Honor Page 15

A friend of mine and I joined the U.S. Army in January 1956 by using the Army's so called "buddy system." We were sent from our home in Midland, Texas, to Fort Ord, California, for eight weeks of basic training and then to Fort Gordon, Georgia, for eight more weeks of Military Police Training. Orders were then received sending me to Berlin, Germany, and my friend to South Korea ----- so much for the "buddy system" and staying together for our three year enlistment as we thought we were going to have. We of course appealed our split-up but this fell on deaf ears.

A bus transported many of us from Fort Gordon, Georgia, to Brooklyn, New York, and then we boarded a ship called the USS Harry Taylor. We left Brooklyn on May 31, 1956 and arrived in Bremerhaven, Germany 10 or 11 days later. From Bremerhaven we rode a German train to Frankfurt, Germany, where we then boarded another train for Berlin.

My first taste of Berlin started with the famous train ride from Helmstedt to Berlin through the Russian East Zone of Germany in June 1956. I had only learned a few days before that Berlin was behind the "Iron Curtain" and in fact split into four sections ---- the American, British, French, and Russian Sectors. I learned all of this while aboard the USS Harry Taylor, a military transport ship that ferried several hundred of us from Brooklyn, New York to Bremerhaven, Germany. I heard all kinds of stories from other GI's about how dangerous my assignment was going to be and how unfortunate I was to be assigned to Berlin.

Then, before the train left Helmstedt we were told to keep all the train curtains drawn shut, take no photographs, and that the train would probably be stopped several times by Russian troops and/or East German Vopos while we were in East German territory. If the train stopped we were at all times to remain calm, stay in our assigned area, and keep a low profile. Well, based on what I had recently been told about Berlin and now all the security issues made me wonder about what I had got myself into.

While passing through East Germany most of us were so curious that we peeked around the curtains at every opportunity and as we had been told the train stopped several times. We could hear people talking in languages that we did not understand, see soldiers with weapons and vehicles, searchlights flashing, and some military personnel with dogs on leashes. All of this gave most of us a very uneasy feeling. Since most of the train ride was at night, this also added a little apprehension. I was happy when we finally got to the Berlin American Sector and I was assigned to the 287^th Military Police Company at Andrews Barracks. About half of my group was assigned to the 272^nd Military Police Company and the remainder of us went to the 287^th Military Police Company. A short time later I was very glad that I had gone to the 287^th because the 272^nd was disbanded with some of their personnel coming to the 287^th while others were reassigned to other locations and commands.

The 287^th Military Police Company also had a unique military platoon ---- a Horse Platoon that we were told was the last Horse Platoon in the U.S. Military Service. The horses were used for border patrol duty and for military pomp and parade. General Patton would have been proud! The horses and their personnel were housed away from Andrew Barracks and we usually had no contact with them except for special events and activities. The Horse Platoon like the 272^nd was later disbanded while I was still on active duty in Berlin.

We were told that we would not have any KP duty. Also, we were told that we had an in-house tailor and an in-house barber. All of our clothes were mended, emblems and patches sewed on our uniforms, and haircuts were taken care of for all of us whenever we needed. We had to pay a monthly fee for this but it was not very much. We were all glad to pay it and the money went to German Nationals that were hired to do these chores. We all thought we had died and gone to heaven! Many of us became very good friends with the tailor, the barber, and the kitchen German National personnel and we often chipped in more money for birthday presents, Christmas, etc. for them and their families.

The first time that we were allowed off the premises from Andrews Barracks most of us just had to find a place to sample the famous "German Beer." Several of us went to a Bar/Restaurant a few blocks from the old hospital ---- it was on a corner but I do not remember the name. What I do remember is how strong the German beer was. We were all use to weak beer served at Military clubs. Many after having two German beers could not hit the floor with their hat. It did not take us long to figure out how to convert our Script American Money (monopoly money) to German Money. We could get four (4) German Marks for one (1) American Dollar. We also learned where to get the nearest Bockwurst and Bratwurst. One of the best places was just outside the front gate at Andrews Barracks on Finckensteinallee. When I was there the street car still ran on Finckensteinallee and stopped near the front gate. The mode of transportation for most of us was either street car or taxi ---- if we had time we used the street car because it was cheaper but if we were in a hurry we would usually find someone to share a cab fare with.

