Or, even spies have to have somewhere to live.
-
This is me outside the Barracks I lived in on Andrews Kaserne in April of 1977.
Andrews Barracks, located on Finckensteinallee in the Zehlendorf district of Berlin, was originally a barracks and NCO Academy for Hitler’s Shutzstaffel. To the victor goes the spoils, and after the war, the U.S. Army grabbed this prime piece of real estate and created a Kaserne named after Lt. Gen. Frank Maxwell Andrews.
To me of course, it was home while I was in Berlin. There were a lot of amenities, among them a swimming pool built for the 1936 Olympics, a movie theater, an amateur theater-in-the-round, where I actually had a small part in a production of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest , a small PX, and a recreation center, where I played a lot of contract bridge with various denizens of the American community and some expats who came by from time to time.
-
A winter view of the building I lived in. My room was in the center section, on the third floor, between the stairwells.
There was an awful lot of somewhat grisly history associated with the site; some of the the executions on the “Night of the Long Knives” occurred on the Kaserne, in a small courtyard at the northwest corner.
History aside, the Kaserne was not bad at all as living conditions went- It had been designed as basically the West Point for central Europe, and of course it had been remodeled a couple of times since the war.
Since I was an E-5, I got NCO quarters, which were large rooms that were partitioned off out of even larger squad rooms. In many places there would be 8 to 12 people living in a space I now had to myself, or with an occasional transient roomie. 12-foot ceilings added to the feeling of spaciousness. In the original architecture, my room and the two on either side of it were one huge space, probably a classroom or squad room. Pictures I found later in my tour in the post library showed Hitler standing just about where my couch was. Creepy.
We were allowed, within reason, to decorate our rooms as we saw fit. This led to some fairly wild variations in room decor. One fellow had draped every surface in his room with DDR and Russian flags, including the ceiling. Hanging DDR flags was a common way of partitioning off space, because large DDR flags could be gotten extremely cheaply in the East, for far less than plain cotton cloth in the PX or on the local economy.
This contemporary photograph shows Hitler inspecting members of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler in front of the building that would later be my barracks. The white circle shows my room. Some wag during my tour had an enlargement of this photo printed up with a label that said “First Sergeant Middlesteadt inspects Company B, USAFSB”, which was funny when you considered that Top was a generally all-around decent guy and family man.
Not to belabor all this dark history, but it has a bearing on later events. Suffice it to say that the buildings and grounds fairly reeked of a bloody past and dark history if one was at all sensitive to that sort of thing, and could well give you pause when hearing strange noises at night.
I wasn’t particularly a barracks rat, but I did spend enough time on post to become very familiar with all the denizens of Company B. My best friend Mike was spending his time in his room writing a novel, while another friend was busy with an apple II computer- the first one I had ever seen- learning how to program it. I was spending a lot of time developing film in the barracks bathroom when I wasn’t over at the rec center playing bridge, learning German from Gerhard, one of my partners, or the little German gal who was in charge of the center. The overall atmosphere was pretty laid back, and almost like I’d imagine a college dorm to be like.
The general level of soldiers in FS Berlin was very high, indeed. Most of them were college educated, and there were a wide range of cultural and outside interests evidenced in the population. There was drinking, to be sure, and some drugs, but most of us were fairly sober and intelligent folks. The surrounding community had adapted itself to the presence of GI’s completely by the time I got there: The big restaurant right outside the gate was Al Mulino’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria- just like any corner pizza joint back home- except they served German beer and you paid in Marks. One had to travel a bit further afield to find genuine German establishments.
The mess hall on post was unremarkable, save the one time we were served lemon Jello over a layer of raw onions, due to a misunderstanding on the part of a newly-hired cook.
All in all, the U.S. Government had managed to provide us with fairly luxurious quarters as quarters went. Next time, I’ll talk about work and the Hill.
