Meeting of the granddaughters in Nierstein: not only Helen Patton but also Catherine Rommel comes to the inauguration of the monument on the banks of the Rhine. Helen Patton and Catherine Rommel - a meeting of extraordinary proportions. Their grandfathers, both legendary generals in their own way, fought against each other in North Africa during World War II. General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, on the one hand, Hitler's "favourite general" until he was forced by the Nazis to commit suicide due to suspected involvement in the Stauffenberg assassination attempt, considered a brilliant strategist by friend and foe alike. On the other hand, tank general George Patton, that pithy, even uncouth fellow: America's answer to Rommel. His mission was to destroy the legend of the Desert Fox. Like Rommel, Patton made history, but here, in Nierstein. His troops’ Rhine crossing, building this bridge in March 1945, is considered one of the key operations in the final phase of the Second World War – the fact that is shortened the phase’s duration is undisputed today. This historically significant military achievement is to be honoured with the erection of the "Patton Monument".
Present were: Robert F. Shelato, Rhine River Crossing Veteran WWII, 249th Engineer Battalion. Brig. Gen. Phillip Jolly, German Brig. Gen. Kai Ronald Rohrschneider, Command Sgt. Maj. Sheryl Lyon, etc.
Gedenkfeier 25. März 2017
