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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..
Comments (31)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
drifterlee
Beautiful scene!!!!!
emmecielle
The thought that many men have died in this place makes sad! But the landscape is so beautiful that takes your breath away! An exceptional image, Sig! The lighting is just fantastic! :)
flora-crassella
a wonderful view!!!! GREAT photo!
flavia49
fantastic panorama and breathtaking lighting!!!
jascorpio
Magical shot!!!
carlx
Fantastic view!!!
sandra46
super fantastic mood
jocko500
lovely
Minda
stunning view and excellent capture sig i love the place very much..
lucindawind
gorgeous ! this beach has such a history
Faemike55
Fantastic capture, Sig!
auntietk
I love the blues and tans, and the light is gorgeous! A wonderful image, both for its historical value and its inherent beauty.
psyoshida
It looks so lovely today hard to imagine the horror of 1944 that this beach saw. Excellent photo.
renecyberdoc
there was hell to pay.all heroes wich landed. i just ask me the question :where is the greatest nation of all heading to, now in these times. you freed the world from evil on the other hand you brought more evil. or lets put this way some admins on the hill brought freedom and some creatrd evil. this is not a critic against individual persons its juts my way of thinking.
MagikUnicorn
Love it...Beautiful view
lyron
Wonderful view. Great picture!!
ysvry
great foto.
npauling
A wonderful capture of this beach which saw so much action in the second world war. I love how you have captured the sunlight.
bazza
Superb photo and view, well done...
tennesseecowgirl
Beautiful. In response to your comment to me, yes it was sort of a shock when I first moved east, and tried to go to a grocery store to purchase a bottle of wine, and find none, I was so use to stores out west some with complete wine/liquor departments.
farmerC
Fantastic shot.
dbrv6
Great picture with the light refelcting off the wet sand. How our struggles change the world. Great to see these works.
Hendesse
Fantastic perspective, light and mood. Excellent and very beautiful shot!
moochagoo
A fascinating beach that i have seen forty years ago.
dragonmuse
Nice shot. A place of power and history.
debbielove
A super shot.. Great view of a famous beach.. Always amazed me why the Luftwaffe never made more effort to bomb it...even at night! Still, good job really! Well done Sig... Rob
junge1
@debbielove. Rob they didn't have enough aircraft!
amanda_a42
The lighting in this shot is just awesome, well done!
Alex_Antonov
Wow!