Herman Gobetz
No.10(IA) Commando 2 'Dutch' troop. Photos courtesy of the Dutch Commando Museum and Jack Bakker.
Below is a translation of the Dutch Commando Museum obituary for Herman who died on the 25th September 2013:
"Yesterday 25th of September, Herman Gobetz, the last living member of the original No 2 Dutch died in South Africa in the age or 89. In 1937 Herman, aged 13, emigrated with his family to South Africa. In 1941 he responded to the call of the Dutch Government to fight against the Germans. He went to the UK and there he did volunteered for the commando course in 1942. After successfully completing the course he was one of the first members of No2 Dutch Troop and with the age of 18 was nearly the youngest one of the Troop. After the Troop came back from a deployment to India, it was deployed in Operation Market Garden. On the 17th of September 1944 Herman landed with a glider in the surroundings of Wolfheze, near Oosterbeek. After nine days and during heavy fighting Herman was wounded and became a prisoner of war. He was consequently deported to a prisoner of war camp near Dresden, Germany. During heavy bombardments on Dresden, Herman together with two other Dutch Commandos, managed to escape only to be captured again near the Tjech border. A second attempt did succeed though and the three of them made contact with American forces. After the war Herman returned to South Africa. He was present during the 50th anniversary of the battle of Arnhem and then met Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands on the Ginkel Heath. On the 3rd of March 2013 the Commanding Officer of the Dutch Commandos decorated Herman with the seven decorations he had never had because of his return to South Africa after the war. He was entitled to them but he never received them! Herman Gobetz was the last living Commando of the original No 2 Dutch Troop. With his passing we say farewell to one of the men who by their actions were and are an example to all Commandos who followed in their footstep and who will go on doing so. Rest in Peace Herman!"
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Date: 01/10/2013
Size: 2 items
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