The 8th Air Force Historical Society will be having their annual reunion in Kansas City, Oct 5-10, 2004. On Saturday, the 9th, there will be a program dedicated to the 445th's survivors of the Kassel Mission, 27 Sept, 1944. This will be the final meeting of the Kassel Mission Memorial Association. For more information, contact Bill Dewey at [url "mailto:KMMAONE@AOL.COM"]KMMAONE@AOL.COM[/url]. [signature]

Note: the Kassel Mission Memorial Association morphed into the Kassel Mission Historical Society, of which Mike--above--is one of the VP's. We're growing and going strong. Unfortunately Bill Dewey, my dated pictured in my avatar, passed away one year ago. Contact me if you would like more information on the Kassel Misison or on KMHS.

Linda Alice Dewey, President
Kassel Mission Historical Society
http://kasselmission.com

On Saturday evening, 06SE08, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation and symposium on the "Kassel Mission" of 27SE44 in which only 4 Libs returned of the 35 deployed.  Since I am currently doing further research on the 01AU43, B-24D Ploesti Low Level Raid (Tidal Wave), I immediately drew comparisons!  By the same token, being the plant Historian for the GM WR (formerly FO WR Lib facility), I initially became interested in how many of the A/C's were Ford-built Libs.  More importantly, however, I was impressd by the dedication and intensity of Captain Bill Dewey's daughter who facilitated the group as well as the quiet strength of his widow.  The Yankee Air Museum (YAM) was blessed and honored to have them share the memories and awareness with us.  As an Historian, what I personally took away from the event, was the "mystery," controversy, blame, missing-parts-of-the-puzzle, etc. that still surrounds the mission even today!  Again, very similar to Ploesti!  As I delve deeper into this mission, I can only be thankful for having been exposed to its personal side.  May these VETS be honored and remembered!   Best Regards!  Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Dear Steven,

Thank you so much for your eloquently phrased thoughts. Saturday night's event was an absolute delight. The discussion after the official presentation pulled together so many ideas and experiences from other areas of WWII, yet all tied in very well with the Kassel Mission. It seems that so many could identify with various aspects of this mission. It was a pleasure. I would do it again in a heartbeat. And you are right, my mother is very strong, gracious and very, very good.

As far as the Ploesti mission goes, we have a couple of 445th diary entries about that mission, if that would help your Cause.

Linda

Steven,
May we have permission to post your comments on the Kasselmission.com website under  Speakers' Bureau comments?

"As far as the Ploesti mission goes, we have a couple of 445th diary entries about that mission, if that would help your Cause."

Linda,  Yes, I would be most appreciative!  I will be updating a Thread on the "heavy and very heavy bombers" sub-forum soon.  Also I've been in personal contact over the past couple of weeks with Robert Sternfels, the pilot of "Sandman" made famous by the iconic pic of it silhouetted against the billowing smoke and flames of the Astra Romano cracking towers on that infamous "black Sunday."
Secondly, I would be honored if you were to use my comments.  Last night I began reading more in depth about the mission.  Since my time is limited, could you send or point me to the quickest way to capture all the S/N's of the 35?  I want to check on the FO WR Libs associated with the mission.
Again, thank you for last Saturday evening, and the very best to your mother!  Best Regards!  Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Linda,  Iconoclastic pic about which I spoke attached.  Best Regards!  Steven

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Steven,

On the kasselmission.com website, go to Facts and Stats on the left side of the page where the menu is. then you will see 2 links--one is for the planes (Tom Brittan, bless his heart, updated our list), the other for participants in the raid from the 445th and their fates. But. I have already gone through the list for Mark Ernst. I came up with a total of 14 out of the 35 aircraft in the actual battle were from WR. If you think about it, that's 40% right on the money.

Linda

Linda Alice Dewey, President
Kassel Mission Historical Society
http://kasselmission.com

Steven,
This is an actual photo? I was at dinner tonight with my mother and sister and we enlarged it. Wow! What a shot! I've seen paintings like this, but no real photos. Where did this come from?

Linda Alice Dewey, President
Kassel Mission Historical Society
http://kasselmission.com

WillowRun


  As an Historian, what I personally took away from the event, was the "mystery," controversy, blame, missing-parts-of-the-puzzle, etc. that still surrounds the mission even today! 

Steven,

We want to be sure we don't present theories or conjecturing, just the facts. However, we can present the question. Hopefully, that is what you took away from it--just the question.

I would be interested in your take on this, as we want to be very careful. We really don't have any anwers as of yet.

Linda Alice Dewey, President
Kassel Mission Historical Society
http://kasselmission.com

Linda,  Good evening!  Often times it is the questioning, the "what ifs," the confusion, the facts being presented from different points of view (sorta like 3 or 4 people seeing the same accident and then giving a police report) which then lead one to a "deeper dive into the available historical evidence."  This is what I meant by: "Since I am currently doing further research on the 01AU43, B-24D Ploesti Low Level Raid (Tidal Wave), I immediately drew comparisons!  By the same token, being the plant Historian for the GM WR (formerly FO WR Lib facility), I initially became interested in how many of the A/C's were Ford-built Libs." I was making a comparison and apologize if it were construed as conjecture of theories as you posted.  By the same token, my interest was peeked on last Saturday by a lot of the pics, which I recognized, but were, as was stated "generic archived photos" I believe.  Also, and this has to do with the volumes I'm currently reading on Ploesti, I was interested in the "Mystery" section of your well done brochure which referenced "the deputy navigator's briefcase being confiscated upon landing at the base," as well as the incident "being concealed from Allied press and consequently, the American people (probably not too unusual based on what we know today about other similar events)."  Actually, the whole section of the triplicate brochure on "Mystery" lends itself to a "deep dive" into the "question, just the question."  You've got my brain churning! Like many events of WWII as VETS pass away, many questions go unanswered!  Thanks for the info on the 14 FO WR Libs!  I'll compose an answer on "my take" as soon as I read some more.  Best Regards!  Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Linda,  Good morning from rain-drenched AA!  Yes, it is an actual photo, and, I've attached the same again, which may be a little clearer.  It is from the USAFM Collection in Dayton, OH and appears in almost every book and/or Site I've viewed.  It is also pictured on the "Home Page" of the "Ploesti" Site which  have attached.  The other pic is am acual aftermath shot.  I've been to the Kassel Mission Site, and the more I read/learn, the more I begin to understand the tragedy!  Best Regards!  Steven

http://www.b17sam.com/ploesti.html

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Hi Steven,
Thank you for your time and answers. Most of the pictures in the presentation were 445th pictures from the squadron albums at the old base at Tibenham, Eng. The Norfolk Gliding Club now maintains the airstrip and one of the buildings, with this magnificent Memorabilia Room, where these picture albums lay. In addition, we have some marvelous pictures that have been donated by our members that they--or their fathers/uncles, grandfathers--took, themselves. Most of the pictures of aircraft that were blown up, breaking up, etc. were from our own photographers, whether the subject of the picture was a 445th plane or witnessed by the 445th photographer. Most often, this happened with Paul Vermilya, who became group photographer. His son sent me tons of photos of this type. Many of the 389th BG (diagonal striped tail).

I agree that the mystery is highly intriguing. Even without that element, it's an amazing mission. Everyone should know about it. Which brings us back to the question, why don't they?