While I was with the 287^th Military Police Company we adopted an orphanage and we regularly took up collections for parties and holiday celebrations for the kids. We provided candy, food, clothing, books, televisions, etc. as was appropriate. Christmas was always a big deal with Santa Claus, presents, and a lot of goodies. It was considered quiet an honor to be selected to represent the 287^th at an orphanage event!

After initial Berlin orientation classes we were taken on a bus tour of West Berlin (the British, French, and American Sectors). We did not see much evidence of destruction from the war and West Berlin appeared to be a major city of great activity and vitality. My bus was especially impressed with the Kurfürstendamm area in the British Sector ---- many shops, upscale business operations, professional offices, restaurants, and clubs. Then, we were taken for a short trip into East Berlin that was the Russian Sector. Our buses were only allowed on selected streets, which was an attempt to hide the destruction that was basically almost everywhere. The areas that we were allowed to see had store fronts, a little like movie scenes ----- looked good at the front but when you could see around the corner it was obviously an attempt to make everything look great when it was not. We were also taken to a Soviet War Memorial where many Russians we were told, were buried that had been killed in the battle for Berlin.

All were impressed with West Berlin and the people. This was about 11 years after World War II and West Berlin had done a far better job in rebuilding than East Berlin. East Berlin was a mess, I don't know why the Russians would let tours come to East Berlin at all because there was really no way of hiding the issues associated with that regime.

The U.S. Military Police were charged with patrolling the entire American Sector. As best I can remember there were about ten patrol areas. Two patrols were border patrols and Jeeps were used as vehicles. The remaining patrols were for town patrol and Ford and Chevy 4 door sedans were used. Many of the patrols were required to check and be in the vicinity of the many bars that was visited by military personnel, especially at night. All of the patrols had two American MPs and one German Policeman. Without the German Policemen we could not have performed very efficiently. Most of the problems that MPs dealt with were related to soldiers having too much to drink and arguments that resulted. Most of the time we were able to calm the situation and remove the participants back to their company area. Most all the interaction with German Nationals required the German Policemen to take charge and they always did a great job.

In the winter both the American MPs and the German Policemen really liked the town patrol better than the border patrol. Town patrol used sedans with good heaters and were fully enclosed while the border patrol had to use jeeps with canvas sides and a not so good heater. In 1957 if you were lucky enough to get a Chevy instead of a Ford it was a new vehicle. Several new 1957 Chevy sedans were received that year.

Patrol 11 or Car 11 as we called it was the patrol that was responsible for all the other patrols on a given shift. Car 11 was usually led by an MP Sergeant and his driver. Once an MP was assigned to a certain patrol the lowest ranked person had to go to the motor pool and check out the vehicle, make certain it was clean, had proper maintenance, and a full tank of gasoline. The MP would then bring the vehicle back to the company area at least 15 minutes before Guard Mount Inspection. An MP officer (usually a 1^st or 2^nd LT) would inspect the MPs for each patrol and their vehicle. This also included all weapons and live ammunition (45s for town patrol and carbines and 45s for border patrol).

When I first got to Berlin, the inspection called for each person to present arms ---- that is when the inspecting officer moved in front of each person, that person would withdraw his .45 pistol from his holster,-- remove the live ammo cartridge from his pistol and put it under his belt,-- and then while holding the pistol in his right hand slide the carriage back to a locked position. After the officer passed by, each individual would reverse the process and the .45 pistol would be returned to the holster.

During one of these inspection an MP somehow forgot to remove the live ammo cartridge and accidentally fired a round just over the inspecting officer and just over the 287^th Company building at Andrews Barracks.

Needless to say, the inspection process changed quickly from then on the live ammo cartridge was not inserted into the .45 pistol until the inspection process was finished! I don't know whatever happened to the guy who accidentally fired the shot.

