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Signatures on this item | |
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare. | |
Name | Info |
Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig (deceased) *Signature Value : £65 | Alexander Uhlig joined the first German Parachute regiment in 1937 and saw action during the occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the Polish Campaign. In May 1940 he jumped during the Battle of Narvik in Norway after which he transferred to flying duties with the Ju52. Between 1941 and 1943 he took part in over 170 Ju52 operations including the landings on Crete. In June 1944 he was again in action on the ground commanding the 16 Kompanie Parachute Regiment 6. Ordered to lead a small company of 30 Paras against positions of the US 90th Infantry Division, Uhlig's company defeated the entire US battalion taking over 230 prisoners, including the battalion commander. For this he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Uhlig was eventually taken prisoner of war and taken to England. In April 1947 still under guard despite the end of hostilities, he escaped and made his way back to Germany. He was never recaptured; so at least one German did escape from a POW camp and made it back to Germany - even if the war was over. After the war, Alexander Uhlig was involved with the activities of veteran associations, including those of the American 90th Infantry Division and FJR.6. After the battle for which he was awarded his Knights Cross, he had helped to persuade his superiors to hold fire on the Americans retrieving their wounded from the battlefield. Sadly, Alexander Uhlig died 1st November 2008.
Here is an excerpt from an interview with Uhlig from an article in The Guardian : Our company commander ordered us to drive the Americans back across the river and, if I could, he ordered me to bring back a couple of prisoners for questioning. So our group mounted a surprise attack, picking up some more men and tanks on the way, at the end of which we managed to capture 250 Americans and took them back. But a lot of Americans were killed and even more were wounded. And many of our men died, too. I lost several comrades, good men. |
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