General
Virtual board meetings
Due to the corona situation, the board meetings in 2020 were held by video conference. A special highlight was the virtual toast to a Happy New Year 2021.
Award for Walter Pitlik
Captain iTR and master tailor Walter Pitlik was honored by HIRH Karl von Habsburg for his many years of activity in the creation and preservation of historical uniforms. The President of the UEHMG Major General iTR Michael Blaha and Adjutant General Peter Pritz insisted on handing over the certificate personally and expressed thanks and appreciation to Walter Pitlik.
The emperor´s cavalry at Schlosshof
Review of the year´s events
Due to the Corona pandemic the cavalry scene of the Dragoon Regiment No. 3 has crowded together on schedule in the quarantine-free time. But the main annual program could still be carried out.
At the end of August the annual horse festival took place in the castle Schlosshof and we were once again able to present an opening performance in front of an enthusiastic audience for the 30th time as a tradition.
On 5th and 6th September the preparation course for the 27th Marchfeld Castle Ride took place in the riding hall and in the grounds of the former riding and driving instructor institute Schlosshof. The course included, among other things, overcoming original natural obstacles, water-shy horses learned to drive through, hand horse rides, crossing a wooden bridge, saber exercises, “Kranzelstechen” and much more.
The successfully completed course of the 14 participants had a positive effect in the subsequent competition from September 17th to 20th, with 1st and 2nd place in the main competition (A).
Corona made it possible that after 26 years, due to the postponement of the 1st date, the 27th castle ride, under the honorary protection of Dr. Werner Fasslabend, could take place in autumn (September 17th to 20th). The fantastic autumn weather ensured a positive atmosphere and harmony between horse and rider among the more than 40 participants.
The opening took place in the open air in front of the Salaterena, as always with a champagne reception. In the course of this, Olt. Mag. Martin Planko was promoted to Rittmeister by the regiment commander Colonel of the cavalry Hans Günter Ebetshuberfor for special services to the Dragoon Regiment No. 3. After two successful days (competition A – approx. 80 km and competition B approx. 50 km) and mastering the various tasks, the traditional gala dinner and the award ceremony took place on Saturday in the “Restaurant zum weißen Pfau”, of course considering the corona rules.
The cavalry performance badge for orientation and trail riding as part of competition A, which is also sponsored by NOEPS, was achieved by the following participants:
- Patf. Gabriele Pucher, DR 5, Styria
- Drag. Gerald Steiner, DR 5, Styria
- Patf. Alexandra Thür, DR 5, Styria
- Dr. Gerda Göttlich, Salzburg
- Carmen Merwald, Burgenland
- Andrea Höld, Burgenland
- Vanessa Mitterer, Burgenland
The trophy of honor donated by the House of Habsburg achieved for this year (military rating):
- Olt. Dr. Ivor Schiller, DR 5
Competition A
1st place 
2nd place 
3rd place
- 1st place: DR 5, Patf. Gabriele Pucher, Drag. Gerald Steiner, Daniela Schäfer, Otto Buchheit
- 2nd place: Dr. Yvonne Ziegler, Carmen Merwald, Andrea Höld, Vanessa Mitterer, Dr. Gerda Göttlich, Marie Therese Tomasich
- 3rd place: DR 5, Olt. Dr. Ivor Schiller, Patf. Silke Guss, Patf. Alexandra Thürr
Competition B
1st place 
2nd place 
3rd place
- 1st place: Barbara Linsbichler, Julia Wöhrleitner, Michaela Pinisch, Jennifer Schirk, Vera Enk
- 2nd place: Olt. Mag. Martin Planko, DR 3, Claudia Steiner, Viktoria Steiner
- 3rd place: Susanne Payr, Lisa Würzl
The farewell to the horse of the commandant Hans Günter Ebetshuber after 20 years of loyalty and solidarity touched us emotionally.
AKORD
*25.3.1996 – †13.10.2020
One last look back … His last horse festival
20 years at the head of the DR 3 at the opening of the horse festivals in the castle Schlosshof.
Thank you for the wonderful hours, your loyalty and camaraderie.
Expression about condolences about Alt Major Ton Gubbles
With great dismay and sadness we have the duty to announce that our long-time comrade Alt Major Ton Gubbels from the Frei-Hussars von Glasenapp fell asleep surprisingly and peacefully with his family on December 9th, 2020 and passed away.
The President of the Union of European Historical Military Groups, Major General iTR Michael Blaha, the Board, the Presidium and all comrades of the UEHMG express their deep sympathy to the bereaved for this heavy loss.
The UEHMG will keep an honorable memory of its well-deserved functionary.
