Bob Lott in Eindhoven
It was Bob's wish to visit Holland again.
A country that always brings back very good memories to him like to many other US and British veterans.
Like Bob always says: he never was in a country where people, so many years after the War, still show how grateful they are for what their Liberators did for them.
He thinks the yearly Liberation Commemoration in Eindhoven is unique and very precious.
A commemoration that should last forever.
As a member of the 327th Glider Infantry, 101st Airborne Division,
Bob landed in Son on September 17, 1944.
Exactly 63 years later (Sept. 17, 2007) Bob returned to that spot for the
first time since.(Above left).
Bob was offered a private tour by the Director of the Museum
Wings of Liberation in Best.(above right)
Of course Bob felt honored. The Director showed him an old black and white
photo on which a 12 year old boy was portrayed next to a Glider wreckage.
That boy was the present Mayor of Eindhoven and former Minister
of Agriculture of Holland Mr. G. Braks.
It was a huge coincidence that on the same night he memorized that occasion
in his speech during the Torch Parade.
The Mayor was very surprised when Bob handed him over the photo we made that
same afternoon. "With compliments - Bob Lott"
Bob had a Ball that night and danced for about 2 hours almost without a brake.
84 Years and still going strong.!
Hitler's whine glasses
Bob was one of the first who entered Hitler's Eagles nest.
He tells: "Everyone who claims to be the first one who entered the Eagles
nest and shows a picture of the Eagles nest without curtains to prove he's
right doesn't tell the truth.
Mt group was the first one.
When we came in we removed the curtains to use them as blankets. So we were
there when the curtains were still there."
Because Bob was the only one who had a technical background he could read
the plans of the tunnels beneath the Eagle nest. They were in the mountain
everywhere.
That's why they put him in charge to guard these tunnels an let nobody in.
The only ones who ware allowed to go in were high ranked US officers, guided
by Bob.
As a souvenir Bob took two crystal wine glasses that belonged to Hitler.
He still keeps them at a safe place, not at his home. (right)
Below Bob's own story about The Eaglesnest
The
Eagles Nest Scare
Near the end of WW-2 the 101st Airborne was ordered to move
into the Bertchesgaden, Austria area.
Our company C-327/401 was assigned to move into OberSalszburg, which meant
that we were to move into the Platteroff Hotel for our living quarters.
Which was situated a 100 yards up behind Hitler's Retreat.
The Retreat was high up the mountain over Salzburg Austria. Our mission
was to restore the area in preparation for the U.S Soldiers to visit the
area before heading home.
The SS prisoners were used to clean up the bombed areas and to repair the
roads for the visitors to be able to drive up to the parking lot of the
way up to the top of the mountain near the location of the tunnel entrance.
This would allow you to go up thru to the top of the mountain in either
the full brass elevator or the workers steel elevator attached to the bottom
of the brass elevator. Since I was selected to be put in charge of the underground
tunnels because I could read the available blueprints and also in charge
of the necessary construction by the SS for any areas that needed to be
restored.
One that really need to be restored was the neat little area a few hundred
yards from the Platterhoff Hotel (which was Hitler's private hotel for his
guest) also a short distance away was an area that had the homes set in
cull de sac for Borman, Himmler, Goebbels, Ribbentrop also this small area
was damaged by the British Bombers. Field Marshall Göring lived on the Mountain
road leading up to Ober- Salzburg to Hitler's Retreat Compound.
After the road surface was repaired leading to the Tea House from Hitler's
Retreat, I was assigned the task of having 4 enlisted men from my company
take a Army vehicle up as far as the parking lot adjacent to the tunnel
entrance for the elevator. Since the tunnel entrance doors were locked.
At that point we sized up the best situation for climbing up the next 300
to 500 feet of mountain climbing to reach the Tea House for an over night
stay. As young Soldiers we climbed up at the most convenient spot without
any problem. As we entered the Tea House we found it in excellent shape
and nothing seemed to have been disturbed.
What a tremendous view we had.
We looked around for any entrance to the Tunnel and at this time I can't
remember seeing the doors to the elevator So we relaxed and I remember taking
down a window drape for a blanket and laying down on a chaise lounge in
the main sitting room or living room, which had a big fireplace.
It wasn't long before I fell sound asleep. And I'm sure my 4 other buddies
did the same thing.
After what may have been a long period of sleep, I woke up from some noise
nearby. It sure was dark outside and in this big family room or living room,
there was a light on and having heard this noise and my eyes finally focusing
on 4 of my soldiers with their Thompson guns at ready and the 4 of them
walking toward the noise I was hearing.
I listened and the noise sounded like footsteps coming up from the tunnel
we had feared was in that mountain. We were aware of the extensive tunnels
under Hitler's house.
At that point I heard enough and saw enough that I wasn't going to stay
on that chaise lounge and be alone.
I quickly got up picked up my gun and got in line to follow the other 4
toward the kitchen. We could hear those footsteps loud the closer we went
by a vestibule or little side room that was down or 3 steps from the living
room level.
The first guy in line went down in that small sitting room and reached to
the drapes on the window and the noise stopped.
What it turned out to be, was a window open and a storm outside that was
blowing the venation blind away from the window frame, back and forth.
We all admitted we had goose bumps. We never discovered tunnels in that
portion of the mountain, but in 2002 I Was asked to participate in originating
a future tour to be called The Band Of Brothers Tour , and on that inspection
Tour I was told by the owner of the Bus Tour that runs a tour by bus from
the Bottom of the mountain that has that Tea House on top where I slept
that one night.
IT DID HAVE 2 MILES OF TUNNEL INSIDE THAT MOUNTAIN.
THE KEYSTONE KOP
During many many years already, Bob performs
as a Keystone Kop during all kinds of occasions. With his balloons he makes
animal figures for the children. He even performed at the White House for
Pat Nixon.
A US artist made a photo of Bob, together with her 3 year old daughter back
in 1968. Years later she made a watercolor of it but could not sell it because
she did not know who the clown was.
Years went bye and by coincidence Bob's daughter visited her gallery and recognized
her father.
She brought them in contact with each other and Bob gave her his permission
to use the portrait
Bob's Belgium friends from the Remicourt village organized a fare well party for Bob. With a special made "Airborne" cake
Rest in Peace Bob. It was a privilege to have met you.
A website made by his family is made to remember Bob.
These photos (colour) were taken by Peter van de Wal. I assert the moral right to be recognized as the photographer and the owner of these images in any form. If you wish to use these photos for noncommercial purposes I consent to such use as long as the source of the photos is clearly acknowledged in the same publication as the photos you wish to reproduce.
© Peter van de Wal
