Look at the building in the left background of the photo from Kuebke/Kunz. That building a block away appears right behind the soldiers in the first photo that Matteo posted. So they were at least block away and behind the Neue Wache. I suspect they were marching to the Museum of German History for the start of their shift. If they were that far away from the Neue Wache they would have to perform their own traffic control.
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I think that I see a WR left foot creeping toward the "
AAAALLLLAAAARRRRMMMM" button. 
If he let his trusty Karabiner-S fall forward you would be in trouble
Originally posted by Michael D. Gallagher View PostComment
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Per my previous comments, here is the photo in question from the Kuebke/Kunz book. The Neue Wache would be to the left out of the picture. But the building in the left background is probably about 200-300 meters to the rear of the museum and Neue Wache.
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Quote: "I think that I see a WR left foot creeping toward the " AAAALLLLAAAARRRRMMMM" button.
If he let his trusty Karabiner-S fall forward you would be in trouble "
Actually, two years later in 1980, while attempting to strike a similar pose with a guard of the Wachregiment Friedrich Engels, I was slammed in my backside by a machinegun toting VOPO and almost knocked flat on my face. I mistakenly stood on the same step (same level) as the guard when posing for a photo op, which apparently was not permitted. Instead of being told to step down one or two steps, I was struck from behind. It was all I could do to keep from falling on my face. I was determined not to do so and to not bring embarrassment upon my colleagues, disrespect my uniform and to not discredit my country. All this going through my head, somehow I managed to stay upright. A few beers and the pain in my backside was gone and it became one of those Cold War era memories.
Yes, I could have reported the incident upon return through Checkpoint Charlie, along with my colleagues. But the paperwork and the resulting political quagmire that would have resulted, we all agreed was not worth the pen and paper.
I sucked it up and moved on.
Michael D. GALLAGHER
M60-A2 Tank Commander Cold War proverb: “You can accomplish more with a kind word and a ‘Shillelagh’ than you can with just a kind word.”Comment
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From deep within my archives a photo of the ever present "watchers" at the Neue Wache -
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I wish I could get to see this...
It is a shame the Berlin Wachbatallion does not continue this fine tradition. I imagine the building looks rather deserted now.
KlausLast edited by Klaus1989; 03-04-2007, 06:28 PM.Comment
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This photo should give those who have not been there some perspective on location. I took this photo from the steps of the Neue Wache during a changing of the guards around 87 or 88.
On the left you can see the German History Museum and part of the entry/exit door for the guard. In the background middle you can see the Palast der Repubic and to the right of that the Staatsrat. Across the street on the right is the German State Opera. The street that fronted the Neue Wache was the Unter der Linden. If you were to to to the right on it you would end up at Brandenburg Gate, left you would cross the Spree Canal on the Marx-Engles Bridge which had all of those beautiful white statues then you would be on Museum Island.
There is also a VOPO stationed on the corner behind the guards. As Michael mentioned I remember the street between the museum and the Neue Wache as narrow and infrequently used by traffic as it was really a side street.
You can also see that there were no trees or car park on either side of this part of the Unter der Linden thus ruling out Matteo's photo which started this thread from being shot here.
Last edited by ehrentitle; 03-04-2007, 06:48 PM.Comment
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Never thought I'd see it
Mr Gallagher,
In khakis? That is equivalent to a photo from our Civil War. And who is that thin wisp of a soldier? MikeComment
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Not Khaki. I wasn't that kind of a soldier. I was better than that.
"TWs". !!!!!
Michael D. GALLAGHER
M60-A2 Tank Commander Cold War proverb: “You can accomplish more with a kind word and a ‘Shillelagh’ than you can with just a kind word.”Comment
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Tropical Worsted, they were for the most part gone by the time I came on active duty in the early 80s. But I remember the vets talking about how good they were.Originally posted by Michael D. GallagherQuote: "Mr Gallagher,
In khakis? That is equivalent to a photo from our Civil War. And who is that thin wisp of a soldier? Mike" Unquote.
Not Khaki. I wasn't that kind of a soldier. I was better than that.
"TWs". !!!!!
Thin wisp of a soldier - attributable to Combat Arms and such adventureous military sports activities as Combat Cross Country.
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Sorry I don't think so...Originally posted by ehrentitle View Post
Here is another shot that must have been taken around 1989 or 1990 (moustache having only been allowed around that time). Neue Wache to the left, Zeughas to the right, trees and cars in between...
Last edited by iannima; 03-05-2007, 02:06 AM.Comment
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Probably a bit earlier than the other photographs as they are wearing the dark collar overcoat
Again cars visible (and one lonely tree branch on he left) where the guards are going.Comment
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And again...
Neue Wache to the left, Zeughaus in the background, trees and cars in between. Notice that by the door of the Zeughaus you can just about see that there is a soldier standing with a white belt. Waiting for his Genosse Kameraden to get back in from the cold...Comment
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That guy with the radio is not a VOPO but NVA and probably of the Wachregiment. He is wearing a brown belt despite only being a soldat which would indicate his uniform being made of officer gabardine cloth. And notice: no piping at the collar nor on the trousers. I believe these are the tunic and the trousers specific to the Wachregiment. But this is a different story from my first photograph because it is obvious that this guy is not in Paradeuniform but in Dienstuniform.Originally posted by ehrentitle View Post
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Michael!!!Originally posted by Michael D. Gallagher View Post
How on earth have you managed to hide this from us for so long!!!
Niice shot, once again I am deeply envious...
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