What was the Checkpoint Charlie?

[Jaga]

Anybody knows? This is not related directly to Poland but to other country in Eastern Europe.

[bescheid]

This is a good question for others to reply.

Charles

[Pawian]

bescheid said:

This is a good question for others to reply.

Charles

It was quite known. A border crossing between two zones in Berlin. Probably called so by Americans.

But I didn`t hear any interesting history connected with it. Why did you mention this topic, Jaga?

[bescheid]

Jaga

Below is a good url of the schematik of Berlin check point Charlie. There are at left, specifics to click upon for indicated information.

www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/facts_03.htm

Personally, I have observed it from a distance. I was at this time, in the military with strict orders of observance, to not approach or in any manner attempt to enter.

It was a hated abominable symbol of separation and of the hated communist Russian Bas--trd. As a young man, I was as many of my fellow Panzer mates, very enthusiastic and very nationalistic. Our service rifles of issue was the Gewehr 3 {rifle model G3} 7.62X51 NATO. On our living barracks wall, there was a large photo of {Walter Ulbricht} on the fire control switch of our rifles, were 3 selector positions:

1} Sicher [safe]

2} Einzelfeuer [single fire]

3} Feuerstoß [ burst fire] I think the Americans call it [full auto fire]

We would point our weapons after cleaning at that photo and discharge the trigger {empty of ammunition} on position {3}Feurstoß and call it {{Frieden}}.

At that time, it was problematical that the Russians would crash through with their group tanks on several occasions. We were equipped with American M47 as our Panzer. The new Leopard Panzer was not as then released for use. But we were well equipped, all we needed was fuel and ammunition.

As young enthusiastic solders that we were {long in courage, short in smarts} we were hopeful the Russisch solders would try to make a break out into our land. Then we would take back what was ours. {That is the smarts idiots are made of...}but, very thankfully, non of this occurred.

In this stead, the American President {John Kennedy}made a visit to Berlin, and made a name for him self with his speech and become one of us with {Ich bin ein Berliner}.

Charles

[Jaga]

Charles, Jerzy,

thanks! I was hoping of course that the answer would be the most easy or Charles. I feel almost ashamed to admit that I did not know that this border crossing was called Charles point!

[bescheid]

admin said:

Charles, Jerzy,

thanks! I was hoping of course that the answer would be the most easy or Charles. I feel almost ashamed to admit that I did not know that this border crossing was called Charles point!

Jaga

This has been a week of miss-understanding for me...I am not sure the answer you are seeking and for this, it is my self that should be ashamed.

The direct other side of the entry was of East Berlin occupied by Soviet Russian military. The barrier fence was in length of 155 Km {I think? Memory is dim on this}.

The information you need, what should it be?

{{oooppps, are you refering to The Czech Republic?}

Charles

[hollister]

Not that these have much to do with Checkpoint Charlie ---- I just thought I'd share
both pics taken on Polish soil...

[rdywenur]

Checkpoint Charlie was one of the main gateways for crossing between the two halves of Berlin during the Cold War. The naming of the checkpoints was based on the phonetic alphabet, and as this was the third such checkpoint it was given the name of Charlie. It became a symbol of the Cold War - representing the division of East & West - and was seen as a gateway to freedom for the East Germans. The checkpoint ceased operation when the wall was opened in 1989, and the checkpoint booth was removed in 1990. These days a replica of the booth has been erected in the same place the original once stood, along with a copy of the sign that used to mark the border crossing. Right near the checkpoint is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a private museum which opened in 1962, not long after the wall was built. The museum chronicles the history and horror of the Berlin Wall, with some amazing stories about how some people attempted to escape and in some cases succeeded.


Ten days after closing the border on August 13, 1961 tourists from abroad, diplomats and the military personnel of the Western Powers were only allowed to enter East Berlin via the crossing point at Berlin Friedrichstrasse. Soon the US military police opened the third checkpoint at Friedrichstrasse. The other two checkpoints were Helmstedt at the West German-East German border and Dreilinden at the West Berlin and East Germany border. Based on the phonetic alphabet the Helmstedt checkpoint was called Alpha, Dreilinden Checkpoint Bravo and the checkpoint at Friedrichstrasse got the name Charlie.The main function of the checkpoint was to register and inform members of the Western Military Forces before entering East Berlin. Foreign tourists were also informed but not checked in the West. The German authorities in West and East Berlin were not allowed to check any members of the Allied Military Forces in Berlin and in Germany.

members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/2d4cbd/

[kaima]

Aha ... I have part of a paving brick from Checkpoint Charlie; part of a paver only because I cut it to give some as a souvenir to others. Everyone had a piece of the wall. Nobody was taking the paving bricks at Charlie. I even borrowed a hammer and chisel from the contractor and picked up about 60 nice pieces of the Wall to pass out to people. The police only chased me off (a few hundred meters) a few times. It was forbidden for American commoners to chip away at the wall, but VIPs and generals were taken to the wall so they could get their own piece. I figured as an American we are all equal, and if a general can be an exception to the rule, then a normal citizen can be an exception to the rule! To he11 with discrimination!

I worked in and out of Berlin for about two years, commuting to work every couple of weeks as a rule and sometimes weekly, sometimes staying 2 or 3 nights. I flew out about 4:30 the evening the Wall opened up about 7PM, and not surprisingly had to fly up on business for three days the following week. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and stayed that way for a long time.

Working for the US on construction I had all the privileges of the US military in this officially "occupied" city - the East police could not detain or bother me. If they did I just had to ask for a Russian Officer, who then as our official US allies would turn me over to the American forces - and then I would get in trouble for what ever I had done. The closest I came to getting into trouble was perhaps when I was walking alone one night and ran across three dejected looking Russian soldiers. I wanted to go over and give them some money for a beer to cheer them up. Better yet would have been to sit and have a couple with them, but I figured either of those actions would get them in serious trouble. The other time I was with a co-worker and proposed we stop in an 'autonom' or 'anarchy' club in East Berlin. Perhaps wisely the fellow refused. It would have been very interesting!

Charlie was the ONE point where US personnel could cross and I went over on the official busses, some for tours, some for shopping, and went by foot and eventually by U bahn (subway) as well, each with its own stories. Well, on to the day. Perhaps I will add some of the stories that are so often untold.

Kai
PS. Congratulations Charles! I had no idea you were so famous as to have the Checkpoint named after you!

[bescheid]

PS. Congratulations Charles! I had no idea you were so famous as to have the Checkpoint named after you!
[/quote]

Haa, well Kai

You are ever so kind, but, I was a nothing in those days,and age has not advanced me much more..But, you were with privilege, only a non-German was allowed to cross over..

www.lordstorm.net/wanders/de06/20060828de01.html

Charles