I found this picture interesting. I’m assuming this photo was taken between 22 or 23 October 1961, and was the initial US response during the Stand off between US and Soviet Forces at Checkpoint Charlie. Does anyone notice anything particularly odd about this photo other then the fact that you have a M20A1B1 (Super Bazooka) with it’s 88.9 mm rocket squaring off (probably) against a Soviet T-62 with it’s 115mm smoothbore main gun and 7.62 mm coaxial machine?
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Checkpoint Charlie Standoff Photo
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I imagine that there were tanks in front of this position, if not the tanks were not far behind:
Last edited by ehrentitle; 11-15-2009, 08:45 AM.
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Actually,
Were the bazooka to have to be fired, the back-blast would probably make "Toast" of Checkpoint Charlie - visible behind the sand bags.
However, were the situation to degrade where the bazooka had to actually be engaged, I doubt the condition of Checkpoint Charlie would be at the forefront of anyone's concerns.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.”
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Hi Michael.
You got that right and the MP standing inside whould have meet with the same fate as the actual structure.
I find it funny too the the civilian population was allowed to be standing around watching the situation unfold like it was a high school football game.
I love the Ridgeway Hats the US soldiers are wearing in the photos Kevin provided.
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Originally posted by ehrentitle View PostI image they were there more for a show of force presence, a trip wire, a line not to cross more than anything else. Also the original photo that John F. posted look in the background to the right of the U-Bahn sign and you can the faint outlines of an armored vehicle.
Good eye Kevin on the tank in the background..I didn't see that.
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It's a photo op: showing the determination and bravery of the glorious US soldiers in the face of the overwhelming armoured Soviet threat.
The photo says: this is our stand, cross this line over our dead bodies.
Whereas the photos with US tanks standing off versus Soviet tanks shows just the plain stupidity of the entire situation. If I read it correctly, the stand off was caused by a stubborn, do-or-die US general who almost single-handedly increased tensions and escalated the Berlin situation.
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Originally posted by Audie View PostIf I read it correctly, the stand off was caused by a stubborn, do-or-die US general who almost single-handedly increased tensions and escalated the Berlin situation.
Given the era and the mentality of the time I’m sure egos played into the situation. However the initial cause of the problem was a dispute over whether East German guards were authorized to examine the travel documents of a U.S. diplomat passing through to East Berlin.
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Originally posted by ehrentitle View PostYes, There were two stations and no the bazooka was facing the threat. One the western side the U-bahn station was Kochstraße. I'm not sure what the name of the one was on the eastern side or if it still exists, maybe Stadtmitte?
Cheers.
Ch.
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