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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..
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Comments (32)
lyron
I had no idea. Thank you for telling us. Great shot!!
shadownet
I remember watching about this on History channel. War is always tragic. Really wish we people could learn to resolve our difference in other ways. Great bit of memorabilia!
virginiese Online Now!
a sad story indeed ! Thanks for the info ! Great capture !
Hendesse
Excellent and interesting shot. Thanks for the informations too.
timtripp
fabulous history lesson. excellent photo!
bmac62
A special story...glad you got this photo and filled us in on the details.
jeroni
Excellent shot, fantastic colors and details
dragonmuse
Thank you for the history. Such a horrible event, such misery in such a beautiful setting.
sandra46
Thank you for sharing a little known episode of WW2. I can't say the pic is "beautiful", because actually it's much more!!!!!
durleybeachbum
So interesting, Sig!
casmindo
Sig the Rock stands for a lot and yours truly looks good on the Rock!
annie5
Thanks for the informations! Interesting capture..love it :)
jocko500
wow so sad war have to be. cool shot of you
DennisReed
Sitting on a lot of history! ;)
Digitaleagle
Awesome shot and info., thanks for sharing!!!!
flaviok
Esplendida captura, excelente info, aplausos (5)
beachzz
A very sad story; you shared it well.
duncanoooo
I prefer the fly-by over the bridge, great picture tho.
kgb224
Such a sad thing and that all due to War.Awesome capture my friend.
junge1
@duncanoooo. I think you took it!
Minda
great capture and sad story sig and nice picture of you..
MongusKing
Fastantic work, xcellent!!! Interesting history!!!
lizzibell
nice shot...
renecyberdoc
first a beautiful shot,and the information and story is fascinating for me as i study a bit (since my youth)WWII. but in this story lays the whole ridiculness of war and brutality.strong brother.
PIERRE25
Jolie photo!
lucindawind
very interesting info .. lovely shot !!
debbielove
A famous place. I actually know more about Wake Is that Pearl. Handful of of Marine pilots flying Wildcats etc..... It goes on. Such bravery. The American Dunkirk that never was! So few people - should of got them off. But that is history. Same could be said for other battles elsewhere. I'm off now.... Stop me! Interesting and moral picture! well done, my friend. Rob.
pixelmeister
Nice capture!
amanda_a42
Excellent historic capture, well done!!!
densa
wonderful shot and story