After inspection and before a patrol started, it made radio contact with the PMO and picked up the German Policeman. At the end of each patrol the German Policeman was returned to his station and the patrol went to the PMO to turn in all duty reports, register mileage that had been driven, etc. We used called letters on the radio ---- for example, when the patrol got to the PMO to sign off, a message would be sent such as CAR 11 MIKE PAPA HOTEL QUEBEK. This meant that the Patrol 11 was now at Military Police Headquarters (PMO)

Before a new MP could drive in Berlin he had to ride with a more experienced MP for several weeks before he was assigned as a driver. This was before the wall was built to divide East and West Berlin but most all road crossing were well marked when you were leaving the American Sector especially between the American and the Russian Sectors. Also many of the streets in Berlin were cobblestone and when falling leaves were wet it could be like driving on glass. And of course the street signs were different so a special driving test had to be passed. Also, there were thousands of bicycles, many streetcars, and numerous three-legged trucks (trucks with two wheels at the back and one wheel in front). All of this took some getting use to and also to learn not only where the American Sector ended but also where were the borders of your assigned patrol. Most all the Patrol Sections were rather large and during an eight-hour shift you were expected to drive at least 100 miles. If this was not done, at the end of the shift you had to justify why you had not done so. The German Policemen were invaluable to help patrols stay in their assigned area, stay out of the Russian Sector, and to find destinations when the patrol was called to a problem area. Depending upon the nature of a call to a problem area, most of the time you went at a high rate of speed and with your blue light on and siren sounding. Other than border patrol incidents, the worst thing that could usually happen was an all out fight or riot involving many people at one of the bars. If it was bad enough all the patrols except the border patrols would be sent to resolve the issue. The border patrols were never allowed to leave the border area.

The only time I ever had to respond to an incident when all the town patrols were sent was at the KBS bar. I think it was located in Schoneberg in the American Sector but near the British Sector. This was a very popular bar with GIs and a fight was started when several American GIs and British soldiers had too much to drink and some unbecoming statements were made about the Queen. The problems escalated into a major fight and many soldiers went to the PMO. We had to get the British MPs involved and the bar was closed. I do not know the final outcome but probably many American and British soldiers paid many marks to repair the damage.

Some of the other bars that I remember were LuLu's which was an MP hangout, the Green Laterne, and El Hambra. The KBS mentioned earlier was a big hangout for the Infantry.

I loved Berlin and going on the patrols. As soon as I started driving I soon learned most of the main roads and important back roads. It was exciting work and every patrol was different. Some border patrols had anxious moments but I never really was involved with any real issues on the border. At times we even traded cigarettes to a Vopo or Russian Soldier for Red Stars or something like that. A few times on border patrol I heard sounds of the Vopo's burp guns but I never did see any real trouble.

During my first year in Berlin I took a lot of photographs. When I graduated from high school in 1954, I had received an Argus C3 camera as a graduation present but this was the first time that I had really tried to use it. I was not a very good photographer and I certainly did not know how to properly use an Argus C3. It had too many adjustments so I developed into a trial and error photographer. Someone suggested that I should purchase a light meter to improve my photography. Well, that would have just been another variable to cope with so I did not buy one. The Service Club at Andrew Barracks had a photo lab with a dark room and I learned how to develop my own pictures. For every good picture that I ended up with I probably threw away five that was not too good. If I had had one of those "point and shoot" cameras that are now available I would have a lot of good pictures today. The photo lab was well equipped and people were there that knew how to use the equipment and to assist anyone that needed help. This was great activity for a lot of us and we whiled away many hours there.

In January 1957 I was assigned to the 6^th Infantry Regiment Noncommissioned Officers Academy for two months. I was not especially interested in going but it was not put to me as an option. I was the only soldier from outside the infantry in the entire class that started with about 60. This was an "gung ho" military operation that was supervised by officers who had graduated from the Academy at West Point. 1^st Lt. Malone who was a West Point graduate was the Company Commander. From day one it was announced that the school would be run like a freshman class at West Point with classroom and leadership study, war games, and physical endurance projects. This was a challenging few weeks but in the end I was the honor graduate. We were housed at Andrews Barracks but we also spent a lot of time in the Grunewald Forest playing war games, we had to jump off the middle diving board at the Andrews Swimming Pool with a full field pack, and we ended the last week with a 14.2 mile run in two hours and fifteen minutes. I was glad to get back to the 287^th Military Police Company and was promoted from PFC to SP3 about a month later.

