Dear members, dear friends, 

Today we would like to provide information about the ceremony held on April 15, which was last Friday.

We had the last days of World War II 60 years ago. The fight of Halle started on April 14 when the troops arrived at the western edge of the town, and it ended on April 19 at 10.55 a.m. in the southern part of the city. During these days it was not clear whether Halle would be bombed by the Air Force or those on both sides would get the chance to succeed who wanted a peaceful end. In the town of Halle many were trying to influence the German general Radtke to withdraw his troops. He did not want to. In the northern part of the city heavy house-to-house fighting took place and the American General, Terry de la Mesa Allen, was given the order to take the city. Halle should be bombed in the night from April 16 to April 17.

In the meantime the Halle citizens tried to convince the German General to offer withdrawing his troops only partially, so that he could announce to the Headquarters in Berlin that he still would defend Halle. Count von Luckner was sent to Terry Allen, who first did not want to join that proposal because he did not want to lose more of his soldiers. But the Count succeeded in convincing him and the city was saved.

Together we remembered that situation and, thereafter, we stood up for a minute's silence in commemoration of those from all nations who died in this terrible war.

The "First Halle Bandonium Orchestra" was with us and there was a ceremonious setting for the whole meeting, thank you for this.

Then the exhibition "The Timberwolves - Halle (Germany) - Felix Count von Luckner" was presented. We are going to open that exhibition officially on May 4 and will inform you about that event afterwards.

In general we can say that the last days were most successful ones for our society. We were in the media (TV, radio and newspaper) and could ask the town of Halle for honoring the Count officially now. Our society became more popular and we are very optimistic if we look to the future.

Please, take a look in our website to see pictures from the event on April 15.
 
Last but not least we would like to welcome all new members of our society. Among others Doris Davis, a daughter of a veteran of the 79th US Infantry Division, from San Francisco, William Burden and Jerome Miley, two "Timberwolves" joined us. You see we are getting more and stronger to serve for our final target - International Understanding !
 
Best regards from Halle
 
Matthias J. Maurer
Felix Count von Luckner Society