UEHMG

National meeting in Wr. Neustadt

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On Saturday, June 8, 2019, the state meeting of the UEHMG groups Burgenland, Lower Austria and Vienna took place in Wiener Neustadt.

In addition to a ceremony on the main square and in the city park, a field mass was held in the courtyard of the military academy. The musical design of the mass held by military superior Stefan Gugerel was taken over by the k.u.k. Vienna regimental chapel of the infantry regiment no. 4th.

Numerous historical military groups in their traditional uniforms – from civil corps to hussars, dragoons and artillerists – made a colorful picture. For the UEHMG, President GenMjr iTR Michael Blaha took part in the ceremony on the main square and subsequently enjoyed the Maximilian Beer, specially provided for this event.

European Shooting Championship

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The UEWHG “Union of the European Historical Military Groups”, a European umbrella organisation with over 85 different member associations from 14 countries, hosted the European Shooting Championships. This major event took place on 15th June at the shooting range in Mistelbach in Lower Austria. The Kremser Traditionsschützenkorps of the former Infanterieregiment No. 84 was commissioned with the organisation and implementation.

At the competition it was possible to compete in 10 different shooting categories. It was possible to measure your performance in an international environment. Visitors from 10 nations took part, among them Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Holland, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Hungary.

You could participate with small caliber and large caliber, over 100 years old ordnance rifles, modern semi-automatic machines and with revolver and pistol.

After intensive preparations the competition ran at full speed, many participants came from half of Europe. A total of 70 trophies were awarded. These cups are custom-made and bear the UEHMG coat of arms.

At the award ceremony the Ukrainian defence attaché Colonel Andriy Tkachuk and the colonel of the cavalry Friedrich Gappmayr, representing the president of the UEHMG, Major General iTR Michael Blaha, presented the trophies. As representative of the provincial association for Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, Captain iTR Alfred Wurmauer congratulated the winners.

The largest foreign team was the reservist comradeship Hesborn, which arrived with 6 men over 1,000 kilometers.

The result was impressive, all three first places went to the IR84 from Krems: The eightfold national champion Rüdiger Gruber (IR84) could get his sixteenth European champion title, the second and third place also went to the Kremser Schützenkorps: Dominik Scholz (IR84) won another title and Michael Kleinböck (IR84) could secure the second place at his first participation in a European championship.

In addition, a tombola with high quality prizes provided great joy for the lucky winners, who drew the right lot. More photos and reports about the European Championship can be found on www.ir84.at.

26th “Marchfelder Schlösserritt”

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Castle ride in the footsteps of the Marchfelder Habsburg dynasty under the patronage of BM a.D. Dr. Werner Fasslabend and under the seal “Sub Auspiciis” Karl von Habsburg.

The 26th Marchfelder Schlösserritt took place from May 30 to June 2, 2019, in cooperation with Mag. Klaus Panholzer, Managing Director of Schloss Schönbrunn Betriebs- und Kulturges.mbH, the division managers of Schloss Hof Mrs. Mag. Katharina Tschann and her deputy Lukas Svoboda, the communities, the federal forests and the regional hunters.

The opening again took place on Thursday in the Orangerie in Schlosshof. Numerous participants, helpers and guests of honor were welcomed by the organiser H. G. Ebetshuber. Mayor Josef Reiter from Engelhartstetten as well as the president of the Austrian Cavalry Association Colonel Franz Prandstätter honored the long-term commitment of the tradition Dragoon Regiment No. 3 in their speeches. After that, Elke Schwarz was awarded the Silver St. George’s Order for her tireless work and many years of dedication to the castle ride.

Before the commander of the Dragoon Regiment No. 3 Colonel of Cavalry Hans Günter Ebetshuber opened the castle ride, a prominent participant, the cabaret artist Lydia Prenner-Kasper, was warmly welcomed to the event. After the champagne reception, all those present were invited to an extremely interesting tour of the castle.

Due to the flooding of the March, the route had to be constantly changed by the organisation team. This year the competitions were again held in two categories. The A-competition total distance for both days about 80 km, with special tests that were carried out on the way or directly in Schlosshof, or the lunchtime rest in Schloss Eckartsau and Schloss Marchegg. Inter alia the shooting range Haringsee held the shooting competition. Riding through, hand horse riding, coping with natural obstacles in the group, individual jumping over natural obstacles the next day, distance estimation, plan reading, etc. were among the special tasks in which you could earn points.

33 participants (A) had a positive result in the special stages and completed the entire distance of approx. 80 km without a mistake. 19 participants were proud to receive the Kav performance badge for orienteering and trekking in bronze. Event-B about 50 km total on both days appealed to the 30 participants and was extra scored.