That barracks building was originally part the Royal Prussian Cadet Academy or the Preußischen Hauptkadettenanstalt. Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Barron, lived there at one time as well as many elite Prussian officers. When the Nazis took it over, the complex became the HQ for the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. It was not an NCO academy, but the home of Hitler’s personal elite body guard and parade troop before the war. The pool was not used in the 1936 Olympics as it was not completed until 1938. It is “Olympic size” which, I believe the confusion comes from. Most GI’s think it was used in 1936, but not at all possible.
This is awesome! My family and I lived in Berlin from Dec 1973 to April 1976 my father was stationed there (army). We lived in the government housing right behind the Andrews barracks on BasalerstraBe Str and I used to go to the swimming pool, movie theater and PX on post all the time.I still have my dog tags that I used to have to show to get in. I’ve just recently gone to the Google satellite map because I was curious to see what the area looked like after all these years. It sure brought back a lot of great memories.
Thanks for the corrections, fitzbr. I didn’t know that, or misremembered it.
I was station at Andrews from 85-86. An if I remeber correctly, I was in the those same barracks on the bottom floor. I also do volunteer work in the theater in the round. We did day of absence, bustop, and Company. Which we actually took and did downtown. To go from a little stage, to that one was really amazing. Lost contact with most of the people I was with over there. But I loved being in Berlin. I want to go back someday, just to see it again.
Hi
I was in the 42nd engr. co. from feb. 1976- jul. 1978 saw your info and found it very interesting.I pretty much stayed in the military, ever since then, eventualy transfering into the air force . I just retired with over 33 years service.I am trying to get in touch with some of my old buddies in the 42nd.
Thanks Michael T.
I was the B Co Cdr, FSB, 80-81. It was good to see the pictures of “our old home”. Brings back memories of good ole FSB and the “hill”. I was also Mission Control Officer (I believe it was called trick chief before) for A Team on the hill for 18 months.
Hi Phil,
Don’t know if you remember me. I was the civilian puke who directed that production of Cuckoo’s Nest you were in. I was there from ’77 to ’84. Your pictures and blog bring back a lot of memories. Thanks for that.
Jim
Hey!! So Great to see this stuff!!! I was an MP over there the same time you were there. I remember you Phil and Garcia and the girl in the Disco Sucks shirt, thought I dont remember her name (if someone knows her, please to tell me the name or it will drive me crazy!) I see Laura Boone, she was an MP with me. All the pictures are just great. I stayed in the Army, transferred to 05Kilo (98K now) and finished up as the SGM of the ops area at Camp Red Cloud in Uijonbu, 2nd Infantry Division. I hated and loved the Army off and on again, but always loved all of the people. BTW, I was the MP that married Debra Sheppard (little trivia). Best place I was ever stationed!!! Thanks again Phil, for the pictures..
Jim Lilly jamesplilly23@aol.com
I have just returned last month from a return trip to Berlin. I had not been there since I was stationed at Andrews Barrack 1965-1966 with Det A, a supposedly clandestine Special Forces operation.. I made a trip over there but could not get on the compound as there was a lot of construction going on but I did take a lot of pictures through the front gate. All the old buildings are being refaced with new red brick. The Goldener Sonne is now a Greek restaurant and the other gast house a bit farther down Finkensteinallee is a pizza place. The main building in the compound is now the Bundesarchivdeutschland ( Federal archives)
John Blevins
I was stationed in Berlin from 1966 to 1969 and Andrews was my barracks; however, due to a lenient pass policy, I lived off post “on the economy” for most of those three years. When I got there, Field Station Berlin was still the 54th USASA Special Operations Command and didn’t change its name until 1967. I have really fond memories of Berlin. The EM club, library, snack bar and movie theater on Andrews really provided all of us with a touch of home. But because of all the amenities, some of my fellow soldiers became barracks rats and didn’t take time to explore the great city West Berlin was in the late Sixties.
Thanks for the look. I was there and also had
a room in the old Cadet building (1974 – 1976).
