Former Enemies Best Friends
Donation protected
Please help us bring together two World War II veterans - former enemies and now best friends - for a mini-documentary for the public and students of World War II. British LIBOR grant funding (1,450 pounds) and an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign ($1,845+) will cover some of travel costs to Normandy, but we need to cover the remaining costs for travel and wireless lavalier microphones - approx. 2,000 pounds. Thank you for your support in bringing them together to film their reunion and friendship for for future generations.
These World War II Veterans - one British and one German - took part in the fierce fighting in Tunisia 75 years ago, and are now best friends.
Desert Rat Graham Stevenson, 93, fought in the desert from ages 17 - 19 in Grant and Sherman tanks at El Alamein, the Mareth Line, and Tunis as a part of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Tank Regiment. In late June 1944, he came in on Gold Beach and was severely wounded by German machine gun fire on his first day of hedgerow fighting in Normandy.
Africa Corps Panzermann Charley Koenig, 94, served in a Panzer IV long-barrel tank crew fighting the British and Americans at the Mareth Line, in the mountains at Medjez-el-Bab, and around Mateur-Ferryville. He was taken as a POW from Africa to the U.S., Belgium, and then England. In 1991 he sought out the Sherwood Rangers, who became the best friends of his life and welcomed him as a brother into their Old Comrades' Association.
Graham and Charley have been heartfelt friends for over a decade. Their moving annual reunion - first in England, then in Normandy - will be filmed for a mini-documentary for the public and for students learning about World War II.
There is not much time left - this may be the last opportunity we ever have to preserve this unique and moving story for future generations. Won't you please help us ensure their story of reconciliation and comradeship lives beyond their deaths?
These World War II Veterans - one British and one German - took part in the fierce fighting in Tunisia 75 years ago, and are now best friends.
Desert Rat Graham Stevenson, 93, fought in the desert from ages 17 - 19 in Grant and Sherman tanks at El Alamein, the Mareth Line, and Tunis as a part of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Tank Regiment. In late June 1944, he came in on Gold Beach and was severely wounded by German machine gun fire on his first day of hedgerow fighting in Normandy.
Africa Corps Panzermann Charley Koenig, 94, served in a Panzer IV long-barrel tank crew fighting the British and Americans at the Mareth Line, in the mountains at Medjez-el-Bab, and around Mateur-Ferryville. He was taken as a POW from Africa to the U.S., Belgium, and then England. In 1991 he sought out the Sherwood Rangers, who became the best friends of his life and welcomed him as a brother into their Old Comrades' Association.
Graham and Charley have been heartfelt friends for over a decade. Their moving annual reunion - first in England, then in Normandy - will be filmed for a mini-documentary for the public and for students learning about World War II.
There is not much time left - this may be the last opportunity we ever have to preserve this unique and moving story for future generations. Won't you please help us ensure their story of reconciliation and comradeship lives beyond their deaths?
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather Steele
Organizer
Annette Beech
Beneficiary
