick was found in 1976 at the Hürtgen Forest, together with Francis Dempfle an an unknown German soldier. - the Americans were both from the US 78th ID, both killed in the early morning of December 13 / 1944.
I have adopted the grave of Richard and the grave of the unknown German soldier who is buried at the Vossenack Cemetery. - Francis Dempfle is reburied in the States.
Richard Quick is buried now at the Ardennes Cemetery (Neuville en Condroz) in Belgium.
These soldiers fell in December 1944 at the very same part of forest where Don fought in October.
Maybe 150 yards from where Don was lying in the ditch alongside the road. - only this was two months later.
This is my work, studying the Hürtgen Forest history; Ron
Here below are the pictures taken for this visit:
From: "Ron van Rijt" <westwall@home.nl>
To: "Ernie" <ea_herr@bellsouth.net>
Cc: "Don Stibitz" <verdon2@verizon.net>; "Wally Burr" <voxwal@roadrunner.com>
Subject: pic
Date: Friday, May 09, 2008 6:38 AM
Hi Vets
Attached a picture of my tour with the son of an American Mortarman from Alaska
3 weeks ago.
Ron
From: "Ron van Rijt" <westwall@home.nl>
To: "Don Stibitz" <verdon2@verizon.net>
Cc: "Don Lavender" <donlav@juno.com>; "Ernie" <ea_herr@bellsouth.net>; "Ray
Fleig" <m4fleig@siscom.net>; "John Schaffner" <pumexim2@bcpl.net>; "Wally Burr"
<voxwal@roadrunner.com>; "Kent VBOB" <KENTVBOB@aol.com>; "Elmer Potzmann"
<ww11silverstar@juno.com>; <VINWALKS@aol.com>; <carlheintze@juno.com>; "Al Boe"
<al.ann@verizon.net>; "Don Weed" <WeedsTrees@cs.com>; "Mahlon Denter" <MahlonDenter@yahoo.com>
Subject: Thank You Liberators
Date: Sunday, May 04, 2008 8:11 PM
Dear Liberators
Today was "Dodenherdenking" in Holland, the day that the Dutch remember all the
victims of WWII.
Tomorrow is Liberation Day, 63 years ago the war ended in my country. - time to
celebrate !!!
I just wanted to thank you Veterans for coming over more than 6 decades ago and
risking your life for our freedom. - Thank you so much.
Please forgive me that I won't make to go to Margraten Cemetery tomorrow; - my
sister doesn't have time to take care for my dog tomorrow and I can't leave
Spike alone for several hours because he will eat my furniture.
I promise you that I will be there on Memorial Day.
Greetings from Holland; Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <>westwall@home.nl
Subject: Gun and Aachen
Date: Sunday, July 25, 2004 1:09 AM
Hi Ernie.
Hey, I tried to find out about that gun, but in my books I can't find anything
that comes close to it. There's a good chance that it's one of the old Russian
or Polish guns that the Germans used at the Huertgen Forest. ... if they could
find the amo for the gun. Last week I guided two young Dutch hobby-historians
through and around Aachen city. - there is still plenty to see on the high
ground around the city. ... there is also plenty to see in the city itself, but
it's very difficult to find a parking place in Aachen so we walked quite a lot.
The Americans made many pictures of Aachen and it's
interesting to compare these pictures with the situation of today. - some places
changed completely while other places didn't change a bit. It looks like our
plans with the tank in Belgium get stuck in "official paperwork". - we probably
can't get the job done this year. - a pity. Well, next year is another
year. - we'll give it another try.
OK; off for now; Take care; Ron
Below left shows a picture of Ron at the German Vossenack cemetery and on the right, the American cemetery at Margraten.
From: "RonvanRijt" <>
Subject: Panzerfaust
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:15 PM
Yo Ernie.
You're in the swimming-pool for the last two weeks ???
I understand; ..... a "Navy-assault", huh ?
Here's a better picture; - a Panzerfaust, found in an old well at Imgenbroich at
the Monschau-Corridor. -- half a truckload of stuff came out of the well.
I understand that you won't read about findings like this in American newspapers
but over here it really doesn't make any headlines. - Tons of WWII gear is still
lying in the ground and because they are building many new houses, they keep
finding the stuff.
Geronimo; - or Glueck ab. Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
To: "Ernie Herr" <e.herr@att.net>
Subject: PAK
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2004 9:06 PM
Yo Ernie.
Well ? -- did you hear from Kamerad Hoerner or did he hear from you ?
Hey Ernie, I can't remember if I told you but the reason why German television
contacted old Fritz, ... was because they found his story on your website.
Here are some pictures of a Anti-Tank Gun that came out of the ground over here
several years ago; - I almost started to cry when Bomber-Dieter told me that it
went to the scrap-metal. -- Look at this thing, it's "as good as new". ... Gone
!!!
Time to hit the sack; Cheers, Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
Subject: the fencepole
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2004 8:45 PM
Gutenmorgen Amerika.
