Comments on: Teufelsberg Tale

By: Farris Parker

Farris Parker — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:08:59 +0000

I was assigned to FSB from Oct. 1970 – Oct. 1975. I was a 98C in Orange section.

By: David Braddy

David Braddy — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 17:10:06 +0000

1974-1979 Yes, five years there. It was an amazing collection of great memories for me, personally, and for my five-year old son, [now 54 years old]. 98G German linguist with Branflake. It was my honor to be assigned there for the 5-yr duration, while I was able to complete BA [Univ of Maryland} and MA work with Boston U. It was so preferable to other assignments re: the EW side of my MOS at Fort Hood, TX or Reforger. All of the experiences were unmatched, the beer parties [Schultheiss beer], the West German [Berlin] folks and their hospitality. I also learned first hand that the nude beach on the opposite side of the lake was not all that ‘sexy’. It was also bazaar during the visits I made to the observation platforms at Brandenburg Gate, among other sites; to be looking across the wall, concertina wire and tank traps and dogs while people on the East Berlin side stared at us from their one-and-only observation platform. Of course, the guards in the towers were not primarily looking at us but to make sure their own citizens did not try escape. To those of you who served, thank you. I know you sacrificed (most of you} three years and probably some of you have endured “hearing” loss. I was “Omar” and my best friend was Big Bobbert. All of us collected the jokes [some were funny] spoken by our adversaries and was saved in a Pass-On Book. And I am grateful to each of you for sharing some of your experiences there.

By: Joe lumpkin

Joe lumpkin — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 14:20:34 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. Worked at “site one”. Rudow from 66-69. Sp6 Joe Lumpkin. I actually dreamed about it today in nap time.

By: Richy

Richy — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:19:41 +0000

When someone is interest to get the

FIELD STATION BERLIN PATCH

Can contact me at
[email protected]

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 05:13:05 +0000

Thanks for that tale, love T-Berg …

Frank

By: Robert W Rynerson

Robert W Rynerson — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:43:47 +0000

I was assigned to Berlin’s Rail Transportation Office and then a special project in the period that Lew McDaniel described here. I’ve been back a half dozen times since and it is always interesting. There are places that I photographed in 2002 that are gone now. ASA people in particular might be interested in an article in my website about communications between West Berlin and West Germany. Let’s see if this link works:

https://www.berlin1969.com/stories-geschichte/over-the-top/

By: Parker S Sims

Parker S Sims — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 16:34:45 +0000

As a 2LT, I and my wife arrived in Berlin and our sponsor met us at Templehof in May 1970. The first few nights they put us up in Dahlem Haus, near the Harnack House, officers club. I still have my membership card. I was assigned to HQ Company Berlin Brigade, AG (lucked out from ROTC summer camp,) and we lived in a wonderful two-bedroom apartment, cornered by Argentinische Allee in the south and Clayallee in the east, a short walk to work at Berlin Brigade HQ.

My first assignment was Custodian of Classified Documents so I had clearances up the wazoo. Don’t remember how many docs we managed but I and my staff of five worked in a double combination vault, maintaining inventory, constantly counting the right number of copies, signing docs out and when the docs were no longer needed, tossing them in burn bags and watching them go up in flames in the incinerator.
Like others with secure positions, we could not travel to East Berlin or drive the Autobahn to the west where I got my Soviet belt at the Russian checkpoint leaving Berlin. I was relieved after 9 months to be Postal Officer for USAB. Now we could drive to West Germany and beyond and go to East Berlin. (Remember flag orders?)

Our fondest but saddest activity was sometimes having nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon, before partying with friends, driving our VW fastback in any direction till we hit the wall and drove along the wall to a viewing platform where we’d climb up to view the guarded no man’s land and sadly watch families in the west shout to family in the east who had not gotten out.

I still have four other officer friends of 55 years who we remain in contact, one a retired full bird who stayed in, who lives in Austin TX, considered my closest friend. We get together every year or so.

By: kirsten Olson

kirsten Olson — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 15:05:53 +0000

I was stationed in Berlin from 1984 – 1987. I was assigned to the 766th MI Det. My late wife was assigned to FSB. I used to travel there frequently to conduct background checks for security clearances for personnel assigned to FSB. I used to give SAEDA (subversion and espionage directed against the US Army) briefings to the soldiers assigned to FSB. One of the soldiers that attended a briefing came forward and reported a contact from soviet personnel. The lengthy investigation finally resulted in the apprehension of 3 KGB officers that our detachment carried out. It was arguably the most fascinating 3 years of my life. My current wife and I recently (June 2023) returned to Berlin and toured FSB (Sunday afternoon english tour). As part of this tour the guide talked about this operation I was fortunate enough to be a part of. He allowed me to tell the story of how the investigation played out. It was a fascinating trip down memory lane. I would highly recommend it to those that spent time there.

By: Gary Yocca

Gary Yocca — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 20:10:52 +0000

In reply to Mark Alderson. Mark, just visited Berlin in September and met up with Charlie Kinder, Tom Gallant and J.D. Wilson. Visited. Teufelsberg with my two sons, and we got in free after I told them tha I worked there. My younger son and I actually got a room at an apartment complex directly behind Andrew’s Barracks.

By: Justani Magine

Justani Magine — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:34:43 +0000

there is a lot of movement at the old fsb these days. i heard rumors the station is back on the power net after many years without power. water supply will also come back up the hill asap. a small team of of field station Teufelsberg lovers (Interessengemeinschaft Teufelsberg, Alliierte in Berlin e.V, ++) are working hard. the museum/exhibition of allies in Berlin e.V will also come step by step back to life up the hill in the beginning of 2024 as I heard it right.

everybody whose coming up the hill is welcome but veterans are always free of charge if they‘ll let the staff know.

It’s still such a unique place !