My Fellow Guest Speaker

Of the many highlights of my visit the one most memorable was meeting Wolfgang Kloth.

WoIfgang joined the German Wehrmacht in 1943 and was posted, as an officer candidate, to 2nd Panzer Division, commanding Panzer Ills and Panzer IVs on the Eastern Front. Wounded several times, he eventually was returned to train crews in Stug Ills. He finished the war as part of the armour contingent in the surrounded Kurland pocket being forced to surrender. After a period in Soviet captivity, he escaped via East Germany to the West, eventually emigrating to the USA in 1951. Wolfgang is an active advisor and friend to re-enactment and modelling groups in the Midwest.

At the conclusion of Wolfgang's interesting talk, Roy Chow presented this plaque to him.

Having introduced myself to a fellow veteran, we stood posing for many photographs with arms around each other. For one time enemies, now new friends, it was a very moving experience.

My thanks to Eric Christianson for the photograph.

My thanks to Jerry Ben for the photograph.

Go to the next page