On 1 August, the American Los Angeles Times journalist and book author, Annie Jacobsen, came to Camp King Oberursel to do research for her forthcoming book.
Her previous book, Area 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base
Initially, while doing research via the internet and other sources, she came upon my blog posts about Camp King and found what she was looking for – Mister Camp King a.k.a. Manfred Kopp, our local Camp King Historian.
It only took a few more mails to set up our meeting in Oberursel.
Mr. Kopp and the Taunus Zeitung reporter
When she first arrived at Camp King, she took us out to lunch at the local pizzeria, followed by a tour through Camp King. Mr. Kopp also had the keys for the Mountain Lodge, so we got to take a look inside. Yes, something is actually being done, I saw paint buckets in the corner!
Mister Camp King with Annie Jacobsen
The Taunus Zeitung had sent its reporter, Ms. Takim, and a photographer as well.
Inside the Mountain Lodge
After the interview with the paper, we then proceeded to head on to Schloss Kransberg (a 30-minute drive to Usingen). Due to Annie’s arrival, she had obtained permission to visit the castle from the current owners. Jan Herrmanns, the building and grounds manager, gave us a tour.
Schloss Kransberg near Usingen
It was interesting to be standing in Göring’s office. More about that in another post.
Note: The Taunus Zeitung published the article about Annie’s visit today, see Auf der Suche nach Geheimem.
My name is Linda Willms Angle, I was born in Friedrichsdorf, Germany just approximately 20 kilometers from Oberursel. My father worked in Camp King as a GS 13, and I was raised in Camp King, and later we lived among the German population in Oberursel. I was adopted and just last year was reunited with my birth family in Friedrichsdorf. My newly found brother sent me the article in the Oberursel/Taunus news paper showing you standing on the steps of the “old officers club” as it was called during the time I grew up there. I was in Camp Kind just last September when I met my birth family for the first time and wanted to go back to see the area where I grew up. It was sad to see the “officer’s club” declining as it was so majestic during my growing up years there. If you are interested in chatting with me about my youth, adoption, and growing up in Germany, particularly Camp King, Oberursel, and Frankfurt, please feel free to contact me. I was raised speaking English, German and French since my adopted mother was French.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration regarding this matter.
I am hopefully looking forward to talk to you, and share my story.
Linda Jean Willms Angle (born Gabriele Heinen)
Thanks so much for getting in contact with us! Will send you more contact info soon as I am sure Mr. Kopp himself would love to hear from you. Were you at Camp King in the 60s, 70s or 80s?
Hello Maria,
I was in Camp King in the late 50’s, early 60’s then we lived in Oberursel on Fischbach Strasse 12. That house has been destroyed and two apartment buildings built in it’s spot. I returned there as well and communicated with two of the neighbors who still lived there and I used to play with their children. My father continued to work at Camp King until it was “joined” with the 66th in Munich. I myself briefly worked in the filing department for about 5 months in the latter part of 1967 prior to my departure to the United States.
Thank again for your correspondence.
Linda Willms Angle
calamata1@aol.com
Wow, we have found a real gem with you, Linda. The 50s and 60s, the early years of the American occupation, are most interesting.
Fischbachstraße is only a 5-minute walk from my home, the Rosengärtchen (built in ’72 after you left). From the Rosengärtchen, I can cut through Camp King to get to Dornbachstraße and Fischbachstraße.
Are you coming to Germany again anytime soon?