The LAH Brracks at Lichterfelde

[DonC]

Thanks, Sven. I noticed that apparently they are storing a lot of the KZ records there now, which might explain the somewhat lamely enforced "no photography" policy....

Don

[markus]

Kadettenanstalt

I think they are storing documents of the GDR/DDR era there and I am not sure about WH/W-SS. The photo policy has been there since I first visited the site in 2001/2. It is understandable, since it is a federal archive and there should be no photography allowed. The 2 times I have been there the guard have always hesitated to let me in without a written permit, but eventually did. I remember that last time in 2004, I had actually turn around and walked away after being rejected, when seconds later guard walked up behind me and my wife to grant entrance. Leaving they even gave us a leaflet about the Kadettenansalt's history.

[DonC]

Hi Markus -

It appears that they have both document storage centers there - I saw a directional sign just inside the entrance that pointed out which buildings had KZ-related materials and which had DDR documents. I just walked right in the entrance and no one stopped me until the policeman came up to me after I had been walking around for 45 minutes.

Don

[F L Clemens]

A more modern baracks being demolished - I do not know if this was put up in the TR era or by the American Army after the war, but it is going, going...

That is a postwar barracks that was built in the place of a prewar barracks block and also on part of the ground of the prewar Kirche.

It's a shame that the original barracks blocks were not rebuilt. Now there is only 2/3 of a single original block with the one wing having been cheaply rebuilt after the war. The barracks block facing it was mostly intact but demolished in the 1960/70's. A few photos exist of it. What I really wonder is what the condition of the other two barracks blocks was - I have never seen a picture of them postwar. The replacement buildings seem to have gone up quickly in the 1950's.

Thanks for posting your photos.

[karlo]

nice to see those pics...ta v much......the ole concrete will be there long after we are....K

[Panzer Rob]

Nice pics, Don. The LAH barracks is at the top of my "to do" list for my next trip to Berlin

Great stuff!!!
Rob

[ibrahim ahmad]

I plan to go here on 31st March, afternoon, whats the nearest train and also any advise ??

Cheers,
Ibrahim.

[markus]

I plan to go here on 31st March, afternoon, whats the nearest train and also any advise ??

Cheers,
Ibrahim.

Hi Ibrahim,

I always went in car, but looking at the barraks on Google Earth, I'd say try S-Bahn station "Sundgauer Strasse" or "Lichterfelde-Ost," or "Lichterfelde-Ost."

You can check your rail connections via www.bahn.de

Have fun!
Markus

[Robin Lumsden]

I seem to recall that 'Lichterfelde-West' was the nearest station .............

[markus]

Oh Ibrahim... the street is 'Finkensteinallee.'

[DouglasDwight]

Does anyone have any period TR photos to post, for comparison?

[markus]

I seem to recall that 'Lichterfelde-West' was the nearest station .............

Yes, I think that is the station the boys commonly used to take
To go downtown back in the day.

[DonC]

For what it's worth, i used Lichterfelde West. It's still a nice neighborhood, so even if you have to walk a bit it's not sketchy.

Don

[Daniel.S]

hmm, wonder if those 2 are still in that concrete...

THese are supposed to come from there, does anyone have period closeups so we can see if they are the same?

[HERMSDORF]

This are the real Heads. The Russians decapitated them after the Battle and threw them in a Bomb Crater. What I´ve heard is that they´ve been found a few Years ago and that they are now somewhere in Russia.. but I don´t know exactly.. What a Shame

Andy