103rd Cactus Division

 

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)