Hard to believe that was 28 years ago. seems like yesterday. Thank you for the nice comments. The Wall fell 13 months later and I was lucky enough to be there. Working at Allied Checkpoint Charlie. I was blessed to be part of the best MP Company in the Army....the 287th MP Co. (SEP)

@fuckoff187

4 жыл бұрын

Were the east berlin chicks really easy? Did regular east germans ask you about life on the outside? Pretty crazy no internet etc

@fuckoff187

4 жыл бұрын

Another question I have is why was there a border guard at CC from each of the allies? What was the procedure say a British soldier wanting to cross would speak to the British CC guard?

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

I was too busy to chat up the East German girls. There were some beautiful girls that came across the border. There were plenty of West Berlin men to meet them. The American, British and French all took care of their own military personnel traveling into the Soviet Sector. (EAST BERLIN). By agreement, all the WW2 allies had free unrestricted access into all sectors of BERLIN. Hope that answers your questions.

@Will87

3 жыл бұрын

@@leahcim966 who would personnel from other allied countries have processed with? (Canada for example)

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

@@Will87 Great question! The only people we processed were from our countries military and the DOD civilians stationed in Berlin. Canada would process through the freidrichstrasse checkpoint but not through the military controls of Checkpoint Charlie. They would process the East German checkpoint and pay for a day Visa which costs 5 West Marks and have a mandatory 25 West Marks for 25 East Marks mandatory exchange. They would fall under the laws of East Germany. I hope that answers your question. If you look at the East German Checkpoint. Military and diplomats go to lanes 1 and 2. Tourists go to the far right. Process with the East Germans.

Very nostalgic since vlogging wasn't a thing back then. One of few videos showcasing everyday life. Glad you recorded this

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

stringypond53 I am glad you enjoyed it!

@MrKaido93

7 жыл бұрын

stringypond53 You took the words out of my mouth. I was in Heidelberg 529 MP CO from July 88-90 We had a few guys Vlogging to show everyday life as an MP Soldier in Germany,I did so with audio, This is history Ladies and Gentlemen, we were a part of it. The Mike Papa's who made this video were Spot on, thinking of the future, Way to go guys you did something very special record Berlin before the wall as MPs, that's awesome wish you could have gotten the Rod & Gun Club,store etc on it!

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Kaido Ojamaa I would like to thank the academy

I was an Army MP in the Berlin Brigade from 1987-1988. I was assigned to Allied Checkpoint Alpha (the forgotten checkpoint...lol) in Helmstedt, FRG. Checkpoint Charlie and to a lesser extent Checkpoint Bravo got all the notoriety in those days. Our parent unit was Combat Support Battalion on Andrews Kaserne. I ETS'ed from the Army in June 1988, a few months before this video apparently. This video brings back some good memories when I was a young E4 Specialist. I do remember the 287th MP barracks on the left side of the street as you came through the back gate of Andrews Kaserne.

Melissa, I am glad you liked it. I apologize for the language. The video was meant for our parents but when you get Soldiers involved.....bad words start flowing. Berlin was a big part of my life. It was my pleasure sharing. Michael Rafferty

This video is such a unique perspective on that fascinating time in history. It deserves to be archived in a museum somewhere. Thank you for sharing it here.

@mikelsey5

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for that note. It's wonderful after 36 years people still enjoy it! Michael Rafferty NCOIC Allied Checkpoint Charlie 89 90

I was a schoolkid growing up in West-Berlin at the time the video was shot. Thank you for being there for us back then. Great video, really high speed!

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Micha Ols thank you for the kind words. Best wishes to you and your family.

would love to return to Berlin someday...I do love Berlin. Beymer and I are still friends and it would be amazing to recreate the trip through the city.

@lukierush

5 жыл бұрын

This would be great.... I was just there & would love to see you guys back there.

Hi i am Chris a German born in East DDR living now in California Long Beach!!! I was 5 years when this was recorded but i still remember we go west to my Relatives in Rudow and Buckow 1989 ... the smell east snd west everything i remember was different... thanks guys for that wonderful Dokumentation of my City/My Country in this difficult time!!! U Guys captured like i never found before!

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

Chris, You are very welcome, Soldiers that were stationed in Berlin fell part of the city. I was lucky enough to be at Checkpoint Charlie on 10 Nov 89. The city had a difficult past but that day we celebrated, hand in hand. This video was Oct 88, one year later it was an amazing party.

@lifestyle5405

4 жыл бұрын

leahcim966 you became a part of Berlin i became a part of kind of time traveling that video is really high speed ... watching that hot stuff, omg u guys filming in east the BB Gate ahahaha from EAST that’s so Prohibited!!!! But u where free soldiers hahaha freedom plate! There is a Story my dad Worked EAST German red Cross going from Guben - Berlin patient transport to Charité Mitte close where u guys went near the Gate... he got mixed up with streets and stopped the Ambulance to check the Papermap right next to the Wall... there where not much ppl arround just a guy here on the bench with a newspaper and there a guy sitting on the stairs... while he stopped to check they came to the Car “STASI” ask him what he do there... he Just told tgem he got lost and they breath up and show him helpfully the right way away from the wall to Charité... ... As i say... difficult time and i see u doing that hot stuff!!!

