Rhine Revisited by Gregory E Bandlow

After the Counts of Katzeneinbogen had built Burg Rheinfels above St. Goar in the middle of the 13th century, they then had Neukatzeneinbogen Castle or "Burg Katz" for short, erected on the other side. Completed in 1371 it served to reinforce Rheinfels Castle and safeguarded the crossing point to its training grounds, it also defended the little town of Hausen and made it possible to give early warning of ships coming round the Loreley. With its sister, it thus provided an effective barrier across the river and above all it defended its right to levy custom duties on Rhine River traffic. With steep walls of a rocky ledge, the castle stands protected on three sides. On the side towards the hill, a deep moat was constructed, hewn out of the stone. A stone bridge, which led to a long bailey, could be blown up in times of war. This castle like most of the other castles along the Rhine was blown up in 1806 by Napoleon, but it was rebuilt around the turn of the century.

Burg Rheinfels on the St. Goar side of the Rhine was started in 1245 by Graf Dieter V von Katzeneinbogen. Only ten years later it was able to stand its first test when attacked by 9000 soldiers of the Rhenish Town Alliance because of an increase in custom duties on the Rhine. After 40 unsuccessful charges and a siege that lasted more than a year, they were forced to with drawn empty handed. The castle again saw action in the Palatinate War of Succession. The castle again saw action in 1692. With 4000 defenders, it was the only fortress to with stand the assault of the French army. The French tried for over a year to conquer the fortress and used 28,000 troops and 56 pieces of artillery, but failed. Neglected by 1794 it fell to the French without a fight. The weak commander of the castle was later sentenced to death for this.

It is here at St. Goar and St. Goarshausen that our Rhine cruise ends. We were to disembark on the St. Goarshausen side of the river, not unlike the 89th Infantry Division who's bridge once graced this spot. Today it is a crossing point for a car ferry and a stop for Rhine River passenger boats. In 1945 it was the site of a floating bridge erected as the crossing point for a division. As I reflect back on our journey, I can't help but wonder how it was that I would be brought to the exact spot of my father's crossing long before I knew him. It is a small world indeed.

As we disembarked and headed back for our bus, I tried to explain to my children the uncertainties that these young men faced in 1945. Most were very young. I also attempted to convey the many acts of courage these men displayed. I wonder if I could show the same courage under similar circumstances. But, ultimately these men sacrificed for us, every American. The price of freedom is never cheap and must be defended time and again from tyrants. This generation went on to accomplish just that. They defended our freedom, ended suffering for millions and created a way of life, the life we now enjoy, and so often take for granted. This generation changed the world. I don't know how much I told my children was understood, but perhaps someday they will come to know these men as I have. And maybe someday, they will understand why when I spoke of them, there was a crack in my voice and a tear in my eye.

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