I went back to Schmidt today. This is really funny; - Look at this picture !!!
This is my friend Bomber-Dieter from the German mine-disposal-unit with a
fence-pole made from live grenades.
A farmer at the German/Dutch border made these fence-poles right after the war
and used them to place them around his field.
Half a century after the war, some people finally noticed these poles and warned
the mine-disposal-unit; - they came and took the poles away although the farmer
protested that they were destroying his fence.
The farmer must have been very lucky that he wasn't blown to pieces when he
welded those rounds together. Farmers are very brave people, no ?
Bomber-Dieter gave me a whole bunch of pictures which he made during his work.
-- I'll send a few of them so you can see what's still coming out of the ground
over here.
Best wishes; Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
To: "Ernie Herr" <e.herr@att.net>
Subject: Kamerad Hoerner
Date: Friday, June 18, 2004 11:04 PM
Hello Ernie.
I forwarded your email to Kamerad Hoerner; ... the way I know him, you can
expect an email from Wuppertal within 24 hours.
Yes, many American WWII Veterans have German ancesters; - I think that half the
number of American soldiers at the Huertgen Forest had a German name;-- you can
see it on the crosses at Margraten and Henry-Chapelle cemetery.
Some American soldiers were fighting their own nephews.
Most of the countries in western Europe have a history of hundreds of years of
war. - Germany, France, England, but also Holland and Belgium.
My mom's family left Germany in 1924 because of the bad situation in Germany
after the Great War.
My granddad was a soldier in the Reichswehr, my grandma worked in a German
amunition-factory. - some of my uncles were in the Wehrmacht and some of them
died in the concentration camp.
And my dad worked 4 years as a slave laborer in the German coalmines at
Gelsenkirchen. - he was Dutch.
These are the kind of stories I am raised with. - stories of misery, suffering
and sorrow, no matter if in Holland or in Germany.
Maybe that's why I'm doing this job, I don't know.
In a few hours I will go to Krefeld/Germany to get me a new drive-shaft for my
bike. - off for now; Take care, Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
To: "Ernie Herr" <e.herr@att.net>
Subject: email Gerd Hoerner
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2004 11:25 PM
Hi Ernie.
I think that Gerd Hoerner wasn't meant to send that email about the Hetzer also
to you. -- At least I think that Gerd knows that you can't read German. .... or
did you get German emails from him before ?
Well, it doesn't matter; - I already sent him an email to ask him if he wants to
write you about it (yes, Gerd writes English) or if I should take care for it.
It's just a short explanation about the Hetzer assault-gun and the (horse-drawn)
artillery of the 272 VGD.
Well, ... you also can send him an email yourself to tell him that you can't
read the stuff that he sent you. -- Gerd is a very friendly guy and he will
answer you right away.
Take care; Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
To: "Ernie Herr" <e.herr@att.net>
Subject: busybusy
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 11:04 PM
Hi Ernie
I hope that those guys in Houffalize will decide about the Panther soon. -- Yes,
of course I will make a whole bunch of pictures during our work so you can see
how things will go.
But we really should hear from Houffalize now if they want us to get the work
done in August; - there is still a lot that needs to be arranged.
The meetings will start in September so by then I want the work to be finished.
I just heard from a friend from the 4th ID that he will come over next month. -
Few years ago I found "his" waterbunker in the Huertgen Forest and he wants to
go back there.
OK, it's time to hit the sack now; my eyes are falling shut.
Goodnight; Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
To: "Ernie Herr" <e.herr@att.net>
Subject: there he is !!!
Date: Friday, June 11, 2004 11:35 PM
Aha, there you are !!!
Caramba, I already thought that you were off to the Pacific or something like
that !!!
Hey listen; - I don't know if I told you but I ordered a DVD with over 2000
pages of the Stars and Stripes magazine. -- this came out here in Holland few
days ago. - a unique historical document from D-Day to V-Day.
Everything is just fine over here; - I just heard that a Tennessee friend of
mine wants to come over to the 89 ID meeting at Schmidt in September. - He's not
a Vet but he's just as welcome.
He came at the 89 ID meeting two years ago and we had a great laugh with this
crazy Hillbilly.
The guys from the Luftwaffe want me to arrange a meeting at the Huertgen Forest
in the Autumn; - they want to come over for the 60-year-commemorations.
We are still waiting for Green light to restore "our" 116 Pz Div Panther at
Houffalize, Belgium; - it probably will be done in August; - right now we are
trying to get some support from the Tankers of the modern-day army. -- we need
paint.
Well, we'll see how this will work out. -- I'll keep you informed about it.
OK, take care, see you later; Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
Subject: Fw: Do You Remember Me
Date: Monday, May 31, 2004 8:13 PM
Dear Liberators
Check out this website below; ... it indeed is very moving.
