The Battle For Heraklion. Crete 1941 by Yannis Prekatsounakis

Author:Yannis Prekatsounakis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / World War II
Publisher: Helion and Company
Published: 2017-02-21T16:00:00+00:00

The place where Hans Joachim was killed (marked with an arrow), as seen from Wolfgang’s position. (Author’s collection)

The Matilda tank that attacked Blücher’s men, which was destroyed after the battle on the beach next to the mouth of the gorge, east of the airfield. (G. Müller & F. Scheuering, Sprung über Kreta)

The same spot today, at the rocks next to the beach. (Author’s collection)

A shell found next to the place where Wolfgang Graf von Blücher was killed. (Author’s collection)

The war diary of the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch recorded the incidents relating to Blücher’s platoon as follows:

•21/5/41 – 00.40 One German shot near Commanding Officer’s OP [at this time, Blücher’s platoon was approaching East Hill].

•10.52 … Enemy trying to get across to East end of aerodrome ....

•11.30 “I” tank [Matilda] moving down gorge [the gorge between the airfield and the East Hill. It is the tank that attacked Blücher’s men].

•12.15 Orders to one tank to move to East Wadi [Karteros Valley].

•14.35 HQ Coy reports enemy in front to be withdrawing [this was the withdrawal of the I/ FschJgRgt.1 after their failure to reach Blücher’s positions].

•15.10 Orders to B Coy to destroy post established by enemy at north end of East Hill. Believed to be a small party with LMGs.15

•15.16 B Coy ask for mortar support for their attack on enemy post in RAF Sangar at north end of East Hill. Inform us that two sections already surrounding it and using EY [enemy] rifle.

•15.4016 B Coy capture enemy MG post above Gorge taking 20 prisoners [they were the survivors from Blücher’s platoon].

The exact spot where Wolfgang Graf von Blücher was killed is located at the north edge of the East Hill – and here he was buried in a makeshift grave. Soon after, East Hill was re-named ‘Blüchersberg’ by the Germans. Günther Müller writes: ‘The whole day was devoted to burying comrades at the Blüchersberg and the spot where the Oberleutnant was killed also became his grave and a big cross was placed’.

Oberfeldwebel Schneider, a platoon member, told the story of Blücher’s platoon during the evening of 29 May, when the battle was over and the paratroopers were gathered at the Greek barracks – relating their experiences and stories from the battle. Many years later, another platoon member – Bruno Schlenski – told the whole story. Schlenski wept as he described the events, and he also confirmed that Wolfgang Graf von Blücher was shot in the head while he and his men were surrendering.

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