Day 11: Dachau, Germany
Bill at the iconic gate...
Dachau entrance
Main grounds at Dachau
Site of barracks at Dachau
Site of barracks at Dachau
Old picture of the barracks
A memorial at Dachau
Another memorial at Dachau
Perimeter barriers at Dachau. Beyond the trench (which was then a moat) was "The Kill Zone"!
Perimeter barriers at Dachau
Perimeter barriers at Dachau with one of many guard towers in background
Crematorium
Crematorium
The Autobahn ~ unfortunately this section has a speed limit!
Day 12: This is going to be GREAT!!
There is not enough film in the world to document the beauty of this area
The view from our hotel in Berchtesgaden. Look closely at the mountain in the center...just to the left of the peak is a building that you all may recognize
Views like this are everywhere you look!
The square in Berchtesgaden
The railroad station in Berchtesgaden. The flag has been modified since 1945
The swastika has been removed!
Where do you suppose these tracks originally went?
...HERE!! This tunnel is where the personal cars of Hitler and Goring were stored and were protected. It now sees duty as storage for the Department of Public Works
Here is the other end of the tunnel
A closer view of the other end of the tunnel
The tracks extended to who knows where!
The cemetery at Berchtesgaden featured lots of graves just like this, many of them Mountain Troopers!
Another soldier
Our guide brought us to this building in Unterstein for a very good reason!
Bill is pointing to the exact spot that once had a sign stating this was the location of a very special art exhibit
This EXACT sign is now in Bill's personal collection!
It is literally unchanged, except the door. We were even able to find holes in the beams from the hooks that were used to hang this banner. Once inside, we approached the hotel proprietor and his associate who were absolutely amazed to see this old picture of his establishment. they had no idea about this part of the building's history!
We then showed him this picture, and he replied "FOLLOW ME!!"
He brought us to this room. This is the EXACT spot where that photo was taken 68 years ago! The only change is the addition of the built-in bench that Patrick is sitting on. I even found the hole in the paneling where the picture once hung (over the shoulder of Lieutenant Moore in the picture)
On our way up the Kehlstein Mountain, we made a quick stop at the Hotel Zum Turken, but were not warmly greeted...
This is the sentry gate outside the Hotel Zum Turken
This road, just below the Turken, once led to the Berghof, Guest House, Garage and Platterhof
This spot once held another guard house, a few honored yards from the Turken. it signified the entrance to the Fuhrer area
This building stands on the grounds and is modeled after the original guest house. It is now a documentation center
A view from the Guest House
The entrance to a newly-unearthed section of the bunker by the Guest House/Platterhof
The tunnel leading into the bunker system
This is where part of the ventilation system was located inside the bunker
Inside the bunker
Machine gun posts inside the bunker
Machine gun posts inside the bunker
These stairs inside the bunker led to the Platterhof. The machine gun post guarded this area
This path led to the Berghof
This is in the Berghof area
Also in the Berghof area
Another photo of the Berghof area
This is also taken in the Berghof area
The Berghof area
The Berghof area
Also in the Berghof area
Lookie what lurks above the clouds!
Patrick and Steve point to the woods where the Berghof once stood
The bus ride up to the Eagle's Nest
Another view from the bus
The views are simply amazing!
The famous tunnel that leads to the elevator which brings us to our destination!
Headed to the elevator!
Another perspective of the tunnel leading to the elevator
The Kehlsteinhaus, a.k.a. "Eagle's Nest"
At an elevation of just over 6,000 feet, you are literally above the clouds!
Overlooking Berchtesgaden
Overlooking Berchtesgaden
Outside, the seating is prime!
The birds love it too!
Don't look down!
To say the view is breath-taking would be an understatement
The famous fireplace inside the main room of "The Eagle's Nest". There seems to be some chips missing from the marble. Those GI's wanted "a piece of history"
The design on the back of the fireplace. This was a gift from El Duce in 1938
Inside the Kehlsteinhaus back in 1945
That same room, today
It is a popular restaurant with tourists!
Bill with the Kehlsteinhaus in the background
Eva Braun with the Kehlsteinhaus in the background
Bill and Patrick with a monument close to the summit
Bill, Tour Guide Jake and Steve ready to take the elevator 124 meters back down to the tunnel. Note the marble surrounding the elevator is the same as used in the fireplace!
A good picture of the elevator
The entrance to the elevator, by the tunnel
Day 13: Welcome to Kaprun, Austria! This is where Easy Company finished it's time after the war
This field is where tens of thousands of prisoners, etc. were processed. It is the site where the German General addressed his Troops in the series, as well as where Easy relaxed and played baseball
This hotel, about 1 km from the field, is where Easy had its Headquarters
This building is on the site where Winters had his Headquarters
Next stop, 10 km away!!
Zell am See
Zell am See
The Grand Hotel on Zell am See. There were many lavish parties held here! Many of you will know the significance of the small dock located at the right front corner of the hotel...
Here is where Winters got in his morning swims!
Bill's ready to dive in too ~ must see some relics!
The large building on the left is where Frau Goring was held after the war
Casino Salzburg
...a.k.a. Schloss Klessheim. This location became the repository of a tremendous cache of decorations in 1945. Want more details? Just as us!
The huge eagles were put up in 1938 and have been modified since
Schloss Klessheim
Schloss Klessheim
Day 14: The long flight home was uneventful...we had an absolutely spectacular time and would like to thank Jake Powers for making it happen!
GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS