News

On October 19 2017, the Amt für Rüstung Wehrtechnik (ARWT) held its 2017 Annual Meeting at the Burstyn Barracks in Zwölfaxing east of Vienna. As this year’s motto was “Military Vehicle Technology Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, the Traditionsverband was asked to provide the vehicles surrounding the event, displaying Austrian military vehicles from the 1950s to the 1980s. Willys Jeep, Puch Haflinger, Gräf & Stift recovery crane, Steyr 680 M3F and Berliet GBC 8MT were parked next to M26 Pacific and Diamond recovery crane from the collection of the Military History Museum. Keynote addresses were presented by ARWT, RMVV (MAN Rheinmetall Military Vehicles Vienna) and the “Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit” (Traffic Safety Board).

n September 2&3 the Traditionsverband opened its depot in Prottes for its fourth Annual Gathering. Like in the previous years we had a lot of classics on display. Unfortunately the weather on Sunday morning was less than optimal, but the rest of the weekend we could enjoy perfect sunshine and warm temperatures, and some 400 visitors were catered to by our field kitchen

By invitation of the Carinthian Army Command, the Traditionsverband provided the “historical” part at the Army’s large display of Military Technology in St.Veit/Glan. On Austria’s National Day, every year the Army organizes its major display downtown Vienna, but also provides one such alternative display in one of the provinces. This year Carinthia was selected to show Army capabilities together with those of all other emergency and disaster relief organizations. Clear blue skies and perfect late-summer temperatures brought 30000 visitors to the fairgrounds in St.Veit/Glan.

On June 28 2017 Colonel Günther Gutmann retired from his long-term position as chief of the Motorization Institute of the Army’s Logistics School (HLogS/KFW). During a retirement ceremony held that day at the Institute’s home at the Burstyn Barracks in Zwölfaxing east of Vienna, Col. Gutmann was awarded honorary membership in the Traditionsverband. Dr. Hermann Spörker, president of the Traditionsverband, especially cited the strong support that Col. Gutmann had provided to the Traditionsverband since its inception. “Many activities would not have been possible, had it not been for Col. Gutmann’s continuous support” said Spörker. “Many of our members have known him for a long time, over the years we have developed a deep friendship, and we are convinced that Col. Gutmann will continue to provide his vast experience.”

This is only the second honorary membership that has been awarded by the Traditionsverband, our first honorary member being Gen. i.R. Horst Pleiner, last General Inspector (Generaltruppeninspektor) of the Austrian Army.