Military Model Scene

Title: Cold War Berlin: An Island City Vol.3
Author: Andrew Long
Publisher: Helion & Co
ISBN: 978-1-804510-29-2

Number 27 in the Europe @ War series from Helion & Co, and volume 3 in this sub-series covering the history of Berlin during the Cold War. This is the first of 2 planned volumes looking at the history of US forces in Berlin, this one sub-titled 'US Forces in Berlin, Keeping the Peace, 1945-1994'. An 88-page soft-cover book.
Bearing in mind this is the first of 2 volumes in this mini-series, what do we have in this one. Well, it is split into 8 sections, with the last one being a conclusion, plus lots more detail contained within 9 appendices. From when the US units arrived, amidst Soviet attempts to hinder their entry to establish control over their assigned part of Berlin. There is an explanation of the US Headquarters in the city, and an explanation of their role in policing and guarding West Berlin, plus some other units which also were part of the establishment. The USAF were there, with aircraft based at Tempelhof airport in particular. Refugees from East Germany were one of the reasons for the building of the Berlin Wall, and that of course brought more issues, such as the various guarded crossing points. There was even the move of Checkpoint Bravo when an autobahn was extended. This also brings in the question of spies, or intelligence gathering if you prefer, a task undertaken by both sides. Garrison life is discussed, with elements such as the various barracks, the train routes linking Berlin to West Germany and even the guard rotas for Spandau Prison, where Rudolf Hess was imprisoned for many years. The appendices add more detail, such as tables of US Officials, Garrison Commanders, the Berlin Brigade ORBAT and more.
Illustrated throughout with archive photos, many of them in colour, plus the usual section of colour artwork pages in the middle of the book, with maps, uniforms, aircraft and military vehicle profiles. All this remained in place until 1994, when the US finally withdrew as the reunited Germany absorbed Berlin back into the whole. Some interesting stories in this one, and we await the second volume which will focus more on the military firepower and the plans of both sides if the Soviets/East German Armies had taken military action to oust the allies from the City of Berlin. Interesting reading this one, and I look forward to what comes next.
Thanks to Helion & Co for the review copy.

Robin