Berlin Brigade through the Cold War years

*Upgraded! Private, 29th Infantry Regiment, Assigned to European Command, in Occupied Germany:

Continuing the story, with an Enlisted Uniform, SHEAF remained in the United Kingdom until sufficient forces were ashore to justify its transfer to France. At that point, Montgomery ceased to command all land forces and continued as Commander in Chief of the British 21st Army Group (21 AG) battling on the eastern wing of the Normandy bridgehead. The American 12th Army Group (12 AG) commanded by Lieutenant General Omar Bradley was created as the western wing of the bridgehead.     

This close-up shot shows one of the uniform’s unique parts, the Enlisted brass would be polished to absolute flawless on the sometimes-called service uniform or 'Barracks Uniform', it is what was referred to. But the DUI on the lapel, is unusual, very even, I believe these were made in Germany, at the end of the war, and the casting, was 'Painted-in' over the outlined tree, and the Blue and White were added by hand too, later an 'Aladdin's type lamp' was added to the top.      

While this uniform is a bit on the rougher...call it tired side, the insignia- I think made in-country, and though the insignia don't line up, I think correctly represent the unit, time, and place quite well.      

I just want to point out, that like 85% of the men who served in WWII never really received more than 2 ribbons, for a million reasons, the man was never recognized for extortionary actions, only when officers survived battles, that they write up the recommendations of awards, and often after writing all the letters to next of kin of the fallen, and paperwork for line officers was often overwhelming, let alone trying to remember all those deserving of awards.

Note: On his Ribbons Bar, Army Good Conduct. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.   

The original 'Sheaf' insignia had a black background and turned blue at the end of the war it became the Berlin Brigade.   

He had a previous affiliation with the 106th Infantry Div. If he served with them in Europe, he very well may have fought in the Ardennes-Alsace area, or the Rhineland, perhaps in the Central Europe operation. Again this is a very special uniform- representing another rare in-country made piece you just never see this stuff after the '50s......the edges of his unit patches, have had beads added to the edge, this may have been added by his German Girlfriend or young Wife this was sometimes allowed, but when wars end regulations always become stricter, and personalization like this was not permitted into the post-war.   

Two of its three regiments assigned to the 106th Infantry, were overrun and surrounded in the initial days of the Battle of the Bulge, and they were forced to surrender to German forces on 19 December 1944., he was not one of them, as he had no POW ribbon. The way the private rank is applied to the jacket- you know this was done sitting in his barracks on a cold night.   

As the breakout from Normandy's Hedgerow Area took place, the Allies launched Operation Cobra and the invasion of southern France on 15 August 1944 with the American 6th Army Group (6 AG) under the command of Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers. 

The Patch used by SHEAF, known as the Flame of Freedom, would stay there in Europe for some time, Berlin’s troubles continued into the late '40s and 50's we would see it become known as the 'Berlin Brigade' Fame. 

Note: His Hash marks (Each represents 6 months in battle.         

During the invasion of southern France, the 6 AG was under the command of the Allied Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) of the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations, but after one month command passed to SHAEF. By this time, the three Army Groups had taken up the positions on the Western Front in which they would remain until the end of the war, i/e the British 21 AG to the North, the American 12 AG in the middle, and the 6 AG to the South. In the Ardennes-Alsace Campaign, the Germans Operation Wach on the Rhine attacked the 106th on 16 December 1944. The division's 422nd and 423rd Infantry Regiments were encircled and cut off by a junction of enemy forces in the vicinity of Schonberg. They regrouped for a counterattack but again were blocked by the enemy. Then two regiments surrendered on 19 December. A division was usually to cover an area of 6 miles, they had been guarding 26 miles of the battle line.     

The uniform jacket is unique in many ways from the WWII Square flap cut bottom snap flap, to the DUIs and Custom and hand-sewn patches, it should have a matching overseas cap, but this is as it came, I may add a cap later, time to have this on the site. Sorry have no cap for this...maybe I can dig one up somewhere.  