My pictures of the Memorial-Day commemorations at Henry-Chapelle and Margraten
will be developed tomorrow. - several thousand people were present. -- at
Margraten there were about 300 Vets from the 82nd and 101st AB.
I can see on television that you had bad weather during the ceremony at your new
National Memorial; - my pictures will show that the weather over here was just
terrific. ... (good thing when you go there on a motorcycle).
The 60-year-commemorations are really coming up now and I'm working on 20 things
at the same time. -- it's WWII rock around the clock over here.
The ceremonies at Normandy will last till end of August, from early September we
will take over in the Bulge / Huertgen Forest region.
My biggest project of this year is the restoration of "our" 116 Panzer Division
"Panther"-tank at Houffalize in Belgium; - Yep, this year (in August) it really
is going to happen.
No, I never painted a tank before and I realize that this is serious business;
-- Right now we're trying to get some support from the German Bundeswehr; - we
need 5 gallons of paint in 3 different camo-shades; - and a steamcleaner and
sandblaster would also be nice.
Maybe they even can send a whole "tank-painting-company" to help me to get the
tank professonally repainted. .... well ,maybe I'm a bit too optimistic now, but
never underestimate a Dutchman.
Anyway; - I will make pictures of this whole project from beginning to end. -
should be fun.
Off for now; - Take care; Ron
From: "RonvanRijt" <<>>
To: "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: OK, there we go
Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 8:51 PM
YES !!! ... IT FINALLY WORKS !!!!
At least; - my emails to you are not returned anymore. I don't think they went up
in smoke so I expect you to receive them. Don't ask me why it was that difficult
to get back online with you Ern; - it took a while but I finally succeeded. As a
matter of fact; - I sent you a snail mail yesterday to let you know that I have
problems with my email, but it looks like the problem is solved already. .......
now don't throw my letter away when it arrives, there's a picture enclosed !!!
OK; - let's work; -- attached is a picture that shows my
friend Rudi and the guys from the RAD digging a Bunker of the Siegfried-Line in
the Huertgen Forest. - picture was made in 1938 and never published before. Do
you remember that I wrote you last year that we were planned to search for the
remains of an airplane that crashed in the Huertgen Forest in 1945 ? ......
well, tomorrow will be the day.
We go together with an eye witness who can remember where the
plane had crashed; -- not that we expect to find anything else than a few parts
of Aluminum. -- for me that would be enough "proof" to get the story confirmed.
The day after tomorrow I will go with the Greyhounds to Houffalize to talk with
the people there about the restoration of "our" Panther-tank. I hope that they
want to co-operate so we can start to work this summer. .... I will keep you
informed about it.
Hey Ern; - I made some concrete Tiger-tanks and Kettenkrads
that can be placed outside in the garden. -- The Kettenkrad comes with two
soldiers, MG's, Panzerfausts, handgrenades, steelhelmets, the whole shit,
....... 29 kilos of concrete. ... here, look at these attached pictures, I think
they look mighty "mean", ... no ? Just wait till you see the pictures of the
Kettenkrads that I painted. I'll bring a few of these things to the museum at the
Huertgen Forest tomorrow. 4 Yanks are coming over next week; - 3 Vets of the
106th ID. I will get some people together to welcome them at the Huertgen
Forest; - old Fritz, maybe Walter from the Afrika Korps.
Well; - more later.
See ya; your Dutch friend, Ron.
German soldiers digging a bunker in the Huertgen Forest (1938) and some of Ron's concrete works
More concrete work as done by Ron along with a photo of Ron himself
From: "Rick" <rick@spidersmc.nl>
To: <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Cc: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
Subject: Hürtgenwald
Date: Friday, December 12, 2003 12:09 PM
Dear Mr. Herr,
I just wanted to let you know that in the weekend of the 6th and 7th of December
2003 we visited the Hürtgenwald Area in Germany. We were invited by a great guy
(Guide) named Ron van Rijt from Heerlen (Holland).
We are: (Myself) Rick Rimmelzwaan (38), my wife, Angelique (33), and my
daughter, Kayleigh (11). We live in a village near Rotterdam in Holland.
The tour that Ron gave us was really very interesting. He told us what happened
there in 44-45 most vividly. He took us to the important places. He created an
overall view so we could understand what happened where and when. He even took
us to a small personal museum. As I am most interested in the history of
WWII it is easy for me to keep interested all day. But for my wife and daughter
who are maybe not as interested as I am he created a compact story which they
also understood and they kept interested in Ron's stories all through the day.
You can understand that it was too short for me. I think Ron could explain for
more than a few days and I won't get bored.
When it got dark and very cold my daughter had had enough and that was amazing
because otherwise she gets tired of things very fast. (Well, a big advantage is
that she likes woods.) What I would like to say is. This guy, Ron van Rijt,
knows what he is talking about. He keeps the history alive. In his way I think
he maybe seen as a fighter for peace by learning from the past ! I suggest we
have to be very proud that there is a guy like that. I consider myself very
lucky to have met Ron. His knowledge was amazing. I was invited back to Hürtgen
for a next visit and I most certainly will be back.
