Gerald M. Kobes

  I am the nephew of PFC Gerald M. Kobes 411th Infantry Regiment, son of Rev.
Jacob C. Kobes from Toadlena, NM.  He was KIA 1.20.45 at Sessenheim, France.
The official War Dept. letter states "On 19 January 1945, Company I was  participating

in an attack on Sessenheim, France. Upon reaching the town, enemy resitance proved to

be much stronger than expected and eventually necessitated their withdrawal. When the

order to withdraw was given, he, along with other members of the company was unable

to withdraw as they were cut off by heavy enemy fire. Several members of Company I,

who participated in this action, have been reported as liberated prisoners of war but no

word  of Gerald has been received." Gerald was originally reported MIA 1.20.45 and

remained on that status until captured German records showed he was killed  and his

remains located.
      For some reason it has been extremely hard to get any other information  concerning

the circumstances surrounding his death, or who the other soldiers  were who were also

cut off when the withdrawal order was given.
     Rumors even include that he may have been shot as a POW.
     With this wonderful new tool of the Internet, I hope to be able to put  together some

information for those surviving; 1 brother, 2 sisters and for  all the nephews, nieces and

their children who never knew Uncle Gerald.
     Any information you could give us would be greatly appreciated.

 Sincerely,
 Douglas De Lange
 Ddoolah@aol.com
 son of Gerald's youngest sister, Miriam (Kobes)