On Occupation Duty Fraternizing with Civilians, was generally frowned upon early on, but everyone would end up doing it- that's what happens when young people in hard times come together. It was somewhat inevitable too, and the conquers had the money, the food, and all the little necessities that became available through it, and these were young Civilian Soldiers, they were going to mingle.

This old uniform was still popular through the 50s, but it was being phased out, more often than not worn without all the decorations, a business-type suit-style uniform was in the works. His insignia is hand sewn on, as a private often resorted to though his girlfriend may have dolled it up with the unit insignia adding beads around the edges. He has served in battle for 2 1/2 years of his service, plenty long enough to earn his CIB, and is still in one piece. The 28th Infantry Regiment DUI does not have the Oil-Lamp at the top of it, it is very they are old and rough, made in Germany I think. He had served with the 106th Infantry Division, in battle for a year and a half.

*Bear with me on this group of uniforms, it’s been put together with bits and pieces from all over, if something is not entirely correct I apologize, just trying to show the uniforms, insignias, and some of the story with each one. Like the 1st Infantry Division Guards in the “Nuremberg Trial group, there was a lot of guessing, and hoping I got it close.

Master Sergeant, Berlin Command, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 1950s / Cold War:

UPDATED! Corporal, Berlin Command, MP, 1950s:

During World War II, the Military Police schools at Camp Gordon and Fort Benjamin Harrison, with the Military Police Replacement Center established at Fort Custer. Some MPs also trained for port security at Fort McHenry.         

Military Police soldiers were stationed from the Burma Road, all the islands leading to the Philippines, to the Aleutians, they worked on the Normandy beachheads and guarded prisoners of war against Italy to the South Pacific, all the back to Japan and Germany.     

They have obviously seen use in the following Korean War, Vietnam, and operations in the Middle East, threw all the upgrades, and changes in the Army itself, in how it worked the up, and downsizing of the military multiple times now- it continues to be an important asset needed in the military, one of the big changes was the role of women in the military, and many are used in the MP role.         

During World War II, generally, the emblem with the MP's is a large MP on the helmet or liner, with a white band around it or a completely white helmet and/or white peaked cap, generally issued with white webbing and Sam Browne belt, white gloves, or white gaiters, atop the standard olive drab uniform, field jacket or the 'Barracks' or dress uniform.        

Note: His Military-Law Enforcement Shield pictures with the armband, it is unclear when the Shield came into effect - but recent regulations 'quoted', When major Army commanders have given authorization, the USA MPC breast badge may be worn on work and field (fatigue) uniforms when worn by military police to perform garrison law enforcement duties. Wearing the badge is a prohibited practice in a field environment, field training, field exercise, and field or combat operations. In addition, badges will not be worn with civilian clothes and may not be carried or displayed in wallets, carrying cases, or affixed to MPI or other credential carriers. An armband on the left arm, usually black or dark blue with white letters, but sometimes yellow. During the war US. MPs got the nickname from English civilians, was "snowdrops" because of all the white on their uniform highlights- cap, helmet, and web gear, as well as often leggings.       

United States military police are prohibited from enacting state police powers and domestic police officer powers under the Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law passed in 1878. MP's may enforce within limited powers, such as traffic stops, on access roads, and other federal property not necessarily within the boundaries of their military base or installation. The only way MPs are allowed to enforce law and order outside of the military realm as stated above is when martial law is in effect.     

Each branch of the military maintains its own military police force, excluding the U.S. Coast Guard, which is its own law enforcement agency, enforcing the maritime law on the Sea.    

The United States Army Criminal Investigation Division was established as a branch of the Provost Marshal General, s Office and has continued investigative activity since. When the war ended, several cavalry units stationed in Germany were utilized to form the United States Constabulary, they acted as a police officer-like mobile patrol organization, that was later disbanded in the 1950s.     

