I was born in 1960 and lived most of my live where the National Socialism was concocted. I attended the secondary school Hitler's brother attended, and where Himmler was teaching. I excelled in history without having ever heard about the Third Reich or it's Passau precursor. Susequently, I dedicated my life to fill in those blanks, and I continue to have survivors and liberators honored in numerous cities. In 1995, I planned and organized the first big anniversary trip back "home", with three buses from the 71st Division. They marched parallel to you, on the other bank of the Danube. In 2005 and 2006, I arranged similar trips for vets from the XX corps.
Next spring, I will accompany another group.
If you or somebody else who served in the XII or XX corps during WWII, you are most welcome to join us. We will begin in Landshut on April 18 (taken by the 99th), go to Straubing, Deggendorf and Metten before we switch to 11th territory.. on our way to Linz; most will add a few days to visit Budweis and Prague as well.
If you care to know more about that trip for vets, feel free to contact me. You will also find more in my books WINTERGREEN or AGAINST THE STREAM, both University of Carolina Press. My book OUT OF PASSAU begins with the 26th Infantry entering Passau - where the 11th had just cleared the way. It ends with my plans for the 65th to return as VIPs. They forced Passau to surrender...
Best wishes, Anna