Großeibstadt - there's a name that brings back some memories. I was stationed in Schweinfurt with US Army 3rd Infantry Division (2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment) from 1987-1990, and one of our missions was to supplement the 'Border Trace' along the East-West German border. Our 'trace' segment went from just north of Mellrichstadt (incidentally, the home base of our partner Bundeswehr unit, Panzergrenadierbattalion 352), all around the 'Heldburg Salient', around Coburg, around the 'Sonneberg Salient', ending just north of Ludwigsstadt. I was 'on trace' at the end of '87, and again in '88, so I'm pretty sure that I drove through Großeibstadt on more than one occasion, maybe even stopped at 'die Bäckerei' for some filling bread loaves/pastries, and strong coffee! (and perhaps a flask of locally-sourced Schnaps for later when back at the CP

).
Alas, haven't been back in that AO since I left active duty in 1990, though I have been through Germany a few times for work (and many times transiting Frankfurt airport...). Would love to get a chance to get back up there again, just to see how much things have changed in 30+ years, I'm sure for the better (no fences, walls, mines, or GAK troops, for starters...or DDR Grenzpfählen, for starters, let alone getting into a 'staring contest' with a Mi-24!

). This year may be hard to swing, but perhaps in the next couple, is this a yearly tournament? Wouldn't mind playing some Schafkopf, while I'm at it! My German is rather rusty (it comes back quickly with 'immersion' and bier, so that's a plus)...would like to set a 'target' for future ASL travel!