During the individual jumping over the natural obstacles, the 26th Marchfelder Schlösserritt received a high attendance: the president of the Lower Austrian Equestrian Federation KR Ing. Gerold Dautzenberg. He was welcomed by the organiser and with a passing carriage was brought in the castle to another competition.

Afterwards there was a special guided tour through the castle, to the regimental command DR 3 and to the festively decorated baroque stable for the gala dinner before the award ceremony. Mag. Ines Bejdl – an internationally recognized judge – also visited surprisingly the event because in Lassee there was a jumping tournament on the same day. The cozy castle restaurant garden was then a place of shoptalk and discussion about the support and promotion of equestrian popular sports.

After the gala dinner – this year in the baroque stable – badges, bows, certificates and placement prizes were handed over by the mayor from Eckartsau Ing. Rudolf Makoschitz, Dr. med. Hans Reinisch of Magna Racino and the organiser.

In appreciation of his services to the Tradition Dragoons Regiment No. 3, the commander-in-chief, Mr. Thomas Tschann (DR 4), is awarded the Regimental Order of the Dragoon Regiment No. 3 in bronze. Because of exemplary long-term service fulfillment for our common history and tradition Mr. Zgsf. Walter Bründl Pohl (DR3) has been promoted to sergeant. The golden medal of the Austrian Cavalry Association was given to Gundi Schmid and the Regimental Trumpeter of the DR 3, Zgsf. Günter Ringhofer.

The honorary challenge cup donated by Archduke Georg Habsburg was given to a uniformed participant, for the Cavalry highest military rating to Ptf. Christian Guss (Dragoon Regiment No.5), who also met the entire course (80km) without error for his regiment.

A-competition

  • 1st place, Dragonerregiment Nr. 5
    Olt. Dr Anton Wankhammer, Ptf. Dr. Carina Wankhammer
    Olt. Ivor Schiller, Ptf. Christian Guss, Ptf. Silke Schmerlaib
  • 2nd place
    Caroline Geiger, Finian Geiger, Sophie Mikula, Lara Johann, Michaela Res
  • 3rd place
    Alois Hauptmann, Tzt. Rudolf Hauptmann, Sabine FRITZ, Christoph Allgäuer

B-competition

  • 1st place
    Susanne Payr, Gabriela Payr, Lisa Würzl, Stefanie Dörnhöfer
  • 2nd place
    Gerhard Lackner, Michaela Bischof, Markus Goldfuss, Irene Unger
  • 3rd place
    Kpr.  Markus Potzmann, Mag. Doris Potzmann, Michaela Pinisch, Cornelia Oberguggenberger

Expression of condolences about Colonel of cavalry Otto Dorfstätter

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With great sadness we have the duty to inform that the Honorary Councillor Colonel of cavalry Otto Dorfstätter passed on 1st of May 2019.

The President of the Union of European Military Historical Groups Major General iTR Michael Blaha, the executive committee, the Presidium and all comrades of the UEHMG express their deepest sympathy to the bereaved for this grave loss.

The UEHMG will honor his deserving comrade in honor.

obituary

Spring Parade 2019 in Linz

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For the 97th time marks the anniversary of the death of the last Austrian Emperor Karl I. On this occasion, the Linzer k.u.k. Traditions-Dragonerregiment No. 7 “Herzog von Lothringen und Bar” invited on Saturday for the Spring Parade with worship on the main square. And more than 500 uniformed comrades from Austria and the crown lands followed the call. For the first time: the Hungarian Navy.

This colorful meeting with pageant on the highway (from the Martin Luther Square to the main square) was by no means a meeting of diehard, assured the keynote speakers – headed by Brigadier Nikolaus Egger, commander of the Army Officers’ Academy (HUAk) in Enns. Rather, it is a matter of military traditions, a commitment to virtues, timeless values and a contribution to a better understanding of the past. The story is a teacher, but there is a lack of students, said Egger.

Only those who knew their roots could live, he agreed with Colonel Johann M. Eckhardt von Eckenfeld (Commander of the Dragon Regiment), Member of Parliament Wolfgang Hattmansdorfer and City Councilor Doris Lang-Mayerhofer. In imperial weather, the parade of the Landwehr Infantry Regiment Linz No. 2, the Alpini (Italian mountain fighter) from Pedolo, as well as singers of the Dragoon Regiment 5 in Cernica (Slovenia) musically framed the event.

