Passing of Gunther Frenzel

[Craig Gottlieb]

Today, I heard from Inge Frenzel that Ritterkreuztrager Gunter Frenzel died this evening. For those of you who don't know, I became friends with Gunter after I discovered and returned to him his Ehrenpokal, several years ago. After we had drunk from the goblet together, he invited me to use "du" with him, and we have been in communication since that time. As fate would have it, I was editing video footage of interviews I did with him today. I will begin posting some of the video next week. I salute you, Leutnant Frenzel, and wish you smooth skies.

[Robin Lumsden]

What happened to his right hand?

War wound?

[Craig Gottlieb]

Yes, he was wounded when his air convoy of transport planes, headed for North Afrika, were attacked by Allied fighters. I have the story of the engagement on video as told in his own words, and will be posting it. His actions that day saved the plane and its contents - troops bound for Africa. He flew his plane into the attack, watched the fighter that hit him fall into the sea, and he crash-landed his plane on the shore of Africa, with no men killed. He called that his lucky hand, because it got him out of the war, and kept him from the Eastern Front. It also lead to his RK.

[Robin Lumsden]

Lucky hand indeed!

[Craig Gottlieb]

Also, of interest is that he told me that "19" was always his lucky number, and recurred constantly during his life. His birthday was 3.19.1919, there were a bunch of other 19s in his life, and today's date - the day he died - is 3.12.2011. If you add up the numbers in that date, the total is . . . 19. What is strange is that after 6 months of not doing any edition, I woke up this morning to work on the video, for no apparent reason. I began working on it at approximately at the time he died.

[Robin Lumsden]

Also, of interest is that he told me that "19" was always his lucky number, and recurred constantly during his life. His birthday was 3.19.1919, there were a bunch of other 19s in his life, and today's date - the day he died - is 3.12.2011. If you add up the numbers in that date, the total is . . . 19. What is strange is that after 6 months of not doing any edition, I woke up this morning to work on the video, for no apparent reason. I began working on it at approximately at the time he died.

Spooky!

(Don't tell RK).

[Craig Gottlieb]

Here is the first of several videos I'm editing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfftp5s_GgI

[Robin Lumsden]

Sorry ............... the link doesn't work for me.

I wonder if he was any relation to Karl Frenzel ......................

There are certain similarities.

http://www.holocaust-lestweforget.co...petrators.html

[PZIV]

I'm sorry to hear of this Mr. Gottlieb. It is always sad when veterans of the conflict pass on, but it is even worse when they are personal friends. Especially when you have such a special bond with him. Rest in peace Herr Frenzel.

[bobcam1]

Here is the first of several videos I'm editing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfftp5s_GgI

"Video is private".....

[Hoss]

R.I.P. W2 Veteran

Sorry
Video not working for me either? Wants me to open an account.

Regards
Eric

[Craig Gottlieb]

I just fixed it - video is now public.

[birdie]

Awesome video

Can't wait for more..superb

[VtwinVince]

Sorry to hear this and RIP. I have been following the story of the return of Frenzel's Ehrenpokal, with the hope that one day I will be lucky enough to find my uncle's missing goblet.

[mdj]

so sad to hear about his passing......

he was such a nice guy. He will be missed.

Ehre seinem Andenken.

martin