An American in Germany Sausage and Champagne
Radio School Graduation: A young man (17 years) finishes radio school in the summer of 1956 at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi.
Perry Bullard
Good Times in Heidelberg: The "Red Ox" in Heidelberg was a favorite of many Amis in Germany. These friends, all from Security Service in Grünstadt, pose for a picture in this historic landmark in Heidelberg. All of my friends agree that the Fifties were the best of times. Rock and Roll was our new music. Life was less complicated. These were the best years of our lives.
US License Plates: It was easy to identify and Ami auto in Germany with license plates like these.
The "Western Cavaliers": The "Western Cavaliers" played at American bases clubs around the Kaiserslautern area. In 1956 there were approximately 55.000 servicemen stationed in the Kaiserslautern area. The band played as many as three times a week as their work schedule permitted. Perry Bullard is on the far right side.
The construction of Sembach Air Base: A German team surveys the area for the construction of Sembach Air Base by Kaiserslautern.
Gisela and Perry: A girl, a guy, and a 1951 Mercedes. We had been going together for about six months. We joined two friends for a small picnic on the berg overlooking Grünstadt. Our military radio station was located on this hill not far from where the picnic took place.
Building Sembach: Concrete foundations and forms were configured for the construction of barracks and buildings. Sembach is still in operations today but with a different mission. Many Bundeswehr soldiers are housed here prior to being assigned to bases throughout Germany for base security duties. A weather squadron is also assigned to Sembach.
Grünstadt Wedding: We married at the Martinskirche in Grünstadt in 1959. This marriage was the best thing that ever happened to me. Getting permission from the Military to marry was not easy. Gisela had to have a complete physical examination in Frankfurt including X-rays. All of the paperwork had to be translated both in German and English. This process took about two months to complete. We were married first by the Grünstadt Burgermeister and the formal wedding vows were held at the church. Years later we took our daughter there to be baptized. Dekan Ottmann pronounced us Man and Wife.
Perry Bullard
Wedding of Meta and Erich: Gisela's parents Meta and Erich at their wedding 1940. Erich is in his Wehrmacht uniform.
Portrait of Erich: The Red Cross provided prisoners of war with post cards for mailing. A fellow prisoner at the prison camp in Russia made this sketch of my future father-in-law Erich in 1947.
Am Peterspark: A favorite place for GIs to gather was Schiwi's am Peterspark in Grünstadt. Here friends could get together and drink a few "Jost Bräu" beers.
Filming "Der Vogelhändler": The movie "Der Vogelhändler" was filmed in and around Neuleiningen, Kreis Bad Durkheim, and starred Gerhard Riedmann and Eva Probst. On the left, Riedmann looks in the face of Gisela.
Reunion after 50 years: Pictured left are Gisela and her little friend, Bernd, in 1943. 50 years later they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Konfirmation at the Martinskirche in Grünstadt.
The Atomium in Brussels: There were many things to see and do in 1958. We attended the World Fair in Brussels, and of course the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. The Atomium was a marvel of construction and was the highlight of the fair.
Smoke break: An unidentified drivers takes a smoke break prior to the race at the Nürburg-Ring.
Ready to Run: The cars line up in front of their respective pit areas. Later, they will position the cars at an angle in preparation for a Le Mans type start.
The Nürburgring in 1958: The crowd anxiously awaits the arrival of the drivers and cars for the big race.
Behind the Wheel: An unknown drivers sits behind the wheel of his race car in the pit area.
Stirling Moss and his mechanics: Mechanics check over the privately entered Vanwall for the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. World champion Sterling Moss is seated in the race car.
Osca Mechanics: Mechanics replace the spark plugs in an Osca prior to the race. Notice the simple, uncomplicated design of the engine. Makes it very easy to repair.
Pit Stop: Number 29 makes a pit stop during the race for gas and tires.
Number 23: The drivers eat of these cars did not provide much room. Notice the width of the tires compared to the race cars of today.
USAF Helicopter: A US Air Force helicopter drops in for a visit to the Nürburgring.
Sister cars: Two unidentified race cars sit in the pit area prior to the race.
Storm clouds over the Nürburgring: Private cars were allowed to tour the circuit of the Nurburgring prior to the race. In spite of the clouds the weather turned beautifully sunny for the race.
Vanwall: Curious onlookers admire the British Racing Green Vanwall, one of two that were entered in the race.
Awaiting the race: Two race cars sitting at the starting line before the race.
Jaguar D-Type: A British Racing Green Jaguar D-Type is admired by onlookers in the pit area.
Race for the cars: Drivers race for their cars in the Le Mans style race. The minute that Sterling Moss jumped into his Vanwall he shot out like a r ocket.
Stirling Moss: Formula One World champion Sterling Moss sits in a Vanwall race car prior to the German Grand Prix of Germany at the Nurburgring.
Oktoberfest in Texas: We belong to the Beethoven German Club in San Antonio, Texas, and among the many functions that the club provides the Oktoberfest is by far the most popular. We always dress in Trachten. Our friend Ewald is on the right.
Reunion: Gisela meets Peter M. 2007, after 49 years at the Sausenheimer Weinfest. Gisela reminded Peter that in 2009 she will be back to collect her case of champagne. "And please ... get the expensive kind that your friend Gerhard Kohl drinks".
