Â
Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (28)
SapUS59
fantastic capture and great tribute to such a historic part of our past !!
MaraP
Amazing image!
MrsLubner
By golly, by gosh, that is so interesting. I had no idea part of it still reached for sun and fresh air from below! What a moving capture!
bebert
very nice shot
rawdodb
Great Shot...
jeroni
nice mood, great composition
Hendesse
Excellent and very interesting shot. Fantastic details!
virginiese
Great capture
JeffG7BRJ
Excellent capture Sig, it looks huge, and thanks for the information, very interesting, I wonder why it is still there? Is it a monument to the brave crew and all the other victims? Left there as a sign of respect? Superb work. Bravo!!!!!
mizoli
Beautiful capture!
kimariehere
went here in 1986 with my father thanks for that memory wonderfully shot!!
dhanco
What a wonderful capture of history, Sig. Fantastic shot.
durleybeachbum
Very interesting! Also slightly scary, I don't like sailing or swimming near this sort of thing.
Ionel
Interesting capture, Sig!
timtripp
a strong image!
jgkane
A poignant war grave, Siegfried. I understand that the escaped oil is known as the 'Tears of Pearl Harbor'. I am sure we have all seen documentaries about the attack, and the sufferings of the sailors and airmen, civilians and families on that December Sunday morning. I read a paperback history of it in 1966/67. It was a publication of the New American Library, many of whose remaindered volumes I picked up in the local Woolworths' store. Warm regards, John.
jocko500
did not know it was still there. cool shot
mackilvane
That is first class
Richardphotos
a remembrance of those brave sailors that lost their life at Pearl Harbor.the background is beautiful
weesel
War grave. Too dangerous, even back in 1941, to enter to try to recover the remains of the crewmen who died that day. The wreck is even more fragile and dangerous now.
lizzibell
great capture...
artaddict2
I have watched many war documentries about the attack on Pearl Harbour. Whenever I see images like this it causes me to STOP and think of the bravery the horror, devastation and loss of life. Thanks for sharing this fascinating piece of history.
G_Mansco
Splendid capture and info ;O)
mickuk50
thats amazing ,even after all this time .excellent info and shot sig :o) mick
delaorden_ojeda
It looks like a monument to remenber the history, great image and tribute !
samyyous
Super details with this wonderful shot !
Iceshark39
Incredible image. Powerful, impressive and poinient. Most impressive.
leanndra
The evidence of war is not easily forgotten, nor should it be. Your photos help keep history alive and the memory constant! Thank You. Lea