Then the 101st Airborne showed up (a scene made famous in the book and HBO series Band of Brothers) and took over the town and the mountain residences. Dont know if you are still searching for info about this. But what drew me back to the Berchtesgaden AFRC time and again was the history of the place. Thank you so much! 21 February 1970 : A piece nominally about Hitler’s leftovers at Berchtesgaden, but essentially about writer Geoffrey Moorhouse’s personal hangup on Germany and the Germans. You could easily stroll from the General Walker to the houses or the ruins of houses of all the key Nazi leadership. Very quickly the upper echelon of Nazi leadership followed, with Hermann Goering, Heinrich Himmler, Martin Bormann and even Hitler’s personal architect and later minister of armaments Albert Speer establishing residences on the mountain. In mid-2000, the American Congress decided to merge all European AFRC resorts into one hotel complex in Garmisch. • Relaxed restaurants for every taste For approximately 50 to 60 years after World War II, talking about Germany’s unwavering support of Hitler during World War II was considered taboo. After being stationed in this wonderful town from 1972-1974 I moved back to work the mountain with AFRC as a civilian ski instruction and ended up after short winter seasons of teaching skiing in owning a bar and bistro. Click here for the lowest price! No one spoke english and then one day a man named Freddie Reichentinger came to the restaurant and spoke english and told us that 7 miles down the road was a us army recreation center. The town served as independent Fürstprobstei until the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss in 1803. Jeroen, thank you for the update and the blog post has been updated with the new link. But Roberta and I especially loved Berchtesgaden and all it offered. I was director of hotel and restaurant operations for all of afrc from 1981 to 1984. Map of Berchtesgaden area hotels: Locate Berchtesgaden hotels on a map based on popularity, price, or availability, and see Tripadvisor reviews, photos, and deals. Thanks! The Bavarian state government resumed old plans to have a luxury hotel erected at Obersalzberg. While the Garmisch recreation center focused on more intensive sports like skiing and climbing, Berchtesgaden was … Top Berchtesgaden Tours: See reviews and photos of tours in Berchtesgaden, Germany on Tripadvisor. Welcome to the Home Page of the AFRC Reunion. Noté /5. We actually lived in the barracks. AFRC Map / Form G A200 . Having a few beers at the Hobelbank Bierkeller. … The U.S. Army took the site over in 1945, and it served as the headquarters for the Berchtesgaden Recreation Area and Armed Forces Recreation Center until 1995. Truly first-class in every way. I wasn’t part of AFRC but I believe you kayaked on the Konigssee and the mountain was probably the Watzmann Mtn. Eligibility requirements for Edelweiss Lodge and Resort are slightly different from the other AFRCs. The Germans simply did not want any visible reminders of the Nazi era left on the mountain. So C'mon in and look around. Watching the video brought back MANY MEMORIES.It is sad that they destroyed the General Walker, I stayed there on many times.1978/79-83. When we handed the keys to the Germans the facilities were in top-notch condition. He is so thankful I called and we exchanged addresses and he wants to come and visit. I was station in Berchtesgaden ’83-84. Ruiter has a now and then showing how to get there. Or could you suggest someone who might have information? We raced volkswagens on our time off and we'd go to the range and shoot all day. We shall see………. Oh this map brings back wonderful memories! Armed Forces Recreation Centers – AFRCs – allow members of the military community the opportunity to experience some of the most wonderful places on earth…without paying a fortune.. Have some fond memories. Parts of the AFRC resort and the former housing area, 2002. Who can provide more details? ( Log Out /  Was like living in a Christmas card. One morning after a heavy snow, I decided to try to find the Eagles Nest. I did it in 1979, and you are correct-the third day we hiked across the border into Austria, then were met with kayaks to finish the trip. • Only a ten-minute walk to major subway lines   Berchtesgaden Germany, I miss it has 436 members. Login with Facebook 6.0 x 8.5 (17 Pages) COLLECT A PART OF HISTORY For many years the Armed Forces Recreation Centers ha...from 462781898 The Dragon Hill Lodge is the perfect