While the uniform was worn on duty, either in the patrol car or guarding the gate, they wore white leggings or 'Spats' on their highly polished black ankle boots, with a white web belt with black holster-the weapon connected to the white lanyard. a khaki shirt underneath, with a tie, or ascot.          

In 1949, the newly formed Defense Department was in the process of reorganizing the Army, and plans were developed to disband the Military Police Corps. Note that the helmet depicted here could be worn with the fatigue uniform as well, the jacket would be standard Army green, khaki webbing, with brown or green trousers, and an MP Armband, still, they were held to a high standard- and tried to keep a sharp appearance.     

Congress later passed the Army Reorganization Act in May 1950, and so the Corps survived, it has remained a separate branch of the Army. They would go on to serve in the 1983 Invasion of Grenada, and in the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, and still proves to be a very important element of the war against Terrorist with the volume of inductees in this ongoing war.      

Check Point Charlie: In the time between the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 and the abolition of all border controls on 1 July 1990, numerous additional border crossings were built for interim use. Because of their symbolic value, the most famous of these were Glienicke Bridge, Bernauer Strasse, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg Gate.    

The standoffs and isolation of the city lead to people starving in the city, restricted flight, and no trains bringing any food, and Airlift of supplies was begun, and sustained, the residents, losing some planes in the process.      

The Check Point was made into a tourist attraction in the '90s but was a good reminder of what had been, This happens points and places in history are being erased, or they just disintegrate over time, and the lessons are slowly forgotten.    

Upgraded (Again) Private, Berlin Brigade, Reichstag District:

*Updated Again” Berlin Brig. Special Unit, 1950s:

Cold War Germany: One should study WWI, II and how that led into the cold war and what has followed-the continuous war throughout the world, it threatened unrest, and it has kept the powers that be...in power till this day. but the lawlessness of the 'big powers is in industry, and who has it and who doesn't have let go of that power, sold it off for short-lived promises.  The new improved armor in Berlin would be up against the Soviet's new armor, but thus would not be made to fight each other. But the armor would find each other in a different war in a different place. Still, the key to the American Forces was staying alert, and training, and, though not talked about, Recoannasence, across the Iron Curtin. That is where this soldier comes in, his nice and quiet manner, and the strack uniform he wears around the base, say nothing about what he is doing in Germany, and Berlin, he is watching, learning, and studying the Red Army on their turf, using binoculars, listening devices, and actually on foot, possibly even presinor snatches, and planting sensitive listening devices, etc.

The Berlin Brigade of the 1960s was the show forced to one-up the Russians on the other side of the fence, they had to be always the most immaculate, super-trained, and dedicated troops in Europe. There were other special outfits out there as well, doing the same operations like the British, the French, and the Russians. The Berlin Brigade was part of the tri-fecto aligning with the British Brigade, and unless I'm mistaken the French Brigade.         

When the similar-looking, but Black Backed shoulder patch had been used by the Supreme Headquarters European Allied Forces “SHEAF” was decommissioned, The people were still there in large, still doing much the same task. So the US. Army European Command Came to be, and Berlin was the center of debate. chopped into quarters Germany’s Capitol city became surrounded by the Russian conquers. Yet the city had a free zone with the American, British, and French Forces in control of Western Germany, an interesting situation indeed. The Berlin Brigade was there, and they had adopted the popular flaming sword patch, with a blue background now, First assigned control of their district, the assignment soon brought with a “Berlin” rocker over it, and that became part of the insignia itself eventually.

The uniform is the same as you saw used anywhere in the 1950s and into the ‘60s US. Army before the Class A Green uniform was issued. The “Ike Jacket was taken from the “Service Dress, and Battle Dress of the British Army during WWII, and the many American Army Troops stationed in England during the war, and before the cross-channel invasion, adopted them, and made popular by General Eisenhower wearing it-probably to please the English, but it worked to some extent.

