As a member of the Von Luckner Society, I felt a certain obligation to visit Halle a week or so ago while I was in Germany on a visit. My sense of duty was not to the society as much as it was to the memory of Count von Luckner. The epic voyage of the windjammer Seeadler in the Great War is the stuff of legends. His actions after that only seemed to solidify the world’s impression of this incredible man.
My visit was an incredibly pleasant surprise. My wife and I met with Matthias Maurer for a walking and driving tour of the city. Halle is a rarity in Germany, a city that, for the most part, had been spared the destruction and carnage of the war – all due to the actions of Count von Luckner.
Blaine and Matthias in front of the Count’s Home
We went to his former residence and in the crisp winter air it was easy to picture the large man stepping out of the house, pipe in his mouth, naval coat drawn up to keep him warm. We went to the Timberwolves memorial and paid our respects to the brave men of the 104th Division that had liberated Halle.
As night fell Matthias took us to the roadway where Von Luckner met with the two correspondents that were searching for him in hopes that he might be able to stave off an American assault on the city. Standing there, in that spot, in the dark, looking down at the old rail trestle it was hard to imagine the sheer luck that the two parties found themselves…Von Luckner and the reporters. Under a barrage of mortar rounds dropping they somehow found each other and saved Halle. We went then to where the Count and his party negotiated with General Allen. We stood on the spot where the destruction of Halle had been averted…stopped by the actions of a handful of brave men, a pirate captain and Americans with the courage to find an alternative to the ravages of war.
Later that evening we met with the members of the Society and exchanged photos, research material, stories and good cheer (not to mention excellent beer). The hospitality of the people of Halle, especially those of the society, was exemplary. We all came from different backgrounds and points of interest. Our common bond was that we recognized what so many others seemed to ignore, that the actions of a brave man in Halle had spared the entire city and saved countless lives. We reveled in our understanding of the cruise of the Seeadler and mourned for the loss of the man – Felix von Luckner.
What surprised my wife and I the most was that there was no memorial to the Count in his own home town. The handful of plaques and tributes that do exist have been put up by private citizens who refused to let his heroic contribution to the city and to Germany fade away. Having a memorial trail, a walking tour of Halle, taking people to the places of the Count’s important events is critical to preserve his memory. Having a memorial in his name would bring people from around the world to the place we visited and fell in love with. It would bring not only tourists and their money to Halle, but would serve to preserve the memory of Count Von Luckner.
I live in America. America is my home. Halle now holds a special place in my heart.
What I can tell you members of the Von Luckner society is this, we need to commemorate this man. We need to preserve these historic footsteps before they are lost altogether. If you have not visited Halle, I call upon you to take the time. You will find rewards beyond the cobblestones and steeples. You will stand in the shadow of a man we have all come to respect.
Blaine Pardoe
Member Since 2003
Author of: The Cruise of the Sea Eagle, April 1, 2005 from Lyons Press.
A night walk through Halle before Christmas, the opera house of the town.
Blaine Pardoe standing in front of von Luckner's home in Halle.
Having diner with members of the society and nice conversations, Blaine Pardoe with Siegfried Maurer (father of Matthias J. Maurer)
President Matthias J. Maurer and his mother.
