Nisei Legacy Tours

29/12/2024

27/12/2024

Are you an artist looking for a unique opportunity to create meaningful work while engaging with history? The “Art of Remembrance” project offers an 8-week funded residency for 4 artists at one of four prominent WWII remembrance sites in Europe.

Artists will receive €10,000 for production and wages, access to the rich archives and resources of the host museums, and the chance to participate in a traveling installation showcasing their work across Europe.

How to apply: https://www.art-of-remembrance.eu/call-for-artists/
Deadline: 5 February 2025

27/10/2024

The warm sunshine burns off the fog just as we arrive in the valley below the (in)famous Eagle's Nest, promising the best possible "grand finale" to our tour in the footsteps - or should we say tire tracks - of the 522nd FAB.

A shuttle bus takes us up the mountain road from the Obersalzberg Dukumentazion museum, towards the massive elevator that takes visitors up the last 124 meters, straight into the heart of the house.

The Kehlstein House is often mistaken for Hitler's mountain retreat at Obersalzberg. In reality, the Bergdorf, part of the complex of mountain houses of the main figureheads in the N**i regime, is where he slept. The Kehlstein House was mainly used as entertainment space.

To dissuade "pilgrims" and devotees from flocking to Hitler's Sperrgebiet or safe zone, the Bergdorf and other buildings were blown up and replaced today with a museum and documentation center. The series of tunnels and bunkers that were used to connect the various buildings and provide safe living conditions in case of an Allied assault, remain in place today.

But why does June not want our fabulous driver Wim to talk to her? 🤔 Oh wait... it's the abundant sunshine!

Thank you all for having joined me on our maiden voyage, following the 522nd FAB across the Rhine.

27/10/2024

Warm sunshine accompanies us on this crisp fall day to the former SS-Junkerschule where the 522nd passed through in late April 1945. We have an unexpected encounter with another group of people who are on a path of remembrance, the 10th Special Forces Group.

Our main mission for today is a remembrance ceremony at the monument to the victims of the Death March that originated from Dachau. On 2 May 1945, the men of the 522nd ran in to the column of starving, exhausted prisoners in this location near the town of Waakirchen. The mayor, Norbert Kerkel, shares our desire to remember the past so we can avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

Because the 522nd remained in Waakirchen for 2 days to help with the survivors, they had time to take some pictures and we go on the hunt to match the spots in town to those photographs. One kind gentleman allows us into his garden so we can get the same angle.

The Hoppebräu brewery makes sure we don't go hungry!

In the evening, mayor of Bad-Tolz, Michael Lindmaier gives a lot of warmth to the brief history of his beautiful city.
The main event is a presentation on the workings of the Volksbund, the German organisation that looks after the war cemeteries. The differences between how they operate and are funded and the equivalent "Allied" organisations is eye-opening and keeps the group captivated to well into the evening!
A big thank you to presenter Max Fugen, and an even bigger one to Florian Voller for bringing us all together.

26/10/2024

Today we moved from Augsburg to Bad-Tolz, closely following the path of the 522nd.

On the outskirts of the city, we visit Hall 116, part of the Augsburg-Pfersee sub-camps. The once upon a time Messerschmidt factory was supplied with forced labour and became a concentration camp. In the post-war years, the site was used by the US during the occupation and through the Cold War years. The frank and open discourse by our guide had our group's attention throughout the visit!

A brief stop at the Lechfeld Airfield gave the Westdale family a chance to connect their father's presence here 80 years ago to their own presence today.

Little remains of the Kaufering sub-camps and the area around I, III and IV has been returned to its natural and peaceful state, with only the monuments and personal memorials at the Jewish cemeteries reminding visitors of the horrors that took place.

The Archabbey of St Ottillien near Turckheim provided a peaceful environment to reflect on today's experiences, just as it provided a safe and welcoming waypoint to around 5000 mostly Jewish families in the post-war years, as the "Surviving Remnant" tried to work out their options to rebuild their lives.

24/10/2024

Our visit to Dachau was greatly enhanced by the expert knowledge of our guide who managed to give a concise history of Germany and the local situation in Bavaria that led to the establishment of the camp.

With that foundation, he took our group through the various parts, explaining who was where and what they suffered through. His storytelling about the inmates and their masters - generously interspersed with his personal illustrations and family stories - kept everyone's attention throughout the visit.

