New Barracks for 4th Maine

Darmstadt Community Approves Space at Babenhausen

RNMHS and 4th Maine Gain New Support

January first brought a welcome addition to the holdings of the RNMHS when the Darmstadt Community Commander approved a request for building space on Artillery Kaserne in Babenhausen.

For the past several years Terri Viedt, of the 233rd BSB Public Affairs Office has been trying to have the 4th Maine move its base of operations to Darmstadt. She had always been told that it required building space, due to the amount of Company material held by the 4th Maine. After the 4th of July event in 1998 the possibility of obtaining space within the BSB became a reality.

When the 233rd BSB came under the operational control of the 26th ASG a request was submitted for building space. The RNMHS is already approved within the 26th ASG and this meant that a chapter of the RNMHS would not have to be formed in Darmstadt. Instead we will continue to operate within the guidelines of the primary RNMHS constitution.

The approval was finally granted in January of this year and the 4th Maine began to move its property to Babenhausen. This move is still ongoing, as material is being moved over slowly. It is expected that the move will be complete by the end of August.

At the present time the 4th Maine has access to a large barracks area that has been set up to sleep 84 people. The area includes two supply rooms, office space for the Company commander's and 1st Sergeant's to work from and a large kitchen that can be utilized when not setting up camp. In addition some of the rooms are set up for particular usage. One room had been divided into two rooms and this will be utilized for the three senior ladies of the Regiment to use for sleeping and a parlor, for holding afternoon teas and other activities when more ladies are in residence. There is also are separate rooms for the Post Commandant (Maj. Robinson), officer and NCO quarters and 8-man rooms for squads. There are two large shower areas, bathrooms and washer and dryers available. The drawback to the present building location is that if the space is needed by the post for additional troops, it will require the 4th Maine to move again, probably to smaller quarters at Babenhausen.

The 4th Maine will not be the only user of the building. Rooms have been set up for the use of the 14th Brooklyn, when there is Battalion training weekends, as well as a room set aside for the RNMHS World War 2 reenactment group.

In what has become a major windfall for the RNMHS and 4th Maine is the ability to use other facilities at Babenhausen. The Officers Club can be used for Saturday night social time, the dining facility can be utilized for all meals, at a small charge to eat a meal there and the Local Training Area can be used for training and battle purposes. Finally, a large area has been put at our disposal for storage of large items. This is the former auto craft shop and it will benefit both reenactment groups of the RNMHS. The WW2 group has several vehicles that will be stored in this area, as well as all of its tents and the larger items it uses for its exhibits.

This all means that the RNMHS, 4th Maine Regiment and the WW2 reenactment group have taken a giant stride forward in its ability to host seminars, put on public exhibits and have an area where training can be un-dertaken in a more realistic setting.

Battalion Training Held in February

First Joint Training Held With 4th Maine and 14th Brooklyn Regiments

On a cold weekend in February the first joint gathering of the 4th Maine and 14th Brooklyn Regiments was ordered by Major Robinson. This would be the first effort at beginning to train as a battalion and was limited to only these two regiments to work out any problems before inviting the other Company Commanders for full battalion training. Participants began arriving late on Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning all were in place to begin training.

For this first weekend most of the training concentrated on drill, drill and even more drill for the soldiers of both regiments. The women busied themselves preparing their rooms for habitation. Later in the day the men be-gan to spruce up their rooms and the barracks began to take on that "lived in" look. From the time that the keys were signed for work had commenced to bring over the photos and other artifacts from the building at Coleman Barracks.

A special event was held for the first time when both regiments participated in the evening retreat ceremony at the Post. This was at 1700 when the flag is drawn in for the evening and a cannon fired, while two bugle calls are played. Maj. Robinson lined up the command and all presented arms when the appropriate time came. Then the battalion was marched to the Post dining facility for dinner.

Later that evening all participants were invited to attend a social gathering at the Cannoneer Club, the old Post officer's Club. This facility is now unused as a club but groups can use it for their functions whenever they desire. All of the kitchen equipment has been removed but the bar is still available, with a functioning cooler, as well as a dining area and dance area. A buffet of cold cuts and cheese, as well as soft drinks was provided from the 4th Maine unit fund. Canned music from CD's and cassettes was provided for all to listen to and a fun time was had by all.

On Sunday morning there was more drill for the soldiers and then final words and thanks were given by Maj. Robinson for all that participated in the weekend. In a special ceremony during the weekend 1st Sergt Meysmans was presented with a copy of the book, "With Their Faces to the Foe". This is a recent publication by Peter Dalton, of Union, Maine, and the 4th Maine is in receipt of 6 copies of this unit history. Maj. Robinson and 1st Sergt Meysmans were each presented with a copy of the book while the remainder will be used to be presented to those members of the 4th Maine that reach their 5th year anniversary with the Regiment.

Sometime after noon all began to depart for the day, hopefully with happy memories and an understanding that a good start had been made in the formation and training of the new battalion.