Mr Rafferty, first of all thank you for your service. Secondly, I can't thank you enough for posting it. I read a lot about East Berlin/DDR and collect DDR memorabilia. I am not a Communist just fascinated by the history. I was 14 when the Wall fell so East Germany is hard to comprehend. I am British living in the USA and I work for a Berlin company so am over there every 3 months. Your video has really helped me to understand what parts of East Berlin were like because it is unrecognisable from the days of the Iron Curtain. Thank you very much for posting this.

Hey Michael. This video is an absolute gem. Even with the bad jokes!! I grew up in West Germany as the son of a British soldier, and travelled to West Berlin in the 70's, walking through Charlie on a British Army tour. (Dad wore his No2 Dress) It stuck with me forever, and from that point I developed a feal fascination with the Cold War, but the East/West Berlin interface in particular. I joined the British Army myself and served in West Germany (Paderborn) My biggest regret is turning down an opportunity to patrol the Inner German Border as we called it. I happened to be in Berlin at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 89, which was truly memorable. A couple of years ago I travelled back to Berlin and walked Steinstuecken. Came across the tiny Council Office and chatted to a chap in there in my broken German. I visited the rotor blades, and the German guy showed me a few of the sites where the watchtowers were situated. Amazing little exclave that I regretted never visiting when the Wall was up.I can't believe it is still virtually unvisited, and very few people know about it presently. You guys appear to have had the best job ever in West Berlin guarding Charlie and Bravo, I can't deny I am envious!! In a good way of course? Do you guys ever go back? It would be awesome although the changes are enormous. Like Beemer, I ended up in Law Enforcement and am due to retire from the British Police this year. Once again, thank you for a brilliant Video which is an invaluable piece of social history. Regards, Gary

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Clueless Constable Gary, Thank you so much for the post! Beymer and I have not returned to Berlin. I think both of us would love it if we returned. We could revisit all the places we show in the video and create more really bad jokes. Berlin was a great part of my life. Thank you for your service to your country and in turn to the NATO alliance. There should never be a doubt our countries have a special friendship. Best Wishes Michael

@cluelessconstable1778

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply. Just out of curiosity,are you and Beemer still in contact? If you ever return to Berlin give me a shout I will pop over lol!! I went back with my brother( also a serving Cop and ex- Army Commando ) and we had a great time. I know the US Army MP Det that guarded Steinstuecken have had reunions, maybe you should look them up? Anyhow, I thank YOU guys for your Service, Brothers- In-Arms. Mit freundliche gruesse! Gary

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Clueless Constable Casey and I are FACEBOOK friends. Have not spent time with him since Berlin. We both got older and have families. I don't see a trip in the near future.. :(

A proper historical video footage that really captures berlin in the late 80s. A true historical video document. I recently went there for five day holiday in centre of Berlin. I'm currently reading about the Berlin Wall and checkpoint Charlie. Thank you for posting this, most fascinating.

@keithmartin1328

8 жыл бұрын

I had a class mate that was in West Berlin in November 1989. the day it came down.

I grew up during the 80s and have a fascination with the Cold War, especially relating to Germany. I wish this video was 4 hours instead of only 2! You guys were young but you sure seemed to appreciate the importance of things around you, great work and thanks for posting!

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

1978dcn You are very welcome. There are other videos on here. Only me....wish Beymer and I had done another

@bud_fox

7 жыл бұрын

very high speed! =]

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

houstontown1 we tried to be but at times we were just goofy. Thanks for watching!!

Thank you for posting this video and the others. It was neat to see a glimpse of what Berlin was like before the wall fell.

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

You are welcome William

Many thanks for this rare footage. I'm pleased this exists, particularly for people to never forget this dreadful divid. Who would have thought this video is now a part of memorabilia.

My Mom grew up in West Berlin and her relatives lived in East Berlin. We took a family trip to Berlin a few years ago and it was hard for me to imagine what the city was like, when it was divided. I had visited Germany when I was a kid, but couldn't remember the Wall or the border. Thank you for sharing this video, because it really helped me to understand a bit more about my Mom's home city.

@mikelsey5

5 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome!

Thanks for posting this, I was born a month before the Berlin Wall came down - wish I could go back in time and see what the place was like back then...

Absolutely outstanding! I truly enjoyed this video. I've been to Berlin and have spent much time in Germany and Europe. The Cold War was an important part of my life due to my age. Getting a chance to see first hand during the Cold War and not a documentary took me back to that time when things seemed to matter more and DC was not all talk. Thank You for posting.

@leahcim966

8 жыл бұрын

thank you sam!

@tonykelly7715

7 жыл бұрын

Sam Ledger

@tonykelly7715

7 жыл бұрын

Sam Ledger

Great share !! Thanks for that !! Berlin will always be a home for US-Army servicemen and women.

