Statue

A statue that portrays a German civilian in Isarwinkel local attire shaking hands with a U.S. Special Forces soldier in a green beret and field uniform. Artist Birgit Niedernhubner from nearby Reichsbeuern created the sculpture to show the closeness that developed after the War between the local populace and U.S. Special Forces at Flint Kaserne. The memorial was dedicated in May 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

HISTORY:

In 1952 The U.S. Army created the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (SFG(A)) at Ft Liberty (formerly Ft Bragg), North Carolina to prepare for the conduct of unconventional warfare behind the Iron Curtain. Although planned for employment in Europe, the 1953 Berlin/East German crisis prompted a rapid movement to the Bad Tölz area, where the Group arrived at Flint Kaserne (a former Waffen-SS Junkerschule (officer training academy)) and Prinz Heinrich Kaserne in Lenggries on 22 November 1953.

In September 1968, the 10th SFG(A) moved from Flint Kaserne to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, leaving A Company (later redesignated 1st Special Forces Battalion) at Bad Tölz. With the departure of Group Headquarters, the Special Forces Detachment (Airborne) Europe was established as a support headquarters for the 1st Battalion.

Special Forces Detachment (Airborne) Europe was redesignated Army Special Operations Forces (Europe) (ARSOFE) in March 1984, and in 1990 later evolved into 7th Special Operations Support Command (Theater Army) (7th SOSC(TA)).

Due to the restructuring of U.S. Army forces in Europe at the end of the Cold War, the 1st Battalion, 10th SFG(A) and 7th SOSC(TA) moved from Flint Kaserne to the Stuttgart area in August 1991.

During 1945-1991, Flint Kaserne in Bad Tölz was also home to several other U.S. Army organizations, including Third U.S. Army Headquarters (May 1945 - April 1946), Headquarters 1st Infantry Division (September 1946 - January 1951), elements of 169th Infantry Regiment, 43d Infantry Division (October 1951 - Summer 1952) and the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy (October 1958 - September 1990). However, the closest enduring relationships were forged between U.S. Special Forces and the local populace.

Source of information: www.sueddeutsche.de, www.merkur.de, www.usarmygermany.com

Source of photo: Tölzer Stadtkapelle e. V.’s Facebook page

AUS GEGNERN WERDEN FREUNDE

Dieses Denkmal is der Bayerisch-Amerikanischen Freundschaft gewidmet. In der Zeit der Besatzung nach 1945 war sie noch undenkbar. In den Jahren von 1953 bis 1991, als die 10th Special Forces Group in der Flint-Kaserne in Bad Tölz einen der schonsten US-Standorte weltweit unterhielt, ist sie stetig gewachsen. Der Bayerish-Amerikanischen Freundschaft haben beide Seiten viel zu verdanken.

Möge sie wieter bestehen!

  ENEMIES BECOME FRIENDS

This memorial is dedicated to the Bavarian-American Friendship. In the period of the occupation after 1945, such friendship was still unimaginable for many. This friendship grew constantly in the years from 1953 to 1991, when the 10th Special Forces Group maintained the Flint Barracks in Bad Tölz, one of the most beautiful US military locations worldwide. Both sides owe a great deal to the Bavarian-American friendship.

May it continue to flourish!