The saddest moment for me in Berlin occurred while I was on duty as a company driver for the Company Commander of the 287^th MP Company, Captain Rowe. I was in the Day Room when our 1^st Sergeant Hollis Graves summoned me to immediately drive him and Capt. Rowe from Andrews Barracks to the PMO which was near Berlin Command (BC) just off Clayallee. I knew it must be a major issue because I was told to make the trip as fast as possible. It was a winter afternoon and snow had covered the ground but we got to the PMO very quickly. When we reached the PMO one of the MP vehicles that was coming off duty was there with the left front door open. A few feet away an MP lay dead in the snow with blood streaming from his head. It was a horrible scene with all the contrasting white snow and the red blood. It was later reported that the MP had probably taken his own life. His partner said they had a normal eight-hour tour of duty and as far as he knew nothing unusual had occurred. I had known him but not well. He usually kept to himself. I still remember that incident all too well and always dreaded going back to that area whenever I finished a patrol as we all had to do at the end of a patrol shift.

In April 1957 I was assigned to Special Service (also housed at Andrew Barracks) and played for the Berlin Command Baseball and Football teams until I rotated to the US in December 1958. In between the baseball and football seasons I would transfer back to the 287^th MP Co. Our football team won the Northern Conference Championship two years in a row but both years we were beaten in the European Military Championships by the Wiesbaden Flaks. I played left guard on offense and linebacker on defense. In baseball in 1957 I was an outfielder and in 1958 I was a catcher. Our best player on the football team was Eddie Crook who was a quarterback and a great defensive secondary player. In 1960, Eddie would go on to win a Gold Medal as the Olympic Middleweight Boxing Champion. This was the same year that Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) won Gold as the Heavyweight Olympic Champion. Eddie was a career soldier retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. He won a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. He served two tours in Vietnam. He died July 28, 2005 at age 76. Eddie was one of the best athletics that I ever played with and was super competitive. He was a guy you wanted on your side.

As a result of playing on the Berlin Command baseball and football teams for two years I traveled with the team out of Berlin numerous times going to other locations and commands to play. We went all over Europe usually using the famous train and occasionally by airplane out of Templehoff. My teammates and I were able to visit many countries and places that otherwise many of us would never have been able to see.

The football season in 1958 ended November 30^th so, I returned to the 287^th MP Co. My three-year enlistment was to end January 9, 1959 so I did not have very much time left in Berlin. Actually, I left Berlin on December 11, 1958 on the train just as I had come in on almost 31 months earlier. As the train pulled away from the West Berlin Station and they played Auld Lang Syne I had tears in my eyes. I was ready to go home but at the same time I loved Berlin and hated to leave!

I have never forgotten Berlin and I never will. I have been back to Berlin twice with my wife and she loved Berlin and Germany too. I took her to see all the Berlin sites but unfortunately we could not get in to really see Andrews Barracks in detail because the U.S. Military had already left Berlin and we were not allowed into the facility. We looked over the fence from several places and a lot of good memories came rushing back. It was a little sad to see the old Berlin Command (BC) Area looking somewhat unkempt because it was always so spit and polished and considered a military showplace. The Sports Center area where I had played so many football and baseball games was also grown up with weeds but still the memories were great. We were able to go to all the places in former East Berlin and we saw places that I was not allowed to go to when I was stationed there. One of those places was the Pergamom Museum and of course all the sites on the other side of the Brandenberg Gate that was in East Berlin.

Reinhard, the relationships between American MPs and German Policemen were just tremendous in 1956 - 1958 while I was in Berlin. I am really glad to know that the relationship continued to the end and as a matter of fact is still going on. I know you are proud as I am of the relationship between the two groups!

Although I was in the 287^th Military Police Company and you in the German Police at different times, we both have every reason to be proud of both organizations! I know of no Military Policeman ever assigned to Berlin that is not proud of how they may have helped the Berlin People and how wonderful they felt about the German People and Germany in general.

Although I came to Berlin in June 1956 a little apprehensive and not knowing what I had got myself into; I had only been in Berlin a short time when I knew it was absolutely the best place in the world for an American soldier. I made a lot of friends ----- both American and German. The German People were wonderful to the GIs in Berlin and we will never forget that! I could not have picked a better place to be if I had had a free hand in making the selection.