![]() "West Berlin was the gateway to freedom," the historian said. Siemon, a former USAREUR enlisted Soldier who has been a Department of the Army civilian employee since 1955, said he remembers many of the events taking place in Europe in 1961. Although it was illegal to leave the DDR without permission, young people, students, professionals, mid-level managers and executives, white-collar and skilled factory workers poured over the border to the west, draining the east of the talent needed to rebuild after World War II. 13.Īt the beginning of 1961, it was still possible to travel freely to West Berlin on the "U-Bahn" (subway) and "S-Bahn" (elevated) train systems, said Bruce Siemon, U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam at the time.Įast Germany, calling itself the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratischen Republik or DDR), erected the Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin to halt flood of refugees Aug. The meeting failed and tensions in Europe and the rest of the world continued to rise. Kennedy met with Soviet Premier Nikita S. At the same time, the Soviets were considering signing a separate treaty to recognize East Germany as a sovereign state. In April, about 1,200 U.S.-sponsored anti-Castro exiles invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. severed diplomatic relations with Cuba Jan. The year 1961 began with a series of confrontations between the U.S. HEIDELBERG, Germany - At a traffic intersection in downtown Berlin almost 50 years ago this week, tensions between the United States and the former Soviet Union nearly escalated to the point of war. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – quick reaction force of tanks and infantry Soldiers. Army Berlin Command face off against police from the former East Germany during one of several standoffs at Checkpoint Charlie in 1961. ![]() Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The sign in the upper right of the photo bears the famous remark made by Walter Ulbric. personnel and East German police that year. tank crew stands guard at Checkpoint Charlie in West Berlin in 1961 during one of several standoffs between U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |