Nuremberg Guards

Hello,

My grandpa also served as a guard at Nuremburg. He was one of the one's watching Gorring, but not the one that let him commit suicide. Donald Ziegahn was his name, he too has passed. I recently traveled to Nuremburg with my dad and his sister and brother, the three children of Donald's. It was a a pretty touching experience for all three kids to see that as two of them had never left the country before. My dad made sure I was exposed to the truths, having see Dachau when I was 11 made me all too aware of what sacrifices our relatives made for the rest of the world. Not a lot of info to share, but thought I would mention that if it means anything to you, you should make the trip over there. I'm sure at some point the world will move on and destroy those physical memories.[HR][/HR]

 

My great uncle was at the Nuremberg trials and loves to talk about his experience. He will be 94 on the 22nd. We have been trying to get his VA benefits for him, but as most know. The army records burned in a fire so it is taking forever! I would love to find more information and make sure he is also recognized. Anyone remember Darwin Ritchhart. He was supposed to receive a medal for saving two soldiers from being on fire because their tank was shot after they had received word that the war was over. He never did but was sent to the trials as a guard

 

Is this him: RITCHHART DARWIN W

Do you know what unit(s) with which he served?

 

Yes this is my uncle. Company G, 406th Infantry

 

Sorry if this has been stated already...but didnt we have a member a couple of years ago whos father/uncle was a guard/MP at the trials and was in the background on some of the more well known photos of the trial?

 

You are correct, CAC. I did a search and it took a while to find it. I didn't realize we had so many members whose relatives were guards at the Nuremberg Trial. Anyway, here's the new member's thread: LynninCalf

Here's the online news article (with photos) that was originally posted by JCFalkenbergIII back in 2008.

Good memory, CAC.

 

There was one later than that...maybe only a coulpe of years ago...Remember the big expansive pictures of the trial room, with the MPs guarding the doors in the background...Nazis in the foreground...?

 

You are correct, CAC. I was a bit unsatisfied that what I found was what I remembered, but I could not find anything else that was close...

That is, until I eschewed the Forum search engine and deployed Google. It was then that I finally found the thread in the Newbies' section with the very descriptive title, "hi".

 

Bingo!
Im hiring you if a family member goes missing...

 

50 American Army Rangers were at Dieppe. - the first Americans to land and fight in German-occupied Europe.
There was a good article posted about them. If I find it I will edit it in here.