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Originally Posted by brewerjerry
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In many of these aces lists we see the same nonsense. Also here.
Was Godefroy a Dutch ace. I don't think so. If he was an ace, he was a Canadian ace! See also the story about Hugh Godefroy by Almer Regter at 'WWII ace stories.
Was Kesseler a Dutch ace with 16 victories? Some years ago I did some research on him to find out. Here is the result.
G.A.Kesseler a Dutch ace?
For me it started with a question at the Luftwaffe Forum 12 O’Clock High(TOCH) at March 11th, 1999. “Who knows something of the Dutch ace Gerald A.Kesseler”. He claimed 16 victories. Kesseler was also mentioned at the Fighter Pilot ‘Ace’ list of Al Bowers at http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/aces.html
But who was Gerald A.Kessler? We have found him as Gerardus Adrianus Kesseler in the book ‘The Royal Netherlands Military Flying School’ by Ward, Boer and Casius at page 150 and 224. I quote:
- Kesseler, G.A. landstorm vaandrig. Gebrevetterd 13 maart 1943. B-25 opleiding en is op 17
mei 1943 ontheven wegens medische redenen en heringedeeld Supply 27 september 1943.
- Kesseler, G.A. res.2e lt. Vlieger wnr. 1 mei 1944 overgeplaatst Netherlands Purchasing
Commission New York.
In translation G.A.Kesseler has received his wings at March 13th, 1943. He was in training for the B-25 and released of the training at May 17, 1943, for medical reasons. He was transferred as 2nd Lt. Pilot Observer to the Netherlands Purchasing Commission in New York, USA.
He will have obtained his 16 victories at the bar in New York or between the sheets, but he was not a Dutch ace!