home base to get to all the action and sights. Thanx Brian for the update and compliments! Those years in Berchtesgaden were the greatest. The Chapel at the Alpine Inn with Watzmann in background made a perfect postcard shot. Too many bad memories. Top Berchtesgaden Tours: See reviews and photos of tours in Berchtesgaden, Germany on Tripadvisor. Thanks so much Franz. Most came away impressed by the building and location but troubled by Hitler’s brand of international diplomacy. For old Soldiers and their families who spent time at the Bertchesgaden AFRC it is a nostalgic look back at what was. Brough back memories. So one afternoon while Roberta was taking a nap I wandered down the road past the ruins of the Hoher Goll and soon found myself looking up at this: The last standing ruins of Hitler’s Berghof, taken in 1984. Do you have AFRC, BERCHTESGADEN Reunion information you'd like to share Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. Login with Gmail. IF, you were instead in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you probably climbed the Zugspitze and paddled the Eibsee. And that’s why one of history’s biggest monsters, Adolph Hitler, chose to live on the Obersalzberg just above Bertchesgaden. Several times I rodeled down to B’gaden from near the General Walker Hotel. • Extraordinary value, directly on Waikiki beach Share - VINTAGE GERMAN GERMANY PLASTIC BERCHTESGADEN PIN. Free shipping for many products! I knew the General Manager and I jokingly gave him a hard time. I was in the Army in Europe Germany/Italy from 1986-2002 and I still live here (Garmisch) after retiring in 2002. It was secured but I was able to take a few pictures and crawl over a barrier and stand on that rear deck and view the mountains. Thank you for wonderful memories. I am looking for details on a “Blueberry Tour” that we made in 1974. ... Berchtesgaden, Germany. Any one with any AFRC ties are welcome to join us at our next reunion. I worked as a busboy in a small hotel in the old part of town, long forgotten the name, getting paid about $0.85 per hour and happy to have the job. GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Some servicemembers and retirees will no longer be able to use an Armed Forces Recreation Center in Garmisch following a recent review of … AFRC: Armed Forces Recreation Center: How I Spent Your Tax Dollars on Lift Tickets and Beer (AFRC Series) (Volume 1) by Kris Barber. You probably didn’t kayak into Austria (wasn’t allowed and no direct water connection.) Welcome to the Home Page of the AFRC Reunion. Quite a time to be sure. A two room suite on the top floor overlooking the town. I made many trips to AFRC-Germany sites to do transmitter maintenance on our repeater AM transmitters. Very spooky place. We were definitely in Berchtesgaden, not Garmisch, and both my husband and I remember climbing the mountain and staying in a mountain hut at the top—or at least at the end of our climb. • Personalized Discover Seoul guided tours The foundations are still there. AFRC Berchtesgaden (Source: Alex T. Sutherland) Parts of the AFRC resort and the former housing area, 2002. Who can provide more details? The listing you're looking for has ended. Elaine, I just stumbled across your message. We practiced kayaking on a lake one day and then climbed a mountain and stayed in a hut overnight before hiking down into Austria the next day. We just needed to let you know. Hope this jogs the memories a bit… it did for me! At that time we had hotels in garmisch,munich,lake chimsee,and berchesgarten. The Seehotel had 83 guest rooms with a total of around 166 beds as well as a restaurant, a cafeteria, bar and several conference rooms, while the Parkhotel had 73 guest rooms with around 146 … The bowling center in downtown Berchtesgaden. Instead, let me leave you with a link to an excellent video produced by Ruiter Productions in Germany that shows how the Obersalzberg looks today in relation to the 1940s. I was part of a group of food service soldiers to help with the over load of troops coming in for retreat. Berchtesgaden, Upper Bavaria (Achental), earlier Perchterscadmen, Perhtersgadem, Berchirchsgadem, Berchtoldesgadem; the word underwent a Latin distortion of Old High German parach, Romance bareca 'hay shed'. Much of Berchtesgaden's wealth has been derived from its salt mines. Also very beautiful and right next to Austria. This site is dedicated to keeping all of those denizens of the AFRC from Berchtesgaden, Chiemsee and Garmisch-Partenkirchen informed as to what is