Prologue
1. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1964), p. 95
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid: p. 96
5. Martin Broszat, Bayern in der NS-Zeit, Bd. 6. Oldenbourg-Verlag 1983, p. 73
6. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1964), p. 100
7. Ibid: p. 101
8. Robert S. Wistrich, Who’s Who in Nazi Germany (Routledge, 2001), p. 122
9. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1964), p. 102
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
Chapter 1: “Always Ready”
1. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 120
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Peoria Star Journal, May 5, 2006
5. Ibid.
6. John E. Dolibois, Pattern of Circles: An Ambassador’s Story (Kindle: Kent State University Press, 2013), p. 71
7. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 256
8. Gordon L. Rottman, World War II US Cavalry Groups (Oxford: Osprey, 2012), p. 33
9. “XII Corps: Spearhead of Patton’s Third Army” by Lieutenant Colonel George Dyer; “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
10. Gordon L. Rottman, World War II US Cavalry Groups, (Oxford: Osprey, 2012), 33
11. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
12. Ibid.
13. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 287
14. “XII Corps Report of Operations 1 April 1945–30 April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
15. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 287
16. Ibid.
17. “XII Corps Report of Operations 1 April 1945–30 April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
18. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 287
Chapter 2: Colonel “H”
1. Fred Glueckstein, Of Men, Women and Horses (Bloomington: Xlibris, 2006), p. 73
2. Ibid.
3. Michael Keane, Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer (Washington DC: Regnery Press, 2012), p. 137
4. The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed, Second Cavalry Association
5. Ibid.
6. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
7. Ibid.
8. Stefan Stippler, Bezirk Hostau: Heimat zwischen Bohmerwald und Egerland (Berlin: Herstellung und Verlag, 2011), p. 101
9. Frank Westerman, Brother Mendel’s Perfect Horse: Man and Beast in an Age of Human Warfare (New York: Random House, 2012), p. 189
10. Ibid.
11. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1964), p. 87
Chapter 3: Action This Day
1. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1964), p. 88
2. Ibid: p. 92
3. Ibid: p. 90
4. Fred Glueckstein, Of Men, Women and Horses (Bloomington: Xlibris, 2006), p. 74
5. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
6. Frank Westerman, Brother Mendel’s Perfect Horse: Man and Beast in an Age of Human Warfare (New York: Random House, 2012), p. 189
7. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1964), p. 92
8. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
9. “XII Corps Report of Operations 1 April 1945–30 April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
10. “Landkreis Bischofsstein,” Encyklopedie valecneho zajeti a internace Czech Republic, www.evzi.estranky.cz, accessed 1 November 2014
11. Ibid.
12. “XII Corps Report of Operations 1 April 1945–30 April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
13. Encyklopedie valecneho zajeti a internace Czech Republic, www.evzi.estranky.cz, accessed 1 November 2014
14. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 6
15. “Report of Operations, 1 March–8 May 1945,” Headquarters, 2d Cavalry GP (Mecz), Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 22
16. “Intelligence and Operations Summary No. 3,” 26 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
17. 42d Recon. Sq. S-3 Journal, April–May 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, pp. 76–7
18. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), 289-290
19. “Report of Operations, 1 March–8 May 1945,” Headquarters, 2D Cavalry GP (Mecz), Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 22
20. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), pp. 289–90
21. “The Forgotten Spanish Riding School: The Story of the Royal Hungarian Spanish Riding School of Budapest and its Last Commander” by Jan S. Maiburg, Haute École, Volume 15, Issue 4
22. “Als der rote Terror Deutschland erreichte–Vor 60 Jahren begingen Rotarmisten das Massaker von Nemmersdorf” by Father Lothar Groppe, Preussische Algemeine Zeitung, 16 October 2004
23. Fred Glueckstein, Of Men, Women and Horses (Bloomington: Xlibris, 2006), p. 74
24. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 114
25. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from early May 1945 to the Surrender (Bohemian Forest to the Area West of Pilsen)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 128
Chapter 4: White Gold
1. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 6
2. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” 4 November 1970, Haute École, Second Cavalry Association
3. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from early May 1945 to the Surrender (Bohemian Forest to the Area West of Pilsen)” by General der Infanterie Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 128
4. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 115
5. “42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, After Action Report, April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
6. Nigel Thomas, Hitler’s Russian & Cossack Allies 1941–45 (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2015), pp. 24–8
7. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
8. Interview with Sergeant Vito Spadafino, lately Troop A, 42nd Cavalry Squadron, 6 June 2017
9. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
10. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 114
Chapter 5: Operation Sauerkraut
1. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from early May 1945 to the Surrender (Bohemian Forest to the Area West of Pilsen)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 128
2. “XII Corps Report of Operations 1 April 1945–30 April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
3. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 2
4. “42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, After Action Report, April 1945,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
5. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
6. Whiting, Charles, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 170
7. Ibid: p. 171
8. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 3
9. “How General Patton and Some Unlikely Allies Saved the Prized Lipizzaner Stallions” by Karen Jensen, World War II, 18 September 2009
10. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
11. Elizabeth Letts, The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis (Kindle, Ballantine Books, 2016), unpaginated
