This post is sponsored by the My Mini Golf Scorecard App Pro.

Buda, Texas

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum: Hole 12 – Liberation of Paris

Par 3

Hole 12 is sponsored by:

mud bugs

As the Allies pushed inland from the coast of Normandy the surprise of the German defenders had turned into stubborn resistance. Amassing elite SS Panzer units around the key transportation hub of Caen, German forces repulsed attack after attack until finally being driven back on August 6th, 1944.

Despite concentrating strong forces near the Allied front, German units were spread thin, and as a result were outflanked and surrounded in mid-August in what became known as the Falaise Pocket. Allied warplanes controlled the skies, pounding German equipment and armor into ruin.

On August 21st the pocket was sealed, trapping upwards of 50,000 German troops. Falaise was the decisive battle of the Normandy campaign, and crippled German heavy equipment and manpower in France. The road to Paris was now open.

On August 19th, French Resistance fighters, knowing that the Allies were only days away, staged an uprising in Paris, tying down German defenders in street battles throughout the city. On August 24th, French and American units entered Paris while German units desperately attempted to flee the city.

The next day German Generals in Paris formally surrendered, defying Hitler’s orders to inflict as much damage on Paris as possible. The humiliation of his rapid defeat in France was not lost on Hitler, who began planning an audacious counteroffensive in the dead of winter to push the Allies out of France… (continued on Hole #13)

Vocabulary Word: French Resistance – The French Resistance was an underground army supplied in secret by the Allies that disrupted German supply lines and ambushed German forces in occupied France. Comprising hundreds of semi-independent groups, French Resistance units provided valuable intelligence in preparing for the D-Day landings by spying on German fortifications and troop movements.

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum

This hole is dedicated to Lt. Howard A. Linderer, 359th FG 369th FS

Howard A. Linderer, born in Clinton, OK, enlisted in early 1940 and was assigned to the Army National Guard 45th Division, the famous “Thunderbirds.” After his father Ado’s death, and being on inactive status, was reassigned to the Army Air Corps. He trained for several years flying the AT-6, the P-40, and the famous P-47 Thunderbolt. On December 29, 1943, in the middle of the night. Howard and his fellow airmen boarded a cruise ship and braved the German U-boat infested waters of the Atlantic destined for England.

He was assigned to the 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron, based at East Wretham. Here he oriented himself with the P-51D Mustang “Briny Marlin” also his affectionate nickname for the love of his life, his wife, Thelma. He flew as a bomber escort for most of his 33 missions. The Luftwaffe set a strong defense along the German western border. On March 16, 1944, Howard scored his first aerial victory against the famous Messerschmitt Bf-109. As an enemy fighter attacked a B-17, he engaged head on, putting himself between the B-17 and the enemy. His bravery saved the 9 B-17 crewmen and downed the enemy aircraft.

Howard also destroyed a host of German armor and equipment, from troop transports to tanks. On his 33rd mission, June 12, 1944, his luck ended. During a heavy dogfight against well-trained German pilots, two of his group were killed and Howard took enemy fire. Using his training and skill, he belly-landed his P-51 in a potato field 15 miles outside Paris. A French farmer tried hiding him, but the Germans eventually captured him.

Howard was taken to Stalag Luft III POW camp, 90 miles southeast of Berlin. There, American pilots and crew ate rotten bread and potatoes, performed manual labor and tried to survive. Living on 400-600 calories a day was extremely hard; most POW’s from this camp came back home 40-50 pounds lighter. When Russians neared the camp, they were marched in icy weather west to Stalag VII in Moosberg, near Munich. Here he was liberated by the famous General Patton.

Howard continued to serve his country for over 20 years, retiring as a Lt Colonel. His actions in combat saved many lives. He fathered two children and five grandchildren.

Rest in Peace brave warrior of the skies. Recipient of the following: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaves and the Purple Heart.

Lt. Colonel Howard A. Linderer,

1921-1999

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum

This hole is a pretty flat hole with a slight break to the left. It houses a replica of the Eiffel Tower. This could be one of the easiest holes on the course.

Mister Mini Golf Pro Tips

Aim for the right legs of the tower to cut back to the left of the hole.

ADA Accessibility Notes: ADA compliant pathways are installed to allow for 9 holes of accessible play.

For more details on course accessibility, always check in with a course you are visiting as they may be able to do additional accommodations. In addition, a great resource is the ADA Checklist for Miniature Golf Courses.

Check out the prior hole here:

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum: Hole 11 – D-Day

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum’s Page is located here:

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum

Make sure to like, comment, share, follow, and subscribe!

Want to become a sponsor or a partner of MiniGolfReviews? It’s easy, go to the Sponsors/Partners page for more information.

All content is owned by MiniGolfReviews.com, if you would like to link it to your own blog, reach out at MisterMiniGolfReviews@gmail.com.

Thank you all for your support! 😁

Happy Mini Golfing ⛳️

-Mister Mini Golf