Bernhard H.Holst

Hello readers. Mme. de Galard-Terraube wears the one stripe of a Legionnaire de premier classe signifying a honorable rank in the Legion. This is a sign of appreciation of exceptional services rendered to the Legion. I read the article and not wanting to nit pick I would give it a passing grade. Tone making the music. BTW: only one general officer served in D.B.Ph. and that was Gen. de Castries who was promoted during the battle. The French artillery commander, the one armed Col. Pieroth took his own life with a hand grenade once the full force of the enemy guns were recognized. I will post in future some names of French military women auxiliaries and civilians who lost their lives during the French phase of the conflict. The anniversary of the fall of Dien Bien Phu approaches. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Robin. If it would not have been for the availability of the Officers Candidate School under v. Siegroth and the Waffen-SS Signals School located in Metz it would not have held out. The literature pertaining to the first attempt to take it, both from the German and the Allied side describes the actions well. The second and final attack was countered in vain by mostly second and third rate defenders. US infantry being squandered in attempts to take isolated forts which could have been kept surrounded and starved into surrender. You have a nice assembly, thanks for showing. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Jock. The 3rd booklet in a strange language deals with the German Headquarters during the Marne Battle in French. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. Just my penny's worth of experience while on active duty in Vietnam in the 1950's. I recall that coupe coupes were issued to my unit which was newly formed in the fall of 1951 but the local type which were somewhat narrower and therefor lighter. These proved impractical and were withdrawn shortly thereafter. Having operated with different formations which were components of French Forces deployed there from 1951 to 1953 and again from early 1954 to the end of hostilities I have no recollection of ever seeing them as personal equipment. This includes riflemen from the then Senegal colony which were the most feared opponents of German troops in WW I and so equipped, if memory does not trick me. Also photographs of the Indochina conflict do not seem to ever picture them. But I am ready to be proved wrong. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello saxcob. Thank you for posting this interesting article. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Hugh. Thank you for bringing these pictures to our attention. Most were unknown to me. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. Once again the anniversary of the legendary action at the Camerone Farm , Mexico on 30 April, 1863 will be observed by all units of the French Foreign Legion wherever they may be stationed. On that day an undersize company of the Legion under command of the one-handed Captain Danjou during the unfortunate French expedition to Mexico, took a stand in the farm buildings of Camerone against a large Mexican force. Resisting during several assaults with ever smaller numbers the surviving few legionnaires attempted a bayonet attack. They were spared certain death by the Mexican commander. Since then this combat action is part of the Legion history and tradition. At the Legion's headquarters in Aubagne, France the artificial hand of Captain Danjou who lost his life early in the action, is presented to the assembled troops. The former legionnaire charged with carrying the small casket in which this relic is conserved, is escorted by two ex- legionnaires, all very decorated and having an exceptional career. The account of that combat will be read to the troops assembled for the occasion where ever they are stationed. I believe this year being also the anniversary of the fall of Dien Bien Phu which happened just a few days later in 1954, emphasis will be placed on that occurrence. History has it that the remnants of the Legion units deployed there observed the tradition. One wonders how many survived the fighting still to come and the captivity which followed the fall. The number of survivors who returned after the cessation of hostilities was very small and practically zero for the Vietnamese comrades. On a personal note I would like to mention my boyhood friend Kurt ( Bob ) Armbrecht, Leg.1.classe, 1. BEP, who was missing in action there and declared Mort pour la France with date of 8 May, 1954. Bernhard H. Holst served from 1951 to 1957

Hello readers. My dear comrade then Brigadier Kopanczyk stayed on with the now remnants of our Amphibious Group which was stationed in the harbor area of Saigon under canvas, then in comfortable barracks in Vung Thau ( then Cape St.Jacques ) and finally Na Be on the Saigon River from where I entered a military hospital in Saigon for treatment of a severe Dysentery which caused a lengthy stay in different facilities and return to North Africa on medical grounds. This meant a separation from Cesar who was shipped to North Africa with 2.Groupement Amphibie to be stationed at Meknes, Morocco. Here is a photo of a parade there. Brigadier Kopanczyk had the honor to carry the squadron guidon. Some legionnaires are familiar to me. I lost touch with Casar until reassigned to Headquarters in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria in 1956. I saw Cesar while on business at one of the transit companies. He had just returned to renew his enlistment after a try in civilian life in France which did not agree with him. He was waiting to be assigned to a permanent unit. That turned out to be the basic training squadron for cavalry also located in Sidi Bel Abbes. He was thoroughly unhappy having to lodge among the recruits following the unreasonable rules on making up beds and arranging belongings and other assorted chicken sh.... At the time of my discharge I was able to give him some desirable articles of which I had