12. Ibid.
13. David Dorondo, Riders of the Apocalypse: German Cavalry & Modern Warfare, 1870–1945, (Kindle: Naval Institute Press, 2012), unpaginated
14. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
Chapter 6: Plenipotentiary
1. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
2. Stephan Talty, Operation Cowboy: The Secret Mission to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Horses in the Last Days of World War II (Kindle; Amazon Digital Services, 2014), unpaginated
3. Michael Keane, George S. Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer (Washington DC: Regnery Press), p. 137
4. Elizabeth Kaye McCall, The Tao of Horses: Exploring How Horses Guide Us on Our Spiritual Path (Kindle Unlimited: Adams Media, 2004), unpaginated
5. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from early May 1945 to the Surrender (Bohemian Forest to the Area West of Pilsen)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 133
6. “How General Patton and Some Unlikely Allies Saved the Prized Lipizzaner Stallions” by Karen Jensen, World War II, 18 September 2009
7. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
8. First Lieutenant William D. Quinlivan, Memorandum, 12 July 1946, Kellog Arabian Ranch, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
9. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from early May 1945 to the Surrender (Bohemian Forest to the Area West of Pilsen)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 133
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. “An Account of the 2nd US Cavalry taking the Remount Depot in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, and the return of a breeding band of Lipizzaner horses held there to Austria” by Thomas M. Stewart, unpublished, 11 November 2007, p. 2
13. Stephan Talty, Operation Cowboy: The Secret Mission to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Horses in the Last Days of World War II (Kindle; Amazon Digital Services, 2014), unpaginated
14. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
15. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 3
16. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 117
17. Ibid: pp. 119–20
18. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from early May 1945 to the Surrender (Bohemian Forest to the Area West of Pilsen)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 130
19. “An Account of the 2nd US Cavalry taking the Remount Depot in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, and the return of a breeding band of Lipizzaner horses held there to Austria” by Thomas M. Stewart, unpublished, 11 November 2007, p. 3
20. Wolf Schmoekel, The Dragoon’s Story: A History of the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (Randall Print Company, 1958), p. 74
21. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 3
22. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
23. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 3
24. Ibid.
25. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
26. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 4
27. Ibid.
Chapter 7: Duty
1. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
2. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 5
3. Ibid: p. 12
4. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
5. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 4
6. Ibid.
7. Michael Keane, George S. Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer (Washington DC: Regnery Press, 2012), p. 138
8. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 5
9. Ibid.
10. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
11. Michael Keane, George S. Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer (Washington DC: Regnery Press, 2012), p. 138
12. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 5
13. Ibid.
14. Ibid.
15. Ibid.
16. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
17. “US Remount Service and its Stallions & Rescue of WWII Hostau POWs and of the Lipizzans, Part 1” by Earl Parker, Haute École, Volume 20, Issue 4, Spring/Summer 2012, p. 5
18. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 6
19. Ibid.
20. Elizabeth Letts, The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis (Kindle, Ballantine Books, 2016), unpaginated
21. Stephan Talty, Operation Cowboy: The Secret Mission to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Horses in the Last Days of World War II (Kindle, Amazon Digital Services, 2014), unpaginated
22. Ibid.
23. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, pp. 123–4
Chapter 8: “Adolf ist Kaput!”
1. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by General der Infanterie Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 114
2. Ibid: p. 129
3. Ibid: p. 130
4. Ibid: p. 130
5. Ibid: p. 134
6. Ibid: p. 134
7. Ibid: p. 133
8. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 133
12. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 7
13. Ibid: p. 6
14. Ibid: p. 7
15. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
16. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
17. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 8
18. Michael Keane, George S. Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer (Washington DC: Regnery Press, 2012), p. 139
19. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 8
20. Ibid.
21. Fred Glueckstein, Of Men, Women and Horses, (Bloomington: Xlibris, 2006), p. 76
22. “Report of Operations, 1 March–8 May 1945,” Headquarters 2D Cavalry GP (Mecz), Archives II, NARA, MMRC
Chapter 9: The Road Less Traveled
1. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–, Jahrgang II
2. “An Account of the 2nd US Cavalry taking the Remount Depot in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, and the return of a breeding band of Lipizzaner horses held there to Austria” by Thomas M. Stewart, unpublished, 11 November 2007, p. 8
3. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, pp. 8–9
4. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 86
5. Ibid.
6. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
7. Ibid.
8. FM 2-30, Field Manual, Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, War Department, 28 August 1944, p. 41
9. “Office of Medical History, Chapter XIII: Animal Procurement,” U.S. Army Medical Department, 511, history.amedd.army.mil, accessed 15 January 2017
10. Ibid: 512
11. FM 2-30, Field Manual, Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, War Department, 28 August 1944, p. 25
12. Ibid: p. 30
13. “Exploiting Combat Experience: The US Forces European Theater Study of Mechanized Cavalry Units,” monograph by Lieutenant Colonel Christopher N. Prigge, School of Advanced Military Studies, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 2011, p. 41
14. Ibid: p. 49
15. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
16. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 123
17. Ibid: p. 128
18. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), pp. 139–40
22. S-3 Journal, 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
Chapter 10: Enemy Situation Unknown
1. “Unit Report No. 233,” 42d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 29 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
2. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 292
3. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 86
4. Gordon L. Rottman, World War II US Cavalry Groups: European Theater (Oxford: Osprey, 2012), p. 31
5. “No. 21: Use of the Volkssturm in the battles in the Bohemian Forest; The events in Waier during the invasion of the Americans and the arrival of the Czechs, Report of the FJ from Waier,” Kreis Bischofteinitz, 1955, www.doku.zentrum-gegen-vertreibung.de, accessed 2 January 2017
6. FM 2-30, Field Manual, Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, War Department, 28 August 1944, p. 39
7. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 42
8. “Unit Report No. 233,” 42d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 29 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
9. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 86
10. “No. 21: Use of the Volkssturm in the battles in the Bohemian Forest; The events in Waier during the invasion of the Americans and the arrival of the Czechs, Report of the FJ from Waier,” Kreis Bischofteinitz, 1955, doku.zentrum-gegen-vertreibung.de, accessed 2 January 2017
11. Ibid.
12. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 292
13. FM 2-30, Field Manual, Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, War Department, 28 August 1944, p. 41
14. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
15. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 292
16. Gordon L. Rottman, World War II US Cavalry Groups: European Theater (Oxford: Osprey, 2012), p. 24
17. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 292
18. Ibid.
19. Ibid.
20. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 86
21. Ibid.
22. “An Account of the 2nd US Cavalry taking the Remount Depot in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, and the return of a breeding band of Lipizzaner horses held there to Austria” by Thomas M. Stewart, unpublished, 11 November 2007, p. 8
23. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 9
24. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 87
25. Ibid.
26. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 9
27. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 292
28. Gordon L. Rottman, World War II US Cavalry Groups: European Theater (Oxford: Osprey, 2012), p. 23
Chapter 11: Liberators and Saviors
1. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 133
2. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
3. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
4. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 87
5. Ibid.
6. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
7. “Question of Ownership of Captured Horses,” United States Congress: Committee on Armed Services, 1947, Washington D.C., 1948, p. 242
8. Ibid.
9. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid.
