I'm off to Berlin with my parents for a few days, and wondered what good WW2 related sites (I know there are not too many) there are to see there? I am thinking of the Soviet war memorial, and the Olympic Stadium, but are there any other sites that really stand out or any military history museums there? Also any good bookshops that I could browse for suitable German military history books? Only been to Germany once, for a day, so advice is appreciated, and I'm competent with basic German.
Hi Swiper, this is a good place to start when visiting Berlin: Third Reich in Ruins sort of a good "first run" of sites to see. If you are driving then a tour of the Seelow heights is a good spot also. About 50 kms east of the city.
Swiper, There is a good bookshop in Charlottenburg that I use. They hold a lot of German and English WW2 books. Berliner Zinnfiguren & Preussisches Bücherkabinett. Knesebeckstraße 8 D-10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg Zinnfiguren und Militärbücher der Berliner Zinnfiguren und des Preussischen Bücherkabinetts Russian Museum at Karlshort in the East of Berlin, where the Russians held the Surrender signing in Berlin. When I visited, the display descriptions were in German and Russian only. Regards and have a great time. Tom
Take a guided tour at the berliner unterwelt, and visit one of the huge bunkers which was to house more than 60.000 people. Berliner Unterwelten e.V. | Tour 1 I would also recommend the russian museum at karlshorst aswell, very exciting and informative museum. If you get the chance to go outside Berling, the Sachsenhausen concentrationcamp at Oranienburg is well worth a visit.
Former RAF Gatow has the Luftwaffe Museum, it was only just being started when I left so not sure what it has there now. Hanger 4 to the side of the control tower had a great mural on the inside of a spitfire shooting down a 109 which the luftwaffe said they would keep. Left Berlin in 1995 so I suspect the ariel views and wandering around Seelow may not be the same (still had armoured vehicles and guns left on the fields when I got to fly over on a helicopter patrol) Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Holocaust Memorial A View on Cities Berlin
Leccy, The Luftwaffe Museum is worth a visit, search for threads by me on the site. Closed on Mondays. No entrance charge (Donations accepted). The Cold War Hanger No 7 is currently closed due to structural repairs, but otherwise still a grand day out. Regards Tom
Always been my intention to go back to Berlin sometime. Two years was too short especially as it was after the wall came down and as the Russians were leaving. Building sites everywhere with constant calls for the EOD teams. Lived in Spandau worked on RAF Gatow mainly with some work at Ruhleben and the Olympic Stadium. Just have to talk me missus into it now, got her half way.
We have just booked flights to Berlin in September, looking forward to it so threads like this are always worth a lookie.
wondered what good WW2 related sites (I know there are not too many) Did you really mean to say that ? Not many WW2 related sites in Berlin....mmmmm.....OK. Don't suppose you got time to get this book? After the Battle - Online Store
I may have time to get that, need to check travelling times. It was more that a lot of the stuff (army museums) et al are not as centralised as they are (to my mind) as they are in the UK, as I'd have loved a day at German archives et al... I've done some reading up and realised I had a number of sites bookmarked I'd forgotten about, so planning to try and take as much as it in as possible. We're limited to bus/walking/taxi/metro travel there which does limit things somewhat. My parents also wondered if there were any really good restaurants they could try (whilst I'm out looking at 'piles of rusty metal and rubble') as my sister jokes (the whole time...)
Check out this site - Germany - WW2Museums.com It is being updated daily and has a comprehensive list of WW2 sites
Hi there I went back for the first time in March 2010, after leaving RAF Gatow in 1991. Still a really easy place to get around. If you are planning to do a lot of travel may I suggest you buy a "welcome card" which is about 25 Euros for a week for unlimited travelling on Bus/U & S Bahn. I got mine at the Airport. You'll get everything you need by looking at BVG.de - Tickets & Fares - Fares Overview - For Visitors - Berlin WelcomeCard - Berlin WelcomeCard Have a great time Gus
Hi, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is quite interesting, and only about 30 minutes from downtown Berlin on public transit. Interestingly, four of the Allied POWs recaptured after The Great Escape were sent there, and they escaped AGAIN!!! Read 'Moonless Night' by B.A. 'Jimmy' James. Marc
Many thanks to all, I picked up a different book in the end - my personal outgoings have been on Brit outline books and it was too much outlay, which seems good enough for 3/4 days. Very excited, many thanks to you guys that I've got a list of excellent destinations. I cannot see them all but hope to see some of them and shove a review up on here. The book/model shop is also rather near my hotel which is a massive bonus!
Ok, unfortunately it appears there will not be any pictures of my trip on my return. As my father bought his Nikon SLR, and left it in a taxi when drunk last night... So far, been very productive, we saw the Topography of Terror museum, truly excellent and the book they do there for 15 Euros is a must have. Due to going around with my parents much of the time (I've become their unofficial tour guide) we have had to rule out Sachsenhausen, and its likely I'll see either the German/Russian museum or the Luftwaffe museum due to time constraints! We went to the German History Museum and found that to be excellent, and they also had a fascinating exhibition on the German Police in the Second World War. Stasi Museum proved to be another great place, I must say that not one museum has disappointed, all have far exceeded expectations (especially after the Austrian depiction of Nazism at the Austrian Army Museum in Vienna.) All the other usual sites thrown in, and I now desperately want a Trabant...
All the other usual sites thrown in, and I now desperately want a Trabant... Until then you'll have to make do with looking at them. We've even got a thread on those. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/barracks/17756-trabant-parade.html
Ok, unfortunately it appears there will not be any pictures of my trip on my return. As my father bought his Nikon SLR, and left it in a taxi when drunk last night... So far, been very productive, we saw the Topography of Terror museum, truly excellent and the book they do there for 15 Euros is a must have. Due to going around with my parents much of the time (I've become their unofficial tour guide) we have had to rule out Sachsenhausen, and its likely I'll see either the German/Russian museum or the Luftwaffe museum due to time constraints! We went to the German History Museum and found that to be excellent, and they also had a fascinating exhibition on the German Police in the Second World War. Stasi Museum proved to be another great place, I must say that not one museum has disappointed, all have far exceeded expectations (especially after the Austrian depiction of Nazism at the Austrian Army Museum in Vienna.) All the other usual sites thrown in, and I now desperately want a Trabant... I would expect that you should get the camera back, if you try. Good luck, Marc