Oh before I forget: Ron is also great company !
Kind Regards,
Rick Rimmelzwaan
Pijnacker
Holland
Dear Rick,
Received your e-mail without a problem and found it quite
interesting. As for your description of Ron's tour, I was not surprised at how
well you appreciated it as he seems to be able to capture the flavor and
importance of the battle without trying to glorify it. At present Ron seems to
have been caught up a bit in the Iraqi war which seems to be a war that is a bit
trying on everyone's nerves. Hopefully it will soon be history.
If Ron's battle tour is able to hold the interest of women
and young ladies, he is really to be commended. That is something that I have
yet been unable to do with my WWII stories that I have on the Internet although
I have managed to bridge the gap with a few. If you don't mind, I would like to
post your email on my site that I have that deals with Ron's great work since it
is so descriptive of his talent.
Ernie Herr
From: "Ron van Rijt" <>
To: "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: unknown soldiers
Date: Friday, December 05, 2003 1:56 AM
Yo Ernie.
Here are two pictures of the graves of the two unknown German
soldiers that were buried at the Vossenack Cemetery on November 16.
Yesterday the 3rd AD forwarded an email from a Veteran from the 8th ID; - a bit
later I received also an email from this 8th ID Vet. -- He says that he is at
the Hürtgen Forest (???).
He should have contacted me a bit earlier so I could meet him. -- I'm already
preparing for my Hürtgen Forest tour with that Dutch family next Sunday.
Hey, look at the 3rd attachment; -- here comes Sinterklaas
!!!! (Santa)
Take care; Ron.
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
Subject: Dutch drawing
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2003 11:30 AM
Here's a drawing for American Veterans, made by a 12 year old Dutch boy. You can
send it all around the USA.
Ron.
From: Gerd Hörner To: Ron van Rijt Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 6:10 PM Subject: Story Kesternich BildHallo Ron, hier sind 2 Bilder einmal die Plakette
und einmal zwei Generationen für den Kranz
Du kennst sie beide,
Gerd Hörner
Hello Ernie, this is Ron; --- Attached are two pictures that Gerd Hörner just sent me. -- It shows the plaque that the US 78th ID and German 272 VGD placed at the memorial at Kesternich and the ceremony at this memorial. ........... Now don't get confused because of the German WWII-type helmets, these are the guys from the Kesternich fire-brigade, .... not the "Wehrmacht" !!!! Ron.
78th Infantry Division, "Lightning" U.S. ARMY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE MEN OF THE 78TH INFANTRY DIVISION WHO, DURING WORLD WAR II, FOUGHT AND DIED HERE IN THE COURSE OF FIERCE BATTLES FOR KESTERNICH, DECEMBER 1944 TO FEBRUARY, 1945.
WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU. UNITED IN PEACE JUNE 1993
Editor's Note: To access the story written by Gerd Horner, Click Here
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 11:09 PM
Hello Vets.
Well, I didn't make it to Henry-Chapelle the day before yesterday ("Volkstrauertag" .. German "Memorial Day"); - and I didn't make it to Schmidt either. But I was at Margraten and at Vossenack and Hürtgen. --- I already was soaking wet when I arrived at Margraten so I canceled my idea to drive to Henry Chapelle and went straight on to the Hürtgen Forest.I placed my flowers for both German and American soldiers that lost their lives at the Hürtgen Forest; -- at the Greyhound Memorial and at the Vossenack Museum both the American and the German flag were flying halfmast.
I was planned to drive also to our stone at Schmidt, but I really have had it after I visited the Vossenack and Hürtgen cemetery. - I went back home. They buried two unknown German soldiers at the Vossenack cemetery; - One cross made out of two simple sticks of wood. - dumped in a hole in the ground.If all goes well, I will receive a drawing tomorrow; - It's drawn by a 12 year old Dutch kid as a thank you to his American Liberators of WWII. - I told him that I would send it on to you.
Best wishes; Ron.
Ron at right foreground
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Fw: Hürtgen Forest weather
Date: Thursday, October 09, 2003 9:33 PM
----- Original Message -----
From: Ron van Rijt
To: Bill Hoell
Cc: raymond fleig ; Harry Hutcheson ; Keith Ostrum ; Donald E Lavender ; Delvin Bartlett ; Howard S. Rogers ; Marie Bickers ; Keith Mygrants ; Red Gonzales ; Bernard C Fraley ; Bobhart ; Charles Barrett ; Bruce Sebian ; Scott Faber ; Gary Norris ; Greg Norris ; Madeline Guthrie ; Dale Woomert ; John Kline ; Ernest Herr ; Irving Smolens
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 11:18 AM
Subject: Hürtgen Forest weather
Me again.
Last week it was 90 degrees over here; .... and yesterday I guided someone through the Hürtgen Forest in a snowstorm. --- In early October !!!!
