European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 26, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Where the Rhine and Mosel meet stories by Linda Whit travel editor Bridge of Erojo lha Mosel Kiv a at Koblenz. Obleni tour Torlice photo Koblenz weapons collection w weapons from Side arms to Langsand torpedoes Are displayed in the by museum in  collection of defense equipment which belongs to the Federal Ollice Lor military technology and procurement bib traces the development of weapons in Germany from As Early As the 14th Century. Some non German arms Are also on display. Exhibits on the first Moor show the development of automatic weapons from galling guns to the rotating chamber Mauser to guns with direct and indirect Gas systems. Next come the anti tank weapons from recoiling rifles to first and second generation guided missiles a Large showcase assesses the damage of various weapons with displays of ripped Metal split Wood blocks of soap blown open. Small arms include Matchlock wheel lock and Flintlock systems plus Early examples of percussion systems muzzle loading and chamber loading guns. As Well As revolvers with Multi fire capability. Automatic weapons follow. Sub machine guns automatic rifles assault Rilles with direct or indirect Gas systems. A Large Hall houses torpedoes the two Man submarine Seemund and a number of ship propulsion systems. They rub shoulders with about 35 wheeled and tracked vehicles a few uniforms Are displayed on mannequins and there Isa showcase of boots shirts and rain capes on Down to underwear. A Small Section is devoted to bandages. There is a dramatic display of Bullet dented helmets. The collection is located at Wayener Strasse 85, Koblenz Lutzel. It is open wednesday sunday 9 30 .-4 30p.m., closed dec. 24-Jan. 2. Admission is 2 Marks about 75 cents. A leaflet contains a Short explanation of the exhibit in English. A video film also gives an explanation in German but an English translation is available a vintner s Village k Poblenz belongs to two wine regions both about As far North As vines grow the Mosel Saar ruler and the  wines come in Green bottles and Brown bottles respectively. Both Are served at the Weindorf. This Village of wine restaurants built Tor the 1925 German wine exhibition is a replica of a vintner s Village. Since then it has gained a reputation for its food wine and romantic atmosphere. There Are four taverns in half timbered houses. The Village Square boasts its own Vineyard. In summer there is even an outdoor Beer Garden though the Weindorf brochure shows mostly wine bottles on its red Check tablecloths. The Village is open 11  year round. Except november. From easter until the end of octo Ber there is music dancing and entertainment every evening and on sunday music and drinks begin at 10 30 . The Weindorf lies on. The Rhine promenade just be Side the Rhine Bridge. It is a 10-Mlnute walk from the railway station and boat docks. Tuesday november 26. 1985 b baroque Koblenz sits where the Rhineland Mosel Rivers converge a natural Selling for the second largest fortress in Europe it is Germany s largest Garrison town with 13.000 soldiers and eight caverns As Well As the dog training school for the German army. Floods and wars have ravaged the town but it  rebuilt gracefully its Rhine gardens. Elector s Palace. St Castor s Church the Rhine and Mosel Meel at the Deutscher Eck. An artificial Point of land where an equestrian statue of emperor Wilhelm i once blood. The statue was toppled in world War ii and the Coppei used to rebuild the City s trolley tracks. It was a the Confluence of the Rivers that the teutonic order of knights who gave Germany the Iron Cross founded a settlement in 1?16 but centuries before. The romans were there. Many roman coins have been found in the River near what is now Balduin s Bridge. Pilgrims tossed them in to assure a Safe crossing. Near the Eck is Lovely old St. Castor s Church and the Fountain commemorating Napoleon s supposed Victory Over Russia. Shortly after the Fountain was erected the russians arrived in Koblenz. The City Haa a Largo be Desenan shopping precinct a shopping mall the Lohr Center with 130 stores and a number of quiet plazas. The florins Markt in the old town is one of the Best notice the clock on the Altes Karthaus there. A face below the clock has eyes that move they Are bound to the pendulum and every Hall hour the lace Sticks out its Tongue. It represents a 16th Century Knight. A sort of Robin Hood who was tortured and executed there. As he was led to the scaffold he stuck out his Tongue at the City lathers the fortress Ehrenr Eilstein perches 350 Lee above Iho City giving a View of the Rivers the City and the mountains of the Eifel and Hunsuck. It is second in size Only to Gibraltar and was captured Only by starvation or treachery. It was abandoned As outmoded in the last Century. Today it houses a museum and the German film archives being deemed the sales place to store highly flammable celluloid. The 200-Bod youth Hostel in one Corner of the fortress area is being renovated for reopening next year. The fortress can be reached by chairlift from the town or follow the signs along the Road. High Point of the Koblenz Calendar is the Rhine in flames always the second saturday in August when 70 steamers take to the River to witness spectacular lights and fireworks. Along the 17-Kilometer stretch from Brubach spay to Koblenz castles fortresses and citadels Are floodlit. About 11 . The boats arrive at Koblenz the lights go out and the fireworks begin at carnival season. Koblenz dresses in costume and celebrates with All the tumult of Rhenisch Fasching in summer concerns and healer performances take place in the Deutsche Ehrenhaus. Its gardens and adjoining Church the City is also a major Slop Tor excursion Boals on the Rhine and the Mosel. From the City Day trips on a number of excursion Boals Are hollered. As Well As cruises of several Days aboard the cd line. Koblenz is at the Northern end of the most Beau ill stretch of the Rhine where it winds among Hillside vineyards. This is the Region of Hilltop castles Many within easy touring distance of Koblenz. Most notable Are the Stolzenfels. Eroded id impose illegal Rhine tolls and Marksburg at Braubach the Only a destroyed Castle in the Middle Rhine Region. Another excursion Point is re Stecken game preserve designed for family outings with playground and paddle Pond in the Woods. Carriage rides and barbecues can be arranged for groups. For the Young crowd a disco afternoon and evening is organized every wednesday in the Kurt Esser Haus. No alcohol is served opening is 4-10 . And entry is free. Koblenz is visitor Friendly providing quantities of information in English. For brochures hotel and restaurant information or details on special programs Contact tourist office Koblenz. Post Tach 2080, d-5400 Koblenz Germany. Tel. 0261-33134. The stars and stripes Page 13