Alexander Uhlig

Biography

Alexander Uhlig was born near Leipzig on the 9 February 1919. He completed his schooling by gaining his Leaving Certificate (Abitur) in early 1937. After a period of service with the Reichsarbeitdienst, the obligatory two-year period of Military service prevented any continuance of his studies. In Autumn 1937, Uhlig joined the First Fallschirmjager Unit. This was to be the forerunner of the Fallschirmjager Regiment 1, which was formed in 1938. With this unit, Uhlig was to see action during the Sudetenland combat and the Occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Uhlig remained with the Fallschirmjager Regiment 1 during the Polish Campaign followed by action in Norway. Following the Airborne action on the 14 April 1940 at Dombas in Central Norway, he found himself in Norwegian captivity for around three weeks with all other survivors of action. On the 14 May 1940, Uhlig and his Platoon jumped during the First Battle of Narvik and thereafter he was decorated with the Iron Cross Second Class and the Narvik Shield.

After the successful conclusion of the Norwegian Campaign, Uhlig transferred to Flying Duties as a navigator and between 1941 and 1943 took part in over 170 operations, including the landings at Crete, for which he was awarded the "Kreta" Cuffband. During this period Uhlig also qualified for the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold and the Iron Cross First Class.

In June 1944, as the invasion of Normandy progressed, Alexander Uhlig was once again in action with a parachute unit. With the rank of Oberfeldwebel, he commanded the 16./Fallschirmjager Regiment 6. In Uhlig's sector of the front, Fallschirmjager Regiment 6 was opposed by the US 90th Infantry Division. Heavy attacks on the Regimental flanks saw Uhlig ordered to lead a small combat group of 30 of the Fallschirmjager on a mission to attempt to stabilize the Regiment's position. Uhlig's group took on and defeated an entire US Battalion, taking over 230 prisoners, including the Battalion commander and eleven other officers, this was to be one of the notable successes for the Germans in that sector of the front. In recognition of his tremendous achievement Alexander Uhlig was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 29 October 1944.

Uhlig was captured shortly afterwards and spent some time in French and US prisoner of war camps. He eventually was moved to Camp 23 in Sudbury, Burton-on-Trent, England. He was considered by the authorities to be a potential escapee and was closely watched. On the 22 April 1947 Uhlig did escape and made his way to Hull where he was able to stow away on a ship bound for Cuxhaven. His escape was initially concealed by the ruse of having a dummy take his place during Roll Call. By the time his escape was discovered 3 days later Uhlig had already reached Germany. He then made his way through the less-strictly controlled US Zone and managed to cross the Russian Lines undetected. By the 28 April, he was home in Leipzig.

Upon his return, Uhlig took up his studies again, ten years late, at the Darmstadt University of Technology. Despite unfavourable economic conditions, Uhlig completed his studies and gained his Engineering Degree. He worked for a number of well-known German companies until his retirement just before his 65th birthday. He lived in Essen and was an honorary member of the New Zealand Crete Veterans Association. Alexander Uhlig died on the 1 November 2008.

Awards