My guest was a young historian from Wisconsin, originally from California. -- It was the first time that he visited the Hürtgen Forest or the Westwall. -- So I showed him some pillboxes. -(that are still there today thanks to the help that we received from you American Vets).
I think the weather gave him a good impression of how it must have been at the Hürtgen Forest in, ... let's say November 1944.
Well, my guest seemed to be "weatherproof" and he followed me through the soaking wet bushes to see some pillboxes, foxholes and trenches. -- He was quite impressed.
We also met 80-year-old Fritz at the Kall-Trail. -- Fritz fought at the Russian front before he came to the Hürtgen Forest so he doesn't care about dirty weather. -- We walked uphill to the first-aid post at the Kall-Trail and old Fritz picked up 4 bullet-heads from the trail. -- He gave them to our guest as a "souvenir".
Anyway; - Despite the weather we managed to visit every interesting spot between Lammersdorf, Kleinhau, Castle Hill and Schmidt. -- I think my guest was satisfied about his guide.
Now I only hope that I won't become sick because walking around with wet clothing all day long is not a very healthy thing to do, not to speak about driving my bike back to Heerlen.
Next weekend is the meeting of the 116 Panzer Division and as every year, the old tankers expect me to be there to film the whole meeting. -- I need to be there.
Bye for now; Ron.
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Bill Hoell" <billhoel@optonline.net>
Cc: "Harry Hutcheson" <irishhutch@juno.com>; "Keith Ostrum" <Melaborde@aol.com>; "Red Gonzales" <red78div@bellatlantic.net>; "Keith Mygrants" <KeithMygrants@aol.com>; "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: 3 soldiers
Date: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 2:01 AM
Yo Vets.
In about an hour I will go to the German cemetery of Hürtgen. It is said that they found the remains of 3 American soldiers and that the US Army will come to the Hürtgen Cemetery today to take over these remains. I don't know yet from which Division these 3 soldiers were, how they found them or who found them. -- Neither I know if these are unknown soldiers or if they already found out their names.
I suppose that I will find out more about it today. -- I'll let you know what I can find out and I will make some pictures today.
Attached is a picture of a "church" that I made.
See you later; Ron.
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Harry Hutcheson" <irishhutch@juno.com>
Cc: "Bill Hoell" <billhoel@optonline.net>; "Keith Ostrum" <Melaborde@aol.com>; "Donald E Lavender" <donlav@juno.com>; "Raymond E. Fleig" <rejefleig@siscom.net>; "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>; "Keith Mygrants" <KeithMygrants@aol.com>; "Red Gonzales" <red78div@bellatlantic.net>; "Don Stibitz" <DStibitz@aol.com>; "Stan Turowski" <reliable9th@yahoo.com>
Subject: American soldier
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2003 3:55 AM
Hi Vets
I went to the ceremony at the Hürtgen Cemetery yesterday. It was only One American soldier they found. -(the other two were German soldiers) - and they didn't find him at the Hürtgen Forest but at Beeck, north of the Hürtgen Forest. The American soldier was from the 102th ID, the "Ozarks". I'll go to Margraten Cemetery today to see if I can find his name on the Wall Of the Missing. In fact it was only the lower part of the body what they found. - His helmet was completely torn apart so they think that he received a direct hit from a artillery or mortar-round.
The ceremony was just beautiful; - I guess that 60 or 80 people (most from the older generation) were there. -- Attached is a newspaper article that is also inviting people to come to the ceremony for this American soldier. I guess that everyone was mighty impressed by the ceremony; - "You can leave it to them Yanks to take care for their fallen comrades". - I heard this many times.
I talked to the guy from the Hürtgen Cemetery; - He said that he hopes that a few people will also come when the two German soldiers will be buried at the Vossenack Cemetery later this month. - Mostly only the Pastor is there, a hole is made in the ground, the bones are placed in the hole, a short speech and that's it. -- No visitors at all. --- Well, I will try to be there.
Anyway; - I videotaped the whole ceremony yesterday and I made a bunch of pictures; - maybe I will get them developed today or tomorrow. - I'll scan a few for you. Later in the afternoon I met a large group of Dutch soldiers at Schmidt; - they came out of the Kall-Valley where they took the wrong turn 6 times; - They had no guide (!!!) - I gave them my card and told them to call me next time.
I also met my friend Walter from the Afrika Korps; - He told me that he will go back to Africa for the very last time this year. - He was there 17 times. - and I'm too chicken to fly; - dammit !!!
Best wishes; Ron.
By the way- look at the second attachment what a great "Hürtgen Forest souvenir" I found yesterday at the 60th Regt / 311th Regt battlefield. -- Yep, it's "the one that missed you".