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

This video is amazing!!! Always jealous of my dad who went through checkpoint charlie when he used to go to west berlin on business in the eighties. Thanks for posting

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Michael, Many thanks for sharing with us your very unique look at Berlin during this time. A most enjoyable film especially for the good humor shared amongst army comrades. My best wishes to you and also Casey- hope your lives are still HIGH SPEED.

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

tom duggan after ship many years we are happy just to have a speed. Glad you liked it. Best Wishes Michael

@johnschneider355

4 жыл бұрын

This video brings me back to 1972 and 1973 when I was stationed at the 279th Station Hospital. I went thro checkpoint Charlie at least a dozen times. We were given a day off each month to visit. I still have have one of my papers allowing us to go. I did not take pictures but to find this video is like memories plus. Thank you thank you thank you

beautiful and intresting at the same time. Really enjoyed seeing this rare look into the past and how divided it was. I was born in 85 so I have no memory of the fall.. but my dad tells me he went over and knocked part of the wall by the Brandenburg Gate and was told off by a East german guard who said "enough!" you have a part of history here that is hard to find. Thank you for posting it.. kind regards from the UK

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Mattie123 you are so welcome! The British especially the Royal Military Police were there with us. I was lucky because I was assigned to the Checkpoint and was on duty the morning of the 10th of Nov 89. The morning after the fall. :) thanks for watching!!

@Mattie123

7 жыл бұрын

Must have been a really amazing time in your life! Iv been over to berlin a few times and is a beautiful city.. I wish I could have seen it before the fall.. tha ks for writing back!

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Mattie123 it was a crazy time. Events happened really fast. Especially reunification. Hope you are having a great day! :)

@Mattie123

7 жыл бұрын

Well the last century was a mad time and most intresting when you think hard about the history. And hope you are haveing a good one to 😆

Thanks a million for posting this! I watched all your earlier edited clips and savored every minute of this. Brings back the best memories. All my Army buddies on Facebook say these were the happiest times of their lives. I went back two years ago and am saving up to go again. Hell, I may move back.

@leahcim966

9 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Chris! Love Berlin too!!

I really enjoyed watching this video. Thanks a lot for bringing back my childhood memories in my divided hometown. :)

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

flimsedom you are welcome! wonderful place

This was a great find. I was a young teen during this time so I remember lots of the places you went. Where you were filming in Dupple to the east, was down the street from where we lived. So many great memories and things that changed my world.

takes me back. Thanx 4 this post. I was there 88-90. 1 Kings

Thanks for uploading- always been interested by East Germany and this video comes from a fascinatingly unique prospective. You certainly captured history and gave me more of an incite than any pro documentary. Hope it gave you happy memories

Dang, you guys were about the same age as I was back then..Great adventure.. Thanks so much!

Hi, I’m a bit late to the party, found this link through the Cold War conversations podcasts. Fascinating to see Berlin like that, I’ve been right where you guys are standing many a time and it is not like that at all now! Nice hotel restaurants & coffee shops right by the Brandenberg gate, loads of tourists taking pics - a bit like how you guys are, only on their smartphones & doing selfies for insta. So strange to see the gate just on its own in the middle of no mans land, I’m really flabbergasted!

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Never late to the party. Glad you were able to see the video. It was only meant for our parents. When KZread came around it was a perfect forum to share it with everyone. Even if we do look stupid at times.

@mooncatklubba

3 жыл бұрын

@@leahcim966 thanks for your service. I was in the Royal Navy serving in the late 90s so after the Cold War, but did a lot of exercises at sea with the US Navy. Great bunch to work with. Also great to party with when ashore and off duty. Respect.

Great time in my life! Glad you enjoyed it!

First of all, thank you for your service. This is a great video. As a student of history, specifically the Cold War, I throughly enjoyed this video. I've never been to Berlin would love to one day. This is history in this video. I was only 7 at the time of this. Would've been great to see this as you did. Thank you very much for this upload and thank you for your service.

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

Lived there ‘87-‘91 as a dependent. My dad was stationed at Templehof. Thanks so much for sharing, great memories! Can’t tell you how I thrilled I was that you filmed inside Burger King, but no mention of the amazing doner place across from Andrews’ front gate?!

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

Shannon, I am thrilled you liked the video. If you went to the East as a kid, you might have seen me. We did this video over two days for our family. Sorry we missed the doner place. We missed alot. We plan on visiting after COVID. Should be interesting

Amazing video! Thanks for posting, I've been interested in GDR history and this gives a nice overlook of how things were back in the day

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

This is amazing! Not very often you get to see every day sights from before the wall fell

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

solongsofa glad you liked it :)

Thank you for recording an lesser seen piece of history.

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

Welcome

Thank You for charing! Brings back so many memories

Thank you for this video, it brings back memories of my time at Ramstein Air base back in 87’ and 88’.

@leahcim966

5 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Thank you for this video. I am from East Berlin and your age. So, I lived (and served) on the other side. It's really an interesting and also funny film.