a surplus. This included my US steel pot ( very much better that the lately introduced French ones), fatigues and custom made boots.This distasteful job lasted until 1959 when he was assigned to the 2.REC to assume duties in one of the mounted troops as the leader of a automatic rifle team. Cesar had meanwhile been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-Chef ( senior corporal, a rank unknown in British or US armies ). and decorated with the Medaille Militaire following his repeated decoration now with the Croix de Valeur Militaire ( Cross of Military Valor ) after receiving decorations in Vietnam. Cesar retired form active service in 1964 which gave him at least 22 years of service what with his four years in Vietnam which counted double towards a pension. In April of 1980 he was decorated with the Legion of Honor and had the distinct honor to escort the legendary retired General Vadot who carried the artificial hand of the Captain Danjou to be presented to the assembled troops on 30 April, 1981, as tradition dictates every 30 April to commemorate the sacrifice of an understrength company in Mexico in 1863. On 28 August 1989 Cesar who had retired to the retirement facility of the Legion at Puyloubier turned up missing during a large wild fire. His burnt remains were found a week later about two killometers distant from the facility. He may have tried to follow an established evacuation route and became disoriented and overcome by smoke and fire. He was buried on 4 September. He died at age 77. A memorial stone was erected at the place where his remains were found and every year veterans and pensioners visit and decorate the memorial. I much regret not to have kept in touch over time but my memory is still strong of a good comrade. I must thank Lars of www.More- Majorum.de for valuable information. Bernhard H. Holst

Chris. Recovered weapons during my tours ( 1951-1953 and 1954 ) could be of several origins. Included were French weapons captured during ambush actions, captured strong points etc. , US made arms furnished by Chinese sources especially after the defeat of Nationalist Forces on the mainland. The pictures show French automatic rifle and bolt action rifle also used by us. Then US Thompson and Springfield and on other picture 30 cal. Browning M.G. , bi pod for 60mm US mortar. Regular Vietminh forces engaged in the main battles were mostly equipped with Soviet weapons, some units entirely with sub machine guns.. Even the Regional V.M. units with different weaponry did not run out of ammunition, it seemed like. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. This narrative continues with the operations of our amphibious group based on the large town of Nam Dinh, capital of the province of the same name and of the operational Zone South of the Red River delta area.This area was heavily infiltrated by the Viet Minh including regular and regional troops besides the local lightly armed units. The amphibious vehicles with which our group was equipped, WW II era US built and furnished Weasels and LVT transports and support LVT's with 75 mm howitzers in turrets oftentimes were in need of maintenance and repairs. This made our mounted elements available for the odds and ends of assignments with various other company-size units to form provisional battalions to be deployed wherever a need arose. Brig. Kopanczyk and his squad operated alongside mine, equipped with the French automatic rifles and rifle grenade launchers and two other light squads armed with submachine guns made up the strength of our platoon. Cesar was the only European in his squad as was I until I was assigned one legionnaire who in hindsight must have been a reject from somewhere. He was unfortunately more of a burden and in constant need of supervision. During the combat on the 21.May 1954 at the Khenon Massif he was wounded due to careless if not to call it stupid acts and rendered my squad nearly ineffective because four Vietnamese troopers had to evacuate him. During this very close day to day life on active service and some days of rest and refit I could see how easily Cesar could handle his men. In the field or in the rear. No complaints that I recall. We were accustomed to lead from the front, that is to say acting as the point. I remember while searching a village to hear an explosion and Cesar calling out to me that he was hurt. Making my way over to him I saw him fairly dancing on one leg. Coming close he called out to be wounded on the leg of which he was holding the shin.. I saw no blood after pressing down on the pants leg but noticed that the case in which the bolt of his submachinegun traveled was dented. He had his weapon across his chest and our Cesar while opening the door to a hut he wanted to search using a pole to push it open did not wait. So he triggered a booby trapped handgrenade placed behind the door stoop made from bricks. Brick fragments hit his shin and a grenade splinter probably the strong sheetmetal of his weapon denting it rather than his body. After the armistice we assisted in the evacuation of those parts of the civil population that wanted to move south. A number of our Vietnamese personnel elected to join the National Army. Cesar was appointed to run the Foyer ( PX or canteen) which certainly assured better than regular food of which position I also profited. Until I was volunteered to attend a course for potential N.C.O. candidates but that is another story. Our formation was one of the last to leave the northern part of Vietnam. Here are two pictures of our voyage to Saigon. First picture Cesar is on the right sporting the French version of Bombay Bloomers. Second picture he is on the left , the transport is just entering the port of Saigon. The last section of this narrative to follow. This one turned out longer that my intention.Sorry about that. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. The former Brigadier-Chef Czeslaw Kopanczyk , later decorated with the Legion d'Honneur and the Medaille Militaire joined the French Foreign Legion in 1950 and retired in 1964 to reside in the Legion retirement facility of Puyloubier. He lost his life during the large wildfire of 28 August, 1989 which ravaged that area. Some readers who have read posts of mine related to the conflict in Indochina during the 1951 to 1954 time span may have come across the name of then Brigadier (Corporal ) Kopanczyk. This writer served with him from 1951 to 1953 and again from 1954 to 1956 in an amphibious unit of the !.REC ( 1. Foreign Cavalry Regiment ) in Tonkin, North Vietnam and after the French evacuation of that portion of Vietnam, in the southern part. He was usually called Cesar since that was easier to pronounce than was Czeslaw. I first met Cesar after formation of the mounted infantry company of which I was a member of the Headquarters Platoon and he was assigned to the 8..Escadron equipped with amphibious "Weasel" vehicles. He held the rank of Brigadier ( Corporal) after graduation from a tough course in North Africa for potential candidates to hold that rank. For some reason we stuck together and he told me of his unhappiness in his present unit. He had requested transfers on several occasions but always unsuccessfully. He now resorted to the ultimate solution of relinquishing his two rank stripes which action would automatically result in a transfer. He was transferred to my company with the grade of Legionnaire de 1.classe but employed in more responsible duties. He regained his old rank very soon. His position in the 1. Platoon as an assistant squad leader did not place him very close to me, as radio operator to the company commander when on operations but we still found time together. The photos below show him after the January, 1953 combat of Phung Thon, 7.January, 1953 inspecting recovered weaponry and other items: The last picture wearing the white kepi unfortunately does not show his face. European person on the right -most is this writer. Picture shows 1.Platoon with utmost left the company sergeant-major and leader 1.Platoon, Marechal des Logis-Major Tabournel; next, in left file Marechal des Logis Ossenbrink, squad leader 1. Squad and behind him with just his face showing is Brigadier Kopanczyk. This writer's return for second tour of duty in Vietnam brought me back to my old outfit and at the request of M.d.L.-Major Tabournel was assigned to his platoon as squad leader of 1.Squad with Brig. Kopanczyk leader of 3. Squad. We were glad to be together again and closer than before. This slip is the roster of evening duties' assignment written by Brig. Kopanczyk for the 1.Platoon. Patrol in town of Nam Dinh and guard post giving names and arms etc. The next section of this narrative will continue with observations and reflections as well as some additional photos. Bernhard H. Holst once in the ranks of the 1.REC in Vietnam

Hello readers. I was a long time looking for this helmet. Only a very few regiments in the Prussian Army which could trace their lineage to the old Hanoverian Army had these head gear plates showing campaign and/or battle distinctions. In this case the Fusilier Regiment ( Hanoverian ) Number 73 had: Peninsula and Waterloo These bear a relation to the Kings German Legion which consisted to the largest extent of Hanoverian citizens who fled their French occupied homeland for Great Britain. George III was also the Elector of Hanover and provided the opportunity to fight against Napoleon I in the ranks of the newly created Kings German Legion. As mentioned in earlier, related posts emperor Wilhelm II restored these honors as well as the cuff title "Gibraltar" to which this regiment was also entitled because of the participation in the defense of Gibraltar during the siege in the 1780's against the Spaniards and French. Of note is that the last surviving recipient of the Pour Le Merite order the later Hauptmann Ernst Juenger belonged to this regiment as did his brother Fritz. This regiment was deployed on the Western Front throughout of WW I. I am fortunate to have a tunic of this regiment in my collection and will give it a try to photograph it. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Hugh. Thank you for bringing this up and to our attention . I had lost sight of it. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. Pictured here is a Tschapka which belonged to a member of the above mentioned Ulanen Regt. Due to poor photography skills of this poster not clearly visible are the campaign/battle distinctions on the helmet plate. These were authorized by Emperor Wilhelm II based on those of the regiment's Hanoverian forerunner incorporated into the Prussian Army following the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866. The Kingdom of Hanover being allied with Austria ended on the losing side. The campaign/ battle distinctions or perhaps better called honors were : Peninsula, Garzia Hernandez and Waterloo going back to service with the Kings German Legion during the wars against Napoleon I. The colors of the facings were white as can be seen by the color of the trimming of the tschapka top. The Chef of the regiment was no other than His Majesty the Emperor and King, ( Wilhelm II ). The helmet plate or bandeau is similar to the Guard's plate but not quite identical and the name "Koenigs Ulanen" implied something of an elite or perhaps guard status. