Stasi wimpel

[skip]

Heres somrthing interesting that I´ve had laying around for a while.

This wimple is celebrating 10 years of checkpoint Drewitz which was known to us in the Berlin Brigade as checkpoint Bravo. Situated in Zehlendorf it was obviously manned by Stasi officers and Customs control.
I drove over Drewitz a few times but we always went through the control point that was manned by the Russians as the western world did´nt recognize the existance of east germany.

Underneath it is a table drape for the XX years celebrations of the Stasi.

Thought Ralph might like to see these.

Skip

[Mike G.]

Hi Skip,

Interesting Wimpel.

Your Thread brings back some fond memories. Like you, I must have passed through (back and forth) Checkpoint Bravo (Near Kearns Range) a couple dozen times at least. Funny how I don't recall anything hardly at all about the East German part of it, since as you pointed out, US, British and French Military were required to only process through the Soviet Stations. To tell the truth, I actually was more concerned about our own Military Police / Customs officials, who if you were off by only a few minutes duration on your trip from Checkpoint A to B or the reverse, would ban you from further travel on the Helmstedt Autobahn for one full year.
We would always drive like a bat out of hell, then pull over about 20 minutes away from the Checkpoint, and when the clock indicated it was time to proceed, drive onward insuring we were as close as possible to the correct time upon arrival. It always was a boring (Nothing to see) as well as stressfull drive because of the "Time" constraints that were enforced.

Skip,

About your Wimpel - although there is a Customs emblem on the Wimpel, do you suppose the officials that were involved in the "Customs" aspect at that East German Checkpoint also were Stasi? I know our Customs officials were US Army Military Police assigned to Customs Duty. So perhaps it was the same for the Stasi?

Also, the Wimpel seems to be honoring 10 years (69 to 79) specific to the Drewitz Checkpoint. So I am wondering if that is when the Drewitz (Bravo) Helmstedt Autobahn Corridor was first opened for travel between West Germany and West Berlin?

[Ralph P]

Hey Mike and Skip...Very interesting STASI wimpel, thanks for posting it on the forum Skip. I too am curious about the date of 1969, so I did some research and it appears the checkpoint was open around the October 1969. Very interesting indeed.

[Mike G.]

Ralph,

Thanks for the followup regarding Skip's Wimpel. It makes everything of which the Wimpel is comprised fall into place. Skip's Wimpel is now definitely "Historic" in the most true since.

Hey Skip -

[skip]

Yes, thanks for looking that up Ralph. I was wondering about the 1969 myself. I think the corridor was actually open before this for the Allies but not until 1969 were german civiliens allowed to drive down to Helmstedt.

Mike, i remember those races down the corridor, especially the east germans in their Trabis, that could only go 100mph, trying to keep up with us.

One of my fondest memories of the checkpoint was leaning out the back of a landrover and swopping bananas and oranges with the poor russian grunt on guard duty,in exchange for the much coverted russian fur cap, or at least a cap badge or belt buckle. Those trinkets used to be worth a small fortune in smokes and alcohol, nowadays you can pick them up for 1Euro

Skip

[Mike G.]

Yes, thanks for looking that up Ralph. I was wondering about the 1969 myself. I think the corridor was actually open before this for the Allies but not until 1969 were german civiliens allowed to drive down to Helmstedt.

Mike, i remember those races down the corridor, especially the east germans in their Trabis, that could only go 100mph, trying to keep up with us.

One of my fondest memories of the checkpoint was leaning out the back of a landrover and swopping bananas and oranges with the poor russian grunt on guard duty,in exchange for the much coverted russian fur cap, or at least a cap badge or belt buckle. Those trinkets used to be worth a small fortune in smokes and alcohol, nowadays you can pick them up for 1Euro

Skip

No question about it. That's it guys. The year 69 is when it opened to Civilians as you correctly assessed, Skip. Because prior to that, there would only have been Soviet Checkpoints. With civilians authorized its use in 69, they would have then had to erect East German Checkpoints as well.

Well done guys.

Skip,
Throw-away Bic Cigarette Lighters were "Gold" to those guys.

I used to intentionally hand the little "Snuffy" Soviet Guy out in front of the Guard House my Flag Orders upside down. He would actually look them over, up and down as though he were reading and scrutinzing everything three times over. I guess he didn't even realize his own Soviet Flag was upside down. Also, part of it, in addition to being in English and French, also was in Russian. Go figure.

Anyway, it proved these guys were illiterate, and also was fun and entertaining to watch. Though their Officers would sometimes give me dirty looks.

Skip,

My Berlin assignment was my best assignment in my military career. While each waking day was nothing short of intense, I have nothing but fond memories - would you agree?

[skip]

Mike,

Berlin was one of the best things that ever happened to me. The shear history of the place was incredable, especially for a TR buff like me. It was also great fun doing all the Berlin peculiar activities, like guarding Hess or riding on the military train. Another of my favourites was the inter allied meetings and exchanges. It was a bit difficult with the French but the Brits and Yanks got on like a house on fire.
I wonder if we ever met up and have´nt realised it yet!

Skip

[Gerd Becker]

Hi Skip,

you guarded Hess? You are lucky to have been in Berlin, its the most impressive city in Germany IMO. There was a very special athmospere before the wall came down. I was two or three times there before 1989 and i liked it a lot. Of course we have also seen the former Checkpoint Charlie, which was quite a ruin at that time. When we went over to the east german side it was a restrictive(?) impression. What i remember most was the aweful "broiler" in the restaurant at the Alexanderplatz because that damn thing destroyed my stomach for several days

But i loved it to be in Berlin and hope to get there again soon. I hope, we will have a beer or two together then

best,
Gerd

PS: Which trabi drove 100 mph trabi turbo

[skip]

Hi Gerd,


yes, I guarded Hess. 3 times in fact.

Being a REMF I never was assigned to guard duties except those directly involving the barracks we were stationed in.

Duties such as guarding Hess, guarding the Military Train or being on quick reaction duty at Brigade HQ was only given to the Companys. As I was attached to Btl. HQ there were hardly any extra dutys at all.

When these annoying guard dutys came along at the weekend all the lads would want to be going out on the town. They were quiet willing to lay 100marks down on the table to anybody willing to take them over.

I earned quiet a few 100 DM notes and lived my own little part of history. What more could you want?

Hey, when you come to Berlin drop me a line.

Best Skip