Rose Barracks Branch Library

Grafenwoehr Library presents Guest Speaker Dr. Rory Cooper (see flyer)Friday, 9 March 2012, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. at the Memorial Fitness CenterDr. Rory Cooper will present “Pathways to Successful Transition for Wounded, Injured, and Ill Warriors,” followed by book signing and question and answer period. Dr. Rory Cooper, a distinguished Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. He is also the Center Director at the Center of Excellence for Wheelchair and Related Technology, VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Center, and a Senior Research Career Scientist at the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, Dr. Cooper is a decorated U.S. Army Veteran who uses a wheelchair as a result of injuries suffered during his military service and is a Para Olympic Athlete who holds 4 gold and 1 silver medals.

Storytime

Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Children’s area

Children’s furniture, easy and javenile materials

Teens’ area

Only young adult material

Wireless available nearby (Bowling Center)

Handicap accessible (ramp)

Equipment

Research computers: 5

Recreational computers: 25

Microfilm reader with print capabilities

Typewriter

The Region

The Grafenwoehr Training Area was established for the III Bavarian Corps in 1907 and training activities were first held there in 1910. During WWI, Grafenwoehr served as activation base for new units and a prisoner of war camp for an average of 12,000 prisoners. In 1919, a 100,000 man army authorized under the Versailles Treaty began training at Grafenwoehr. After the training area was expanded in 1936, the South Camp near the town of Vilseck was constructed. During WWII, the training area again served as an activation base for new divisions and for the training of foreign allied units. In April of 1945 the post and the town of Grafenwoehr were severely bombed by the allies — 104 people were killed on post and in town and 80% of the buildings on post were destroyed. At the South Camp near Vilseck, 12 people were killed and 1 building destroyed during the bombing raid. On April 19, 1945, the 90th Infantry of the Third U.S. Army occupied the training area which was formally surrendered all facilities to the American forces on April 20, 1945.

After the war, the South Camp was used to hold German prisoners of war and, later, as an assembly point for Polish and Ukrainian displaced persons. From 1947 until 1948, the International Refugee Organization operated a processing station for Jewish displaced persons.

In 1948 a Tank Training Center was established at the South Camp in Vilseck. In 1949, the Tank Training Center’s mission changed from unit training to institutional training with the M-24 light tank and M-26 medium tank as the main subjects of instruction. In 1950, the first foreign students trained at the South Camp under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. On July 5, 1951, the South Camp was redesignated as the Seventh Army Training Center with a two year major improvement program of physical layout of the academic facilities and the tank gunnery ranges. The South Camp was designated ”Rose Barracks” honoring Major General Maurice Rose, the WW II Commander of the 3^rd Armored Division.

In 1958, the Training Center is redesignated the Seventh Army Combined Arms School and together with Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Areas, the school is placed under the newly established Training Center. In the 1960s, the school began on the M-41 light tank and the M-47 medium tank as well as the M-60 main battle tank and the M-551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle. In 1970 the Officer and NCO Maintenance Supervisors courses relocated from Murnau to Rose Barracks when the Murnau school closed. In 1971 the Combined Arms Training School was redesignated the Seventh Army Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) tasked to consolidate all institutional training of the U.S. Army in Europe. Combat Support Courses from the U.S. Army School at Oberamergau were transferred to Rose Barracks in 1973. Non-commissioned Officers Academy and the Communications-Electronics training courses were placed under CATC. Training began in the 1980s on the M1 Abrams Battle Tank and the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

Sources: Burckhardt, Paul, The Major Training Areas: Grafenwoehr/Vilseck, Hohenfels, Wildflecken, 1984.

The Library

The building the library is now in used to be the Officer’s Club. The library moved into this building about twelve years ago. The library also offers its patrons a special seating area with a historical monument (fire place).