Editor's Note: It indeed is true that rarely are there visitors when German WWII soldiers are buried, but this is not because the people don't care but because it probably will be explained as "honoring Nazis". Some Americans wonder why German Veterans don't get a military funeral, but this is completely out of the question over there. -- There is no honor (allowed) for German WWII soldiers. ... that's the difference between winning or losing a war. -
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Harry Hutcheson" <irishhutch@juno.com>
Cc: "Bill Hoell" <billhoel@optonline.net>; "Keith Ostrum" <Melaborde@aol.com>; "Keith Mygrants" <KeithMygrants@aol.com>; "Red Gonzales" <red78div@bellatlantic.net>; "Raymond E. Fleig" <rejefleig@siscom.net>; "Donald E Lavender" <donlav@juno.com>; "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: coming home
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2003 1:11 PM
Yo, me again.
I found the name of the American soldier on the WOM at Margraten Cemetery today. (withheld at Ron's request) was from the 405th Regt/102th ID; - He was killed on November 22. Attached are some pictures of the ceremony at the Hürtgen Cemetery yesterday.
Best wishes; Ron.
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Living in the Dutch mountains.
Date: Monday, November 25, 2002 4:40 AM
Hi Ernie.
Aha, there you are. -- I thought to try your new address to find
out if it works. --- And Yes, it does !!!
Even if all the Dutch dikes will break, I still will keep my feet
dry down here in the very South of Holland. -- We live at least 200 yards
above the sea level. Next Wednesday I will be with a large group from the
Army at the Hürtgen Forest. -- I was asked to arrange a meeting with
some of my German Veteran friends.
Last week a new memorial was unveiled at Simonskall at the Hürtgen
Forest. -- It's a memorial for the men from the Luftwaffe Fortress Battalion
XXIV. -- A very bad picture from the newspaper is attached. -- I'll send
you some better ones soon but this gives you already an idea how it looks
like. Also attached are two pictures of Hürtgen village. -- You may
place them on your website if you want. -- These pictures were made around
1947.
Hang in there; I'll be back. Bullfrog.
Subject: Pictures
Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 2:57 AM
Yo Ernie.
A German Veteran who is playing "Lili Marlene" on his harmonica ?
--- That's my friend Fritz from the 89 ID.
I don't think that I will be able to find back the pictures you
wrote me about, but don't you think that you should replace some of those
pictures anyway after they had been on your site for several months ?
Don't get me wrong my friend; -- YOU are the webmaster so you decide
how to make your website.
I only thought that some "fresh pictures" from time to time would
only help to show the visitors of your site that your site is kept "up
to date".
Here is another picture of Fritz. -- It's about the same as the
picture you wrote me about. -- This picture was made several weeks ago.
-- Fritz is standing on the Sherman track at the Kall-Trail. -- He is explaining
the younger generation (from a re-enactment group) about the 3 weeks that
he lived in one of the 3 Sherman tanks that the US 707th Tank Battalion
left on this very spot. -- This happened in November 1944.
Fritz found a can of peanuts in the Sherman. -- Few years ago I
told this story to my friends of the 707th Tank Battalion, and Ray Fleig
sent Fritz ....... more than half a century after the war, ........ a can
of American peanuts !!!!
The second picture shows old Fritz wearing an American helmet.
In November 1944 Fritz was wearing an American Tanker-helmet. Patrick (Scorpio)
from Belgium wrote me few weeks ago. He asked me for Veterans-stories
for his website. I offered him to visit me or to visit the Hürtgen
Forest together. That way I would learn to know him personally and
see what I can do for him.
I'm always willing to help people but I hope that you can understand
that I'm a bit careful with sending stories to people that I don't know.
-- I've had some very bad experiences with it.
My computer crashed few months ago and the few Veterans-stories that
I had in my computer were lost. -- I only have them printed on paper now.
Take care over there. Your friend from wooden-shoe country. Bullfrog
Subject: the Dutch Wienerschnitzel guide
Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 11:42 AM
Hi Ernie.
I do this work to keep the History of the Hürtgen Forest alive. -- To keep the History of my Veteran friends alive. -- Maybe even more for the young soldiers from both sides that lost their lives at the Hürtgen Forest. I simply refuse to ask a WWII Veteran to pay for my guiding; -- Without you Vets I wouldn't even be able to do this job. -- You American Vets even risked your life for my freedom.
Guiding a Veteran is an easy job for me anyway because you Vets won't walk several miles through the forest anymore. -- I always tell the guys from the post-war generation to wear good shoes and old clothing because they will get dirty when they follow me on hands and feet up the steep muddy slopes of the good old Hürtgen Forest. -- I finish them off completely, but my guests are always very satisfied about my guiding.
By the way; -- A Belgian told me that he read plenty good advertising about me on the website of Ernie Herr. --- Yes, your website sure is good advertising for me and it already brought some very interesting things for me. ----- (Hey, without your website I never would have met my new girlfriend). -- Thank you Ernie !!!!