I had not seen any photos of the facility since 76. Your Montage is a remarkable look at the past. We were younger then and our hearts were lighter.
You got to Berlin and Andrews Barracks just as I was leaving. I too got the urge to write about my experiences at Field Station Berlin, and the result was a novel: Voices Under Berlin: The Tale of a Monterey Mary. You might find some memories in there that resonate with your own.
It was a lot of years ago, but I am pretty sure
the jello with apple/onion mixup was at the cafeteria on the hill.
I think I was in the room towards B co from yours in 1979. Do you recall General Elwood Franklin?
http://duane.smeckert.com/Berlin/GeneralFranklin.jpg
Ack! I remembered the tree in the barracks, but couldn’t remember where it was! I think you’re right about the onion Jello being on the Hill, as well, come to think of it. It was before they built the Glass-and-a-half.
I was in B Co., FSB from 10/67 until 8/70; it was still the 54th USASASOC when I first arrived, but changed to FSB a few weeks later. I ended up a SP6 — DAMN it was easy to get promoted in those days! — and the proud platoon sergeant of B Co.’s crack 6th Platoon. I worked in Orange Section on the Hill, starting on C Trick but working a straight swing shift for my last year; a true bennie, as we said then.
My room in the barracks was on the third floor, way down at the far end, in the portion of the building that was at right angles to its main length — more or less overlooking the NCO club down there, but far enough away so the noise wasn’t a problem. It was a relatively small room, but it was mine and mine alone; you reached it by walking through another single room, which was the domain of SP6 Bob Wilcox. But Wilcox had hooked up with a German woman (as I recall, the librarian in the building where the snack bar was located), and as a result never slept in the barracks. Bottom line: privacy — AND I had a workable lock, and the key to it. Only 1st Sgt. Anderson had another copy of the key, and he never bothered me. It was a fine arrangement. I remember I bought an electric grill sort of thing, and would buy steaks at the commissary and cook ‘em up in my room as late-night snacks; in the wintertime I’d buy several, and leave them out on the windowsill, where they would freeze and stay frozen. The problem was that the grill drew, like, 1500 watts of power, and I would have to go around the third floor turning off lights before firing it up or a fuse (yeah, fuse, not circuit breaker) would blow when I turned it on.
I see Brock Garland’s name above; I remember him well (though he may not remember me), as he was the only African-American German linguist in the unit — perhaps, at that time, in the Agency. No, wait, there was that SFC something-or-other, who I think was also a German linguist. But he didn’t really use the skill, spending most of his time trying to act like some kind of actual military guy.
There was an FSB reunion in Berlin in 2000, and we managed to convince the German authorities that it would be OK for us to go inside Andrews Barracks — then (probably still now) the property of the German equivalent of the National Archives, and being used to house documents from the late, great DDR. (Shout out to the Second Sigs at Niederlehme! Good work, guys! You kept ME out of Vietnam!!) It was kind of eerie to walk into rooms that had once housed rollicking GIs and see them filled, floor to ceiling, with boxes of documents. Wonder if my Stasi dossier was in there?
A special greeting to anybody who hit the Boston reunion in 2008, or any of the other reunions that Jeff Gammon (and for Boston, Frank Castle) put together. For those of you who have not been to any of the reunions, let me suggest that you try to make it to the next one — assuming that somebody has the drive to put another one together. They have all been a lot of fun, and of course nobody is getting any younger.
Thanks for the memories –
Bob Haut, ex (NOT retired!) SP6
Bob- Hi! I remember well the flaky electrical system in that building; it provided convenient cover for the times when the jerk next door (on the other side of a thin partition) would fire up his 3000-watt stereo while I was tryimg to sleep after a mid shift :). It’s surprising what a little bit of circuitry knowledge and a suicide cord can do for you ;)
You guys are all youngins’.
served at det at Templehof, lived at Andrews
60 to 62.
