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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art and Artists World War Two Veteran Signatures Germany T to Z  Uhlig, Alexander |
[UP] - Tegtmeier, Fritz - Thomas, Herbert - Thyben, Gerhard - Trautloft, Hannes - Trenkel, Rudolf - Trenkle, Wendelin - Uhlig, Alexander - Vollgold, Klaus - Wehnelt, Herbert - Weik, Hans - Weissflog, Erich - Werth, Josef - Wick, Helmut - Wieczorek, Hermann - Wiesner, Karl-Heinz - Woidich, Franz - Wolfrum, Walter - Wollenweber, Wolfgang - Wuppermann, Kurt - Wust, Willi - Zorner, Paul |
Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig
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.
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| Knights Cross |
| Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig - Signed Aviation Art |
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| Text for the above items : |
Special Duties by Robert Taylor. A Junkers Ju52 of Luftflotte 2, escorted by Me109s of JG-53, transports important military personnel over the Dolomites in 1942. With the setting sun illuminating the mountain tops in a brilliant light, the panoramic vista is both chilling and spectacular. As the aircraft lumbers across the impressive mountain scenery, members of the High Command can be seen in conference in the cabin, while crew in the cockpit concentrate on their special duties flight plan. Behind them, unprotected from the elements, a lone gunner keeps a watchful eye. The Ju52 became the Luftwaffes primary wartime transport aircraft, taking part in every German army land operation during World War II. |
Anzio Annie, Italy, 29th January 1944 by David Pentland. Sturmgeschutz IIIg and Paratroops of the 4th Fallschirmjager Division, driving to the front line, pass one of the two giant 28cm K5 (Eisenbaum) railway guns responsible for the shelling the Allied beacheads at Anzio and Nettuno. |
The Second Wave, Greece, 20th May 1941 by David Pentland. Following the initial parachute drops at Maleme (West) and Canea (Middle) Group East, comprising of Fallschirmjager Regiment 1 and 2nd battalion FJR2, prepared for their descent on Crete. Charged with the capture of Heraklion and its aerodrome, their departure was postponed until late afternoon due to the repairs and refuelling needed for the returning Junker 52 transports. |
The Battle for Norway by David Pentland. In this, the first true parachute operation of World War Two, German paratroops of 1st battalion Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1, proved themselves an invaluable component of Blitzkrieg. First in the initial stages of the campaign by seizing airfields and bridges in Norway and Denmark, and subsequently by supporting army ground forces engaged at Narvik. |
Falling Angels by Tim Fisher. Ju 52s deploy German Paratroopers during the assault on Crete (operation Mercure) 1942. |
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.
| Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig Aircraft details |
| Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig Squadron details |
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