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The Air Force occupied a small area of Templehof Central Airport. As I remember we had one C47 Gooney Bird airplane assigned. That was primarily used for milk runs to the Zone (West Germany). I recall flying on it once during a heavy storm. I was concerned because we were over East Germany and we only had a ten mile wide corridor to fly into West Berlin. I asked the pilot if he was confident we weren't lost in the storm and his reply. "Look out the left window, do you see the green light on the end of the wing?" I looked and told him I did. He continued, " Look out the right window, do you see the red light on the end of the wing?" Again I nodded I did. He concluded, " I just keep the airplane between those lights and we will be ok." I got the message and was silent for the remainder of the flight.
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Templehof airport was a vision of Adolph Hitler and his chief architect Albert Speer. Destined to be the airport of a conquered world. The grand project was never completed. The building was five floors, two above ground and three below. The first floor underground was converted into a ME 109 fighter factory. When a fighter was completed, it taxied out of the building and took off to defend the city during air raids. Parts of this floor was still accessible, I had to trace electrical circuits with the help of a German employee . He helped build this place and we worked to his memory. No prints was salvaged. The lower two floors were flooded by the Russians during the last days of the war. They were sealed off. The second floor above ground housed in part our NCO Club. This is not news. However, the elevator to get there was still original. No door, and the elevator never stopped. Jumping off and on was the means of riding and timing was very important. Departing the club at 2 in the morning and riding the elevator was done at your own risk
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The war levelled Berlin to the ground. West Berlin went to work rebuilding. Removing the debris and trash was a major task. A location in the Gruenwald Forest was selected and shortly tons of waste had been delivered. In time a mountain of trash rose up from the floor of the forest. The locals labeled the new landmark TEUFELSBERG. Translated: DEVIL'S MOUNTAIN. At some point the Air Force placed a Microwave/Tropo Site midway up the mountain. Located at the top was a classified station that I know nothing about. I went to work at Teufelsberg, as a Power Pro Tech. NOTE: Occasionally I would look across the WALL into East Berlin. It was still a mess from the war. The only thing I saw new was a gigantic statue of Lenin.
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Building a WALL to keep people in will only be somewhat successful if you're using a building with windows as part of said WALL. I have no idea how many folks jumped to FREEDOM before windows were bricked .(see picture)
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Surface travel out of Berlin was difficult. Flag Orders, Check Points, Harassment and Debriefings were common place . The Russians reluctantly played the game because of SOFA. (Status of Forces Agreement) To complicate the mix, we didn't recognize the East Germans at their checkpoints and drove through them. Flying out was the best way to go. Just don't stray outside designated air corridor. That would result in getting a Russian MIG escort to nearest Soviet base.
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Berlin was still considered an OCCUPIED city. Those assigned to duty in the city may be the last recipients of the ARMY OF OCCUPATION medal. I expected harsh treatment of citizens in the eastern half but there were times when the other allies was mistreating the citizens in their respective zones. I never witnessed any only heard of it.
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Rudolf Hess, Hitler's Deputy Fuhrer, was the only prisoner in Spandau Prison. Each month the allies would rotate guarding him. I heard when the Americans guarded him they brought him carpet, color TV, nice clothes, elaborate furnishings and food fit for a king. At the end of the month the Russians removed all American niceties and replaced with bread and water, army cot and prisoner garb. He always looked forward to the American Month. I have no idea how the French and English treated him.
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During the Berlin airlift Lt. Gail Halvorson would drop small parachutes of candy when on final approach to Templehof. German Kids would gather on roof tops for the special treat from the sky. He became known as the Candy Bomber. In 1970 Col. Halvorson returned to the city as the new commander of the 7350th Combat Support Gp. at Templehof AFS. During the change of command ceremony many Berliners attended the event to finally meet the Candy Bomber and say thank you.
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Hats off to Armed Forces Television. We watched as Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the surface of the moon. July 20, 1969, will always be a great day in American History.
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Berlin assignment cut short by a Reduction in Force order. Reassigned to Erding AB, Rep. of Germany.
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