@mikelsey5

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Were you in the East German Army? I would love to have a signed picture from you to add to my scrapbook! I am glad you thought it was funny!! Michael

@spacer62

Жыл бұрын

@@mikelsey5 Thank you. Yes, I served in the East German military forces from 1981 to 1984, Actually, it was a guard regiment based in Glienicke (Nordbahn) opposite the radiotower in the North of Berlin -Frohnau (French sector). So, I did not serve in the East German border troops. Your film is enlightening as we were told a clear picture about the Western allies, our "enemies". It was always "us" and "them". How is your friend in the film doing? I may send you a picture of mine (which age: then od present?)

@mikelsey5

Жыл бұрын

Michael, In your uniform back in the 80s and you now. That photo would be wonderful. Can you sign it too? Are you on Facebook or Twitter? I can send my address to you. If you just want to email. Mikelsey5@comcast.net. We really didn't do a lot of talking, just a lot of training. Our entire mission was the defense of Berlin and to ensure our access rights.

Great video! I was 18 when it came down. I remember the excitement at the time

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making me feel old. I was 22 here and Casey was 19. So glad you enjoyed it!

There is something in home videos you don't see in official films.

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

Mr9Guns agreed

You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

Big thanks for this amazing and authentic high speed film:D

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome

I'm so glad that this video exists where you can always bring back old memories! There is hardly any material from back then and somehow it makes you sad to see how quickly the great time has passed. @Michael Rafferty: do you know someone: Christopher T Rafferty?

@mikelsey5

3 ай бұрын

Armin, Thank you for the kind words. It's hard to believe it's been so many years ago. Sorry, I don't know Christopher T Rafferty. Many Rafferty's in the States. Best wishes

United and prosperous Germany is your fatherland. I am proud to be one of many American Soldiers with German heritage to say how proud I am to have had a part in that process.

Absolutely Amazing is putting it mildly ! I have watched this video so many times. So much history! You all look so sharp and proud ! Definitely would love the opportunity to talk to you. Michael Rafferty! Hope this message finds you well. Have a Great, Safe Tuesday! Jamie Whyte USMC Veteran Originally from Dublin, Ireland

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Jamie, Thank you for the kind words and thank you for your service as well! Tuesday is going well so far. I am on Facebook, look me up! Michael

Wow. What a nice video you guys made. Very interesting to see german history from your side of the wall while serving in US military. I grew up in East Germany and was 12 when you made this video. Best immediate thing for us kids when the wall fell a year later was, we didnt have school on saturdays anymore. 😂 "high speed" was a Zeitgeist-term in the late 80s? Never heard it before. Cheers :)

Hey Michael Rafferty, I happened to stumble across this video and was shocked to see that I was in it. This video brings back a lot of good memories of our time in Berlin. I left the military in June of 1990 and joined the Iowa State Patrol, where I have been serving for the last 25 years. My wife and I have been back to visit Berlin three times since 1990. We really enjoyed our time in Berlin. What have you been up to? Greg Steffen

@leahcim966

8 жыл бұрын

Greg!!!!

@leahcim966

8 жыл бұрын

I have a few photos of you. I am on Facebook.... The closing ceremony of the Checkpoint missed you! I live in PA now. 20 years in the Army. retired in 05. working as a contractor now.

@gssteffen5700

8 жыл бұрын

I tried sending you an email but was unsuccessful. Can you send me an email at tripswide169@yahoo.com ?

@MultiLiam24

8 жыл бұрын

Where in the video were you in?

@leahcim966

8 жыл бұрын

+Liam McIntosh ....I am Rafferty. I was the Sergeant of the two Soldiers

Great video! I was only a small kid in the 80s but I’m fascinated by history and the Cold War. I’d like to visit Berlin one day. I heard that checkpoint Charlie has a McDonald’s right next to it now! Thanks for sharing this

@leahcim966

5 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Sean

Amazing footage, ingesting to see how we’ve change in the last 28 years. Everyone seemed so happy and excited about the future

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

It's been 31 years since this video. That's hard to believe. I think this time was the most exciting because of the changes that were happening. Then 3 Aug 91 happened and we went from the fight against Communism to the fight in the Middle East.

William, You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

What a double act! This is pretty unique stuff. Folk rarely record the everyday stuff in their lives so it makes it all the more interesting. I was surprised more people didn't react negatively to a Handycam being stuffed in their face. Using it in the East whilst in uniform seems pretty ballsy to me. Got to be honest, mum and dad back home would probably have preferred to see the inside of the PX not BK. I was certainly hoping you would go inside. In the mid seventies the canteen did a Steak Night on Thursday (I think) evenings. Same stuff but waiter service and they dimmed the lights! Many thanks for posting!

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

We weren't allowed to film in the PX or the Commissary.

Cold War Conversations brought me here. Great video.

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

Cold War brought me there as well. Thank you for watching!!

thank you very much for the video. it was very interesting

Thanks for the video...I was stationed at McNair Barracks B Co 6/502...1989 to 1991, Lots of memories and good times!!!

@mikelsey5

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Very interesting views in the military history of Berlin in the high speed time 1988 to 1990 - best wishes to Mr. Michael Rafferty !

