Who can do Reseach in Germany?

[JuanS]

Hello

I own the uniform of pioneer Generalmajor Hans Bessel. I have copy of his military records from NARA. I also found a lot of information on Axis Biographical research.

He was born 24 Feb 1893
Died 11 Feb 1979 Cologne Germany

He spent some of his WWII service defending Cologne. He won the DKIS for his role in the construction of the Gustav and Gothic line.
My question is if somebody know somebody that may research for a fee in Germany? Especially Cologne? I had been thinking to visit Cologne and do some research in the future?

previous link
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=bessel

Thanks

Juan

[tenoriodj]

HI Juan,

What sort of info would you like to obtain in Germany? I assume you already have the full personalakte, photos etc

[JuanS]

HI Juan,

What sort of info would you like to obtain in Germany? I assume you already have the full personalakte, photos etc

Thanks

I would like more information about his involvement on the Gustav line and Gothic line. His involvement in the defence of Koln. I only have seen 1 photo and it is the one at axis biographical research. He was under the staff of General Von Vietinghoff.

thanks

Juan

[Larry deZeng]

The taking of Köln began on 5 March 1945 with the U.S. 3d Armored Div. attacking the city from the north and the 8th and 104th Infantry Divisions from the south and west, respectively. The outer city was defended by LXXXI. Armeekorps (Gen. Koechling) with remnants of 9. Pz.Div., 363. VGD and 3. Pz.Gren.Div., that in total amounted to two weak regiments, while the inner city was defended by police, firemen and dragooned youth and elderly males who could still pull the trigger of a rifle. The only serious resistance was met at Köln-Butzweilerhof airfield just northwest of the city where the Lw.-Flak-Abt. that defended the airfield turned their 16 stationary Flak 8.8 cm guns against the advancing tanks of the 3d Armored Division’s Combat Command Hickey. On 6 March, U.S. tanks forced their way through the city in an attempt to capture the Hohenzollern bridge, but it was found to have a 1200-foot gap blown in it. The tanks encountered little resistance from a few strongpoints that had been set up in the inner city. Köln was completely cleared by noon on 7 March.

The German account can be read in the translated Foreign Military Study manuscript B-202 (Mellenthin).

--Larry