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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 (28)
auntietk
Ah yes. I mentioned "M41" to Bill, and he hasn't stopped talking yet! LOL!
farmerC
Shining.
emmecielle
Excellent shot! :)
adrie
Great shot my friend.
flavia49
fabulous shot
sandra46
ABSOLUTELY MARVELOUS SHOT
drifterlee
Wonderful shot!
Richardphotos
I hope the soldiers made it out alive
Faemike55
Fantastic capture Sig I would have hated to be inside this when the mine when off
casmindo
nice shot
tigertim
A great shot... looks like it has been parked in south Auckland though.. somebody has nicked all the wheels!
lyron
Cool shot!!
renecyberdoc
what a coloss.
jayfar
A great shot, it makes me wonder if its demise took a few souls with it!
UteBigSmile
It's a real big Boy!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
Maxidyne
Great shot Sig, I should imagine there a number of military vehicle and aircraft remains around the country.
Osper
It still has a purpose me thinks!
Trifid
Super shot!!! Relicts of history to remind of the past...
debbielove
Very cool shot! A reminder of those years out there.. As Mike says, there must be loads of stuff waiting to be recovered out there in the Jungles.. Good shot. Rob
ragouc
Good POV and shot.
starship64
Nice shot. Interesting that they made it a tourist attraction. Here in Nevada you can see old tanks and other military hardware in front of any VFW post.
danapommet
A wonderful photo from inside and showing the tourists!
shutterbugs
great historical capture!
Isabelle711
Very interesting part of history captured here. :)) Most excellent in capture and details my friend. :))))) Thank you for sharing your travels. :)))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :))))
erlandpil
Great shot erland
crunch01
good capture
moochagoo
Excellent "after war" picture