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Ofw Sylvestor Knorr 100th GJ Regiment
I received news shortly after Christmas that my friend and mentor Sylvestor Knorr passed away at age 93 in 2016. Sylvestor was a member of the 100th Gebergsjaeger Regiment and fought at the siege of Leningrad and Monte Casino. His award included Iron Cross 2nd class, Infantry Sturmabzeichen, Silver wound medal and the Ostmedal. After release at the end of the war, he returned to his small town in Eastern Austria and married his sweetheart. There first child was a daughter who had a form of cancer that could not be treated in post war Austria. His wife had a cousin who lived in Chicago and had worked for my grandfather. He sponsored them to come to the USA and arranged for a job for Sylvestor with my grandfather's company. When I went to work for the company, he was the only employee that took me under his wing and taught me the practical side of the business. I rebuilt his medals for him which he framed and proudly displayed in his house. One day at a dealer's house, I was looking through his junk box and found a brass watch fob with 100th GJ on one side with an edelweiss. On the reverse were words in Russian. I bought it for him and dropped it on a blue print he was working on. He was amazed and told me he had one just like it. They were made from melted Soviet cannon and the Russian words were locations of various battles they had fought. I asked him what happened to his. He replied, "when I was captured, some Yankee stole my watch." I used to visit him at home as retirement and always he brought out two glasses and the bottle of Jaegermeister. He was a fine man, a contribution to our country and will be missed. I was fortunate to have known him.
BOB
LIFE'S LOSERS NEVER LEARN FROM THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS.
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01-10-2017 10:22 PM
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Sorry to here of his passing , thank you for sharing his story .
I once help a former U-boater obtain a Blockage Runners badge he was awarded but never received during the war .
He moved back to Germany after reunification .
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Sorry to hear this Bob. Sounds like he was a good man!
"Please", Thank You" and proper manners appreciated
My greatest fear is that one day I will die and my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them
"Don't tell me these are investments if you never intend to sell anything" (Quote: Wife)
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Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
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MAP
Sorry to hear this Bob. Sounds like he was a good man!
He certainly was. He was a hard worker and raised two sons and his daughter who fell victim to her cancer in her early 30's. In life, one should never forget the few friends who helped you on the road of life become what you are today.
BOB
LIFE'S LOSERS NEVER LEARN FROM THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS.
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A Monte Cassino Vet...can't be many of those left these days. I think they epitomized the spirit of the German Paras. Sorry to hear of his passing, but at 93, wow-what a life he must have experienced!
William
"Much that once was, is lost. For none now live who remember it."
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The Gebirgsjäger were some damned tough fighters did he get down as far as the Kaukasus Bob ?
The gates of hell were opened and we accepted the invitation to enter" 26/880 Lance Sgt, Edward Dyke. 26th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers , ( 3rd Tyneside Irish )
1st July 1916
Thought shall be the harder , heart the keener,
Courage the greater as our strength faileth.
Here lies our leader ,in the dust of his greatness.
Who leaves him now , be damned forever.
We who are old now shall not leave this Battle,
But lie at his feet , in the dust with our leader
House Carles at the Battle of Hastings
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Paul D
The Gebirgsjäger were some damned tough fighters did he get down as far as the Kaukasus Bob ?
As far as I know, between recouping from four wounds, he went from Leningrad to Italy and retreated up the boot into Southern France where he was captured.
BOB
LIFE'S LOSERS NEVER LEARN FROM THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS.
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