Unpublished Wachregiment photograph

[iannima]

Our friend Bill has been in touch again with some photographs that he took during a visit to Berlin in 1988 (I believe). Here is the most interesting one:



Thanks a million again to Bill for this addition

[iannima]

There are several things worth noticing

a) The plain collar overcoats as specified in the 1986 regulations. I believe the Wachregiment updated immediately being the showcase unit of the NVA.

b) I guess this shot is taken as the dismounting guard leave the Neue Wache to enter a door on the side of the Zeughaus (currently the Museum for German History). I think the Neue Wache can be imagined to the left of the shot.

c) Other members of the Wachregiment deal with the traffic, hence the traffic regulator baton in the hands of the guy in the foreground. Because they are not on guard duty, they have taken off the helmet and wear the side cap instead.

d) Having said this, exactly what is that guy in the background doing without helmet but carrying the Simonov rifle in such a funny way? Regulating traffic too?

e) it is hard to tell from the photograph, but no piping is visible on the collar of the tunic of the guy in the foreground. Now in all other photographs, rergardless of how small they might be, the piping is nearly always discernible but not on this one. This might therefore be the only photograph I have ever come across that documents the usage of an unpiped collar (five buttoned) tunic at the Neue Wache. It might be or it might not... depending...

[Viktor]

Marching in Formation at the short trail with a Karbine S, most interesting, the other chap could be the Relief not yet on duty unlike the Gentlemen at the short trail.

[Mike G.]

Matteo,

Just a thought:

Having visited and witnessed the ceremony during frequent visits to the Neue Wache, I cannot recall even one occasion where the NVA Wachregirment or the subsequent Wachregiment Friedrich Engels, required a Traffic Regulator to provide security while they marched from the Guard House to the Neue Wache or the reverse; nor walked with the SKS at any position other than "At Arms"; nor performed guard duty with a Tunic that did not have the White Piping.

Consequently, is it possible they are neither leaving nor walking towards the Guard House, but are in fact in route to practice drill, or returning from practice drill; hence the need for a Traffic Regulator, the manner in which the SKS is being held, the unfamiliar background scenery and the unpiped collars on the Tunics that are visible.

If memory serves me right, the street between the Neue Wache and the Guard House was smallish and narrow, and was constructed of cobble stone. There was a large flag stone area and a long sidewalk that extended from the right side of the Neue Wache (as one faces it) upon which the Guards walked as they changed guard during the normal routine ceremony. On the Special Ceremony (Bands and a much larger unit) they actually walked out into the street in front of the Neue Wache to perform the Changing of the Guard.

Anyway, its just an observation.

One thing for certain, the picture gives a rare glimpse into the Guard Regiment during unusual circumstances.

[Ralph P]

Matteo - Not to de-rail or take away from your thread on being stumped...but who is Bill???

[iannima]

Michael,
you don't know how envious I am that you have actually witnessed this happening !!
Any way, two of the other photographs sent to me by Bill show him standing next to the guard at the Neue Wache in the most classical touristy pose. So I am pretty sure that this photograph was also taken on the same occasion right at the Neue Wache.
As for their carrying the rifle in a strange way, I would refer to a photograph all of us must know on page 200 of the new edition of the Keubke Kunz book. This one shows the "return to the guard room of the guard of honour". They are carrying the rifle by the barrel just lilke these guys. So I was not surprised by those. The one who surprises me is the other chap without the helmet, because it is really unclear what he might be doing. He is defintely not marching, as he is out of step, and his head points in the wrong way. He is not marching but just plainly walking. Notice also that his bayonet is folded back onto the barrel. The same photograph on page 200, shows another member of the Wachregiment with side cap opening the door.
I also presume we all know this exceptionally cheesy photograph, which really stinks of having been staged...

[iannima]

You have seen it for real so I am in no way doubting what you say, but it seems to me that the door to the guard room was opened by someone wearing a side cap and not a helmet. Perhaps on that day in 1988, traffic conditions demaded extra help or the street behind had been opened to cars, because I do not recall other photographs showing cars parked next to the Neue Wache. God only knows...
As for the unpiped collar tunic. I know exactly what you are saying. And indeed until now I had never seen evidence of an unpiped collar tunic being used at the Neue Wache. But this might be the first available evidence that we have of its actual usage. I still have doubts, but on the face of it, this is what can be said.

[iannima]

Matteo - Not to de-rail or take away from your thread on being stumped...but who is Bill???

Sorry Ralph, I do appreciate your confusion. Bill is a new DDR addict whom we have met at the Crich Berlin day. The photographs I posted (and have since taken down) on that thread, were mostly taken by Bill.

[Ralph P]

Matteo - Got it and thanks...

Sorry Ralph, I do appreciate your confusion. Bill is a new DDR addict whom we have met at the Crich Berlin day. The photographs I posted (and have since taken down) on that thread, were mostly taken by Bill.

[jon m.]

How can one stage the natural admiration of the achievements of the workers of Zeitzer Kinderwagenindustrie?? ...................

I also presume we all know this exceptionally cheesy photograph, which really stinks of having been staged...

[ehrentitle]

I witnessed a dozen or more of these ceremonies when I was stationed in Berlin from 85-88. I seem to recall there being plenty of VOPO around to inside and outside the memorial to control traffic and crowds especially for the large ceremonial changing of the guard. I distinctly recall one very politely telling me to be quiet in English when talking to a friend inside Neue Wache.

[Mike G.]

Hi Matteo,

If you look at the pavement upon which the soldier by the carriage at the entrance door to the guardhouse is standing on , you will see it is indeed constructed of cobblestone. The roadway surface in the other pic is concrete or some similar material.

Additionally, the guards in the initial photograph are Wachregiment Friedrich Engels. I am fairly certain the soldier appearing in the second pic (carriage) is from the earlier era NVA Wachregiment. Regardless, it is of an earlier period dress, when the dark brown belt and ammo pouches were worn toward the front.

I do know when practicing drill, they had to march from where they were barracked to the parade area where they practiced. So I thought possibly that was what was depicted in the first picture.

I've never seen these guys hold the SKS in the manner depicted in the initial pic, marching to or from the Neue Wache. They never practiced at the Neue Wache - it was always for real.

Speaking of Unpublished Neue Wache photos, here is one I probably will live to forget:

1978: Neue Wache - NVA Wachregiment and yours truly.

[ehrentitle]

How can one stage the natural admiration of the achievements of the workers of Zeitzer Kinderwagenindustrie?? ...................

Jon - Matteo's photo is a great shot of the side door at the Museum for German History which the guard exited and entered on the way to their duties at the Neue Wache.

[ehrentitle]

Ok Michael has thrown down the gauntlet. As seen previously elsewhere in this forum. -

[Mike G.]

Matteo,

I took a look at the newer Kuebke Kunz book as you suggested. The street does in that picture appear to be hardtopped. And the soldiers are carrying the SKS by the barrel. So perhaps the initial picture is as you inferred, and perhaps traffic was heavy on the day the picture was taken, therein requiring a traffic regulator.