Marches to the Hero´s Cross 2020
The Association “Traditia Militara” (ATM) from Romania has climbed the Carpathian mountains twice this year, in order to reach the Hero’s Cross. This monument, nominated in the Guinness Book of Records for being the highest metal monument at the highest altitude, was raised with huge efforts in 1928, to honor all those who sacrificed their lives in World War I.
The inauguration day was chosen on the Christian celebration of the Elevation of the Holy Cross: September 14. This is why the first expedition this year was on September 14, 2020 – the path led by the Carpathian Sphynx.
The second march was made on November 30, 2020, on St.Andrew’s day, for the re-consecration of the Hero’s Cross, after its restoration. The winter march, in full campaign gear of the Romanian Army of World War I was very evocative for those who more than a hundred years before had participated in the Great War. Temperatures were below – 15°C. Mountain troops from all over Romania represented their units at the military and religious ceremony, attended by the Minister for Defense, the Secretary General of the General Staff of the Romanian Army and the Metropolitan Archbishop delegated by the Patriarch. The members of Traditia Militara, as they do every year after the official ceremony, have commemorated also their fallen former enemies, by singing “Der Gute Kamerad” and saying a prayer in Hungarian. The highest authorities present commended the reenactors for their very good performance.
Expression of condolences about S.E. Max Turnauer
With great sadness we received the news of the passing of our esteemed patron S.E. Max Turnauer. On November 7th, 2020, at the age of 90, a person who shaped beyond the borders of Austria was called home to eternity with the consolations of the Holy Church.
We lose in S.E. Max Turnauer a person who has been committed to Christian values and a pro-European attitude throughout his life. Right up until the end he was interested in the economic development of his company, family, friends and politics. S.E. Max Turnauer was also the ambassador of the Sovereign Knight of Malta in the Principality of Liechtenstein and its permanent observer at UNIDO, Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Knight of Honor of the Order of St. George, Honorary Senator of IMATEC University, Honorary Citizen of the Heldenberg community and bearer of numerous domestic and international foreign decorations.
S.E. Max Turnauer, born on February 17, 1931, came from a Prague industrial family who, after being expelled and expropriated after World War II, were able to build one of the most important Austrian industrial enterprises. The industrial empire comprised around 40 plants at home and abroad, whose successor companies still occupy an important position in the Austrian industrial landscape. Until recently he was also Honorary President of Constantia Industries AG, which is owned by his son Stanislaus.
As a patron of the UEHMG, S.E. Max Turnauer made his Wetzdorf Castle available to the UEHMG for many years as the seat of the association – we look back with great gratitude on this opportunity of pride.
The UEHMG will keep an honorable memory of its deceased patron in gratitude and memory.
Commemoration of the dead
On November 7th, the Deutschmeisterbund under the leadership of its President Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Tarbuk held the commemoration of the dead 2020 in a small but dignified setting at the Deutschmeisterdenkmal – considering the current official Corona rules. The President of the UEWHG, Major General iTR Michael Blaha, took part in the wreath-laying ceremony on the Deutschmeisterplatz, as did representatives of the resident Deutschmeister clubs.
In view of the tragic attack in Vienna in the recent past, the speeches also commemorated these victims in particular, but also all those who died from the Deutschmeister environment. Major General iTR Michael Blaha pointed out the importance of maintaining tradition as a keeper of positive values of the past as a contribution to the creation of a secure present.
Military Dean Episcopal Vicar Colonel MMag. DDr. Alexander Wessely finally said a common prayer with all participants before the delegation made their way to the Central Cemetery to hold a memorial for deceased comrades there too.
Relic deposit
On Sunday, October 25th, 2020, at the invitation of the church rector DDr. Reinhard Knittel of the St. Pölten Prandtauerkirche the deposit of a relic of the Blessed Emperor Karl I of Austria was held. The event was conducted in compliance with all applicable corona rules under the organizational leadership of Major General iTR Michael Blaha, MSc, President of the UEHMG, carried out on a smaller scale.
On part of the maintaining tradition The Radetzky Hussar Regiment No. 5 under the leadership of Colonel of Cavalry KR Ernst Kugler, the Radetzky Order under the leadership of Grand Master KR DKfm. Harry Tomek and the Order of St. George under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. Peter Harold were represented.
HIRH Karl von Habsburg, as head of the House of Habsburg, personally attended the salemn mass which was conducted by the military bishop Dr. Werner Freistetter and carried the relic into the specially set up Kaiser Karl chapel.
With an atmospheric agape in the sacristy – unfortunately only on a very small scale due to the current Corona measures – the relic deposit came to a worthy end.