In those earlier years hardly any cars and
beer barrels were occasionally delivered by
horse cart to the bars.
E. Berlin was insane before the wall went up.
Been back 4 times..still great memories.
I was stationed at Andrews Barracks in 1985, HHC Field Station. The Best part about being in field station was Al Mulino’s Italian Restaurant. I did not like Berlin, as I felt closed in and trapped.
Hi Phil,
Your tale and the responses certainly bring back some very fond memories. I arrived at the 78th in October of 65 and left in November of 67, by then it was the 54th. About a month after I arrived we moved over to the SS Barracks. At the time my security clearance wasn’t in yet and a couple of us were sent there to make sure it was clean enough for Ops to move in (back the we were just Support and Ops) Support stayed in the old (new) barracks. I remember going through the basement rooms and getting an eerie feeling. I found out many years later this is where some of the prisoners from “night of the long knives” were kept before they were taken out and shot near the engineers barracks were. I’ve been back there twice, in 1990 it was still an Army base and we went in and could go almost anywhere we wanted. In 2000 I couldn’t get through the front gate. I don’t know if anyone knows him but Doug Heater still lives there and he took me around. I was surprised how confused I was with the streets. When I was stationed there I had an old VW and never had a problem. Does anyone remember Pauls Bar, they had Australian barmaids ther and I fell in love with them more than once and the Old Eden, in the summer oh the American female tourists. Thanks for the memories,
John
I was there in 1977-79. I shared a room with Lopez…top floor center, right above you. Rick Mulcahy just across the hall. Good man. Worked on the hill. Enjoyed the lasagne and fried squid across the street. Didn’t like the cold weather, but beautiful country and friendly people. I’ll post some names later, assuming I can remember them.
Cheers!
Hiya Keith! I remember you and Rick and Lopez. Can’t put faces in the right places, but definitely remember the names.
all this quite interesting – I was in the 54th arriving in Sept. 66 and departing Dec. 69. Made Sp/5 in 21 months in admin for the mess hall. Moon lighted most of the evenings at the clubs there at Andrews and McNair. What a great time it was! Would like to hear from others there at the same time -
It is good to see pictures of the hill and the barracks. I was in Berlin from Jan 77-Mar80 and again from Jul 83- Oct 86. Lived in the Baseler Strasse apts and also at the BB housing area. I played a lot of softball for A Co & HHS. Everything brings back good memories. My oldest son was born in Berlin in 1978. It is a real shame that T-berg has gone into such ruin.
Hi I was an MP there from the summer of 1977 until Dec of 1978, my name was Karen Ottens, anyone out there that remembers me, if so please contact.
Karen,
Yes I remember you! Remember when you first got to Berlin you went with a bunch of us to McNair Barracks to learn how to rappell? I was the guy who helped you tie into your Swiss seat harness. When I realized my fingers were where they should not be I got real embarrassed and apologized. Hey send me an email at garthur@bellsouth.net because I think I have a photo of you. It’s great to remember people. Greg
I was looking for information concerning SS Barracks in Berlin. Thanks to your web I got what I was looking for.
I served in Germany, at Huberath, Dusseldorf with the 1st Batalian the Royal Norfolk Reg in 1949. They had just moved from Tiergarten, Berlin. I have to say, at that time Germany was one huge bombsite. You could almost walk in a straight line across the town. I returned to Dusseldorf in 1974. Didn’t recognise the place.
i was stationed in west berlin from nov, 1967 to dec, 1969. i was air force at marienfelds site. my son, jeff, was born to my wife, terry, and me at us army hospital nov, 1969. good tour there. spying on the russians was well worth it. so was the german food, saw paris for almost a week too. i was glad to leave the walled in city; but i do miss the people – germans and air force too -. and did i mention the food. thanks for having this website, bill …
I was in the 42nd Eng. from Jun1976-Apr1978. Spent a lot of time at the Home Bar. Surprised to hear that the 42nd’s barracks was torn down. Saw that Mike Smith was looking for old buddy’s, I sure remember him. Bob Morris, Abilene, Texas. My email is rainmorr@fastmail.fm
I was in the same building ’85-’87 with H&S CSB on the opposite side from the engineers, about halfway down overlooking what I think was the FSB cafeteria. Great Times.
