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So far The Fifth Field has created 141 blog entries.

The “Final Solution” in Lublin, Poland – “Operation Reinhard” Headquarters

The “Final Solution” in Lublin, Poland – “Operation Reinhard” Headquarters

Lublin was a large center for the Nazi killing machine and in many ways remains similar in architecture to World War II.  This photo was taken in 2001.  In a very obscure area of the city is the remnants of the Lublin Airfield Camp used “Operation Reinhard.”  There is a small building there that is used as a workshop today.  During the operation, SS men used it to melt the gold out of teeth taken from the dead victims and formed the gold into small ingots to ship to Berlin.  It was widely rumored that not all valuables made it to the German capital.  An old building nearby served as the SS officers’cassino in 1942-1943.

The “Final Solution” in Lublin, Poland – “Operation Reinhard” Headquarters2016-03-02T21:24:57-06:00

Little Bighorn Company M, 7th Cavalry Timberline Position

Little Bighorn Company M Timberline Position

Company M troopers lay down along this line toward the large tree and fired to their right. This land does not belong to the National Park, but you can get permission to visit.

Little Bighorn Company M, 7th Cavalry Timberline Position2012-10-15T20:20:50-05:00

Little Bighorn Battlefield Guide

Little Bighorn Battlefield Guide

You can’t have too many of these; pick them up at the museum bookstore. In addition, the excellent map, the guide has a description of each stop, the order you should visit each location , excellent photos and an article on the clash of cultures. Remember, this guide does not cover the valley fight; you will need a separate source to help do that. But if you don’t take time to visit the valley, the rest of the battle will be more difficult to understand.

Little Bighorn Battlefield Guide2012-10-15T20:19:22-05:00

Gettysburg Battlefield Guide

Gettysburg Battlefield Guide

You can also find audio guides that you can listen to in the car as you go from stop to stop. There are probably more battlefield markers at Gettysburg then there are at any other battlefield in the world. Before you go, visit the Virtual Gettysburg Web Site.

Gettysburg Battlefield Guide2012-10-15T20:21:46-05:00

The Battle of the Bulge Northern Route Map

The Battle of the Bulge Northern Route Map

Many roads in the Ardennes are small and there are not many markers along the route. This map shows the advance of the 6th SS Panzer Army, commanded by Josef “Sepp” Dietrich. Bringing along a complement of “After the Battle” publications will enhance your trip 200%.

The Battle of the Bulge Northern Route Map2012-10-15T20:23:40-05:00

Majors MacLean, Mark Kimmitt and Clint Anderson on SAMS Map Exercise

Majors MacLean, Mark Kimmitt and Clint Anderson on SAMS Map Exercise

The School for Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) was the most difficult academic school that I ever attended.  Class ran from 7:30 a.m. to noon.  The rest of the day and night was a reading assignment of 400-500 pages, often an entire book.  The following morning, the seminar would discuss what they had read.  SAMS began in the early-1980s; it was based on the demanding training that the Prussian and German General Staff officers received long ago.

Majors MacLean, Mark Kimmitt and Clint Anderson on SAMS Map Exercise2015-09-10T15:03:00-05:00

Olga at the Oktoberfest

Olga at the Oktoberfest

Olga (left with large beer mug) at the Oktoberfest.  Olga can make friends with anybody.  Many were the times that she has taken the spouses on various excursions away from a battlefield visit.  These side trips usually involved excellent food and out-of-the-way shopping opportunities.  On the Fifth Field research trip to France in September 2012, she took the lead in numerous French villages and was so outgoing that at every stop, people were happy to help us find obscure crime scenes.

Olga at the Oktoberfest2015-09-11T11:48:52-05:00

My Better Half

My Better Half

No, that’s not correct; Olga is my better 90%.  Here, Captain MacLean is on an Army deployment as the Personnel Officer (S-1) for an engineer mission to build a road through the mountains in Honduras in 1986-1987.  She has traveled all over the world, speaks several languages and is a real hoot, when visiting old battlefields.  I have lost track of how many hidden German bunkers she found in the Hürtgen Forest, or a particular grave in a cemetery.

My Better Half2015-09-11T11:50:04-05:00
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