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Originally posted by SXViper@Jun 6 2006, 10:05 PM
Wow, that is quite the story Carl. I bet Herr Giesler is a very interesting fellow to talk to. The historical society had a german artillery officer from WW2 a couple months back come and speak, but I was not in attendance for that one. Would have been interesting to talk to him.
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Hi Todd, thank you. Mr. Giesler sure is a nice fellow to know. Susanne (his only child, and my friend) finally convinced him to write down his memories for future generations. I think they plan on having them published in the near future. One book, if ever translated into english, or if a movie was ever made about it, that I highly recommend reading if ever the chance is; Die Arzst von Stalingrad (The Doctor from Stalingrad) I read this book years ago and if I ever thought I knew what hell was; I sure found out differantly after reading that fine book.
Speaking of that Historical Society you just mentioned. I am wondering iof this is the same one I am thinking about that has Bedo & Souzana Steverding in it? Bedo (Bernard) Steverding and his wife are friends of mine. Bedo was a German Artillery Officer who served on the Eastern Front in WWII. Years ago I met these wonderful people on a military history site and we became friends. Bedo never surrendered and if I recall, I think it took him about six months to make it back to his families home. I think in 1950, I think that was when he moved here to the USA and this fine Gentleman worked for Werner von braun on our rocket programs at what became NASA.
If this gent is the same gent that spoke at your local historical society, then you bet you that he had some great stories to tell. Bedo gave me the Eastern Front medal that he had been awarded for serving there. If I recall, that was the only decoration that he had recieved that he had managed to hang onto until he gave it to me. I had given him an Iron Cross 2nd class to keep and to use when he did his historical society talks. Bedo wanted to have something original on hand to show the audience an example of an award that Germans were issued in WWII.
I do not know if Bedo still has that Iron Cross or not but, I still have his Eastern Front medal.
I know this si a long shot but, if you have time to check into it, can you please ask the historical society if this gentleman had indeed been Bernard Steverding. I lost contact with them about 3 years ago when I moved into an apartment and I sure would love to be in touch with Bedo & Souzana again. last I heard is that they were still living in West Virginia and I think the name of their street was Sorrel Lane? BTW, Souzana is from England.
Best regards -- carl.