So this trooper was considered to be ”Special Forces” before the actual Special Forces being created, and so, is not Airborne qualified, a prerequisite in the mid-1960s. He carries the Special Unit short-lived DUI proudly over his “Green Leader Loops”. as-well-as the Infantry Lanyard, and his decorations, and a year and a half with of Battle Bars and Hash Marks for his two prior enlistments. His war time was spent with the 9th Infantry Division, possibly with a Recon outfit, earning him the CIB, he knows his business and is in charge of a platoon-size element with the Berlin Assignment, and assigned to the. It has taken me 10-15 years to get all the correct DUIs for this uniform one by one with many years in between.

Updated, but need to shoot unform again, and add the rest to the site, European Command, 6th Infantry Regiment, Early Cold War.

“New” EM, 502 ABN.Inf.RGT., European Command:

Updated - Staff Sergeant, Berlin Brigade, 3rd Regiment:

* Needs blue discs behind brass on the collar.

Oops, wait a sec, Updated again! Berlin Brigade Class A Uniform, Late 1970s:

The Brigade during international events:  The Kreme of the Kreme at the time, in the US. Army was the Berlin Brigade, but there were a lot of American Soldiers and Airmen in Germany then. All of the forces in the occupation of Germany had theirs too, the English, the French, and the Russians...even the Eastern and Western Germans!

The Wall: Small bits are all that remain now, and when change came, it brought a union again to the country, but it brought some problems too, questions again, and morality, some wanted their old homes back, most wanted liberation, but it created stress on the highly developed Western -  Germans, Now things may be the best it ever has though, and the country is profitable, and most life is considered good.

Germany Now. Things have long changed in Germany, but some have not forgotten, some remember what happened in WWII, what happened afterward, and what happened when the wall came down, Germany has been through a lot, let’s hope these lessons have been learned and the young may have a long peaceful life with no war or any more suppression.

Sergeant First Class, Berlin Brigade, Mid-1960s Fatigue Jacket:

Berlin Brigade Late-1970s, Fatigues Blouse:

The Wall: The Wall was a serious message, and extension of WWII world politics, but the Powers that be, there are those who preferred it this way build businesses back up, and power again, But the wall like everything eventually crumbled, and change came to like it or not. There would be repercussions when the wall came down, and there was some trouble afterword's when East and West became One Germany again. Looking at this picture just chill's me to the bone, a moment is frozen in human history, the cold war.  

Walls... One does always have to ask oneself-is the wall to protect us-or them? or is it to hold us in, Today we politicize over a wall, between the USA, and Mexico, different situation, ya, it isn't because of us running there-it a messy, and it’s a sad situation, but can we stand for this, it’s sad it came to this, but our country is in deep trouble because of the hordes of people coming into the country-what do you do what I would do...would not be accepted by anybody I suspect, but again...things are out of control....it’s not what we want-but might be forced to happen. Let’s just Keep America going- and prosperous, for all - LEGALLY here, make good lives for yourself-, we don't want freebies, America is the land of opportunity...a place of good fortune. Being AMERICAN is a good thing, let’s keep it that way.

Maybe we can’t save the world, but we can take care of ourselves, if we re-design or structure like back step 50 years, we need trade out- not in...so let’s feed the world, instead of selling them arms. Time to clean the oceans and focus on what’s on them-and address the overpopulation of the world, and how to handle that without war. Granted we will never be able to not be prepared for it, but they would plan of one government is always in the background......and it’s a very dangerous proposition.

Sergeant, Berlin Brigade, Field Uniform, Late 1970s-80s:

By this time the American and other Allied Forces had been “Watching Over” Western Germany for some time, and many soldiers had made friends with the locals, Married them, and even had families with them, they were very dedicated to the mission, and West Germany had risen from the ashes and prospered so-they were in good terms with the Americans, and still are, and thought NATO has had a rocky beginning, and the UN has had their ups and downs, America has always sent the most support, in people and hardware.

The uniform depicts a career soldier, now a sergeant, who has chosen to stay for the long haul, he would have to obtain a new BDU uniform before he becomes a civilian, but the Army helped him raise a family. Still had to obtain a job in civilian life but it was all good.