Yes, of course you can place the pictures that I sent you on your website. You have a high-speed computer ? --- Last Friday I received an email, but after three quarter of an hour it still was not downloaded. -- My whole email-business was blocked through the weekend and yesterday I called my server to get that enormous email removed from my mailbox. --- My computer is 5 years old but it already is "pre-war-dated". --- It has to do however because I don't have the money to buy me a new computer.
Two weeks ago I received a CD from the 116 Panzer Division; -- Enclosed
were over 200 pictures that they made during their Russia-tour last September.
It was the very first CD that I used during the 5 years that I have this
computer. -- Don't ask me how I did it, but somehow I even managed to get
the pictures on my screen. If you think that I can handle your CD as well,
I sure would like this. --- But of course I expect you to come over for
a Wienerschnitzel !!!!
Hang in there; -- Auf Wienerschnitzel; Ron.
PS; -- Look what I made. -- The 78th ID will come over again to the
Hürtgen Forest next year to visit their friends from the German 272
Volksgrenadier Division. -- I made these plaques for the Veterans that
will come. Hey; tonight I will be on German radio !!! -- It's about the
Hürtgen Forest.
Subject: German Hürtgen Forest Report
Date: Friday, December 20, 2002 6:00 AM
Hi Ernie
You have some space on your website for a Hürtgen Forest report of a German 89 ID Veteran ? The Veteran translated his report into English few weeks ago so it is "fresh from the press", and never published anywhere before. --- "Le Premiere".
Here is the first page; -- The whole report is 10 pages long. I think the German Vet did really his best to translate his report as good as possible and I think he did a great job, but still it needs to be checked. His report is focused on the German counterattack on Vossenack. -- It's a great story. Just let me know if you want me to send you the other 9 pages. -- I didn't scan them in yet.
Cheeeerioooo; Bullfrog from Holland
Will get it online -- Editor
Subject: Hürtgen Forest Website
Date: Sunday, December 22, 2002 5:20 PM
Hello Ernie.
People over here keep telling me about the Hürtgen Forest-Website
of Ernie Herr and that they think that it's the best Website about the
Hürtgen Forest. I think that these people are right. -- Your Website
is a great help to keep the History about the battle of the Hürtgen
Forest alive. -- Thank you !!!
Keep going Ernie; -- Your Website is terrific and you're doing a
great job. -- My compliments.
FSubject: The One-armed bandit
Date: Sunday, January 05, 2003 5:43 AM
Hi Ernie.
Hey, you "Ole Timer"; -- Back in town again ? -- You won the Jackpot
?
Now get rid of that jetlag first and than let me know what you think
of my "Fritz-story".
Last week I was "burning the email" with the 78th ID and 106th ID.
-- Hey, the 106th ID made me an honorary member of their association.
23 degrees over here; -- We're freezing our butts off.
Auf Wienerschnitzel; Bullfrog.
Subject: Fritz Story
Date: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 2:32 AM
Hi Liberator.
Aha, there he is !!!
Good to hear that you received the "Fritz-story". -- What do you
mean with "Typos" ? -- Hey, that's an "Authentic Bullfrog-translated story"
which had cost Blood, Sweat and Tears !!! ---- Can't you change the writing
errors in the Fritz story that I sent you ?
I have adopted several American WWII graves; -- You think I'm "The
Godfather" ? Maybe I'm a sort of "Godfather" for all the soldiers that
were killed at the Hürtgen Forest. Yeah, those guys from the 106th
ID are really great. - I like them a lot. Here is a picture of old
Fritz who lived 3 weeks in the American Sherman tank at the Kall-Trail.
-- Fritz is wearing "the wrong hat", but in November 1944 he even was wearing
an American Tanker-helmet. If you ever should come in this area, you really
should meet Fritz. -- He's a great guy.
Hang in there and keep that site going; Best, - Bullffrog
Subject: tank track
Date: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 3:20 AM
Hi Ernie.
Here is a picture of the tank-track lying at the Kall-Trail.
This is where the 3 Sherman tanks of the "Fritz-story" were standing.
-- Seen from this side the third tank would be right in front of us. --
This third tank was the German Company command post where Fritz found the
peanuts. --- Behind this tank downhill on the trail were the second and
the first tank. -- Barrels pointing downhill.
The tank-track that you can see on the picture is from the second
tank. The Weasel with the dead American soldier under one of the tracks
was standing right behind the track when you look from this side. -- Fritz
says that it looked as if they had tried to turn the Weasel and that it
got stuck on the edge of the trail.
Here you are my friend; -- Hürtgen Forest History on the square
yard !!!
Subject: adopted soldier
Date: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 3:20 AM
Hi Ernie.
No, a Wienerschnitzel is not a sausage Ern, it's more like a sort of steak. -- (really great stuff). I read about the Belgian "Godmother". --- Her adopted soldier was from the 112th /28th ID who was killed on November 8. Her soldier could have been one of the soldiers that Fritz saw digging in at the Kommerscheidt woodsline the day before he attacked along the east-slope of the Kall-Valley.