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the High Speed comment! My buddy Casey Beymer and I had a great time doing it! Best wishes to you! Michael Rafferty

Hi Mike! I hope you and the family are doing fine. I saw Beymer at a restaurant with his daughter in Hopkinsville about 2 years ago. That's the first time I've seen another 287th MP since I left in 1990. It looks like he's doing good. Hope you have a great day!

Thank you for sharing this film, such a interesting view. I have always been interested in Berlin and its division but only got to visit a couple of years ago. This was fascinating to watch and compare with my visit to Berlin in 2017.

@leahcim966

5 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Janet

This is great amateur footage. So many different things to reflect on, particularly for those of us who watch it while visiting Berlin.

Wow, apparently (at the time of me writing this) the video had 325 comments but none of them show up! I guess that makes me the new "first", sort of ... (edit: they didn't show up when I loaded the video, by default sorted by "top comments", but they did now after I sorted by "newest first", weird) Thanks for re-opening the comments section, Mr. Rafferty - high speed! ✌I'm sure people will be happy to finally be able to comment again 😄 I've said it before under another video, but this is such interesting footage as it is very unique, doubt any other U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany made something this long and detailed. Imagine someone back then had told you your footage would be seen by tens of thousands of people in the future, you'd probably have called them nuts 😅

@mikelsey5

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. When we made the video, it was for our parents. We carried a huge camera that fit VHS tapes. We looked like we knew what we were doing. We were just pointing and acting stupid. I am embarrassed on some of it, but it has such historical value that I posted it all. I am glad that it has been viewed so much even though it is 2 hours long!!

@mt_gox

Жыл бұрын

@@mikelsey5 It has STAGGERING historical value. Absolutely incredible footage. Thank you.

Andrew, Thank you for the compliment! If you need any information on Checkpoint Charlie feel free to ask. I was one of the final 4 MPs in charge from 89 till the closure on 22 Jun 90. Otherwise enjoy your reading...Berlin is a great city!

@patrickilmoni9380

7 жыл бұрын

A Fine piece of history you guys made ! But I am wondering what was the reason the major got killed at Glienicke bridge ?

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Patrick Ilmoni. LTC Arthur Nicholson was part of the United States Military Liaison Mission stationed out of Potsdam, East Germany. I can't remember the town but he was shot by a Soviet sentry. He passed.away and is buried in Arlington. I have heard many stories don't know which is true.

@patrickilmoni9380

7 жыл бұрын

Ok. Thanks. Were you guys on duty the night the Wall came down ? During your time in Berlin did you personnally witness any defections or other incidents at the border during -88-89 ?

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Patrick Ilmoni SSG Nathaniel Brown was on duty the night of 9 Nov 89. I was his relief at 0600. He didn't leave and he helped me process people into the East. SGT Doyle and myself had a traveller sneak an East German over in his trunk during a shift change. nothing dramatic.

@patrickilmoni9380

7 жыл бұрын

Oh, thats a shennanigan of progress in my books. I guess the stasi were quite pissed off when they figured that one out.

This is really great to see . Real historic.

@mikelsey5

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Wow, what a brilliant video and a look back in time. You preceded KZread somewhat... I’ve been to Berlin three times, once in the late 70’s, 1990 and last year 2019. I have some vague memories of the first visit when I was young. I was travelling with my grandparents who have both now passed so can’t ask them about it. I do remember meeting my grandfather’s friend (he was in the American military a Ukrainian, my grandfather was a Ukrainian who was in Britain since WW2) and his two daughters who I can picture now. I always had the sense that we crossed over into East Berlin after seeing this I can assume that was a possibility because we were with an American service man but I guess I will never know.

Have to say, this video is brilliant. Although I live in Australia I have had the chance to travel to Germany in 1982, I was 14. I did not go, STUPID ME in hindsight. I have been in Germany and Berlin many times since but not before the "Fall Of The Wall". I actually think this film is bloody good, it gives an insight of where US soldiers could go and film where allowed. Just bloody brilliant.........................................

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

There is a Famous Bouncer in Berlin, his Name is Smile . I saw him in the Documentation „Berlin Bouncer“ few years ago .today i Realized its your Old Friend Smile .😅

@mikelsey5

11 ай бұрын

I visited with Smiley in August of 2022. He is a wonderful friend!

Great rapport between a buck sergeant and 'skeeter wing'. The weekends in our barracks at Giessen were witness to some crazy stuff. A bunch of young, fit kids barely out of high school with lotsa booze...it's like a frat house. We once had a drunk kid sitting on our 2nd story window sill-you know those German windows would swing out. He leaned back and fell out dropping a good 25 feet. He kinda 'plopped' down, shuddered for a second, then got up and stumbled back upstairs like nothing happened. I miss those days but of course I conveniently forget the 24 hr staff duty and field exercises that lasted a month, Sergeant's Time and PT 4 days a week.

