On January 30th, 1945
The Wilhelm Gustloff, a Former Cruise Liner, Now Carrying Over 10,000 Refugees Fleeing the Invading Red Army, Was Struck by 3 Soviet Submarine Torpedoes.
Resulting in over 9,400 Men, Women and Children Losing Their Lives.
Nami...
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Heinz Schön was a survivor of the Wilhelm Gustloff.
Heinz was, at the time, was a 19 year old assistant purser aboard the Gustloff.
After the ship sunk in 1945, he dedicated his life to solving the mystery behind the sinking- and to the many friends and loved ones he lost that tragic night.
For instance, he was the one who calculated the actual total members aboard the ship-
10,582-
8,956 refugees
918 officers NCOs and men of the 2. Unterseeboot-Lehrdivision
373 female naval auxiliary helpers
173 naval armed forces auxiliaries
162 heavily wounded soldiers
all on board on January 30th.
When at the time, the Nazi's only took into the account-
918 naval officers and men
173 crew
373 members of the Women's Naval Auxiliary units
162 wounded
and 4,424 refugees
for a total of 6,050 people.
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Of the 10,582, only 1,252 survived-
Leaving approximately
9,330
either dead or missing.
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Heinz also wrote numerous books of or relating to the tragedy- including
Die Letzte Fahrt Der Wilhelm Gustloff: Dokumentation eines Überlebenden
(The Last Journey of the Wilhelm Gustloff: Documentation of a Survivor)
SOS Wilhelm Gustloff: Die Grösste Schiffskatastrophe der Geschichte
(SOS Wilhelm Gustloff: The Biggest Ship Disaster in History)
After the sinking, Heinz made his way to Göttingen in 1945, married in June 1947, and established a folk high school. In 1953, he moved with his family to Lockhausen.
In 1973, he founded Hökern Festival in Herford for the cultural and economic life in the town.
He passed away on April 7th, 2013 at the age of 87- leaving behind a legacy of good- both for the numerous things he had done for the community, and the years of extensive research he had done towards honoring the thousands of innocent lives lost as well; those he loved.
His admirable, honorable last wishes were for his ashes to be left at the bottom of the wreck of the Gustloff- along with his many friends and loved ones.
His will was honored on May 10th, 2013- and the urn containing his ashes, along with a plaque honoring him and the others lost that night was left at the bow of the ship.
