Kassel and the Hesse Area

Traveling Around the American Occupation Zone

Ch. 87 My Mother and Audie Murphy

Kassel, Germany, was a critical WWII target due to its Henschel & Sohn factories (building tanks like Tigers and Panthers) and major railway hub. The city suffered devastating Allied bombing from 1942-1945, especially the October 1943 raid that destroyed the city center and killed thousands. Few inhabitants were left by the time US forces captured it in April 1945 after intense fighting, concluding a brutal chapter of destruction. The Third Infantry Division was heavily involved in the fight for Kassel before securing the region, and later established its command structure in the surrounding Hesse area. 

From pictures on this page of her album, it appears Flo was able to travel around the Hesse area as a tourist. She was probably continuing to dish out donuts to occupation troops from the clubmobile.

Typical kraut village
Division formation, Reinhardshausen
View from Furstenhof
Lt. Cols. Chaney and Rosson of Portland, C.C. and Exec. Kassel, Germany
Maj. Prever, Lt.Col. King, Col. McGarr, Lt. Col. Ramsey, Maj. Wickersham, 3rd Div. HQ staff
Staff quarters. Flo with Col. McGarr (R)
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Author: Molly Martin

I'm a long-time tradeswoman activist, retired electrician and electrical inspector. I live in Santa Rosa, CA. molly-martin.com. I also share a travel blog with my wife Holly: travelswithmoho.wordpress.com.

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