Her soldier could have been one of the dead soldiers on the Kall-Trail
that Fritz touched with his feet. Her soldier could have been the dead
American under the Weasel track. Maybe her soldier was the dead soldier
that scared the hell out of Fritz when Fritz jumped on top of him in his
foxhole. I'm glad to hear that he found someone who takes care for his
grave.
Best; Bullfrog
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Bill Hoell" <billhoel@optonline.net>
Cc: "red78div@bellatlantic.net>; "Irving Smolens" <IrvSmo@aol.com>;
"Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Hürtgen Forest Tour
Date: Sunday, January 12, 2003 4:09 AM
Hello Vets
Yesterday I stampeded through the good old Hürtgen Forest with some Belgians. These was only 2 inches of snow on the ground so it easily could be done. It was mighty cold although. -- about 22 degrees Fahrenheit. We went from Roetgen to Lammersdorf to the Dragons-Teeth at Paustenbach Hill, north to the Raffelsbrand Junction, north to the Greyhound memorial and the Vossenack Cemetery, north to Germeter, the Hürtgen Cemetery, the minefield Wil-Boar, Hürtgen , Kleinhau, the Brandenberg/Bergstein Ridge, Castle Hill, Simonskall, Vossenack and entrance of Kall-Trail, downhill to the Mestrenger Mill, First-Aid post and rock-outcropping at the Kall-Trail, Tank-track at the Kall-Trail, our stone at Schmidt, Kommerscheidt with ist small museum and we ended our tour with the pillboxes on Buhlert Hill. -- Took all day.
I made a bunch of pictures; -- guess I will get them developed tomorrow.
I kept on talking all day long to explain the Belgians about all the things
that happened at the Hürtgen Forest from September 44 till February
45. -- (I think it was a bit too much information at once for some of them).
Well, I don't expect them to remember everything that I told them. -- Most
important thing was that they were satisfied about our tour and that their
interest in the Hürgen Forest increased because of our tour. I'll
be back later with some pictures.
Best wishes to all of you; Ron.
Subject: pictures
Date: Monday, January 13, 2003 3:09 PM
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Donald E Lavender" <donlav@juno.com>
Cc: " <red78div@bellatlantic.net>; "Irving Smolens" <IrvSmo@aol.com>;
"Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: New postcard
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 6:41 PM
Yo Vets.
I went to Margraten Cemetery yesterday. -- It was mighty cold over here last few weeks which made it impossible for me to drive to Margraten. - Now the snow is gone so yesterday I went back again. The guys at the cemetery were already waving at me when they saw me driving up the cemetery with my bike. -- They don't get that many visitors with a Yellow sidecar, so they sure know me.
I always have a good talk with the guys at the cemetery. -- They are great people and they do great work at the cemetery. They told me that I only have to ask for the key if I want to climb the huge tower to make pictures of the cemetery. -- I didn't have my photo-camera with me. - next time Ill make some pictures. They also showed me their new video-security-system for the parking place, and their new postcards of the cemetery. -- Attached is one of these postcards so you can see how they look like.
I went to the W.O.M. where I visited some of the names. (Bullhack,
Zaslov, Quick, Dempfle). I also visited a few of my adopted graves but
I don't place flowers in this time of the year because it's still freezing
at night. Anyway; - I send you this email to show you their new postcards.
-- Here it is !!! -- I think they look mighty great. -- On the other side
is the writing; - "To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours
to hold it high".
Best to all of you; Ron "the Bullfrog" from Holland
Subject: I'm here !!!
Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 1:26 AM
Hi Ernie.
6 in the morning and I'm still pushing it.
Just keep things floating over there !!!!!
Yesterday I was back at the Stolberg-Corridor and at the Hürtgen
Forest. Now look at the weather !!! - (attached picture) -- It was that
foggy that you couldn't see a thing. Also attached is a picture of the
Bullfrog at work.
Cheeriooooo; Ron
From: "Ron van Rijt" <<>>
To: "Ernest Herr" <e.herr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: at work
Date: Friday, January 31, 2003 12:22 AM
Hi Ernie.
Hey, I'm early retired and my work goes on "rock around the clock".
-- For me it doesn't matter if I sleep at night or during daytime. ---
(in fact, I woke up around midnight this time). Now it's again 6 in the
morning. -- I work till I can't keep my eyes open anymore and than I go
back to sleep again. ---- Yeah, it's a tough life.
That foggy picture that I sent you shows the spot where they found
the remains of Robert Cahow in 1999. I indeed sent you some pictures of
this spot before. -- There's a small American flag placed on top of the
pile of stones that people place there as a reminder of the soldier.
Yes, I sure would like the CD you wrote about. -- You already asked
me few weeks ago. - You asked me for my address, remember ? Yesterday we
got 2 inches of snow; -- I hope that it won't last long because it's too
dangerous to drive my bike now.
See you; Ron
