Checkpoint Charlie Standoff Photo

[John F.]

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?

[ehrentitle]

I imagine that there were tanks in front of this position, if not the tanks were not far behind:

[Mike G.]

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.

[Knuckles930]

Interesting fact there.

[John F.]

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.

[ehrentitle]

I 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.

[John F.]

I 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.

I agree that this the initial US response. When the first Soviet Tank appeared on the scene I'm sure the Berlin Bde Cdr when he got the callr side he said "get a Bazooka team out there until we can get some armor to back them up."

Good eye Kevin on the tank in the background..I didn't see that.

[Audie]

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.

[John F.]

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.

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.

[VPpat]

Was there a U=Bahn on both sides of the checkpoint? I see one on the DDR side but then I see one behind the US soldiers with the Bazooka. Is the Bazooka team facing away from the border?

[ehrentitle]

Yes, 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?

[vlim]

Well, at least the pharmacy was located at a convenient place.

[Christophe]

Yes, 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?

You are absolutely correct with the names of the two stations. they still exist.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Troy101]

I went through Checkpoint Charlie just a few months before the wall fell, I still have my "flag" orders to go through since I was on active duty then, can't believe it's been 20 years already!

[Khrushchev]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...The memories! Just think, a year later we would be doing it all over again in the Caribbean!

DahhhhhSkorovah!