Historian Prof. DR. Holger Thomas Graf informed the bridge-Stammtisch on the role of Giessen and Wetzlarern in the US War of Independence
CASTING / WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg),
The historian Prof. DR. Holger Thomas Graf reported in bridge-Stammtisch on the role of Hesse in the American War of Independence
In the historical memory of Americans who Hesse for the identity of their young nation to play a significant role, underlined the historian Prof. DR. Holger Thomas Graf from the Philipps University Marburg at the Stammtisch of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar. In his presentation at the Hotel Köhler he lit under the title “Die „Hessian Mercenaries“ –
Facts and Myths”, the role of the Hessian mercenaries in the American War of Independence against some 230 Years, under which men from the central Hessian cities Giessen and Wetzlar fought.
The role of the "Hessians" a wide audience in the German TV films were known as "The winter was a summer" (D 1976) and "The great adventure of Kaspar Taste" (GDR 1982), informed Graef. The "land sold children" but called as mercenaries was rather standard of warfare then rinsed and money in the coffers of the German principalities was one of the reasons, that many Hesse came to America. Another reason was the appeal of the soldiers profession with good and safe payment and career, many of the citizens left their signatures to make the "subsidy treaties", explained the historian. The minority was forced Recruited. However, the Hesse had a very bad reputation. Prejudices were supported by Americans, as in the well-known story in Washington Irwin's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow", in which a Hessian mercenaries as a headless horseman plays a mysterious role. Americans were a barbaric enemy inoculated in various publications. This had an impact even into the post-war period from, when it came to the back rearmament of Germany and Eisenhower 1951 said, he did not want a Hessian mercenary. 19 Volunteers from the free imperial city of Wetzlar and 25 Pour in the Principality of Hesse-Darmstadt dressed for the British in the American War of Independence, Graef determined from available sources. Of these, one third were over 30 Year old. They were in the units of Hesse-Hannover, Used Hesse-Cassel and Waldecker regiments. The fact that only one death in the immediate acts of war, but 12 died from diseases surprise the more, as the only four Mittelhessen after the war to their former homes Europe returned. Five were proven in the US, 11 deserted and further 11 Soldiers of the whereabouts unknown. He also recalled a different fate and that of the "soldier's" Christopher Ludwich, the son of a baker in Giessen. That was about all sorts of detours in the service of Austria and Prussia, then come as a British sailor to Philadelphia and had brought it there later to wealth. 1777 of Hesse was appointed from the city on the Lahn as an American patriot to the chief baker and chief of field bakery of US troops in the Revolutionary War, informed Dr. Graef final. The bridge-President Roger Schmidt and Günther Schmadel thanked the historian for this interesting transatlantic history lesson.
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE, The author, Journalist and wilderness expert in the USA, Elli H. Radinger, on Wednesday evening, the 1. October 2014 one 19.30 Clock guest at the Stammtisch of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar. Over two decades, the wolf expert observed in Yellowstone National Park, the wild wolves. For a reading from her new novel "Minnesota Winter: Love in the Wild "Radinger comes in the Hotel Köhler (Westanlage 33-35) after casting. Who in the exciting story of romance, Wants to listen in love and adventure in the wilderness, is cordially invited. Admission is free.