The men of the 522nd were about 30 km away from the main camp at Dachau when it was liberated on 29 April 1945, but the scenes they encountered at the sub-camps on their path would have been equally horrific.

23/10/2024

After saying goodbye yesterday at St Avold to those returning to Paris after the Vosges tour - managing to get all the bags on the right buses! - the rest of us have continued into Germany to pick up the trail of the 522nd FAB.

The 522nd was the only part of the 442nd RCT to have crossed the Rhine and made their way through the so-called "Holocaust Alley", an area between Stuttgart and Munich dotted with a network of Dachau sub-camps.

At our first stop in Ellwangen, we are treated to the beautiful town and its centuries old history, as told in fine fashion by our local guide.

One of the sites we come across on our walk is a set of "stumbling stones", brass tiles set into the pavement to remind us of the Jewish families who lived in the house behind us.

The biggest treat comes from being given access to the Reinhardt Barracks - a SS-training camp 80 years ago, but now a language training school for the German army. A chat with the students who are active soldiers sharpens their English conversational skills and answers a million questions from our group.

After lunch in the former officers mess, we set off for Donauworth, where the men of the 522nd arrived on the 18th of May 1945 for occupation duty until they were moved out of Germany.

While there, they rebuilt the bridge across the Danube river (Donau) blown up by the retreating German troops. Other parts of the town were heavily damaged by an Allied air bombardment to eliminate the train station. At the visitor centre we find a picture with a collage of "Hawaiian" faces, as they are called in the picture's caption.

23/10/2024

The last visit on this year's Vosges tour brings an unexpected ceremony at the St Avold American Cemetery, where the Akimoto brothers - John (100th Bn, Co C) and Victor (100th Bn, Co A) - are laid to rest side by side.

It is tradition for recruits in the French Army who have completed their basic training in the nearby army camps to have a "graduation ceremony" at St Avold. The US base in Frankfurt always provides a colour guard as a sign of the ongoing ties between France and the USA.

The recruits are reminded that one day they may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice like those who went before them.

The newly appointed Superintendent at the ABMC cemetery receives recognition from Go for Broke National Educational Centre.

22/10/2024

After a few very emotional days, it is time to relax a little and pick up the tourist trail rather than the trail of advancing soldiers.

In Strasbourg, we first learn more about the European institutions, many of which were established after the war to increase cooperation between European nations and reduce the risk of a new war.

The buildings - like the one housing the European parliament - are full of symbolism in their design.

After lunch, a guided walk through the Old Town tells us more about the ancient history of a city with a very tumultuous past!

21/10/2024

Another emotionally charged day!

Our welcoming committee is ready and waiting for us when we arrive.

The traditional parade from the church to the war monument in town is a great way to hand out some omiyage to the local citizens.
By the war memorial, the school children sing the national hymns of both France and the US to start the ceremony.

We then make our way up the hill towards the American monuments on Hill 555 in the Helledraye Forest. Unlike the men of the 100th/442nd wating to move from their jump-off point, we are enjoying a gloriously sunny fall day.

With the official part of the ceremony over and all wreaths placed, there is time to walk around the newly opened commemorative trail.

Back in town, a jazz band is providing the entertainment during lunch. A quick visit to the new museum and we are dashing off again towards Gerardmer to go prepare for the farewell dinner, our last opportunity to thank the mayors and representatives of the remembrance organisations for their hospitality and for keeping the memories alive.

Thank you to the towns of Bruyeres, Biffontaine, Belmont, Laval-sur-Vologne, Fremifontaine, the Peace and Freedom Trail Association, the Borne 6 Association, Quentin Thiaville, Clement Derudder and Cyril Toussaint for providing an unforgettable experience to the Nisei families.

20/10/2024

Today's focus is on Biffontaine and the rescue of the Lost Battalion. With our big bus making its way along the ridge where the 100th Bn moved towards the cut-off Texans, many have turned out for the ceremony at the Borne 6 monument.

Afterwards, there was a little time available to go walk around the area and take in the atmosphere on this beautiful morning, Our escorts identify some left-behind telephone wire in a trench.

Back in Biffontaine, Mayor Denis Henry reminds us all of the history and events that took place 80 years ago and the crowd present today can exchange their own stories and remembrances over a drink afterwards.