You and I may have been there at the same time. I was there 84-87. You and I both have one thing in common. We both live about an hour away from Berlin, PA.

hi mr. rafferty. thanks for sharing this document, i was impressed by your actions on glienicker bridge ( how did it work, no trouble to enter west part of it by mp or western police??) and steinstücken. you were a funny car seller of eastern cars, too ☺ good health for you and family. greetings from berlin

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Berliner Berliner my name is Michael. Please call me that. You are very welcome . We were pretty silly. we were very young. best wishes Michael Rafferty NCOIC Allie Checkpoint Charlie 89-90

@berlinerberliner9697

7 жыл бұрын

+Michael Raff my name is roman lange, i am historian. indeed, cool funny guys you were, thats youth, keep it in mind ☺

Thanks for this video-it's. REALLY eye opening non-documentary look at the east and the wall!

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

DJRosco82 you are very welcome. I apologize for the language and "high speed" comments.

@FBWFTW

7 жыл бұрын

leahcim966 hey man-everyone was young once lmao. Those East Germans are high speed

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

DJRosco82 they were. It was a great experience. I was there as the NCOIC of Checkpoint Charlie the morning after the Wall fell. Berlin is a wonderful city!

@FBWFTW

7 жыл бұрын

leahcim966 any chance you might want to tell a history buff some Cold War stories someday? Drop me a line on twitter: @djrosko82

@FBWFTW

7 жыл бұрын

leahcim966 my biggest question being-what was the big deal about checkpoint Charlie? I mean I figured WWIII woulda started there-but I heard the fulda gap was the bigger battlefield. Were there spies and defectors and such crossing thru?

Fantastic video! I was in West Berlin the same time with the British Forces. A great time, great city, great people. And I loved visiting the American PX. I still have, funny enough, a Maglite and a waterproof bathroom clock bought in the PX as the PX was mega cheap for goods, and I bought loads of CDs of American rap artists (as you couldn't buy or find that sort of thing in the UK) as well as other American singers and bands. We'd go to the barracks in Tempelhof now and again as there was a bowling alley and bar (we were introduced to JD and coke by the bartender) and lastly, the large FIBUA village you had, many a cold long night stuck on there listening to the East German border guards (I think the FIBUA village was close to the Wall?). Your barracks and facilities were miles better than the British. One thing that got on my tits though, using the American cinema. You lot cheered and clapped through movies were as us Brits just watched the movie quietly. :D

So much to say and think about! First, it's a great mix of Berlin "the year before" (so to speak) and the personalities of two, three, ( ?) ordinary soldiers. Have you ever thought about making a copy for a national (US or German) historical society?

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

Thelonestar Pelican Thank you for the nice comments. Casey Beymer was 19 at the time, I was 22. We were both very new to Berlin. I would give a copy to anyone who asked. Oct 88 really shows the heart of the Berlin Wall when things were serious. Casey ended up becoming a Rail MP which secured the duty train. Retired as a Detective in the Southern part of the US. 7 months after this I was chosen to become one of the 4 NCOICS of Allied Checkpoint Charlie. I was there on 10 Nov 89, 0600. The Wall had fallen during the night. I was in the ceremony that closed the CHECKPOINT on 22 Jun 90. Casey and I take great pride in this video which was only meant for our family. With the advent of KZread....it was a no brainer to post it. I will give it to anybody. I think it has some educational value. Thank you for the kind words. Michael Rafferty 287th Military Police Co Berlin Brigade NCOIC, Checkpoint Charlie 89 90.

@crowyojoeseamus5454

4 жыл бұрын

@@mikelsey5 I'd love to have a copy Rafferty.thanks for you service!!! Did you suspect a elements of the DDR Polizei or Stasi following..photographing yo too...do you recall how you both felt..Interpreted??

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

@@crowyojoeseamus5454 if you send me your address I can download it to a disc. Add me on Facebook so you don't place your address in public view. Michael

This has nothing to do with the drone wars. Your life would be a lot different if American Soldiers for 50 plus years didn't leave the comforts of home to defend Germany. Many Soldiers love Germany and the German people. I am one of those people and my heritage is a majority German. Best wishes to you and long live the friendship of Germany and the United States.

Vlogging before it was cool

Hi, i am sorry for my english...This video is beautiful, a time machine...I have a question to ask you ... could US soldiers go to East Berlin without any problems? Was it necessary a permit? Thank you very much. Vincenzo (Italy)

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Vincenzo Spataro American Soldiers went to Checkpoint Charlie to get to go to the East. Our permit was our uniform. We needed no authorization from anyone else

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Vincenzo Spataro your English is great

@NickBailuc

6 жыл бұрын

yeah any solider in berlin could cross into any section back then. ironically enough, even a soviet citizen like my grandfather would have an easier time going into West berlin from GDR, than a GDR citizen himself would

camera zoom feature was a thing back then LOL

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

m4rs12 isn't that crazy. The camera was huge!! VHS tapes! Just crazy. Thanks for watching...

I think I need to start referring to things as 'High Speed'. Awesome video, really enjoyed seeing Berlin as it was.

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Travis Croft thank you! You are"High Speed!"

good video pal . thats one part in history

Feel free to comment good and bad. Please understand that the statements made in this video are not historically perfect. They were never meant to be perfect. We were 19 and 22. 27 years later I am embarrassed by my language. This video was for our parents and was placed on KZread for anyone to enjoy. We embrace German reunification and we are glad to have played a small part in it.

