Ten Historic Soviet Sites of Berlin

As a result of World War 2 and its aftermath, the histories of the Soviet Union and Germany are inextricably linked.
Some of the most tumultuous world events of the 20th Century happened between these two countries, ultimately resulting in the division of Germany in 1945 and the Cold War for the next 44 years.

In 1990 Germany was reunified, and in 1991 The USSR, which at the time was the world's only other super power ,seemingly collapsed in weeks splitting into 16 independent states.

Now, well into the 21st Century we can still find remnants of that turbulent period in human history in present day Berlin.

This video is a 10 stop tour of historical 20th century soviet related sites in Berlin and their story.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro (feat Helene Fischer)
04:00 1 - The Reichstag
07:40 2 - The Soviet War Memorial Tiergarten
12:20 3 - Leninplatz
16:10 4 - The Soviet War Memorial Treptow
19:10 5 - Checkpoint Charlie
20:43 6 - Cafe Moskau
24:26 7 - Museum Berlin Karlshorst
27:10 8 - Spandau Prison
30:45 9 - Wunsdorf Garrison
32:57 10 - The Soviet War Memorial Schonholzer Heide

#soviet #ww2 #berlin #coldwar #documentary

[DerZeitgeist]

Great video!
I especially appreciated that you took the time to explain how the war memorials (& cemetaries) are Soviet, not Russian. For us in Germany, that's an important difference, especially in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It's important to understand that the graves in Tiergarten and Treptower Park hold the bodies of not just Russian soldiers, but also Ukrainians, Georgians and many other nationalities that made up the Soviet Union.
Current-day Russia (and some of its sympathisers) may try to use these sites as propaganda tools these days. But one day, with the Putin regime a distant memory, these memorials will still be there to tell about the history of the Battle of Berlin and how Soviet, not just Russian, soldiers defeated Nazi Germany in Berlin.

[AndreaPick]

Fantastic video, Andy. Brings back many memories. I spent 6 years in BAOR in the 70's with frequent trips to Berlin. Little did I know that today I would return with this great video. Many thanks, Andy.

[RobSchofield]

That was, frankly, an excellent video - respectful and thoughtful, well written and presented. Superb!

[scarletred]

Don't know how i stumbled on this video, but I'm so glad I did! I have been to Berlin only once and didn't see half of this so a return visit is must! Very clear and straightforward presentation, it is so sad to think of the amount of sacrifice it took to bring WWII to an end, and here we are again with a war in Europe, I wonder how the next generation of war dead will be honoured.

[aston-martin-internationalist]

Fascinating video Andy. Been to Berlin a few times and remember the fall of the wall but haven't visited all these sites. Your German/DDR videos particularly have been wonderful.

We have family in Hungary and I remember driving all the way there as a boy and still seeing DDR registered eastern block cars in the early 90s.

[sionbenjamin]

Wonderfully done telling the history of the bitter end of WW2 and rolling into the Cold War and into the opening in the unification of Germany.

[Hongaars]

Another great video Andy…..Especially for highlighting and noting sensitivities at the commencement, and throughout. History is history and the realities and the facts cannot be altered. Please keep posting these interesting and informative videos. Thank you.

[Fred_Raimer]

Thanks for this terrific, informative video. Well done and respectful.

[SethinBerlin]

Fun fact. The Soviet war memorials in Tiergartgen, Treptow and Schonholzer are controlled by treaty, which is a reason why they still exists.

[JAYish]

Great Video as usual Andy. Obviously as a 1st Battalion, Queen's Coy Bod it brought back some great and not so great memories of Berlin. Especially as we lost a couple of the blokes recently RIP Budgie .Skid And Juppy.. Guarding that prison was a bloody pain. but an experience none the less, We had a Company Photo in 2 dress taken outside the Reichstag, i think it was a museum then(1980) Also i really enjoy the Soviet content as we used to do Train Guards ... only went to the East a couple of times as we went on a couple of Orientation trips in uniform, to the war memorials . etc. only been back there once for a day during a Baltic Cruise.... must go back again before i get too old ha ha.. Keep up the great work Andy.

[Holsonbacked]

I was stationed there from 1988-1991 (Tempelhof/T-Berg). I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the old sites. Great memories.

[michaelbolton]

Another excellently presented video identifying all the sites where I have recently visited

[BorisZech]

5:34 ironically the German parliament (called the Reichstag) was powerless since 1933 and therefore the Reichstag building was merely a hollow shell.

[DieselTjuv]

LOL, "Hesscos" Tescos, brilliant! Thanks for yet another great documentary!

[warlikeplate]

Thanks Andy, I really love your work. Keep it up mate. Love hearing the stories from when you were stationed there.

[Dutch_Uncle]

Thanks for the tour and your comments. My understanding is that now the Berlin office of parks and gardens is responsible for the upkeep of the memorials. I would have included the former Soviet Embassy on Unter den Linden in the list. Schoenholtlzer Heide was new to me, and I appreciate the distinctions you make between it, Treptower Park, and the memorial in the former West Berlin.

It all has an echo of Ozymandias.

[manuthiis]

Well made video! Thanks to show it to the world.

[pehess]

Hello, thank you for this wonderful video! It is a pleasure to see, to review, and to learn, thanks to your clear and unbiased explanations, these different places in Berlin.
Sincere greetings from France!

[sadblokeproductions]

Just found your channel and was fortunate to visit Berlin twice as an Air Cadet and recognise many of the sights and enjoying watching and remembering the sights. Seeing how it has all changed is great too.
We heard the name “Hessco” on one of my visits and still makes me smile all these years on.
Enjoy your simple, clear and informative style.
Thank you.

[thlr]

Thanks, Andy. Quite educational and eye-opening as always! Love the 4K resolution, too.