Fernsehturm

Berlin, The Cold War Years Part 5. A Hot War in reality.

At the end of World War 2, what remained of pre-war Germany was divided into four zones of occupation. Each of the Allied powers; the United Kingdom, United States, France and Russia, controlled one of them.

The capital of Germany, Berlin, was also divided into four Sectors. The consequence being, that the three Western Allied powers now controlled territory deep within the Soviet Union Zone of Germany.

Over time, the tensions between the four Allied powers increased, eventually resulting in the Berlin blockade in 1948, when the Soviets attempted to starve West Berlin into submission and force the other three Allied powers out. This failed and the Soviets eventually relented, but an ever-increasing number of East Germans fled to the West; between 150,000 and 300,000 a year during 1951-1953. As a consequence restrictions were placed on movement between the divided country. From 1961, the border was closed and Berlin completely encircled, first by barbed wire, then bricks and finally a concrete wall, along with the infamous ‘death strip’.

Access was now restricted between Berlin and the West. A wall, 124 mile miles in length, was placed around the three sectors of West Berlin, cutting off the city from the rest of the world.

An Iconic picture of the face-off between the West and the East. The Cold War starts – October 1961

Another iconic picture of a GDR Border Guard fleeing across the barbed wire to West-Berlin, 1961

With these controls in place, special routes were established for the three Allied Powers, Great Britain, the United Staes and France, to move from West Berlin to the Federal Republic of Germany, West Germany. Three autobahn routes, one for each sector and three rail routes.

On the Autobahn route special parking zones were allocated for the three Allied powers. This is a sign on the West Berlin to Helmstedt route. Civilians from the GDR were not allowed to use these allocated parking zones. – GDR 1982

The British Military Train ran every day, except Christmas Day. – West Berlin 1984

And for the Stamp Collectors amongst you, a Commemorative Cover. First day issue. Not for sale. 🙂

There were also air corridors the Allies could use to fly from West Berlin to West Germany. Soviet Hip F. East Berlin 1984

Control to and from West Berlin was controlled by the Berlin Air Safety Centre, consisting of representatives from the four Allied Powers. I was told that the Soviets were unhappy about their flag being last on the plaque. So, the names were placed in a hat and guess what? True story or not, I don’t know.

Berlin Air Safety Centre Icon – West Berlin 1984

I covered the Reichstag in Part 4. But, I have some more photos i would like to share with you.

This turret on the Reichstag is the well known spot where the Soviet Flag was planted on taking Berlin in 1945. Berlin – February 2012

The raising of the flag over the Reichstag – Berlin, May 1945

I found the design of the new dome in the Reichstag fascinating, so I have added a couple of more photos.

Inside the Reichstag Dome, Berlin – February 2012

Looking down from higher up in the Dome itself. Reichstag – Berlin, February 2012

The badly damaged Reichstag. Berlin 1945

The Reichstag, showing the Berlin Wall in situ behind it. – West Berlin 1981.

Bullet strikes still visible, Museum Island – Berlin February 2012

Another visit to the Treptow Russian Memorial in Berlin. February 2012

The main entrance to Treptow Park Soviet Memorial – Berlin 2012

Treptow Park, The Soviet Navy wasn’t forgotten. Berlin 2012

One of the many representations of the Soviet Army during WW2 at the Treptow Park Memorial – Berlin 2012

Outside the entrance to the Tiergarten Soviet Memorial. Berlin 2012

The Tiergarten Soviet Memorial – Berlin 2012

Tiergarten Soviet Memorial. They were as interested in us as we were in them. The one on the right with the fancy leg kick, I think is a full Colonel or above. West Berlin 1983

T-34 outside the Karlshorst Museum Berlin – 2012

Karlshorst Museum. Where we used to meet with our Soviet friend….. Berlin 2012

In a previous Post, you saw a picture of my shadow. This was his replacement. KGB, GRU or Spetsnaz? He was far more subtle in his recruitment attempts though. East Berlin 1985

One advantage of being in Army Intelligence, was you got to go to Berchtesgaden every year to the annual conference where we shared intelligence, and vice versa, with the US – Germany 1986.