There was a post by a former American Soldier Delroy Cartwright. Mr Cartwright asked about the African American Soldiers featured in the video. First, my heart breaks that he had issues in Germany. I certainly can't speak for the Soldiers in the video but Smiley Baldwin never left Berlin. In fact he is quite famous in the city as one of the bouncers. He barely speaks English anymore and we are from the same area in California. Every Soldier in the 287th MP was treated with respect and dignity. Mr Cartwright, just like in the US there are people that are naive. Sorry about your bad experience. Thank you for your service. Best wishes.

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

British Soldier...... sorry Mr Cartwright!

TCA 1988-1989! What an exciting time!

@leahcim966

5 жыл бұрын

Mark, I couldn't agree with you more! Thank you for your service at Tempelhof!

Yep can't forget those blue walls

What a great video 🙏🏼

@mikelsey5

9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Dam man I am speechless omg. I study this stuff.

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

Toby Munse I am glad you liked it! Hard to believe we made this in 1988. 30 years ago and it seems like yesterday! Thanks for watching Toby!! Best Wishes. SFC (RET) Michael Rafferty US Army

@tatyananumber

6 жыл бұрын

Heh and I study the wall and how everything worked.

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

Toby Munse let me know if you have any questions.

@tatyananumber

6 жыл бұрын

Omg, I was so amazed to see the tower guards looking at you guys it blows me away that this actually happened dam I wish I was there to see it with you guys.

Life used to be more high speed back in the days.

This is one of the few videos of East Berlin that I have ever seen--very hard to find. Most were either produced by East German government. What type of camera did you use? Did you take still pictures of East Berlin and did you visit Karl-Marx Allee?

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

JamesTheWineGuy we rented a camera that took huge VHS tapes. It was heavy and awkward but I am glad we did it. We both have still photos from our 3 years in Berlin. We were both there for the Fall of the Wall.

Just to echo the thanks already offered for posting the video. Fascinating viewing all round - especially from your perspective as US servicemen for a European with absolutely no military experience. The practically deserted Unter den Linden was of particular interest. Any idea roughly what time/day you were there? I'm guessing members of the East Berlin public would have had little reason to venture up that direction regardless. Have you been back to Berlin since and if not, any intention of ever doing so?

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Oliver Reid Thank you for the nice comments. It was a morning visit to East Berlin. From about 9am till 1130 ish. Where we took the video from was as close as you could get to the Brandenburg gate. Guarded. Unter den Linden did get busy at times. Just not that day until we walked down toward the tv tower. I left Berlin in Jan 91. I have not been back since. I have a huge love for the city. Its on my bucket list! Best wishes to you in the new year! Michael Rafferty MP NCOIC CHECKPOINT CHARLIE 89 90

@oliverreid6722

7 жыл бұрын

Make sure you make a return trip! Your perspective on the changes to the city would be great to hear.

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

Oliver Reid It would be wonderful to visit. Don't think it's in the cards. :(

@KKSmith

7 жыл бұрын

BTW - you can fly *incredibly cheap* to Germany nowaday with Wow Air over Iceland. (Yeah .. terrible name). I'm flying next week Toronto to Frankfurt for about 300euro as a last minute booking. I just looked on the site and I can see flights from Miami to Berlin starting at 270 us dollars. I'm Canadian but living in Berlin for about 12 years now. These new cheap flights are making a *huge* difference for how often I get to see my fam back home.

For those wondering East Berlin agreed, actually forced, to allow allied forces to cross the "wall" without any hindrance after the war ended which is why these guys are in US uniform on Communist land. That was the price of losing.

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

There is a little more to it but Berlin was still an occupied city. At the Potsdam conference it was agreed that Berlin would be jointly administered. Free Access for all Allied personnel. Occupation ended on 3 October 1990.

the dude that that took the video must worked with the the personal at the checkpoint , with the clowning around .

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Bill Huber that is correct....says one who took video...lol

@billhuber2964

7 жыл бұрын

I SERVED IN THE NAVY AT THE TAIL END OF VIETNAM ERA 1973-77.TWO WESTPACS UNDER MY BELT.

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

@@billhuber2964 thank you for your service!

I wish I knew... SGT Steffen was my personal favorite. He was funny and he seemed to enjoy being at the Checkpoint. Class A guy!

@mrpongo-tj6my

9 жыл бұрын

Is this Beymer?

Very cool to have gone to the former East Berlin---I have only been post Fall of the Wall. So you could not have taken photos of the Palast der Republik. Did you walk through Museumsinsel? Did you walk to Karl-Marx-Allee?

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

JamesTheWineGuy walking became quite the challenge. There were plenty of things we missed. The camera itself took vhs tapes. All your points were excellent but the main reason we didn't do some things were because of transportation and being two young kids.

@jamesthewineguy

3 жыл бұрын

​@@mikelsey5 Hi Michael--East Berlin seemed so desolate--were you both there on a weekend or a weekday? The changing of the guard at the Neue Wache was on Wednesday and Saturdays.

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

@@jamesthewineguy If my memory serves me correct it was early on Saturday Morning in October of 1988 that we walked across the border. The second half of the film was on Sunday. It was desolate and foggy.