13. Renita Menyhert, Ernie Pyle Was My Hero (Bloomington: Xlibris, 2012), p. 142
14. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
15. Ibid.
16. FM 2-30, Field Manual, Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, War Department, 28 August 1944, p. 42
17. OPD 336, Czechoslovakia, Section 1, Case 13, “Seizure of Food Stuffs and Livestock by American Forces in Czechoslovakia,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
Chapter 12: No Way Out
1. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 88
2. Elizabeth Letts, The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis (Kindle, Ballantine Books, 2016), unpaginated
3. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 27 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 88
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), pp. 292–3
7. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses, (London: Harrap, 1964), 107–8
8. Ibid: 108
9. Ibid: 110
10. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 10
11. Ibid.
12. “Verzerichnis des Pferdebestandes des Heeresremonteamts Hostau, Stichtag: 29.4.45,” found in “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), April–May 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
13. Ibid.
14. Ibid.
15. Ibid.
16. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
17. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 111
18. Ibid.
19. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
20. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
21. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
22. Ibid.
23. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
24. “Operations Reports: XII Corps, Spearhead of Patton’s Third Army,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 426
25. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
26. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 9
Chapter 13: The Alamo
1. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 9
2. Ibid: pp. 9–10
3. “Unit Report No. 233,” 42d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 29 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
4. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 30 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
5. Ibid.
6. Gregory L. Mattson, SS-Das Reich: The History of the Second SS Division 1939–45 (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2002), p. 170
7. “Operations Reports: XII Corps, Spearhead of Patton’s Third Army,” 387-INF (387) -0.6, Narrated by Col. W.D. Long, 17 Apr.–30 May 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 426
8. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 29 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
9. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 292
10. “Operations Reports: 387-INF (387)–0.6,” Narrative by Colonel W.D. Long, 17 Apr–30 May 45, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 7
11. Interview with former Sergeant Vito Spadafino, Troop A, 42d Cavalry, 6 June 2017
12. “Operations Reports: 387-INF (387)–0.6,” Narrative by Colonel W.D. Long, 17 Apr–30 May 45, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 7
13. Ibid: p. 7
14. Why this SS unit, several hundred men strong, decided to attack Hostau remains a mystery. Possibly they were after the horses—whose value was well known to the Germans—perhaps to use as their own bargaining chip when it came to surrender. Maybe they were simply doing their job, which was to kill the enemy, and what better target than an isolated American unit miles behind the German lines?
15. The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed, Second Cavalry Association
16. Ibid: p. 9
17. “Operations Reports: 387-INF (387)”–0.6, Narrative by Colonel W.D. Long, 17 Apr–30 May 45, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 7
18. Ibid: p. 7
19. “42nd Recon Cavalry Squadron, Unit History,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
20. “Operations Reports: 387-INF (387)”–0.6, Narrative by Colonel W.D. Long, 17 Apr–30 May 45, Archives II, NARA, MMRC, 7
Chapter 14: All Quiet on the Western Front
1. “S-3 Journal,” 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized), 30 April 1945, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
2. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 131
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid: p. 134
6. Ibid.
7. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 171
8. Ibid: p. 172
9. Frank Westerman, Brother Mendel’s Perfect Horse: Man and Beast in an Age of Human Warfare (New York: Random House, 2012), p. 123
10. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 11
11. Ibid.
12. “An Account of the 2nd US Cavalry taking the Remount Depot in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, and the return of a breeding band of Lipizzaner horses held there to Austria” by Thomas M. Stewart, unpublished, 11 November 2007, p. 9
13. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 11
14. The 42nd only suffered a single casualty during the firefight—Private First Class Lloyd E. Tunnell was lightly wounded by German fire. (“42nd Recon Cavalry Squadron, Unit History,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC, p. 13)
15. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 11
16. “Operations Reports: 387-INF (387)”–0.7, Unit Journal No. 34, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
17. “Operations Reports: 387-INF (387)”–0.7, Unit Journal No. 34, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
Chapter 15: The Green Light
1. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954, p. 135
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid: p. 136
6. Ibid: p. 137
7. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 112
8. Ibid: p. 113
9. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 172
10. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 113
11. Ibid: p. 114
12. Ibid: p. 116
13. “The General and the Horses” by J.J. Han Lin, American Legion Magazine, February 1963, p. 23
14. Ibid: p. 23
15. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 175
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid: p. 174
Chapter 16: Day of Days
1. “Memorandum: Status of the Lipizzaner Horses in U.S. Zone Austria” by Major Richard P. Weeber, 15 May 1946, US Forces, Austria, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
2. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses, (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 118
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Charles Whiting, Patton’s Last Battle (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2007), p. 149
6. Ibid.
7. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
8. Ibid.
9. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 119
10. Ibid.
11. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
12. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
13. “Memorandum: Status of the Lipizzaner Horses in U.S. Zone Austria” by Major Richard P. Weeber, 15 May 1946, US Forces, Austria, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
14. Stanley P. Hirshson, Patton: A Soldier’s Life (New York: HarperCollins, 2002), p. 743
15. “The General and the Horses” by J.J. Han Lin, American Legion Magazine, February 1963, p. 23
16. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
Chapter 17: Operation Cowboy
1. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
2. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 303
3. Ibid: p. 304
4. 12th Army Group, 371.3, Military Objectives, Vol. VIII, Archives II, NARA, MMRC
5. Ibid.
6. “The Rescue of the Lipizzaner Horses: A personal account by Colonel Charles Hancock Reed,” Second Cavalry Association
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 12
10. “Hostau 1945: Die Rettung der Lipizzaner–Wagnis oder Wunder?” by Brigitte Peter, Zyklus, 1982, 2–4, Jahrgang II
11. Hans-Heinrich Isenbart and Emil M. Bührer, The Imperial Horse: The Saga of the Lipizzans (Newton Abbott: David & Charles, 1986), p. 40
12. “Hostau Reminiscences” by Thomas Stewart, unpublished, March 1990, p. 13
13. Ibid.
14. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 129
15. “The General and the Horses” by J.J. Han Lin, American Legion Magazine, February 1963, p. 42
16. Ibid.
Chapter 18: The Grand Drive
1. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 313
2. Secretary of War Patterson to Acting Secretary of State Grew, 28 July 1945, OPD 336 Czechoslovakia, Section 1, case 13, “Seizure of Food Stuffs and Livestock by American Forces in Czechoslovakia,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 129
6. Ibid: p. 130
7. Ibid: p. 130
8. Secretary of War Patterson to Acting Secretary of State Grew, 28 July 1945, OPD 336 Czechoslovakia, Section 1, case 13, “Seizure of Food Stuffs and Livestock by American Forces in Czechoslovakia,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
9. Interview with Sergeant Vito Spadafino, ex-Troop A, 42d Cavalry Squadron, 6 June 2017
10. Ibid.
11. Secretary of War Patterson to Acting Secretary of State Grew, 28 July 1945, OPD 336 Czechoslovakia, Section 1, case 13, “Seizure of Food Stuffs and Livestock by American Forces in Czechoslovakia,” Archives II, NARA, MMRC
12. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 130
13. A.L. Lambert and G.B. Layton, The Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army: Second United States Cavalry: A History (Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association), p. 314
14. Alois Podhajsky, My Dancing White Horses (London: Harrap, 1964), p. 130
15. Ibid: p. 131
16. Ibid: p. 132
Epilogue
1. Interview with Sergeant Vito Spadafino, late Troop A, 42d Cavalry Squadron, 6 June 2017
2. “Headquarters Military Area XIII from mid-April to the beginning of May 1945 (Naab Front to the Bohemian Forest)” by Lieutenant General Karl Weisenberger, Foreign Military Studies, 1945–54, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1954