Berlin, 1945

A friend just stopped in and dropped off this picture his Dad had. All that is written on the back is Berlin, 1945.

Tom, you any wisdom to offer on this?

Would be neat to have a story to go with the image.

 

It looks like its set at the Victory column in the Tiergarten with the Brandenburg gate behind the photographer which was Charlottenburg Chausee (or something like that) and is now Strasse de 17 Juni. I dont know the reason for the ceremony though

 

It looks like its set at the Victory column in the Tiergarten with the Brandenburg gate behind the photographer which was Charlottenburg Chausee (or something like that) and is now Strasse de 17 Juni. I dont know the reason for the ceremony though
The perspective may be a bit wierd but there appears to be a stairway down behind the saluting officer facing the camera. Or is it just my weary eyes? The whole thing has a whiff of 11th of the 11th with the bare trees and raking light.
CS

 

Gotthard,
You are spot on.
The cameraman is at the top of the 'Siegessäule' (Victory Column) looking West along the Strasse des 17 Juni, and Charlottenburg Tor (Charlottenburg Gate).

I can only think that it was Victory parade.

Regards
Tom

 

More like a sunset ceremony - full guard turnout - band at rear - everyone saluting the flag -MP officer on saluting dias - obviously HQ of occupation forces - lots of BS on show - so no fighting troops ergo not victory parade - which was held in Aug '45 - could be Nov 11th at Sunset and lowering of the Flag - anyone's guess really
Cheers

 

Interesting photo - thanks for posting it!

A unit change-over maybe?

 

Are these pic's of the same area? taken sometime before the parade.
Ken

 

Those pictures are of the brandenburg gate which is behind the area where the parade took place. If the photographer was to turn 180 degrees that is what he would see. The original photograph is facing west, the pictures that Ken has posted are facing east. The one on the right is further away from the parade than the left hand one. And that boulevard was called the East-West Axis!

 

That road is also the last runway that was used by small planes flying in and out of Berlin. Hanna Reitsch and Ritter von Griem flew in and Speer flew out in Fieseler Storchs from this boulevard.

 

Gotthard,
many thks for info, at least I can know write where they are on the back, got so many photo's, with nothing on the back, I'm beginning to think my Dad could not write.

Tks Ken.

 

Well done, my battlefield detectives. I will pass this along to the chap that brought it in.

Would this then be in the British Sector of Berlin or were these divisions reality at this time?

Can one of you orient us on a map of where this would be?

Thanks.

 

Military Cross - you might note that "breaking the flag" is totally different to the "Sunset Ceremony" which is the lowering at around sunset and storing for the night - which can lead to lots of BS especially if there is a high ranker in the vicinity - as far as I can see the band at the back of the initial photo's is that of a brass band - no pipers appear to be evident with the exception of one on the far sidewalk who would play a lament - ergo - two diferent parades - in my view !
Cheers

 

I like conditional words. Fall of the year, evening ceremony, could be 11/11, known physical orientation. All works for a general story. Much appreciated.

 

News on the photo. I just spoke to a chap today who could not believe he was looking at this photo. He believes it is one similar to those his father has and if he can find them I will post them. His dad was with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who are formed up on the right hand side of this image. He reports that it was taken when the British Flag was raised in [he thinks] July of 1945.

He is away on business for a week or so, but when he returns, we are to get together, possibly even with the father. In the mean time, I suspect one of you will have the exact date figured out that this would have taken place.

cheers

phil

 

Can one of you orient us on a map of where this would be?
Thanks.

Charlottenburg Chaussee is now Strasse des 17 Juni. Go to google maps and type that in it'll show you where it is. It'll look like this;



Where the "A" is is the Prussian Memorial, over to the right just past the park is the Brandenburg Gate, beyond which lay the Third Reich government area.

 

WNC
That was neat to look at. I put it on 3D for the Gate. Thank you.

phil

 

Good Day All

New to the site....

First, I want to thank "Military Cross" for putting up the pic of "Berlin Parade"... I am the fellow he mentions that is/has been away for awhile (fishing, ah retirement is good)....and Phil I will be getting a hold of you soon...

The pic is question is the raising of the British Flag in Berlin on July 6th 1945... how do I know you may ask... well my father was there ... He was member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise) Canada (ASH of C) and they are are on the right hand side of the pic.....

Secondly, to Owen, "Grumpy Old Moose" (Canadian, I assume with a handle like that.....) the two pic's you posted from the IMW BU 8630 and BU 8632 are great..... and YES they are from the same day ( July 6th/45), however to give a proper prespective the IWM is technically correct in that they are "British Troops" ...... BUT...... to set the record straight BU 8630 are members of the ASH of C pipes and drums (the only pipe and drum unit to be part of the Victory Parade in Berlin , I believe) the cap badge tells it all.....also Bu 8632 are members of the ASHofC who participate in this particular parade....

When I showed my father the pics he was tickled pink and thought he might be the third man down the line in BU 8632, although it is hard to tell with the quality of the pic..... Owen, do you have a hard copy of the pic's or are they just from the IWM web site ??????

There were actually two parades.... one held on July 6th/45 raising of the British Flag and then the actual "Victory Parade" held on July 21st (I believe, will have to check my dates). In any event the ASHofC along with a company from each of The Loyal Edmonton and Les Fusilers Mount Royal where selected to represent Canada....

I am also interested in getting a hold of any ASHofC vets as I have some pics and would like to try and Identify some of the people in them ...Dad is 89 and he remembers the faces but the names escape him...

Thanks again for letting me put my two cents whorth in...

Best to all and be safe...

Jim Camirand