US Installations details - 09 - History of the McNair Barracks

The McNair Barracks are located in Lichterfelde, a part of the West Berlin district Zehlendorf. The compound you can find in between the streets: Goerzallee, "Platz des 4. July", earlier called "4 Ring" and Osteweg. (see map cut)

In 1948 the first U.S. troops moved in that compound. Before they were housed in several occupied German apartment buildings, also nearby TCA airport and at OLIVER Barracks (earlier Patton Bks) in Lankwitz, a part of Steglitz / Tempelhof. Oliver Bks was the home of the 16th Constabulary Squadron.

That huge former Nazi-Army compound between Gallwitzallee / Eiswaldtstr / Malteserstr. once was occupied by the German "12^th Anti Aircraft Regiment". (photos)

After the U.S Army had left, the West Berlin Police had taken over that barracks site. (Police Department 46)

The McNair Barracks were named after Lieutenant General Leslie J. McNair. After America's entry into WWII, McNair was put in charge of mobilizing and training U.S. Army ground forces. He was killed while observing front line operations in France in July 1944.

McNair Barracks once occupied the site of the former AEG Telefunken electronics factory, a Nazi-era complex. During the WWII, research took place on some of the "miracle" weapons that Adolf Hitler hoped would turn the tide of the war. One of the most important products to be developed and produced in the factory was a radar-guided FLAK control system which could ascertain range and select individual targets.

For many years McNair Barracks has been home to combat battalions of the Berlin Brigade. In the past there were the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Battalion of the 6^th Inf. Regiment, 4^th Battalion 18^th Inf., later renamed in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Battalions of the 502^nd Infantry also C94FA (E320FA).

Now the famous barracks falling apart, the whole "back gate area" is torn down. German new apartment houses and new created streets have replaced the former motor pool and stockade area (2-6 / 4-502, C94FA/ E320FA).

The former main gate and its vicinity has got a totally new "face", many new shopping facilities are there now. Also the former huge motor pools of the 5-502 and 6-502 (3-6/4-6) are changed into big shopping markets.

Inside of the McNair barracks are constructions running everywhere. I'm told, that also a German school is planned to come on this legendary army post soon.

The famous "4 Ring" (named after Albert Speer), located in between Osteweg and Goerzallee, the cemetery and McNair Bks., existed since 1939, has lost all of its flair now. No more flags, no more U.S. colorful parades, no more Berlin Brigade soldiers. (see Honor page #9 / written by Berlin veteran SGT Buddy Green and my photo slide show: section: "parade season")

You can see the big McNair tower, its clocks have stopped since a long time, it seems they are waiting that good times are coming back. But this never will happen, but the memories are lasting forever.
Now, German drivers schools are practicing obstacle rides there, especially with motor cycles. On Sundays a flee market is there and gives that site some temporary life.

Since December 1976, the 600 meter long street has the name: "Platz des 4. July" (4^th of July platz) This name is lasting and remembers all Berliners to the great U.S. independence holiday!
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