In Memory Of

KESSLER, HELMUT ADOLF

Service Details
Age:
 51
Date of Birth:
 1930-06-02
Rank:
 Major
Regiment:
 South West African Territory Force
Date of Death:
 1982-04-10
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, during Operation Yahoo while flying in support of Koevoet anti-insurgent operations in the Elundu area. His PA28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder aircraft, Registration ZS-EXT had been fitted with 2 x AKM Assault Rifles under the wings that could be operated from inside the cockpit and a grenade launching tube was fitted between the pilots legs. His aircraft suffered engine failure (Bent Valve) while assisting Koevoet in a follow-up operation and he had to carry out a forced landing in a mahangu field. Unfortunately, the aircraft undercarriage dug into the furrows and the aircraft flipped over causing primed grenades inside the aircraft to fall out of their launch tube and explode. Major Kessler was killed instantly. His passenger, Sergeant Frederick Albertus Francois Claasen from the South African Police : Ops-K Division (Koevoet) survived the accident and was pulled from the aircraft wreckage grievously burned. He sadly succumbed to his injuries on 20 April 1982
Commemoration
Cemetery:
 WINDHOEK (PIONEER PARK) GAMMAMS CEMETERY
Country:
 Namibia
Additional Information
Husband of Irene Ruth Kessler (nee Cyriax).