The life of RKT Major Hans Guhr.

[Sepp45]

Hauptmann Fritz Michel (1919 - 2003) was a good friend of Major Hans Guhr, specially during the years of the campaings in France and Russia.

He was part of the 294th Division, same as Hans Division.

Michel was also the uncle of Michel Guhr, son of Hans.

Sterbeanzeige and picture of the final resting place of RKT Fritz Michel, one of Hans Guhr's best friends during and after the war.

[Sepp45]

The Arbeitsbuch of Ilse Lemmerzahl, wife of Hans Guhr.

As was told earlier on this thread, she was working with the family of General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke in 1940.

[Sepp45]

This is part of the diary wrote by Ilse Lemmerzahl, wife of Hans Guhr. It's a very important piece of history that tells the life of the family after 1945.

It was translated by Michael and it fits perfectly in this thread about the life of Hans, his father.

First part written by our mother as a diary

In a small garret in this House, on Wednesday, 25 April 1945 at 21:15 our Brigitte was born.

Also present were Grandma of Essen and the midwife, Mrs Möller.
Forced by the events of war, in early March 1945 we were forced to move to Rohrbach, a small village deep in the heart of the Thuringian Forest. Mrs Neubeck, our landlady, took us on friendly and we got a nice room.

However, the advancing Americans soon interfered our togetherness and our dad had to sally forth again. Rationality prevailed over our great pain of separation, for where and how we would once meet again, and I was left alone. On 4 April, 20:00 I saw our dad for the last time.

Already one week later we saw the first American tanks driving through our village. But it remained silent. Only a strict curfew let us feel that we were living at an enemy-occupied territory.

Mom and Elly meanwhile had moved to me, and we all lived in one room. A delivery outside the resort was out of the question, since all possible routes were cut off. So I had to come to terms with the thought that I could not go to the maternity hospital in Ranis, rather than better staying at home.

The presumptive delivery date was 13 May. But our little Brigitte didn’t care about difficultly calculated dates, rather than hijacking us much earlier. The layettes were just taken off the clothesline and should still be ironed. Mom on this day wanted to go to Saalfeld to get things, as already in the morning the first small contractions reported. According to the tradition, I had just eaten potato salad the night before and Grandma had told us that she would have done likewise in the evening before I was born. Although I have not known so far that potato salad is to have any influence on a subsequent birth, but it obviously must be so for sure!

Hastily the "delivery room" was prepared, an oven set and fired up. Now it could get started.

Brigitte, then called “Tütti” entered the world fresh and merry and see, she looked quite similar to our dad. Rosy and well fed she lay in her basket, the little hands clenched to fists. She immediately got her first nickname, our little "Waschfräuken".

Unfortunately, after 10 days a nasty eye infection arose, and as there was no doctor nearby, I had to move to Rudolstadt with her. Four terrible weeks followed, but the eye inflammation thankfully disappeared completely.

From Rohrbach we moved on to Saalfeld and all preparations have been made to soon migrate to the West. Into these preparations, on 20 June, 14:00, burst our dad. Now we were all together again. Big considerations began. Will the Russian come or not? Should we go to the West or should we stay? On 30 June, the Dresden Grandma surprisingly drops in for a visit.

A few days later, on 4 July, the "Red Army" already moves in. Now, we have to stay anyway.

Our “Tüttilein” continues to thrive well, and does not care about the events heavily keeping us adults occupied. Our father finds work at the employment office.

On 4 August, with bag and baggage we move to Rudolstadt, Mathildenstrasse 8. Finally back in your own four walls.But we cannot rest in Rudolstadt, every day brings new excitement. And we don’t have much food. This time period, thank God, passes unscathed for Brigitte, lively she lies in her basket playing with her hands and feet. Finally, on 19 October, the time has come! We move. Our only possessions are a handcart full of suitcases and our stroller. (In 1956, I have pulled his stroller / handcart to a children's home in Hannover, for giving it away)

(Part 2 to come)

[Sepp45]

A big delegation of KC holders visited the Reichsjugendführung, doing inspections of training places and communications with young HJ members. Hans Guhr was part of that group of RKTs invited to the gathering.

Another picture of this meeting; Hans is in the front row looking to his left.

[Sepp45]

One more badge presented to Hans Guhr: the Hitler Youth Badge, most likely presented to him by Artur Axmann in 1942.

[Tom B]

One more badge presented to Hans Guhr: the Hitler Youth Badge, most likely presented to him by Artur Axmann in 1942.

Great photo ! I met Axmann in Berlin in the 70's. Tom

[Sepp45]

Great photo ! I met Axmann in Berlin in the 70's. Tom

Hi Tom! Here's a postwar photo of him.. maybe during the 90's?

[Sepp45]

Today is the birthday of Michael Guhr, son of Hans Guhr! He was (and is) a vital key for the development of this thread and the history of the life of his father, Knight's Cross holder.

So, Happy Birthday my friend Michael! Thank you for sharing these special pieces of history and bravery, of tales and photos from your father... a warrior's experience during WW2 and after.

[Annelie]

Birthday Greetings..

with health and happiness.

Annelie

[Sepp45]

The face of the soldier who has seen the battlefield and the front lines, has lost comrades, friends.. but has also seen the acts of courage performed by many German soldiers during the years of war.

No politics, no lies, no talks... just action and honor. Duty as an officer and a human being.

[Mustangstje]

Great thread Sepp! Really like the photo of Hans visiting the Brussels World's Fair of 1958.

A Happy Belated Birthday, Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to Michael.

Regards,
Nick

[Sepp45]

Great thread Sepp!Really like the photo of Hans visiting the Brussels World's Fair of 1958.

Thanks for the words Nick!

[Sepp45]

Oberstleutnant Guhr in 1966

[Sepp45]

A color picture of "Der Alte"... a person who Hans Guhr admired and respected very much. Also, as said before on the thread, Guhr was a close aide during the first years of Adenauer's government.

[Dansson]

A really great thread!!!