"IN FACE OF NEW COMMUNIST CROSSING RESTRICTIONS"

WESTERN ALLIES POSITION TANKS & INFANTRY AT BERLIN CROSSING GATE

Berlin (JFK+50) On August 23, 1961, the United States, Great Britain and France "pushed tanks and infantry up to the sector border dividing Berlin...in the face of new Communist restrictions on traffic between the East and West parts of the city."

U.S. Army Patton tanks appeared at the Friedrichstrasse* Gate which remains, with the new restrictions, the only place where "all foreigners going into East Berlin" may cross.

According to The Evening Star, the American tanks "looked as if they were aiming their guns directly at the building that houses many East German government offices."

*The Friedrichstrasse Station was known as 'the palace of tears' because it was where Jews boarded on trains headed for concentration camps during the Holocaust.

JFK+50 NOTE

The border between East & West Germany was sealed by the Communists on August 13, 1961 with a small number of crossing points remaining.  Foreigners and Allied personnel went through "Checkpoint Charlie."

SOURCES

"Allies Push Troops To Sector Border," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 23, 1961, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

"FriedrichstraBe Station and Palace of Tears," www.dark-tourism.com/

 "Checkpoint Charlie"

Berlin

by Petershagen (1986)

www.flickr.com

"TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND THE SAUSAGE"

FROZEN SAUSAGES MUST BE TAGGED BY BERLIN BUTCHERS

Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) On January 28, 1926, Associated Press reports that frozen sausages sold here in Berlin must now be tagged so that consumers won't be deceived as to the grade of meat they are buying.

The ruling was made by the Department of Licenses and Inspections as a result of "many butchers" selling frozen sausages "at the same price" as fresh-meat sausages.

AP says that yellow ribbons will be required placed on frozen sausages by the butchers.

JFK+50 NOTE

German sausages (wurst) are made from high-quality ground pork or veal with spices such as nutmeg, ginger & caraway.  American sausages are coarser, heavily smoked or spicier,

SOURCE

"Yellow Ribbons To Denote Grade of Berlin Sausages," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 28, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Real German Sausages"

www.rawpixel.com/

"ONLY OCCUPIED AREA NOW IS IN PRUSSIAN TERRITORY"

ALMOST HALF OF FRANCO-BELGIAN ADVANCE HAS BEEN EVACUATED

Essen, Germany* (JFK+50) On September 13, 1924, the Associated Press reports almost 48 per cent of the area affected by the Franco-Belgian occupational advance of January 1923 has already been evacuated."

The only area now being occupied by the Allies is in Prussian territory, which "is not included in the provisions of the treaty."

French garrisons have virtually withdrawn altogether.

*Essen, located in central Germany, is the 2nd largest urban area in the country.  Founded in 845, it became one of Germany's most important coal and steel centers.

SOURCE

"Allies Evacuate Half of Seized Territory," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 13, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Panorama of Essen

Photo by Zairon

2016

"BERLIN LIES DEEP WITHIN THE RUSSIAN ZONE"

RUSSIANS STOP MOTOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN BERLIN & THE WEST

Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) On June 15, 1948, the Associated Press reports that "the Russians halted motor traffic between Berlin and the west for a while today and also stopped 140 carloads of coal inbound from the British zone*."

Traffic was diverted to bypass a bridge across the Elbe River which was "closed for repairs."   A six-mile detour route which included ferry service across the river was provided.

*Post World War II Germany was divided into four zones of occupation at the Potsdam Conference.  Great Britain-NW, France-SW, US-S & USSR-E.  The city of Berlin was also divided into four occupation zones between those same countries.

JFK+50 NOTE

We chose this day in 1948 because it is my birth date.  As I celebrate my 76th year, it is bittersweet because June 15th is also the date of my wedding anniversary.  

My wife, Beverly, passed in April 2023 so I have had two birthdays and two anniversaries without her.  I have fond memories, however, of many birthday/anniversary celebrations with her.

SOURCE

"Reds Detour Traffic On Road From Berlin," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 15, 1948, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Map of Postwar Germany

by Matritum

www.deviantart.com/