Karl Hans Wilhelm “Karling” Unmack

In memoriam

Born in Warbende. Graduation examination in Neustrelitz. Paratrooper Regiment 2. Died in a firefight with Neuseeland forces near Maleme airfield on Crete. In the narrative provided below by a contributor, it is stated he died on 22 May, whereas his DOD listed on his grave marker is 21 May. The circumstances of his death: After the paratrooper regiment 2 was used on the Corinth Canal in Greece in April 1941 he fell on May 22, 1941 at the eastern edge of Pyrgos (Crete) during the New Zealand counter-attack to the airport of Maleme. Originally his company commander was Oltn. Schirmer. During the Crete commitment the 5th and 6th Companies jumped not with their regiment in Heraklion, but were used as a reserve under the leadership of Oltn. Nagele and dropped in the Platanias area. After heavy losses while jumping and landing, about 80 paratroopers of the 6th company made their way to Pyrgos behind enemy lines in direction to other German forces near the Maleme airfield. On the night he was used with two comrades as an outpost eastwards of Pyrgos (now a part of Maleme; the area near the church) they were surprised by an Approach Party of the 28th Battalion (Maori). The enemy came unseen and without any noise without their boots at 2:30 a.m. The Paratroopers hadn't slept for two days, so that only Karl was on his post. He heard them too late and was hit in the head at the beginning of the fight. The others became POWs for some days. On the morning of May 22 there were 10 survivors of the 5th and 30 of the 6th. About 250 fell in 20 hours. His last letter in English translation: Nauplion, 7.5.41 Dear Father - Dear Aunt, dear uncle! Finally I get to write to you. You have certainly heard from the news, that we have been employed at the Corinth Canal. Everything went smoothly, Tommy got fully carved his jacket, and now we lie south of Corinth at rest in private homes - Nauplion is the name of the city. It is located right by the sea. It is beautiful here. The land where the lemon trees bloom. Particularly beautiful is the sea itself. Its color is deep blue but it is also quite salty. You have to get used to it when bathing. Otherwise I'm fine. The trip here was wonderful. We passed through the Protectorate (Note: now the Czech Republic) -Vienna-Budapest-Bucharest-Philippopel (Note: old name of Plowdiw in Bulgaria) by Larissa in Greece and from there to Corinth to deployment. For details on my vacation. When the holiday is due, I do not know yet. Previously will probably still be some due down here. I will probably celebrate my birthday in Greece. Also good. You would certainly like it well below here. The sun burns decent here. Here come our hot summer days not with. Lemons are in abundance. Beautiful roses we already have. With Kind regards, Your Karling. In Athens I was also on parade. There are probably now in the newsreels with you. (End of letter)

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