He was only a few weeks old when the Titanic sank in 1912, he was a teenager when the television was first invented and he has lived through two world wars and he will now celebrate his 103rd birthday on 3 May.
Ernst Sachse was born in Dresden, Germany, famous for its exquisite porcelain pieces, on 3 May 1912. Despite his failing eyesight, Ernest still enjoys fairly good health. In an exclusive interview with the record, Ernst recalls the moment when he met his wife. “I was feeding birds in Germany when a woman and her mother walked past. I remember thinking that the younger woman was the one I am going to marry one day,” Ernst said.
During the the second World War Ernst served in the elite Fallschirmtruppe (paratrooper) unit of Adolph Hitler’s Luftwaffe (airforce). Ernst said he was against Nazism but that he had no choice. During this period he twice received the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize officers and men of the German army for acts of bravery, heroism and leadership. Ernst was injured in combat on more than one occasion. He also became an officer and served in Hitler’s army until his campaign was ended in Russia. Of this Ernst says “Hitler was a fool”.
He recalls the lowest temperature he and his fellow troopers had to endure was -53C. “While in Russia, I learnt to speak a little Russian and French but I’ve unlearned the languages. Being a paratrooper, we were regarded as part of the elite and enjoyed various privileges and when my leg was badly injured during the war, I was send to America to recuperate. During that time I learned to speak English.”
Ernst said he was shot five times and also lost his thumb during the war.
Their three daughters and son was born and in 1953, Ernst came to South Africa to work for a paint company. His wife and children arrived in 1954 and the family bought a house in Krugersdorp.
About 30 years ago, Ernst went back to Leningrad as a tourist. “The trees were big then,” he reminisced.
His wife passed away about 25 years ago from a heart attack.
His secret to living such a long life? “It all comes naturally,” he laughed.
According to his son Udo, they will celebrate his birthday at the Wilro Park Retirement Home with a tea for the residents and a supper with the family. “There is no stopping my father,” Udo said.