The volunteers of the State Office for Archälogie, Norbert Kissel, lectured at the Stammtisch of German-American Clubs “The Bridge” Gießen-Wetzlar Hotel Köhler in pouring over Rome, the city, the Empire and their lives in our region to around 2.000 Years
CASTING-WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), At the recent Stammtisch of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Giessen-Wetzlar casting it went in at the Hotel Köhler at a past empire. The volunteers of the Hessian State Office of Historic Monuments and principals of Adolf Empire Wine School Pohl Home, Norbert Kissel, reported on Rome as an ancient city, as an empire and about their lives in our central Hesse region. He accused the guests to the question: "Are the United States a new Rome?“
Not only is the new sound knowledge of the sciences on life back then drew the audience in his entertaining presentation in its spell. He also finds, brought as coins and pottery shards and golden Mulsum. Enriched with honey and pepper wine he served at the outset his listeners. This Roman taste test he used to transition into life in the former ancient city. Approximately one million people counted Ancient Rome, which had originated from a small village on the Tiber. The streets were crowded. Stars were at the Emperor and people Gladiators, comparable to today's footballers. They were highly paid and trained expensive. Were killed in the circus arenas mostly prisoners and slaves, in this cruel spectacle. The majority of Romans lived in tenements, up to 10 Floors could include. The road was already traffic-calmed. Tags should be no carts on the roads be, so the findings of historians. An Essen, Pleasure, Money it was mostly in the life of the Romans. Technically the Romans were to a high standard, of in 9.000 Km long pan-European road network and sometimes still reflected in the water supply by means of aqueducts. And the legal system was groundbreaking. In the Empire there lived under the "Pax Romana" (Roman peace) quite well, as long as you assimilated and did not resist, Kissel led from. For the Romans were the people their religions. The Imperial Senate with management and administration was streamlined and efficient. The military fully trained and equipped, so Kissel. Nevertheless, there were, how to cope with Varus in the Teutoburg Forest in Germania also defeats. In the forest battle the Romans were inferior. Due to the Great Migration, the empire began around the 4. To crumble century. The pay could not be paid for the Legionaries. Earlier, the 550 Kilometer Limes no "iron curtain", Kissel admitted with prejudice on. Rather, it was a demarcation line. It was between Germania and the Roman occupied territories a great civilization- given and wealth gap. Brisk trade was getreiben with living in our region Germanic chat. Of which had some served in the Roman army and learned the art of war there. Also, Turks and Syrians were here at that time in the Roman order in use. The Limes in our region to Butzbach, Pohl Home and Lich served particularly to safeguard the granary Wetterau. Excavations, as the Villa Rustica at Gambach, have provided insights into the everyday life, especially about clothes and food.
Rome was not comparable to the USA, so Kissel. However, the two great powers of their time all were. Interestingly, however, should be given the current challenges in the world, what the Caesars, probably President Obama had come, so his closing remarks after a historically interesting and entertaining lecture.
About Prussia, Empire, National Socialism up to the US-friend and bridge-supporters in casting
From the family archives of Schlieben an excerpt from People's Observer in June 1944 (Image: Privat / Repro rg)
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), August 2014, This summer will mark the seventieth year of the Allied landings in Normandy. There Beginn that Operation "Overlord" am 6. June 1944 heralded the end of Nazi rule a. Until the 8. May 1945 with the surrender of the German Empire was fought but still almost a year dogged in Europe and died a million times. The garrison commander of Cherbourg, Lieutenant General Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben, ended already at 26. June 1944 with the surrender of proclaimed by Hitler "fortress" against the "Führer Order" the fighting around the French city on the Channel. 800 Soldiers were in a hopeless situation with him from his underground command bunker in St. Sauveur in captivity. The following day, there were then more 10.000 Wehrmacht soldiers after the surrender was known. It was the end of organized hostilities in Cherbourg. Many soldiers from both sides survived by war. After his time as a prisoner of war in England came from Schlieben 1950 to Giessen, where he established the so-called "lab-Service-Units" (internationale Wach- and service units) for the U.S. Army on. His wife Eleanor of Schlieben was in the early years of the 50-year active member of the German-American Club "The Bridge" in the university town of Giessen.
An extraordinary life story, the two world wars and of sufficient faith in the supposedly right thing, led over doubts in their own activity to new insights and life decisions. The two granddaughters Elisabeth von Maltzahn and Ellen Schwarzburg-von Wedel wanted to know more about the history of her grandfather, after his imprisonment in 1947 of 1950 until his death on 18. June 1964 lived in Giessen.
The two women were on 26. June 2014 invited with their families to a ceremony to commemorate the events in and around Cherbourg as representatives of their grandfather in the Castle of Servigny. Ellen Black Castle Wedel recalled in her speech to veterans and representatives of the nations involved in the long road of enemies to friends.
There, at a historic place was Lieutenant General of Schlieben before then 70 Years, the U.S. General Joseph Lawton "Lightnin’ Joe "Collins over and sealed the surrender of Cherbourg. The German professional soldier had completed a model for its time career until then. As his father moved there Karl-Wilhelm to the soldiers. In the Prussian army under the Empire, he joined at the beginning of 1. World War on 11. August 1914 a. Up to the ordnance officer at the General Command, he managed and survived the war. In the Reichswehr of the Weimar period he continued career and was established in October 1929 promoted to captain. Under the Nazis, he served as adjutant at various rod regiments in use. From 1942 he was employed on the Eastern Front, only at 4. Rifle Brigade, Then, in the 208. Infantry Division and was from April to December 1943 as commander of the 18. Panzer-Division in use. He then became the Atlantic Wall to 709. Abkommandiert Infantry Division in Normandy. After the Allied landings named him Adolf Hitler to the commander of the fortress of Cherbourg. Only three days later he was found with his soldiers. The complete superiority of the Allies then also underlined as a "top secret thing" designated management report of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel from 15.7.1944. "The situation at the front in Normandy is difficult from day to day … . Our own losses are … so high. "Alone of the 97.000 used German soldiers died daily to 3.000 Men. "The unequal struggle draws to a close." As the assessment of drum due to the superiority of the Allies and their own losses within a few weeks after landing. For his conduct in Cherbourg Lieutenant General Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben of Hitler was covered with accusations and criticism.