In Memoriam

Mother of Maj. Robinson Passes Away after Long Illness

Buried Beside 2nd Husband at Maine Veterans Cemetery

(I do not know if this is the right place for this but I would like to think that a real Camp Knox Gazette would have printed such items. Also, I would like to write something about my mother - The editor)

On 3 April 1999 Mrs. Leona McGraw Robinson Doel lost her long battle with cancer when she passed away at the Maine Veteran's Home in Augusta, Maine. Mrs. Doel was the mother of Maj. George Robinson, Jr.

Mrs. Doel was first diagnosed with intestinal cancer three years ago and underwent an operation to have several feet of her intestines removed. It was found that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she began radiation treatment. All this did was to make her sick and she stopped in early 1997.

Early in September 1998 Mrs. Doel found out that the cancer had come back. She finally informed Maj. Robinson in December that the cancer was now terminal and she only had a matter of time. By the end of March 1999 she had deteriorated to the point of being admitted to the Maine Veteran's Home where she passed away early on the morning of 3 April.

Mrs. Doel was pre-deceased by her second husband, Reginald Doel, a 20-year Navy veteran. Mrs. Doel is mourned by her sons Rob and Chuck, daughters Lillimae and Cyndi, several grandchildren and other family members. She is sadly missed by all.

(The condition of my mother over the past year has, in part, led to the decline in my work for the 4th Maine web site, Camp Knox Gazette and my hobby in general. I wish to thank those that expressed their condolences for my family's loss. These sentiments are deeply appreciated.)

3rd Annual 4th of July Celebration held in Babenhausen

Public Treated to Multi-period Encampments

4th Maine Joined by 1st South Carolina Cavalry World War 2 and Civilian Support Group Reenactors

If the number of visitors to the 3rd annual 4th of July encampment is any indication of success then this years encampment was the biggest event in the history of the 4th Maine. An estimated 600-700 people visited the two day encampment, with an estimated 150 visitors on Saturday and another 500 on Sunday. Post personnel estimate that a total of 1500 people participated in the festivities on Sunday afternoon.

The multi-period camp was set up on Friday afternoon as Civil War, World War 2 and Civilian Support Group reenactors set up camps on the airfield at Babenhausen's Artillery Kaserne. Everyone worked well into the night to prepare for the weekend activities.

The weather for the weekend was a little too good for all concerned. The days were hot and stifling while severe thunderstorms hit the camps at night. This did not stop everyone from putting on their best impression for the public however.

The day on Saturday began at 1000 hours for public viewing and a great deal of people were not expected for this day. However, visitors began arriving shortly after noontime and between then and 1600 about 150 people walked through the various camps. Many came expecting to see a demonstration of some type, as well as participate in the festivities offered by the US military personnel of the post. It was later found out that this was due to misinformation in the local Babenhausen newspaper.

The camps opened once again at 1200 on Sunday and crowds of people began to throng the area of the camps and where the festivities were to take place. The camps were officially opened until 1800 hours but people kept wandering into the camps throughout the night. It did not become quiet until just shortly before the fireworks display. This years fireworks was much better than it was last year and all of the camps had front row seats to view them.

The 4th Maine camp this year did not have all of its usual "cast of characters" due to various other commitments. Still, those that did make it gave their best effort and the 4th Maine represented itself very well. The 4th Maine personnel were joined by several personnel that are hoped to be new members for it rolls.

Rick and Eva Sparks are Americans currently stationed in Grafenwoehr. Rick is an experienced reenactor and was most welcome to the 4th Maine even if he prefers to do the Rebel side of the hobby. For this event he "galvanized" into Union Blue and his experience was an immense help with the public. Eva made immediate friends with some of the 4th Maine ladies and it is hoped that she too will be joining other 4th Maine events in the future.

Andreas Neubar joined the 4th Maine for the weekend and was a huge help to Maj. Robinson in organizing the weekends need for straw, wood and even other participants. Andreas is a member of the 14th Brooklyn but lives in Babenhausen. It is hoped that he can fall in with the 4th Maine for other events.

One other person joined us for the weekend and this was Richard Heer of the 1st South Carolina Cavalry. If the reader does not recognize the name perhaps you would remember him as the cavalryman that has the little burro that follows him everywhere. The burro was present on Sunday and was a welcome addition to the weekend's festivities. Children were allowed to pet him and several had their photo taken with him.

The planned battle for Sunday was not held, due to lack of numbers. Instead a drill demonstration was held with members of the 4th Maine, followed by members of the WW2 group. This groups acts as Company A, 325th Engineer Battalion, 100th Infantry Division. This was the debut of the WW2 group to public displays with the RNMHS and they equated themselves well. More can be read about them by those members that receive the RNMHS newsletter.

The weekend could be called another success for the 4th Maine, especially in light of the total number of spectators that viewed the camps and the potential for new members within the ranks of the 4th Maine. Next year it is hoped that, through the efforts of Maj. Robinson, Andreas Neubar and Richard Heer, the local Civil War groups within the Rhein-Main-Neckar region can all come together and put on a battle demonstration that all can be proud of participating in. Efforts have been made for the past three years to put on a battle for the 4th of July and one day this battle will become a reality.