going on with the friends, lovers and drinking buddies of a misspent youth, and maybe a misspent adulthood or two. During a particularly cold winter pipes froze and burst all over the hotel. https://www.munich.travel/en/pois/lakes-mountains/the-mountain-of-destiny. They never did kill anyone important but they managed to reduce the buildings on the mountain to rubble. Fourty years of American memories unceremoniously knocked down and bulldozed away. An enjoyable description of the AFRC, where I spent a big chunk of two 30-day leaves in 1968 and ‘69. Started as a chambermaid at the General Walker, lived in the basement…went down to the bunker system many times. Paperback, 9780998664606, 099866460X I am deeply saddened that the Walker Hotel was torn down. First historical notes of Berchtesgaden dates back to 1102 and it mentions the area because of its rich salt deposits. Thanks for the memory. • Discounted park tickets for military families Plus, was there a guest house for the high ranking SS officers near the General Walker location? Previous Topic Next Topic: USARMY1946 #1 Posted : Thursday, June 10, 2004 9:02:10 PM Rank: Member. Man, rodeling down the mountain! I spent my 1st day there across from the hotel in what was called the villa. I recall my leave in winter of 84 when I took the train from Bayreuth by myself all the way to Obersalzberg. At AFRC resorts, we’re focused on providing world-class service and assuring that our guests experience the vacation of a lifetime. I too still have a brick liberated from the Berghof in 1986.Sad really what has happened there. In 1995, after the fall of the Soviet Union and troop reductions in Europe the US Army decided to close the Berchtesgaden AFRC and turn the Obersalzberg over to the Germans. AFRC resort hotels are designed to provide affordable vacations to service members and their families, military retirees, and other authorized individuals. The Berchtesgadener Hof hotel had previously been the "Grand Hotel Auguste Victoria," popular with visiting royalty. First let me say that the region, nestled in the southeast corner of Germany right along the border with Austria (the city of Salsburg, made famous in The Sound of Music is just a few miles away) is drop-dead gorgeous, one of the most beautiful places on earth. To clarify, it is actually mostly AFRC personnel, both military and civilian from all job descriptions that could possibly be done. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He and I participated in the “Blueberry Tour” and remember it very well. We gave the town back, but not the mountain. I still have a small piece of ceramic tile I picked up from one of the dirt heaps. Lat/Lng: 47.632, 13.002. Earl, I hope that you can help me. While no official US Army map or booklet showed the location of the ruins (note that they are missing from our map above), they were easy to find with just a little research or, in my case, simply by asking the hotel concierge. • Complimentary WiFi and business center If you want to head back to Edelweiss Resort website, hit cancel. Over the years thousands if not tens of thousands worked and visited the AFRC recreation centers in Germany. The Shades of Green is tucked between two PGA golf courses and is within arm’s reach to theme park magic. Any remaining ruins were completely bulldozed and the rubble hauled away. My one regret from my Army service is that I was never assigned to duty in Germany. Without a doubt the perfect duty station anyone ever had. If you remember the kayaking with LOTS of people, it might well have been Eibsee. What a great experience. For both of my tours in Germany I was stationed mainly up around the Frankfurt area, so trips to Berchtesgaden were a welcome respite from the big city rat-race. Turns out that room had been blocked off for some 2-star general who was coming in a day or two. Sadly the same fate happened in Garmisch. In addition to knocking down the General Walker the German government went after all the remaining ruins on the mountain, to include the last remnants of the Berghof. AFRC German Stein Garmisch Berchtesgaden Chiemsee 0.5L KAMP. Ended: Aug 07, 2020, 06:28:14 PM PDT. Took people on tours of the Salt Mines, Sound of Music sights and Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, Lake Konegsee, and churches all over the area. The Hale Koa Hotel® in Oahu, Hawaii, provides a unique, affordable Hawaiian experience to our nation’s military heroes and their families. In the early 1930’s, using royalties from the sales of