LATEST KASSEL MISSION NEWS

Today, on behalf of the Kassel Mission Historical Society, we honor and give thanks to our Veterans both past and present. To the 18 million + veterans alive today: Thank You for your dedicated military service and sacrifices! Our mission at KMHS is to perpetuate the memory of those that served in the Kassel Mission and capture the remarkable acts of heroism, small and large, accomplished the days around the September 27th, 1944 air battle.

It is hard to believe that it’s been a year since 30+ of us KMHS Members were fortunate enough to attend the 75th Anniversary Memorial in Friedlos, Germany. Once again, it was a big deal in Germany as it is every year. All the speeches in honoring the fallen, the reconciliation spirit of the Memorial, and the hope for a better world as part of the program. The Kassel Mission Memorial is truly one of a kind.

Do you recall any particular Memorial Day Weekend? Where you were, what you did, and who was there with you? For most of us, we may recall but a few, but most likely they are of fond memories of friends and families gathering and welcoming the approaching days of summer. My hunch is that we will all remember version 2020 for certain!

The day is not until tomorrow, but the memories that it stirs up have already spent three-quarters of a century within our hearts. And since we are in the throes of another battle right now, it even takes on more relevance in our lives. I mourn the death of a small group of heroes who were inside a B-24 named KING KONG on September 27, 1944

For all the information we have accumulated on most of the 35 Kassel Mission crews, there was one we knew absolutely nothing about. All we had was the MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) and the crew list. Roy Bolin’s crew was the first to go down on the mission. Their Liberator crashed near Eisenach, Germany. Only one crew member survived.

Peter Barton who, with his wife Cathy, attended the 75thKassel Mission Memorial Tribute in Friedlos, Germany. Peter and Cathy joined 5 other Americans in a visit to Norwich in the United Kingdom to tour the Tibenham airbase. Eric Radcliffe, Steve Hewitt and Eric Bean - all from the Norfolk area - hosted the group and also joined the larger group in Germany the following week.

The 75th Anniversary of the Kassel Mission was a memorable one. It has been 15 years (2004) since as many came from the US to join in the annual tribute, which is conducted every yearon 9/27 by our German colleagues.

It is with sorrow and a heavy heart that I share with you all the dreadful news that Eberhard Haelbig has passed away. He passed the morning of November 12th, at his home in Eisenach, Germany with his wife Leona and daughter Sophia by his side. He always referred to them both as his “golden girls”.

Today, on behalf of the Kassel Mission Historical Society we honor, once again, our Veterans both past and present.  Though our mission is to perpetuate the memory of those that served in the Kassel Mission, we are among many organizations that exist to recognize and/ or support Veterans.

Guten Morgen meinen Damen und Herren.  Mein Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut, des halb muss ich heute auf Englisch sprechen. On behalf of KMHS, I would like to share our thank you to the community of Friedlos, Burgermeister Hagemann, and all the Families here today to remember and honor those who sacrificed here 75 years ago today…

We got dressed and went to mess hall for breakfast in the dark, then to briefing. It was a long path to the mess hall. There wasn’t much talking. I never ate much breakfast. I should have...

<p>To honor the 75^th anniversary of the Kassel Mission, we take a look at what occurred on the Kassel Mission in detail over the next few weeks…&nbsp;0230: Wake Up Call

”Awakened to fly at 4:00 and it was a bad morning to crawl out of the sack—rainy and cold but went thru everything…”

"Home by Christmas?" Not likely. Up to this point, even the generals had been talking about finishing up the war in the ETO by Christmas. Not any more…

Flying through Belgium, we were over enemy territory only two hours. The more I fly these missions, the more anxious I am to complete my tour…