European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 28, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse Where arc began Sis Woholo by red grand disco dancing in Gar Mitch 1965. . Military vacationers motorboating on the Eidsee in Bavaria during the 1960s. Stories by Charlie Bowden Munich Bureau w Hen world War ii ended 40 year Sago. Army leaders faced a problem How to keep occupation Soldier occupied. Gen. George c. Marshall thought the answer Lay in the Calm Waters of the Koenigsbe. Near Berchtesgaden. His suggestion for the Mountain enclosed Lake spawned a Post War rest and recreation concept that would encompass almost All Leisure sports activities from skiing to sailing and turn the Alpine resort villages of Berchtesgaden and Garmisch into meccas that have lured millions of vacationing americans to Bavaria. Ii All started in Berchtesgaden a tiny Village nestled in the Shadow of the towering wat Mann. One of Germany s highest mountains. Much of the property once supported Adoll Hitler s Obe Salzberg Retreat. Many of the hotels were purchased and operated under direction of the nazi party. The town became Hitler s second Headquarters a Refuge to which he could escape the pressures of leadership. It Alao a a place that Allied intelligence officers believed would become the site of heavy fighting As Hitler s armies circled far a last stand in the craggy mountains. The idea of this possibility and the casualties that would result caused army planners to set forces on a Pell Mell course toward the Alpine Reti oat. They were chasing a phantom. Gen. Omar Bradley writing about the subject after the War. Said this a last land was too ominous a threat to ignore and in consequence it shaped our tactical thinking during the closing weeks of the the american presence Starlus May 4. 1945, when the 10lsl airborne div accepted the surrender of the Berchtesgaden mayor. The Veteran troops then headed up the Mountain to Obe Salzberg. Anticipating fierce resistance according to historical reports. They found the once closely guarded area deserted and Hitler s Mountain Home the Berghof destroyed but this was not the first time the City had surrendered. Residents confirmed the earlier presence of the French foreign legion although none could remember the Date. The twin towns of Garmisch Parten Kirchen some 100 Miles to the West of Berchtesgaden. Had been occupied a few Days before by the 10th army div. When the War ended in May. Special services officers immediately began planning r & r programs. Hotels that once belonged to the nazis were confiscated As were others that catered to the German military. Many later were returned to their owners. A Gar Mitch Parlen Kirchen the site of the 1936 Winter olympics army special services officers requisitioned Many of the town s better hotels these included the Bohnhof hotel Riess Ersee hotel Post hotel Alpen hol now arc s von Steuben and the bade see and Eidsee hotels. The Rathaus am Chi Emsee once a convalescent Center for wounded German soldiers in Bercht Segadi became a dependents rest Center. Although the armed forces recreation Center celebrates its birthday dec. 5. The army had taken action As Early As september 1945 to turn Berchtesgaden into a recreation area. Special Servici officers paced orders for about 15.000 pairs of skis and 12.000 pairs of ice skates the first move to turn the area into a Winter sports Paradise for gis. Since thai time several million vacationing americans have helped turn arc into a Multi Milta Dollar operation. Although most want to take advantage of the sports programs some come Tosh and others to see the bavarian sights. Fewer visitors each year take interest in the Hsu of the arc facility where they spend their nights Page 14 the stars and stripes Hitler s Mountain Retreat hotel history Flat pet after the War German blasted away if remains of Hitler s Obe Zalzberg retract. Saturday
