Berlin: Then and Now Photos

I have seen that flak tower many times in photos. It's so strange how a place can be so changed. Great photos, keep them up!

 

Not a problem at all, John. It's still very interesting, especially with the story regarding the attempt to blow up and then bury the building. It would have been interesting to listen in on the conversations after the demolition failed. (BTW, when the French swear, do they say, "Pardon my English"? )

 

Another great shot John, the tracks are still there too.

 

I'm sure Skipper can answer that one!

 

I thought the Humboldthain flak tower warranted more photos to show you more of its detail.

As I mentioned earlier, it must have been a huge structure prior to it being buried


Looking down from the top level, where 128cm twin flak guns were mounted, to the level where a plinth for smaller AA guns ones stood


Large calibre hits from russian guns


Further damage, possibly from flying shrapnel or small calibre fire


Evidence of the rubble, from the bombed buildings of Berlin, that was used to bury the flak tower

 

I hope everyone will accept my apologies for bumping a 2 month old thread, which I know is a "no-no" on many forums but hopefully this one isn't TOO old.....

I just could NOT let this thread go by without congratulating and thanking the original poster. These photos are among the most amazing I have seen on the net. It's almost haunting to see tanks and soldiers standing where modern civilians are walking peacefully.

 

Thanks for bumping this thread, I never saw this thread before. Love the two photos between the T34 and Tiger on each side of the gate. How cool would it be if the photos was taken on the same day.

 

Sometimes people open threads that ate ten years old and for nothing. So opening a nice one after two months is no big deal on the contrary. I home more people will enjoy it now.

 

Same here, thanks for bumping this thread.
I have to say these "now and then" posts are one of the things I most enjoy here...
Its a valuable opportunity for us to re-express our appreciation to them and express our hopes to see more.
Have a look around, you will see more before and after threads hidden in the older files.

There is one particularly good one, where the artist has morphed images from Russia in WW2 onto modern images. Breathtaking stuff.
Perhaps someone will remember its location and post the link for us to enjoy again.
- This is not it, but close enough for now. http://englishrussia.com/2009/01/26/2235/

Examples:
http://www.ww2f.com/wwii-today/52705-obersalzberg-then-now.html

And on our sister forum: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/ww2-ba...-some-then-now-pictures-op-market-garden.html

There are many photo forums on the internet that specialize in this topic area. Google search for "ww2 then and now photos"
Examples: Third Reich in Ruins
Normandy 1944 – Then and Now

 

That statement kind of reminds me of Hogan's Heroes, there are alot of fat German officers in the show!

 

I would think they werent removed simply because nobody noticed them, It took me a good 5 mins to look for the swastikas.

 

Was that particular floor laid during the Nazi era ? The design is called a fret and was common to the Greeks , circa 500BC to 200 AD. It shows up in Latin America , some African designs as well as American Indians using it for blankets. It seems if it were a Nazi design it would be more prominent. So my question is when was the Wehrmacht headquarters building built? It certainly has that Germanic modern Albert Speer look to it. but it was not unknown the Nazis. But then the US WW2 memorial plaza has a strong resemblance to Otto Wagner and his work in Vienna.

 

Well I should have Googled it ! Albert Speer, 1937. He was a classical architect of a rather stark nature so he was aware of Greek frets , he probably was aware of the subtle interpretation.

 

And, interestingly, the 45th Infantry Division wore a swastika on their shoulders until the rise of Nazism in the 1930s. It was then changed to another common Native American symbol, the Thunderbird, which didn't have the same political baggage.

 

The Swastika has also been used in Indian culture for eons.

It can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation who were around during the Bronze Age (3300-1300 BC).

Interesting to note that a Swastika was also painted in to the nose section of Charles Lindbergh's aeroplane - The Spirit of St. Louis!

 

I'm really liking these photographes, especialy the ones in the courtyard of the former Wermacht headquaters.

 

nice thread