his book ‘Mein Kampf’, Hitler bought and started expanding a small gasthaus (hotel) on the Obersalzberg, turning it into his official residence known as the ‘Berghof’ (mountain home). Thank you for the article and photos. Berchtesgaden became one of two premiere Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) in Germany, the other being Garmisch-Partenkirchen, another former Nazi stronghold and site of the 1936 Winter Olympics, But Roberta and I especially loved Berchtesgaden and all it … I stayed in the General Walker Hotel in 1982 for several days. I also remember “skiing” down patches of snow in our boot on the way down to the hut and sampling my Dad’s Radler at the hut. • Prized proximity to Walt Disney World theme parks Due to the changed world situation after the end of the Cold War and Operation "Iraqi Freedom", the first Iraq war, the potential clientele had shrunk considerably due to the withdrawal of troops. Ron, thanks for that wonderful memory. Thanx in advance. But while at the many conferences in the Hof, I recall finding a theater in the hotel basement, one of those very distinctive old looking theaters, not all that large but still elegant. Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRCs) provide rest, relaxation, recreation and sustainment for military personnel, their families and other members of the Total Defense Force. I have rocks as well from Eagles Nest. Designed by Berchtesgaden Recreation Area Engineer Section, dated March 1964 . Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. However, they didn’t get it all, and some significant remains of the building still stood. Left to travel and came back worked as a Desk Clerk at the Berchesgadenr Hof, called Bingo in the basement, lived in the General McNair attic. Change ). See more ideas about berchtesgaden, germany, germany travel. Elaine. It started off level, but to make a long story short, you were climbing up the side of an 80 degree slope, hand over food at one point. We set up our tents up the hi, Great article! Berchtesgaden, Upper Bavaria (Achental), earlier Perchterscadmen, Perhtersgadem, Berchirchsgadem, Berchtoldesgadem; the word underwent a Latin distortion of Old High German parach, Romance bareca 'hay shed'. Former AFRC Hotel "Berchtesgadener Hof" (Berchtesgaden) Germany / Bayern / Berchtesgaden place with historical importance, demolished, historical layer / disappeared object The former U.S. Armed Forces Recreation Center Hotel - now closed. A very nice article, well written, thank you. During WWII the Obersalzberg was heavily and repeatedly bombed by US and British air forces on the off chance that Hitler or any of his cronies might be at home. Albert Speer’s design studio, later renamed the Evergreen Lodge by the US and used as VIP lodging on the Obersalzberg. Just below that, along an abandoned road, sat the remains of Hitler’s Berghof, Gasthaus Hoher Goll, used by the Nazis as an administrative office and a guard house controlling access to Hitler’s Berghof. Berchtesgaden Summer Booklet 1984 Berchtesgaden Germany Armed Forces Recreation Center approx. The remains of Hitler’s Berghof were still around—just foundation work and large stones, nothing to really see. I had a bunk and wardrobe in the attic of a building on Strub Kaserne. Known as the Dokumentation Obersalzberg Museum, it showcases the history of the Obersalzberg from the time when Hitler arrived in the late 1920s to when the Americans left in 1995. Whether it’s strolling barefoot on the sandy shores of Waikiki Beach, exploring medieval European castles, discovering the enchantment of the Magic Kingdom, or exploring the city of Seoul, your perfect paradise awaits. It was located just down the road from the General Walker Hotel, Albert Speer and Hitler conferring over an architectural drawing in Speer’s studio (later the Evergreen Lodge) on the Obersalzberg, But perhaps the most fascinating, and infamous, ruin on the Obersalzberg was Hitler’s official residence, the Berghof. I agree – being stationed at B-Gaden must have been an absolutely wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. • Affordable and modern guest rooms Both men and women are among our ranks. Our larger Religious Retreats were held at the General Walker Hotel and the smaller ones at the Alpine Inn. GARMISCH, Germany -- As of June 3, active-duty military service members, retirees and civilian/military ID cardholders living outside Europe are eligible to vacation at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany. I was