The team in charge of the lunch did a phenomenal job in getting the crowd provided for. Their efforts were very much appreciated! A massive thank you to Biffontaine for their continued remembrance.

In the afternoon we are at the Epinal American Cemetery for the memorial service there. Split into smaller groups and assisted by our "support crew" - Quentin, Cyril and Clement - we manage to visit all of the 12 soldiers of the 100th/442nd laid to rest here.

A last stop for the day is made at the "American Camp" at Bruyeres, where a few amical drinks are shared with the reenactors and proud owners of the vintage vehicles.

19/10/2024

Our 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Bruyeres tour is off to a good start.

Leaving the rain behind in Paris, we head east towards the Vosges for a long weekend of celebration and remembrance.

First port of call is Laval-sur Vologne, where Mayor Stephane Pauchard leads the commemoration by the monument of Yohei Sagami, killed in a nearby field on the first day of the battle for Bruyeres, 15 October 1944.

The monument has grown over the years from a modest plaque to the well-tended memorial that it is today, under the dedicated care of Michel Pierrat and the town council.

Next stop is Fremifontane, a town with who the bonds of friendship have tightened in recent years. A ceremony at the monument dedicated to the 45th Div reminds us that countless men were involved in the liberation of Europe and that no unit was alone.

A special thank you also goes to the authorities and people of Belmont, present at both ceremonies, for their continued efforts to honour the men who fought to liberate their town and welcome their families.

25/09/2024

Our friends of Toscana '44 being recognised for their efforts in preserving the local history.

Congratulations and thank you for your unwavering support of our groups!

❤️❤️❤️

Oggi é uscito nel Il Tirreno Cecina - Rosignano un bellissimo articolo sulla nostra associazione. Ringraziamo tantissimo Cecilia Morello per le bellissime parole!

21/09/2024

With only a few bhours left for our trip and still a lot to do and see, we set of for the Lorraine American Cemetery just outside of Epinal to go say hello to the men laid to rest here.

Next, we go to the area where the Texans got trapped. Looking around the forest, with indentations in the soil from foxholes still visible, quickly dispells the image of huddled-together Texans and Germans forming a neat circle around them.

The forest floor is still littred with bits of equipment and amunition. It takee sno time at all to accumulate an "iron harvest". Too heavy to take home the former and too dangerous to take take home the live rounds of ammunition, we leave everything behind.

A last look at Bruyeres and its 4 sentinel hills from the area where the foto of the battle-weary men of the 100th/442nd was taken, before we start the long drive back to Paris.

21/09/2024

Almost completed the full Nisei trail from Cassino to Bruyeres!

We start at the fields where the men set up camp after arriving from the journey that took them from Italy to the southern French port of Marseille and on to the Vosges by train and truck.

The monument at Hill 555 is well looked after by the local authorities and being readied for the big commemorations next month.

A walk through the forest on this gorgeous sunny morning takes us to the viewpoint overlooking the town while giving a sense of distance and scale to the timeline of theBattle for Bruyeres.

After lunch, we meet up with Cyril Toussaint who shares his collection of memorabilia with the group. One of the items is the mess tin of Katsumi Nakayama, Art's father.

A quick tour through the town to see the spots where the Nisei are remembered and then it is time to go join the residents of the retirement home in Granges-Aumontzey, who participated in a musical production with school children to commemorate the role of the Nisei in the liberation of the area.

We finish the emotional day with dinner and more stories provided by Quentin Thiaville !

Thank you to everyone who made the day memorable!!!

18/09/2024

We finish our tour through Italy and France with the 100th Club delegation in Sospel.

Men of the 2nd Bn were billeted in the school building constructed in 1935 and the mess set up in the school grounds. Senji Sugawara, one of K Co's cooks, was hit by a German shell blast, while Larry Miura was killed while on patrol.

Both men are commemorated on the plaque at the school, kindly made accessible to us by Mr. R. Detoeuf, town council representative responsible for education.

Afterwards, we were treated to a walk through the old town under guidance of long-time Nisei families friend, Roland Orengo, who took us across the old toll bridge. Fully restored with the original stones, the bridge looks again like it did before its destruction by retreating German troops as the Allied approached.