Checkpoint Charlie
After the Second World War the conquered town Berlin was parted into four sectors. The victorious nations divided the city. The USA, France and Great Britain made up the west allied sectors. The Russian got East Berlin. Both sides were victors. But it brought the difficult situation that two different political systems were standing side by side.
The winner nations signed an agreement to allow all citizens the free transfer between the sectors by step,
by bus or by car. Long years there were no problems, since 1961. The GDR's political head of state Walter Ulbricht (1893 - 1973) had to realize, that too many GDR inhabitants used the chance for emigrating to the west sector. They recognized a missing freedom of expression and wanted more material goods. But Ulbricht needed the very well qualified workers. In the end he had to intervene. The Berlin Wall was built. Of course this act of provocation increased the Cold War between East and West. Ulbricht reduced the rights of the west allied nations. At least he wanted to abolish all rights and to force the west allied nations to accept the GDR as a sovereign state.
The sector boundary in Berlin had three checkpoints: Alpha in Helmstedt, Bravo near Dreilinden and Charly in the south end of Friedrichstraße crossing the Magistrale. Last one was in first case used by military personal.
The situation became critical when East Berlins military had American soldiers not allowed to pass the boundary without showing their identity cards. According to the contract between the administrations they needn't show any documents. Free crossing was appointed. Not only the two busses with soldiers weren't allowed to visit East Berlin, but also an US - officer, who was later conspicously accomponied by an escort of three American Jeeps. The peak level was achieved, as E. Alan Lightner, chief of the US-Mission - was even permitted to pass the Checkpoint Charly. Licius D. Clay (1897 - 1978) - the West Berlin representation of the American president - deceided to begin with counter measures. Ten M-48 Tanks of the United Armee take a threatening position directly on the White Borderline. The engines run the whole day long. After the tanks were ordered to withdraw form it's position in the latly afternoon, seven soviet tanks of the type T-54 were arranged on the same place. Promptly the US tanks came back from their way to Tempelhof. For about 16 hours the US tanks stood on the northern side and the Soviet tanks on the southern side of Checkpoint Charly. Both were ready to fire.
Text: wn / Übers. C.D.