In the subsequent British prisoner of war in Trent Park stalked by Schlieben further doubt on his participation for the Nazi regime. Thus in the surveillance records of the British CSDIC in response to the attempt to assassinate Hitler on 20. July 1944 Quotations as to read from it "… This millennial kingdom is even now hopefully be over soon. ". And in dealing with Hitler he wished: "I would hand him over to the Russians, in some Siberian mine, Case settled. "And about Dachau and other concentration camps he gave in May 1945 to: "Everybody knew, happen that terrible things there - not what, but that terrible things happen because, knew each of us, even then 1935 " (Vgl. Sönke Neitzel book of "Heard" - German generals in British war captivity 1942-1945, Porpyläen 2005).
With all these documents, deal not only historians but to this day his descendants. He after the war by the Americans the opportunity was given for his repatriation for it to work, is the other side of the coin, which made him the erstwhile adversary to friend. And also his wife Eleonore from 1950 the German-American Club "The Bridge" in casting was connected with him at his side, forms from this other side, which was dedicated from then on international understanding and connecting mutual aid.
In her speech, the granddaughter said on Memorial Day in Cherbourg: „… To 70 Years, we are at the place, where our grandfather gave up a fight, which it never should be. … Your invitation we understand as a gesture of reconciliation. "She recalled the helpfulness and solidarity without being patronizing after the war by the Allies. By "The Bridge" (German-American Club Gießen-Wetzlar) developed close and friendly relations, there were really "building bridges", so Schwarzburg-von Wedel. "In the name of our grandfather, I ask for forgiveness from all my heart!"She said, referring to the atrocities in Nazi concentration camps in front of the veterans and international visitors in France. That her grandfather a guide command, has refused on the task in Cherbourg and prevent shootings in Russia, for them in her memory as exemplary granddaughter.
That their lives in Pohlheim sister Elizabeth had asked for the parent table of the "bridge" at the Hotel Köhler in casting these days her lecture under the title "From foe to friend", was another component of this historical elaboration of a generation, the only after these events in 2. World War I was growing up and the reminder is obliged. "How glad and happy our grandfather would have been, if he had known, that his descendants this place (Cherbourg) have visited and that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have understood with the grandchildren and great grandchildren of General Collins amicable. "
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE (rg) - On Wednesday, the 3. September 2014 is to 19.30 Clock historian Norbert Kissel guest at "THE BRIDGE". The Hotel Köhler he is the master table on the Romans in coexistence with the Germans along the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes before about 2000 Report years. Members and interested citizens are invited. Admission is free.
Bridge-adoption in the USA! Kerstin Ruppel (Student Representative, links), Roger Schmidt (President) and Vice Günther Schmadel (on the right) adopted at the bridge-Stammtisch at the Hotel Köhler in casting the US-student, Shannon Wison and gave her to commemorate a JLU-Shirt.
CASTING / WETZLAR / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), July 2014, Last October 2013 came the US-American Shannon Wilson through a VDAC-scholarship of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar as an exchange student at the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. At the end of her 10-month stay, she said the last bridge-Stammtisch at the Hotel Köhler in casting to the members and new friends in the university town of "Good Bye!“. They talked about their impressions and experiences as US-American woman in Germany and the University as a student. Continue reading BRIDGE-bye: U.S. student from Ohio will miss German culture and truss→
René Scholz (Center) was for his presentation about the Lincoln speech in Gettysburg from the bridge-President Roger Schmidt (on the right) und Tom Leiser (Vorstand Brücke und Friends of the Lahn) thanks
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), At the 12. February 1809 U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was born. At the 18. November 1863 held the 16. President of the USA's most important speech at the dedication of the military cemetery on the battlefield of Gettysburg, still 150 Years later every American learns and internalizes in school. The well-known "Gettysburg Address" was a rhetorical masterpiece as his motivation in the story. The Frankfurt motivational speaker for managers, René Scholz, themed and analyzed these Lincoln's speech at a lecture as a guest speaker at the German-American Club "The Bridge" Giessen-Wetzlar.