I heard many of the stories above, but I dont think I ever remember knowing they were confirmed facts.
I was there from 75-76. I remember the ‘Home Bar’. It was run by ex MSGT Parker Smoak, does anyone know what happened to him and when the place closed? He also ran the audio club at Tempelhof. Never spent much time on base – lived off.
What a blast from the past (30 years now). We were there from 77-79 and worked in Treadmill. Still miss Tony’s imbess stand.
George was the one tasked to paint over the Star Trek room with puke orange paint and hated every minute of it. Puke orange spackled boots ended up in the tree when we left. Rick was in charge and wasn’t very happy as well. Please don’t hate us for it.
Jim, you where the best civilian guy in the Cuckoos nest. You can probably remember who I think was the worst ;).
I was stationed at FSB twice – 68-70 and 80-83 and will never forget the place. What an experience for all of us! I was single and in the barracks the first time, and married the second time, living up Finckensteinallee in one of the “Sundgauer Towers.” The memories of Berlin are as intense for my wife and son as they are for me.
How curious. While I was at Andrews in 1972-1974 I stayed in exactly the same room in the middle of third floor as the main post up above.
I was midnight shift in Analysis and Reporting. I spent most of my off-duty time getting my BA degree from Univ of Maryland. Very fond memories of the Bifstek Bolognese and the gourgeous Polish-Italian waitress at the bar outside the front gate.
Stationed there 75/76 was in 42 nd eng grp. There are many of us out there (www.) Theres a site you can go on .that is run by a retired german policeman . Iwas aware that my old barracks was torn down and was visited by a familiar face who took pics. of where the barracke were. he resides out west. he left a statement on this site berlin brigade . the bricks were rockin thats for sure . man the memories some times makes me tear -up ! later
Hi,
I was in 42nd Engr Co Aug76-Aug79 sure remember
the home bar, sure would be great to hear from any of my Engr buddies
I arrived in Berlin in Jan.65. Was first assigned to the 3rd Platoon, 42nd Engineer Company where I remained until the Company Clerk returned to US in late March 65. At a company formation they asked who could type. There were two or three of us and we were given a typing test.I got the position. I left in Nov. 65 for SE Asia. Would love to hear from Margot Herman byBorm “Margie” who was a close friend while in Berlin. Great memories of Berlin and 42nd Engr. Co. (PFC Tom Shepherd)
Tom Shepherd (tomonline2@yahoo.com) Anyone else out there remember me?
was a 98j at rudow from feb69-jan72. lived in b co. andrews barracks. would like to hear from my workmates during this time.
I was stationed at McNair Barracks in Co.B, 3rd. Battle Group, 6th. Inf. late 1960-spring 1962. My older brother was stationed at Templehoft (Airforce) part of that time. Interesting times with the wall being constructed. Fantastic memories.
I was station with HHC 1/4th inf.combat medic also
called doc of the star light club.I fixed up more troops than I did on sick call.
Great sight! I was stationed in Berlin in 1979. I lived at Andrews Barracks. I worked on the Clay Compound in the Strength Management Section. Berlin was a great tour and loads of fun. I would have to say that Berlin was my best tour of duty in the Twenty years that I spent in uniform. I would like to recommend to all who read this words to checkout the following website at http://www.Berlin-brigade.de. This website was developed by a retired German Police Officer who served with the 287th MP Company on Andrews.
Great to revisit the past. I was at Andrews Barracks from 76- 78. Part of ASA, I worked on the communication network, our office was at Teufuelberg (the hill), but we routinely went to Tempelhof, Gatow AFB (Britsh), Berlin Brigade and Spandau Prison (were Hess was held). After work we could not wait to hit the IMBISS outside the front gate, get a couple currywurst & pommes frites then on to the HOME Bar few beers wrap the night up at Al Mulino’s.. I am sure we all have great memories.
