Elements of Auklärungs Abteilung arrived throughout the day Friday.  Upon arrival at the site, it was found that there was a vacant block house available to set up quarters, communication, and a small aid station.  Shortly thereafter, Aufklärungs Abteilung’s position was reinforced by elements of the 5th Gerbigsjager (Heer), a small Luftwaffe groupe, and DRK field hospital.  Upon setting up communications and security perimeter establishment, patrols were sent out to scout the surrounding area. The first patrol consisting of Rottenführer Schrijnen, Antwärter Gürtner, and myself found small groups of unknown combatants though the area. 

Most of the day was spent keeping the soldaten cool through water and a temporary ease in dress code.  Radio communications were intercepted and decoded by Oberschutze Ziegler and Strummann Baumann.  While Hauptsturmführer Koenig, and Hauptscharführer Fonger were keeping track of the movement at the front. Unterscharführer Wolff, assisted by Frau Baumann took portraits for the newspapers back home. All the while, Oberschutze Gunther and Antwärter Gürtner were carrying out cleaning and guarding tasks.

Midday Saturday we were called from our barracks by an unknown force who turned out to be Lance connect, or 15th century German pike men.  They then proceeded to train us in the use pikes, which we will use should the opportunity arise. 

At 1700 hours on Saturday evening we heard gunfire break out outside our blockhouse.  The unfolding battle took place in a small valley next to our quarters and lead to Hauptscharführer Fonger, Strummann Baumann, and myself to crawl out the blockhouse’s gunport.  After surveying the situation, we decided our best course of option was to proceed into the tall grass in the valley where a number of unknown, but friendly combatants had opened fire on a marauding American vehicle.  After about 15 minutes the vehicle was neutralized, however a second wave of Americans arrived, all using an unknown type of machine gun.  Following another firefight these elements were neutralized.  Elements of Aufklärungs Abteilung regrouped at the blockhouse for re-equipping and medical attention.

Sunday morning found in a more leisurely atmosphere.  The front had quieted down and we chatted with our new allies we had acquired the night before.  After a quick patrol elements of Aufklärungs Abteilung were ordered to move out to another location

-SS Sturmmann Hans Dierdöff

January 2008 - Onondaga, MI | March 2008 - Fort Custer | April 2008 - Camden, OH | May 2008 - Findlay, OH

September 2006 - Conneaut, OH | July 2006 - Onondaga, MI | June 2006 - Fort Meigs