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ANDREWS BARRACKS HISTORY
- photo series ' then & now ' -
text part by Rainer Hoffmann
edited for English by John Parmenter
photos: Reinhard's collection
Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews
The 19th Century Berlin facility U.S. Veterans remember as Andrews Barracks was
conceived as the Preussische Hauptkadettenanstalt, a sort of "Central European West
Point." Currently, the old kaserne is used by the German Federal Government to collect and
store archives. In this article, Rainer Hoffmann discusses three major phases of
Andrews Barracks history.
Prussian Cadet Academy, 1872 - 1920
The Prussian Cadet Academy (PCA) was built between 1872 and 1878 on a 109 acre site in
Groß-Lichterfelde which was not yet a part of Berlin. Eighteen buildings, included four big
kaserne-blocks, a church and the HQ building surrounded three large yards, an exercise field,
and the parade ground. A playground (drill field), was overlooked by a huge statue, the
"Idsted (Flensburg) Lion," a trophy from the 1850 war against Denmark.
Other buildings, like the economy house (later, the U.S. Army service club/cafeteria) were
located near the rear entrance on Finckensteinallee. The mess hall could seat 1.000 Cadets
at once.
It is said that every German Kaiser attended this Academy. A complete roster of PCA kadets
would read like a "Who's Who" of pre-World War II Germany, including President Paul von
Hindenburg, Chancellor Franz von Papen, Reichmarshal Hermann Goering, and Parachute General
Kurt Student, among many other notables.
The Academy closed in 1920 in accordance with the post-World War I Versailles Treaty.
Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, 1920 - 1945
Between 1920 and 1933 the buildings were home to "STABILA" an official government public
boys school. However, it was also a pool for right-wing political activities.
From fall 1933 to spring 1934 the former PCA quartered the SA (Storm Trooper)-Stabswache
"Hermann Goering", later known as SA-Feldjaeger Corps from which many were recruited into
the new paratrooper units.
On December 4, 1934 the whole compound was taken over by "Leibstandarte," Hitler's bodyguard
regiment, commanded by a famous and beloved war-dog, "Sepp" Dietrich. SS General Dietrich,
an avid hunter and race car driver, was one of Third Reich's more colorful personalities.
The Leibstandarte developed into the 1st SS Panzer Division which maintained a depot at the
old academy throughout World War II. Otto Skorzeny, known as "Hitler's Commando," and by
Americans as "the most dangerous man in Europe," served there briefly during this period.
June 30, 1934, known in German history as "The Night of Long Knives," saw fifteen SA
(Storm Trooper) Leaders, allegedly involved in the anti-Hitler "Roehm Putsch", executed by
SS firing squads on the compound. The execution court yard and surrounding buildings still
exist at the corner of Finckensteinallee & Baseler Strasse.
To meet Waffen SS standards, between 1934 and 1938 all buildings were modernized and the area
of the kaserne was enlarged to the south. It was during this renovation that two original
kaserne block buildings were demolished and replaced with more modern barracks.
Bigger guardhouses were built at the new main entrance located on Finckensteinallee.
Large statues were erected to flank the gate. These two, in soldiers slang, "the eternal PFCs",
(Die ewigen Rottenfuehrer) are still there, covered over and filled up, to become concrete
pillars. One of the gyms was modified into an Olympic size swimming pool, with a 50m track
and a 10m jump-tower. The newly expanded southern part of the compound included a rifle range
and masses of garages were built.
In May 1945, following the Battle of Berlin, Soviet troops occupied the facility.
U.S. Army, 1945 - 1994
On July 4, 1945 American troops assembled in the parade ground of the former "Hauptkadettenanstalt"
assuming formal control of the American Sector. Charred letters reading "LEIBSTANDARTE ADOLF HITLER"
remained above the parade ground. Military representatives of the four conquering powers attended
these ceremonies. General Omar Bradley was present for the U.S.
The U.S. Army renamed the compound - ANDREWS BARRACKS - in honor of wartime casualty Lt. Gen. Frank
M. Andrews. It became the home of Special Troops and other support elements, including Military
Police, of U.S. Berlin Command. The 7800th Infantry Platoon, perhaps the last racially
segregated unit in the U.S. Army, occupied Andrews Barracks for a time. This was a crack drill
team made up entirely of Black soldiers.
Between 1961 and 1966 Andrews Barracks was temporary quarters for "rotation forces" which augmented
Berlin Brigade after erection of the Berlin Wall. The 8th, 24th,
4th, and 1st Infantry Divisions deployed reinforced Infantry Battle Groups
& Battalions to help protect the Divided City.
Of all units stationed at Andrews Barracks for more than 40 years, the two especially remembered
by older Berliners are the 298th Army Band; music at its best, performed at many public
events. Also, the 20th, later 42nd Engineer Company. With their machinery,
Army Engineers helped build playgrounds for German children all over the American Sector.
Andrews Barracks also housed Berlin Command's and later Berlin Brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters
Company. (HHC) Their men supported and worked in the Clay HQ compound.
The U.S. Army entered Berlin as conquerers; remained in Berlin as protectors; and left Berlin as
friends. Written indelibly in military chronicles of America's Berlin experience will be the
history of Andrews Barracks.
© Berlin-Brigade.de
Andrews Barracks after 1945
Andrews Barracks after 1994
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