I met my wife in Belin, at the Tempelhof Silverwings Dance Club, she is still we me! We are heading back to Berlin in July with the family. Thanks for site
ich wohne seit 1995 in der baseler 115 wohnung 0302 wäre sehr erfreut.meine vormieter kennen zu ler nen.liebe amis meldet euch….thank you.
Karen, I remember
Karen, leave your email address. I have a few pics you might like.
Among other things…directed Company…Grüße aus Berlin, some of us never left!!!! Right I.W.? and B.E.?
You guts are all a bunch of kids. I was there from about September 1952 until July 1953. Shortly after the airlift but before the wall.
Started out in the 6th Infantry at McNair. My CO was the older brother of one of my high school classmates and he reccommended me for assignment to Administrative Liason Office at HICOG. Instead of a Jeep I drove Opel Kapitain # 204. I moved to Andrews Barracks and it wasn’t bad. My office was at Clay Allee. I have some pictures in an old tattered scrapbook. If anyone is interested give me a bump.
Arrived at Andrews Kaserne on 07 Jan 76 and was awaiting assignment to USASAFSB. Departed Jun 80. Best and longest assignment I ever had. When I departed I was working for DEH at Roosevelt Kaserne. Roosevelt was the best kept secret in Berlin. Looking for MSG Robert K. Sigmund and SP5 Celia Bush. MSG Sigmund was First Sergeant at Svc Co USABB. Also, MSG Sigmund was a stamp collector and I have some stamps for you so please contact me ASAP. SP5 Celia Bush was a Russian translator on the Duty Train, would like to hear from you Celia. Married my second German wife in Berlin and we had our only child born in 1979. Have been back for several times while I was stationed in Nurnberg 83 to 86.
McNair barracks 1977 -1980 what a blast/experience.Left many memories behind to say the least! Combat Support unit 4/6 kicked alot of butt throughout germany. Speical unit made of up the best 20 soliders between Alpha,Bravo, Charlie and us came back nd place to only a German Ranger unit! We were 20 guys they threw together on short notice and came back as the best US platton but 2nd overal!However we kicked real butt in the arm wrestling afterwards second to none!!!!!!!!!!
Mram…
This is so wonderful to read all of this info and see those photos! I never thought I would say this…but I really do miss Berlin. I was very young and kind of afraid when I was stationed there, “behind the iron curtain” as I referred to it to impress my civillian friends :-) I was in H&S Company from 79-81….I remember you Jim Lilly….I was Laura Boone’s room mate for a while! I also remember you Jim Nageldinger….I played Rachael in your production of Inherit The Wind! Anyone else out there remember riding the Team-2 bus (and the the other two buses…can’t remember their names …one was Doppel-something or other)….and singing all those great songs…I still sing them sometimes! Like “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder…crash!” And “We don’t fight, we don’t kill, we just work upon The Hill, as old Team-2, goes rolling along…etc.” Oh…and I do remember the onions in the jello! I actually tried to complain to the cook…and was told that it was not accidental! That it was a new recipe they were trying out for “jello salad” !! But this was not at the mess hall on the hill….this was in the one at Andrews. Does anyone remember the blue potatoes? I also asked about that…they said it was food coloring put in the spuds to celebrate some holiday…I think Memorial Day. Sorry guys…most of us just couldn’t eat them…..blue food just isn’t right! (Blueberries are purple :-) Al Mulino’s was great, I too miss Tony’s Imbiss Stand….but more than those two, I miss those awesome sandwiches and tea from the NAAFI truck that used to come up to the hill! We used to stand in line out in the rain (of course it rained 99% of the time anyway) to get those sandwiches and that delicious tea.
You can contact me through facebook if any of you want to!