Complement: On the part of the UEHMG, President Major General iTR Michael Blaha participated in the event and was pleased to meet many well-known comrades of traditional care. Congratulations to the successful event!

(Article of the Upper Austrian News from 01.04.2019)

11th Emperors Ball in Korneuburg

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Also in this year in Korneuburg was danced under the eyes of Emperor Karl and his grandson Archduke Georg von Habsburg

The evening began in Korneuburg with a reception in the town hall where city councillor Andreas Minnich representing the mayor Christian Gepp invited the guests into the historic boardroom. With sparkling wine and some sweets discussions and contacts were made

Afterwards the ball society was led into the ballroom by MajGen iTR Michael Blaha and past the honorary guards of the two organizing regiments

At the head Archduke Georg von Habsburg with his daughter, the procurator of the Order of St. George  Baron Vinzenz Stimpfl Abele as well as in the representation of the Governor of Lower Austria Johanna Mikl Leitner the President of the government of Lower Austria Karl Wilfing.

The entrance into the festively decorated hall was followed by the speeches of MajGen iTR Michael Blaha, President Karl Wilfing and Archduke Georg von Habsburg who found very praiseworthy words for the Emperors ball and tradition and he especially noticed the bust of his grandfather Emperor Karl.

With the opening of the ball the military music of Lower Austria began to play and the couples to dance. Many traditionalists danced into the morning but also vice versa many dance enthusiasts were happy about a traditional ball with many colourful uniforms.

Of course there was a very successful singing performance with Aneta Liepina, Michael Weiland and their pianist Roberto Secilla and a raffle with 11 main prizes.

What else can you say: “It was very nice, we were very happy.”. And, of course, “Gott erhalte – Gott beschütze” was sung loudly from all mouths at midnight.

Expression of condolences about SchHptm Eduard Grübling

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With great sadness we have the duty to inform that the commander of “Deutschmeister Schützenkorps” SchHptm Eduard Grübling passed on abruptly on 3rd of February 2019.

The President of the Union of European Military Historical Groups Major General iTR Michael Blaha, the executive committee, the Presidium and all comrades of the UEHMG express their deepest sympathy to the bereaved for this grave loss.

The UEHMG will honor his deserving comrade in honor.

>obituary

Expression of condolences about Honorary Member Colonel iTR Siegfried Wilfling

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With great sadness we have the duty to inform that our comrade and Honorary Member Colonel iTR Siegfried Wilfling passed on after a fulfilled and busy life on 31th of January 2019.

The President of the Union of European Military Historical Groups Major General iTR Michael Blaha, the executive committee, the Presidium and all comrades of the UEHMG express their deepest sympathy to the bereaved for this grave loss.

The UEHMG will honor his deserving official in honor.

>obituary

Expression of condolences about Colonel iTR Harald Sautter

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With great dismay and sadness we have the duty to inform that our long-time comrade and chairman of the Judiciary Committee Colonel iTR Harald Sautter fell asleep peacefully in the circle of his family and left us on  5th of January 2019.

The President of the Union of European Military Historical Groups Major General iTR Michael Blaha, the executive committee, the Presidium and all comrades of the UEHMG express their deepest sympathy to the bereaved for this grave loss.

The UEHMG will honor his deserving official in honor.

Short presentation on the Regiment Day on 4.12.2018

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For today’s regimental day of the “Riding Artillery Division No. 2”
A commemoration in awe.

The writer Franz Kafka noted in his diary on 1 August 1914: “Russia declared war on the monarchy. Afternoon swimming school.”

However, with this formulation, which seems incredible to us today, Kafka expressed the expectation of many of his contemporaries. A short, successful military campaign, as in 1878/79, during the occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina – followed by a return to peaceful normality: that was the expectation of the majority of the population in the first days of August 1914 in all the provinces of the great monarchy.

But it turned out differently. It began a four-year bloody war with millions dead. In short, it became the “original catastrophe of the 20th century,” as the American historian and diplomat George Kennan has described it. Today, 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War and 75 years after the beginning of the Second World War, we commemorate the victims of war and tyranny. We remember the artillerymen of the RAD 2, but also – symbolically – all the soldiers, the civil war victims, the victims of later massacres and genocides.

The term “grief” comes from the Old High German “truren” and means “to be sad”. In this mourning today we want to stand before the memorial inscription and the estate of the “Riding Artillery Division No. 2” and commemorate their personal great sacrificial performance and their loyalty to the emperor and the empire.

Ultimately, these sacrifices were not in vain, for they remind us: Never again war in our lands!
In this sense we now speak together “Our Father”.