US Installations details - 06

The original "old" Check Point Bravo, constructed by Western Allies in the 1950s, was errected next to Teltow Canal, about two miles from Rose Range. It was just a part of the main GDR / West - Berlin Border control point facility. (police & customs) The funny fact has been, that that Autobahn section from West-Berlin to the CP led through GDR territory for about 2 miles before it came to CP BRAVO on West-Berlin territory again. The route was the so-called "no-mans land".

Right after BRAVO CP, continued the GDR with its "Farmer and Worker paradise". Their control facilities have been about half a mile ahead.

In the 1960s, the "old" BRAVO CP was closed because in the meanwhile the GDR government had built a new section of "Zone" or Transit Autobahn which had a straight connection to the -AVUS- from West Berlin. About 300 yards infront of the "new" CP BRAVO, you could see an old WWII Russian tank (T34), mounted on top of a huge memorial. The GDR Checkpoint section was called "DREWITZ", the West Berlin Checkpoint kept its old well known name, "DREILINDEN". The distance between both CP installations was about half a mile.

The "old" BRAVO CP was inside a long but small wooden shack, located in the middle of the Zone Autobahn. The "new" BRAVO CP was inside of a modern building (concrete) which looked like a "house bridge" across the Autobahn. Obove the former entrance door (glass) you still can read the big sign: "Checkpoint Bravo / entrance". The facility is under monumental protection now.

About 300 yards behind the CP is Potsdamer Chaussee. The famous Autobahn exit and entrance there is called "Kleeblatt" because on a map it looks like a huge clover leaf. Potsdamer Chaussee is a part of the former Bundestrasse No.1 which connects Postdam to the center of Berlin. (district Tiergarten) All U.S. units had to pass it to get down to McNair, Andrews Barracks or many other legendary military facilities.

CP BRAVO was manned, as the 2 other Checkpoints ALPHA and Charlie, by American, British and French MPs. The American MPs belonged to the 287^th MP Co. , stationed at Andrews Barracks. 11 years I have worked together with that great unit.

The US MP also had sent 2 soldiers who worked shift duty. 1 D/SGT (MP in charge / NCOIC), rank: SGT / E5 , or SSG / E6) and a detailed MP (E-4 / SP4 and below) who monitored all U.S travel from Berlin to Helmstedt (CP Alpha) and reverse.

The main responsibility of the NCOIC was to make sure that the -FLAG ORDERS- (written in English and Russian language) were correct. He had to check the green or blue military ID cards, brown Dependent ID cards or US Passports to ensure that they match to the FLAG ORDERS. Otherwise the Russian officials would send them back. All U.S. members were not allowed to deal with GDR border military.

The assistant ,detailed MP, had to show all U.S. transit travelers the traveling route (180 Km) on a map and corresponding photos. (different turn signs on the Zone Autobahn to Helmstedt / CP Alpha) . He also gave instructions how to deal with the Soviets and GDR military. All Allied travelers were advised to outprocess at Checkpoint Alpha or visa versa. There they also had to give back the small travel information folder. It contained phrases to deal with GDR and Russians military. (in German, English and Russian language) The GDR border troops were wellknown for harrassment without an end! Arbitrariness was their daily goal!

Today, the "OLD" BRAVO is totally gone. The old Autobahn section is torn down a long time ago, nature took over that area. But at the CP ground is old pavement visible, also some white colored written names and markings. (how and where the vehicles had to line up). Where once has been the Allied shack are just the 3 metal Allied flag poles left. At the end of the old CP is abandoned the old wooden Dreilinden Raststaette. (restaurant for travelers)