THE KASSEL MISSION HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Organization Charter & Purposes
The Kassel Mission Historical Society is incorporated in the state of Michigan as an Educational non-profit corporation, and is certified as a Federal Income Tax-Exempt 501 (c) (3) Veterans Organization.
Purposes of the Kassel Mission Historical Society are:
- To perpetuate and promote the memory and history of the Kassel Mission of 27 September 1944 by the 445th Bomb Group of the 8th Army Air Force, 2nd Bomb Division, 2nd Combat Wing.
- To fund and dedicate one or more memorials to the Kassel Mission at appropriate locations.
- To publish and promote books, articles, and video productions about the Kassel Mission and the 445th Bomb Group, Tibenham, England, in World War II.
A New Mission | KMHS Board | KMHS Projects | KMHS Members
Bringing the Kassel Mission alive through Realized Goals
With the advantage of 60 years in retrospect, KMHS sends a grand message to the world: Deadly enemies can become friends!
Healing comes from sharing these stories of pain and valor, from recognizing the honor of men who fought so hard doing what they must. Each member of the Kassel Mission Historical Society is deeply affected, heart and soul, by the events triggered on 27 September 1944. KMHS is dedicated to ensuring that the men who fought on either side of the battle that day will not be forgotten, and that the battle is no longer "covered up." Each man's story is equivalent to a "Band of Brothers" episode. These are indeed "Men of Honor."
The Mighty Eighth experienced the most horrendous loss for any single bomb group in any war in a single day. The few survivors who returned were told to "get lost" for a few days, while the 445th pulled itself back together. Now we say to those same dear men who were told to get lost, "Bless you. Thank you. Tell us your stories."
Through KMHS, new stories of Kassel Mission serendipity continue to unfold. All the pain, heartache, sorrow, death, life, joy, parting and reunion come full circle for us as we reunite in friendship and brotherhood. We never tire of the wonder and synchronicity that has become known as with "The Kassel Mission."
KMHS Board
All it takes is teamwork headed by an incredible board of directors. These esteemed KM veterans, their children, grandchildren and equally remarkable members who have become enthralled with the magnificence of the Kassel Mission and the new possibilities KMHS presents to the world - are the KMHS decision-makers. They determine what we focus on, and how the KMHS will make it happen.
Memorials
In 1990, with the help of our German friends, KMHS erected and dedicated the German-American Memorial at the impressive and moving memorial park in the forest where the lead B-24 crashed Ludwigsau Germany. A tremendous task (see related stories), creating emotional bonds and life-long friendships between Germans and Americans, a ceremony is held at this site on September 27 every year. Please visit the contact page to find directions to the Memorial.
KMHS is dedicated to placing a suitable memorial monument in the United States for those who cannot travel to Germany. On 27 September 2006, a memorial bench was dedicated at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah to all the men of the 445th. Mighty Eighth Museum plans are in the works there that will include an exhibit about the Kassel Mission.
Archives
KMHS seeks contributions from veterans and their families in the form of pictures, letters, wartime news stories, obituaries and memorabilia to supplement the historical record of the battle. This archival project is crucial. Preserving letters, documents, pictures and medals associated with Kassel Mission participants and the 445th BG makes it possible for them to be viewed in museums, reviewed online, and placed at an archival center for researchers and reporters, students and interested seekers.
Through the efforts of Doug Collar and Walter Hassenpflug, Aaron Elson's oral history project, the Dzenowagis Group movies, and Eberhard Haelbig's archaeological team in Germany, we present both sides of the picture, both sides of the battle, from the sky and the ground below. This is truly rare in archival history. Please consider sending your war documents, letters, photos and artifacts so that they may be preserved for this new purpose.
Publicity and Education
The Kassel Mission Reports
In 1990, KMMA (the original Kassel Mission organization) published a compilation of articles and stories about the Kassel Mission that appeared in the Eighth Air Force News. Over the following decade, the Reports became well-known as a documentary source. In 2007, KMHS is compiling a Second Edition of the Kassel Mission Reports, updating and supplementing the original book. Target date for publication: January, 2008.
Speakers Bureau
KMHS members and veterans are available to speak at schools and organizational functions. Listen as they relate the wonders and tragedies of that day and its ensuing events to adults and a new generation of kids who gobble up WWII information. Most people have never heard of this strange battle. Once they do, they're hooked. Your KMHS speaker will show clips of "Pride of the Nation" and let it tell this inspiring story. There's so much we can do to inspire the world today. See list of speakers.
KMHS Chronicles Newsletter
Newsletters are the glue that holds any organization together. You’ll find new information in our semi-annual newsletters about the Kassel Mission, the 445th BG, new people who have found KMHS, how KMHS impacts lives today.
KMHS Website
Watch the past becomes the present as history continues to evolve here on the website. Not only does this website bring the Kassel Mission and 445th story to the world, it brings together those who have been affected by it, creating a network of survivors, family members and enthusiasts. History becomes alive here. Read the stories and interviews. Thanks to Victor Wright, Aaron Elson and Todd Bauerle for their work on this site. We foresee a virtual Kassel Mission museum at kasselmission.com
KMHS works to support students, authors and researchers interested in writing and filming stories about the Kassel Mission. Contact kmhs@kasselmission.com for research help.
The Germans
KMHS recognizes the epic work of Walter Hassenpflug of Ludwigsau Germany as the "founding father" of Kassel Mission research. Also recognized was Guenter Lemke of Heringen Germany for his role as our chief translator, and our new KMHS archeologist Eberhard Haelbig of Eisenach, Germany.
The English
KMHS recognizes the Norfolk Gliding Club that now maintains the field at the former 445th airbase in Tibenham. In 2007, the club applied for a grant to create a 445th Heritage Center at the base. KMHS supports and will contribute in all possible ways to make this project a reality as Tibenham once again becomes a destination for those traveling in England.
KMHS welcomes all Tibenham residents from 1943 to the present and thanks them for sharing recollections of the 445th BG. KMHS also recognizes and supports the beautiful 2nd Air Division Library in Norwich England. The devotion of 2nd ADA English and American members, the proficient archivists and the beautiful facility makes this edifice a prominent, important must-see.
The Americans
Veterans of the 445th Bomb Group, their family, and friends, authors, historians, World War II buffs, and other interested parties join up together to make the Kassel Mission Historical Society.
Annual membership includes the following:
- Semi-annual editions of the KMHS newsletter; The Kassel Mission Chronicles.
- Updates concerning:
KMHS sponsored events.
KMHS, 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, and 445th Bomb Group annual reunions.
Ongoing investigations pertinent to the circumstances of the Kassel Mission. - Research assistance relating to:
Individuals, crews, and planes that participated in the Kassel Mission.
445th Bomb Group
KMHS and 445th archives. - Opportunities to apply your talents as a volunteer working with ongoing KMHS projects.
Annual membership dues (tax deductible) are $25/ U.S. residents and $35/ outside U.S.
To pay online via PayPal,
please click the Join Now button.
To pay by check, please download our application PDF
and return with remittance made payable to “KMHS”:
Kassel Mission Historical Society
Duane Giesler
220 Mary Lane
Mankato, MN 56001
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