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. After many years of searching for a Tschako for this small unit with its unique headgear plate ( bandeau ) I finally found one . This Tschako belonged to the Hannoversches Jaeger Bataillon Nr.10 ( Rifle Battalion 10) which had its tradition in the former Hanoverian Army going back to the times of the Georges , Kings of Great Britain. Hanover was then an Electorate with the King of England being the Elector. The tunic was also adorned with the cuff title " Gibraltar " in memory of the siege of Gibraltar in the 1780's when Hanoverian units reinforced British troops in the defense of Gibraltar against Spanish and French besieging forces. After the Prussian won the war against Austria in 1866 with which Hanover was allied after becoming a separate kingdom from England following the Napoleonic era, the Hanoverian Army was absorbed into the Prussian Army. Emperor Wilhelm II began to mend fences with the population of the former Kingdom of Hanover by granting certain distinctions to those formations which could trace traditions back to the 1780's and later to the Kings German Legion which consisted to a large extent of citizens of Hanover who fled their French occupied homeland to England and then joined the newly formed legion. The Kings German Legion fought with distinction during the campaigns on the Peninsula and later during Napoleon's attempted comeback in 1815 participating in the battle of Waterloo. Wilhelm II granted the Jg.Btl.Nr.10 the renewed cuff title " Gibraltar " and then the Tscako plate including the campaign and battle distinctions Peninsula, Venta del Ponzo and Waterloo. This battalion during WW I was incorporated into the Alpenkorps and saw action in the battle of Verdun and on the Tyrol and Romanian fronts. My skills taking photos are minimal, please excuse. I have a tunic also and will try a picture of it later. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Chris. Interesting story and photos. One wonders what happened to him and his family during and after WW II ? Thanks. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Kevin. You already gave the two main reasons for possible spying by former officers joining the Bundeswehr. How widespread that was I do not know. You are certainly aware of the MAD ( Militaerischer Abschirm Dienst or counter intelligence service) which was to prevent such incidents but how efficient was that service? We know enough of clever agents of both sides able to elude counter efforts either for a time or even forever. BTW: this officer like a number of others spent many more years in captivity than usual which in my thinking was caused by special treatment reserved for selected personnel. To mind come officers who belonged to the Heeresgruppe Kurland ( Army group Courland in the Baltic) who often spent more time as prisoners than average. Probably in answer to the several Soviet attempts to defeat this holdout which were unsuccessful, only until the general capitulation took place were they subdued. Hptm. Herold served in Gren.Rgt. 21, part of 17. Inf.Division destroyed in Jan./Feb. 1945 in Poland. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Paul. His release date was rather late. W. Herold was a native of the then U.S. Occupation Zone and was returned to that area. The released prisoners whose homes were in the western regions under control of U.S , British and French Forces could return there. Also those who no longer had a home area because of territorial losses could choose where to go. I believe not many elected to go live in the "Socialist Camp" having first hand experience of its blessings. The Bundeswehr was officially formed in 1956 and W. Herold joined after that time. By the surviving documents I gather that his health was in need of improvement following his return. All former officers who wished to serve were screened by a commission in regards to any "baggage" from prior service and other suitability to be a part of the new military. Not all applicants were accepted. Bernhard H. Holst

And what are those, pray tell . Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. The military documents estate of this highly decorated former officer is presently under my care. These documents mainly pertain to his service in the pre-1945 service. As Hauptmann ( captain ) he served as a battalion commander before he was captured in February 1945. Born 13 January, 1915, he died on 14 Jan. 1986. He was in Soviet captivity until 1953 and joined the new German army, the Bundeswehr and reached the rank of Oberstlt.(Lt.Col.) He left the service in 1971 after commanding a battalion of armored infantry and later serving in an administrative position. No documents of this part of his military service is contained in the grouping nor are any medals or such. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello: Gen.Maj. Leopold Milisch died in 1945 in Perleberg, per Wolf Keilig's Die Generale des Heeres. He was released from active service availability with date of 31.Jan.1943 as indicated in his Wehrpass. He was in command of two different Inf.Repl. regiments from the outbreak of WW II until Oct.1942. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Kevin. Here are some of the documents which are part of the military estate of the former Oblt. O. Hielscher. I have included some which are not seen very often. Explanations or descriptions are added by me for readers who are not that familiar with such matters. The preliminary award document to the German Cross i.Gold: The preliminary award document to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross signed by Gen. Burgdorf of the Army Personnel Office: Lists of personnel recently decorated withe Knights Cross and the German Cross i. Gold which were issued as attachments to the Heeresmitteilungen ( Army Communications) and did not always find their way to the individual recipients: Components of performance evaluation and proposal for the Knights Cross award: [ Unfortunately the performance evaluation itself was not part of the documents but must have been favorable. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello readers. Here is a nice photo of Knights Cross recipient Oblt. Otto Hielscher whose military estate is under my care. He received the high award with date of 23. August 1944 as commander 5./Art.Rgt. 168. This former officer died at the age of 58 on 25.March 1980. Bernhard H. Holst

Hello Claudio. I would date this photo earlier than the German attack against the then Soviet Union in June , 1941. My reason is the wear of the Sam Browne belt ( Schulterriemen) which was abolished earlier than that. Of course this would not mean any non-involvememt in atrocities which took place in that area. Bernhard H. Holst