US Installations details - 21

Today, if Berliners try to find the former U.S. Army's Berlin shopping center, they'll find a monument (brick) inscribed with the words: "TRUMAN PLAZA". It's located on a small park strip very next to the side walk of Clayallee, opposite the US Consulate and former US-HQ complex.

What was once a thriving shopping center in the heart of West Berlin now looks more like a desert. The whole complex was torn down shortly after Western Allies departed in 1994.

The location is now used for annual fun fairs (German-American Volksfests) and circus events. The former Volksfest site (DYA Field) has been built over into a new German housing area.

Truman Plaza's history began in 1946 as Truman Hall, constructed of rubble caused by World War II bombing. July 1946 found Truman Hall open as the main mess hall for U.S. Troops living and working in that area. U.S. housing, there, was known as "BB Area". Old Veterans recall Truman Hall as a large dining facility with seating for a couple hundred Troops.

The legendary Truman Hall was located opposite U.S. Headquarters/Consulate Complex (Clayallee)

In 1950, Truman Plaza became a real shopping center by adding several little shops,a commissary, a PX, etc.

Truman Plaza shopping center was available for all Berlin Brigade Soldiers and dependents who came there from various U.S. housing areas. With the exception of Schlangenbader Strasse (Wilmersdorf), all U.S. housing areas were located in Zehlendorf District.

By 1975 Truman Plaza had expanded into a larger installation. It looked like a big rectangle, on both long sides were several stores and shops, in the middle a huge parking lot.

The main entrance & exit was on Marshallstr. In between you could find the main U.S. bus terminal which served different bus routes to various U.S. military facilities. Two side exits were later closed for security purposes. One led to an U.S. gasoline station next to Argentinische Allee which was torn down after construction of a new station next to AAFES garage. (opposite Turner Barracks) The other exit led to Huettenweg and Taylorstr. (next to TAR school)

TRUMAN PLAZA facilities (1989):
Commissary, Berlin's Main Post Exchange, Barber/Beauty Shop, Flower Shop, Beverage Shops, Information Center, Foodland Store, Book Store, Laundry, Main APO & DPO offices, Cafeteria, and Burger King.

Now, finally in year 2008, the abandoned compound got sold. New buildings & shopping facilities are planned. Then also the legendary German-American Volksfest has lost its 'home' forever. The former 'BB' housing area around of that compound is occupied now by a new generation of Berliners who probably never have seen American activities in there. When the Berlin Brigade with its families left Berlin, they were not born or too young to remember. Let's keep the memories alive !