there with two friends in 1972 and will never forget that beautiful place .The restaurant was a magnificent place with old world charm. We got to the edge of the river, had to jump in the river and swim to the rafts to prove we could swim…the water was freezing. The “Slush Bowl”! The Berghof was an expansive villa, more a compound than a house, and it served both as Hitler’s personal residence and a place where he conducted the business of state. After the basic meaning was forgotten, they added a variant word of Old High German gadem 'room, one-room hut', implying the same meaning: 'hay shed'. Much of Berchtesgaden's wealth has been derived from its salt mines. Entrants dressed up in various costumes to make it so humorous. Wow, Nancy, thanks for your response. So let’s wrap it up here. Paul S. Lambres, Hi …Thankyou!!! Frankly, the post-war German government didn’t want it back. A big thrill! • On-site, authentic, family-friendly, Island Luau As we were getting dressed the next morning to go eat breakfast, we got a call from the front desk informing us there had been a mistake and that we needed to clear out as quickly as possible. The "AFRC Lake Hotel" was a popular holiday destination for many American soldiers stationed in Germany for decades. We were book into the General Walker but when we arrived we found out we were overbooked and sent to the Pension Belvedere in town. Then I ran the Evergreen Lodge as a bed & breakfast and hosted 5 star Generals and Ambassador Walter Stossel. An excellent video, by the way! I know.that I had many trips there and watched as all of the old American hotels were torn down. While there we had the opportunity to use the facilities at the Walker, when gave time to explore the few remaining ruins left in the woods. Their mother picked it up during a visit to Germany in the mid-1980’s when we and Roberta’s brother were stationed in Germany with the US Army. Last in Germany in 1980 to 1984. Although neither of us was a skier, we used to get a kick out of riding the Jennerbahn cable car to the top, just for the view. Berchtesgaden is in close proximity to the second highest mountain in Germany, the fabled Mount Watzmann (2713 m), and a deep glacial lake by the name of K nigssee (5.2 km²). They may have a different privacy policy than we do. Brought back so many memories. 29.11.2016 - Erkunde Thomas Jelleys Pinnwand „AFRC Hotels GERMANY“ auf Pinterest. Berchtesgaden (German pronunciation: [ˈbÉ›Ê Ã§tÉ™sˌɡaË dÉ™n]; Central Bavarian: Berchtsgoan) is a municipality in the German Bavarian Alps. Your adventures start in Northeast Asia at the Dragon Hill Lodge located at the heart of the Korean Peninsula, in Seoul, South Korea. Guests must have a valid DoD common access card or be accompanied by an authorized sponsor. Thank you much for the refresher of memories so sad to hear about the general walker I did two tours in Germany and visited many times with family and friends very well done video!!. The barracks was quite spooky as well especially venturing on the top floors. Thanks: 0 times Was thanked: 0 time(s) in 0 post(s) TTHE LATEST FROM BERCHTESGADEN ACCORDING TO … Hitler wrote Mein Kampf part II across the street up hill from the General Walker, at a tiny cottage called Kampfhauserl (missing an umlaut there). The hotel at the site of the General Walker was called the Pension Moritz at that time. ( Log Out /  • Comfortable guest rooms in the heart of Seoul The view of Berchesgarden from the hotel was breath taking with all that snow . Thank you so much for posting. Lights on and off, baby cribs moving. Hello Ron and Linda. In the early 1950s the US Army blew up the ruins and carted away most of the rubble. THE GENERAL WALKER HOTEL The full story of the original facilities is much too long to cover, but there are several interesting writings … I never made it to the AFRC Berchtesgaden on my first or second tour of Germany. I’m glad I made it before it was gone. It could be the exhilaration of nonstop activity and the promise of adventure at every turn. Medals: Groups: Joined: 5/4/2006 Posts: 0. AFRC German Stein. Best week ever. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I lived in Berchtesgaden from 1974 to 1976. Montana USA. My wife joined me in May of 1967. How cool is that. Even then, tunnel rats had little holes and tunnels dug in the woods all around the Berghof trying to find souvenirs. But Austria was VERY close. • Two pools with slides, water features and hot tub Alpine vistas, outdoor exploits, biergartens, and European castles await visitors to Germany’s Bavarian region. It’s just now, with the generation in Germany that grew up in the 1990s, that their Nazi past has been directly confronted. It sits on my mantle today as a unique reminder of a fascinating part of American and German history. • Tour desk for booking island adventures Berchtesgaden (German pronunciation: [ˈbɛʁçtəsˌɡaːdən]; Central Bavarian: Berchtsgoan) is a municipality in the German Bavarian Alps.It is located in the south district of Berchtesgadener Land in Bavaria, near the border with Austria, some 30 km south of Salzburg and 180 km southeast of Munich.To the south of the city the Berchtesgaden National Park stretches along three parallel valleys. The main hotel, the General Walker, was a former lodging center for high ranking Nazis and German officers who came to the Obersalzberg to confer with Hitler. Berchtesgaden is a municipality in the district Berchtesgadener Land, Bavaria, in southeastern Germany, near the border with Austria, south of Salzburg and southeast of Munich.It lies in the Berchtesgaden Alps, south of Berchtesgaden; the Berchtesgaden National Park stretches along three parallel valleys. Thank you so much for posting this. At AFRC resorts, we’re focused on providing world-class service and assuring that our guests experience the vacation of a lifetime. When I moved in 1996 I get back all the time as my wife's family is here. When Roberta and her brother and sister were cleaning out their mother’s house a few weeks ago they stumbled on this map tucked away into a souvenir booklet of the German region of Berchtesgaden. As the only Armed Forces Recreation Center in the continental United States, the Shades of Green Resort is a unique and affordable option that allows guests special privileges of staying on Walt Disney World property. We're taking you over to a different website. The entire facility, was renovated and modernized by the US armed forces in 1989/1990. The US Army rebuilt some of the structures for their own use, tore down others or just left the ruins in place. The staff accidentally put us in a REALLY nice room that had a small Christmas tree (all decorated) and chocolate mints on the beds. Hope the info was helpful. Carl, Hitler used the profits from the sale of “Mein Kampf” to buy the property that eventually became the Berghof, so I doubt he sat in the basement of the gasthaus that became the General Walker and finished the book. This is German Stein with a AFRC Garmisch Berchtesgaden Chiemsee Logo on the front of the stein and it is stamped 0.5L KAMP on the side. That step hill with the hairpin curves up to the Keihlhase was interesting to say the least. Unfortunately, it doesnt name the mountain nor tell the distance of the hike. Again Thank you What an upgrade. Berchtesgaden Golf Club in Berchtesgaden, Bayern: details, stats, scorecard, course layout, photos, reviews • Meeting spaces for weddings and special events. Visited so many sites within the six months. My wife and I spent many a long weekend at the General Walker in the 1980’s. Yes, I’m still interested in finding out the name of the mountain. Would you be so kind to change the URL? Berchtesgaden became one of two premiere Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) in Germany, the other being Garmisch-Partenkirchen, another former Nazi stronghold and site of the 1936 Winter Olympics, But Roberta and I especially loved Berchtesgaden and all it offered. We were told the ski area/golf course had been a demonstration farm. Now is a good time to check our eligibility requirements and website policies. After the basic meaning was forgotten, they added a variant word of Old High German gadem 'room, one-room hut', implying the same meaning: 'hay shed'. Condition: Used. In 1979 I was told about AFRC while I was working at a restaurant at the top of a mountain near Ramsau. I was with AFRC on and off from the Fall of 1972 to the Summer of 1976 and was stationed in Berchtesgaden, Garmisch and Chiemsee at one point or another. Hard to believe that all those places are now gone. Tag as favorite: BERCHTESGADEN TODAY. I spent a good part of the night lying awake wondering just what sort of conversations had taken place within those walls as Speer first catered to Hitler’s outlandish architectural dreams and later as the Reich Minister of Armaments he charted the inevitable downfall of the German nation as depicted by the nation’s declining stocks of raw materials and her industrial facilities being pounded to rubble by Allied bombers.