There were lots of special events and this was one of them. Cocktail dresses and Gin and Tonic. West Berlin 1982

The Queens Birthday and other events were celebrated with style.

The Berlin Tatto was an amzing event. The parade in front of the Deutschlandhalle prior to the final dress rehearsal. West Berlin 1983.

The Fernsehturm in Berlin – February 2012

The Fernsehturm. Sitting in the revolving restaurant seeing the full 360 degree view of Berlin was amazing. When the sun shone on the tower it reflected as a cross and was known as ‘The Popes Revenge’. – East Berlin 1983

The one on the far right is Moby Dick – West Berlin 1982

A quick break from Berlin. I did three tours in Northern Ireland, but don’t propose to do a Post for it separately. It’s too close to home…. But I will share a few photos with you.

I currently have a book, my watch and my iPad next to my bed. Then, I had a 9mm Browning. You would take the rounds out so as to take the pressure off the magazine springs. Oh, and I liked Ultravox. – Belfast 1980’s

Murals of this type were very common. – Belfast 1980’s

Belfast- 1980’s

Targeting an Army Pig (Humber) – Belfast 1980’s

I used to play Cowboys and Indians as a child. Belfast 1980’s

Those were very scary times. Belfast 1980’s

Now back to work….

Well, at least once we’ve dug our vehicle out…. East Berlin, 1983

Then time for a rest. We often slept out, Sometimes we took sleeping bags as we couldn’t run the engines as we needed to preserve our fuel. Our favourite drink was a flask of black coffee with a good dose of Grand Marnier. – East Berlin 1982

Back to work. 2S1 Self Propelled Artillery (122mm) – East Berlin, 1984

Until interrupted. East Berlin, East Berlin 1983.

ACRV’s, Armoured Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle. The chassis was far too long for this vehicle, making it difficult to manoeuvre. – East Berlin 1984

Ural 375 – East Berlin 1984

Rm-70 Rocket Launcher (122mm) – East Berlin 1984.

One key event that occurred every year, was the military parade to celebrate the formation of the GDR. This was naturally a key concern for the western allies. A country we didn’t officially recognise, holding a military parade on our doorstep. It was also an opportunity to disguise the movement of troops for a potential attack.

SA-3 Resupply on a Ural 375 chassis. – East Berlin – 1984

ZSU 23-4 (Shilka) (Anti-Aircraft) – East Berlin 1984

2S3 (152mm Self propelled artillery) – East Berlin – 1984

2S3. East Berlin 1984

SA-6 resupply. East Berlin 1984

2S3 (122mm self propelled artillery) – East Berlin 1984

Parade ready to start, SA-4 resupply on Ural 375 transporter. East Berlin 1984.

BMP – 1 with Sagger missile East Berlin 1984.

FROG 7, resupply. Range of 68km. Can carry a Nuclear (200- 450kt warhead), HE, Chemical and submunitions. – East Berlin 1984

The closer we could get to the equipment the better. It gave our analysts an inclination of any changes to equipment. We were constantly designing new equipment and defence measures that cost billions of pounds. In order for us to make the right decisions we needed to know what we were up against. We would always use black and white film, in stereo if possible, and not the colour ones you see now. Catching tanks, etc, stationery and unmanned, on exercise, or on flat cars in rail sidings gave us the best opportunities but held the greater risk. The guards were always armed.

T-12 Anti-Tank Gun. East berlin 1984

Silk Worm. Surface to Ship TEL. East berlin 1984

BMP -2. – East berlin 1984

BMP – 2. – East berlin 1984

I will finish off with a bit of fun. I can’t remember where this was in Berlin, but it is known as the ‘Sex Museum’.

Berlin Sex Museum. -Berlin 2012

Berlin Sex Museum. Berlin 2012

My intention is not to portray a particular message, but just share some of my photographs and experiences with you. This is the last of my Berlin, The Cold War series. But, there will be a new ‘Cold War’ series, supporting the writing of my new ‘Cold War’ series of novels, covering the hypothetical invasion of West germany by the Warsaw Pact in the 80’s. ‘The Red Effect’. so keep your eyes peeled.