Hey, I guess Beamer is near 50 now. Of course I don't know him. I wonder if these guys still keep in touch. Nice video of the day.

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Joseph Roman we are still friends. I think Beymer is 47 or 48. I am 50. Thank you for the post

@josephroman2998

7 жыл бұрын

Michael Raff I belong to a group called the 'Cold War Reenactment Society". I have found your video quite interesting showing the everyday life behind the scenes. If I may ask, what GI uniforms did you wear on duty at Checkpoint Charlie? The public needs to be educated in this area. thank you, in advance, for any info you may be able to provide.

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Joseph Roman what is your email Joseph?

@josephroman2998

7 жыл бұрын

JRRoman@execpc.com

At 1h28m50s , The village is called Kleinmachnow, not Postdam.

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

siemenstraffic thank you!!!

@mikelsey5

6 жыл бұрын

In 1988, I had just arrived in Berlin. I barely knew where I was going and I had no clue about the other side of the Wall. Its awesome that you are able to share that. Feel free to correct items as you see fit. Its more important for it to be right. Best Wishes. Michael Rafferty.

@siemenstraffic

5 жыл бұрын

​@@mikelsey5 First I want to thank you for serving our country. I'm a American myself now living abroad in Europe since 1987. My German uncle who was a natural born West Berliner bought a house in the borough of Zehlendorf not far from Checkpoint Bravo. Been vising the area since 1992 and know the area very well. My original plan was to service my tour of duty in Berlin when I got out of high school in 1993. But that never happened since the wall came down in November 1989 and all the allied troops left Berlin in 1994 to comply to Two Plus Four Treaty, The final nail in the coffin was the President Clinton administration and his military cutbacks. I did register myself for Selective Service System when I was 18, but never got drafted for any military service.

No doubt. ❤

As silly as it seems, this is a historical documentary (I guess)

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

It was a video meant for our parents. There are some historical aspects of it but it was two young Soldiers sending a video to their parents. Don't read too much into it.

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Oh yes..... it's Silly

Anyone that ever toured the East side ever noticed Stasi following you around? Especially when carry that big and bulky video camera?

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Good question. We were both naive and didn't think that anyone would care what we were doing.

@TheYizuman

3 жыл бұрын

@@leahcim966 Do you have more of these videos? Surely there's more than what you've already uploaded? Or they all contained some private shots?

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

We rented the huge VHS cam recorder. We had it only for the weekend. There are more videos but mainly of my kids and a couple ventures to Checkpoint Charlie.

@TheYizuman

3 жыл бұрын

@@leahcim966 Oh ok, well, thanks for sharing what you had at the time of the rental. Really enjoyed them. History is my addiction and love all the little bits of information and experience shared.

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed

What are they doing today? An interview with both of them would be pretty interesting i think...

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Charles Bronson what would you like to know. Rafferty retired from the Army in 2005. Beymer became an investigator in Kentucky. He owns a business called KC Leather. He makes holsters, belts and other custom leather products. Rafferty is a lazy grandfather....with dashing good looks and a modest disposition. All the best! Feel free to ask any questions.

Not really relevant. If you want to understand Berlin during partition you need to look at it from both sides. I worked in Berlin on and off from 1985 to 1993 and travelled from West Berlin to East Berlin many times. I regularly travel to Berlin now and cannot get a sense of how it was any more except through the odd documentary which looks at it from both sides.

@leahcim966

7 жыл бұрын

What is not really relevant? The video or a statement that was made? The video stands alone as two Soldiers having fun. Any comments made even the ones I disagree with make their point. Your travels within Berlin don't really mean anything unless you tell what you were doing. You could have been selling schnizel on the KuDamm.

Just curious, what would have happened if someone from the west jumped over the wall into the east?

@leahcim966

4 жыл бұрын

There are two walls. A jumper would have been smarter just to walk to a border crossing and engage the East Germans. Jumping into the death zone is just stupid. The East Germans could have mistaken them for an escaping East German. The Western German authorities would have done nothing. If it was an American Soldier, they would have been AWOL and every attempt would be made to bring them back. Defections have happened but not often. Hopefully that answered your question.

very interesting

@leahcim966

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Zibi!!

very good!

@leahcim966

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you

They spared no expense for MP vehicles giving you an Opel Kadett Diesel !

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Chad Wahl Ha! In the West they gave us VW vans....even a panel van! Those were good days on patrol in Wertheim West Germany.

@xmanhoe

7 жыл бұрын

Michael Raff , Hi , thanks for a look inside a world long past , did you guys have to learn to drive a manual (stick) transmission ?

@mikelsey5

7 жыл бұрын

Xmanhoe F all the patrol vehicles were manual trans. I was lucky I knew how to drive one.

1:42:00, The traffic light is no longer there, then turn down Kolonne Strasse and Dudenstrasse to Platz der Luftbrucke (1:44:45).

@mikelsey5

9 ай бұрын

I was back in Aug 2022. I was confused a few times due to the change of traffic patterns. Frustrating!!