Suche
Mein Konto
Hero of Cuxhaven: How Herbert Sorge saved the city from ruin
The article sheds light on the work of Herbert Sorge, fortress commander in Cuxhaven, and his decisive role at the end of the war in 1945.
Hero of Cuxhaven: How Herbert Sorge saved the city from ruin
In Cuxhaven there are stories that touch the heart, both today and in the past. Such an emotional look back is brought to life by Georg Schmidt-Thomée and his brothers, who remember the last days of the war during their summer vacation with their grandparents. Her grandfather, Herbert Sorge, was the fortress commander who handed the city over to the British without a fight on May 7, 1945. His actions were crucial because Cuxhaven was of strategic importance to the British armed forces.
Herbert Sorge was born on March 21, 1901 in Halberstadt and developed into a creative naval officer. He joined the Imperial Navy in 1918 and worked his way up through the ranks to become a first lieutenant at sea. Despite the pressures he faced in his job, he was never a member of the Nazi Party and refused to contradict his moral convictions. During the last days of the war, despite great danger to himself and his family, he was determined to save the city of Cuxhaven from complete destruction.
The critical days of April and May 1945
From April 20, 1945, Herbert Sorge was in the command post at Fort Kugelbake. His wife and children visited him there and discussed the critical situation in discussions. Sorge was very concerned about the possible consequences of his actions, especially about family imprisonment, which was a real threat during these difficult times. However, his focus was always on protecting Cuxhaven.
In view of the impending surrender, Herbert Sorge gave the order to defuse the detonators in the quay walls in order to protect the city and its residents. Together with Mayor Wilhelm Klostermann, he ensured that the anti-tank barriers and blockades were dismantled. His decisions saved the city from serious damage when the British XXX. Corps finally invaded and an unconditional partial surrender for German forces in northwest Germany was sealed.
Post-war period and recognition
After the handover on May 7, 1945, he had to take the fortress crew to an internment camp, which posed another challenge. In the years that followed, the family lived in modest circumstances, and the post-war period was not easy for Herbert Sorge, who died in 1980. But his courageous actions were only recognized posthumously - Cuxhaven newspapers reported extensively on his actions and gave him recognition that was often overlooked in the chaos of war.
Overall, the story of Herbert Sorge and his family tells a lot about courage, responsibility and humanity in times of war. With these memories, the Cuxhaven section, known for its military activities during the Second World War, houses a part of history that should not be forgotten. Cuxhaven was and remains a place where the stories of people like Herbert Sorge are passed on in a moving way.
For anyone who would like to find out more about the time during the war, there is an informative collection of reports and memories CNV Media, as well as a detailed biography Wikipedia and historical details about Cuxhaven as a military section Cuxhaven fortifications.