The meaning in the Community transported Lincoln in just two minutes and 278 Words long speech in perfection, informed Scholz Hotel Köhler before the audience. Set in the Civil War, he appealed to the unity of the nation. He finished in the course of his presidency, the Civil War, signed laws against slavery and prepared the way of the United States as a world power. His speech was in perfectly a unique motivation of citizens succeeded. For the first time it was possible through media that message across the nation to spread quickly. Community donate, the unconditional-shaping- give and will to power and the human meaning and purpose, are in the process succeeded with his words in a unique way. Such shortages today in the US-nation. Without these "best U.S. president" did not exist presumably the Western world with its democratic, military and economic alliances, as we know it today, stressed Scholz. Of particular importance in the speech games so the recurring word "we" and "us" in the citing country and the Community. Teachings and paternalism finds, however, no, for recurring core messages. The question of "how" to face in the motivation of people to new challenges not only politicians but also business for their employees, so Scholz. The uses of the coach for executives in his workshops. The feat that Lincoln had succeeded in his speech, was then easy to explain complex events and thus to convey the core message of the unity of the nation in the upcoming challenge convincing. Abraham Lincoln ended his speech by saying that time " … Rather, it is to us, us to the great task, which is yet to come, to undertake - …. - On that this nation, Under God, a new birth of freedom to experience - and that government of the people, by the people and for the people, should not perish from the earth. "
Ehrengast Prof. Beutelspacher – Theme of New Year's address "trust"
At the New Year reception of German-American Clubs “The Bridge” Gießen-Wetzlar fascinated the director of Mathematikum, Prof. DR. DR. h.c. Albrecht Beutelspacher Hotel Köhler in Gießen guests
CASTING / MEDIUM HESSE (rge/ger/rg), That the science of mathematics with the teachings of Pythagoras & What. are quite entertaining, bewies Prof. DR. DR. h.c. Albrecht Beutelspacher on Wednesday night once again at the New Year reception of the German-American Club "The Bridge" Gießen-Wetzlar. Never before have so many guests come to a bridge reception in the Hotel Köhler, including casting city council, Egon Fritz (SPD), the FDP member of parliament Wolfgang Greilich, Wetzlars Stadtrat Amin Moawd (Green / Alliance 90), come and CDU local federation boss Stefan Görnert. Overall, more than 60 Guests were fascinated by the Director of the Mathematikum at his computer demonstrations and watched the magical geometric transformations of circles and rectangles to the square to the ball. Fits true to Pohl Heimer A capella -Männerformation "Five sound" with conductor Matthias Hampel musically among others "A friend, a good friend "and" King of the road "is appropriate in this image of an entertaining start to the year one.
Bridge-President Roger Schmidt went in his welcome to the importance of "trust" in the peaceful coexistence of people of a. "Who today masse collects data on innocent citizens, she overheard and listening, need not be surprised, over the loud questioning echo around the world. "Much more need to reach out more to a trust in our community of values and it applies the hand, Schmidt said "Not behind every hedge sits the enemy." In order to survive the challenges of this world, had foresight, Prudence and sensitivity necessary. The bridge and stay committed to the transatlantic relationship. Especially in youth- and student exchanges would create compounds, create the invaluable trust of people and for people . Shannon Wilson from the USA visited this year the Justus-Liebig-University. From Germany to go soon Carina Tomys and Stephanie Diehl to study in the United States. Schmidt described the three young women as excellent ambassadors of their countries. And the Bridge Benefit Concert Series "We are the world" have moved a lot to the community again this year. So seihen 2.800 Euro for the youth work of the Diaconal Work casting, transatlantic youth- and student exchanges and has been recorded for the flood victims in the Philippines in the DRC, to be passed in the coming days. 200 Audience, about 60 Singers, Sponsors with the People's Bank of Central Hesse at the top, the town of Gießen and the relief organizations had every confidence in the bridge-commitment, Schmidt. "I can say today, we have not disappointed. "
The paper, Rich glue and scissors, to create from yellow paper strip first two circles and from this a square frame, was then only one of the wondrous ideas of Prof. Beutelspacher at his humorous lecture. He was best advertising for the Mathematikum casting and science. Much applause was the result of this evening at this year's Bridge-New Year reception for Beutelspacher as well as the five singers of "Five sound".
