Though located in the Soviet Zone after WWII, Berlin was divided among the Allied Powers into zones of occupation in 1945 by the Potsdam Agreement. US, French, British, and Soviet troops patrolled their respective zones. US troops arrived in July, 1945, and would stay until 1994. The Berlin Blockade of 1948-1949 by the Soviets caused great contention between the US and USSR, which further heightened with the subsequent creation of Soviet- administered East Germany and allied-supported West Germany. The Berlin Wall Crisis of 1961 created a division of the city that would last until 1989. While the Berlin garrison was made up of varied unit rotating through the city, the "Berlin Brigade" was created in 1961 as a separate command with units already in the city.
Uniforms
An officer's Eisenhower jacket with two worn theater-made patches indicating service in the Berlin Command and previously in the US Forces Austria. The Berlin Command patch is a scarce one, apparently worn for a short time in the early1950s between the "Berlin District" designation and the US Army Berlin.
Early 1950s Berlin detachment shirt with Warrant Officer insignia and Service Pilot wings.
Mid-1950s Horse Platoon set from the 287th Military Police Company. This features German-tailored riding pants, khaki uniform shirt with Horse Platoon insignia, cavalry boots, white cap, MP helmet, sidearm, and carbine. By this time regulations called for blackened leather uniform items, traces of which remain on the boots, cap, and pistol rig. 1956 horse show patches and German riding qualification badge are also shown.
Early Ike jacket from Berlin, featuring bullion patches for the 78th Infantry Division and Berlin District.
Mid 1950s Horse Platoon uniform shirt of the 287th Military Police Company. This was the final horse-mounted unit in the US Army.
Early 1980s uniform group representing a veteran of the 287th Military Police Company.
1960s uniforms from a veteran of the 2nd Battle Group, 6th Infantry Regiment. The 6th Infantry DI is on the shoulders, while the 2nd Battle Group is affixed to the Infantry cord.
Early 1980s 40th Armor uniform, including German marksmanship qualification award.
Scarce uniform shirt to a USMLM officer, attached from the Air Force. It retains its shoulder patch and collar insignia and dates to the late 1970s.
The uniforms of one of the most important figures in Berlin Brigade history: General F. Hartel. Hartel took command of Berlin and two days later was faced with the overnight construction of the Berlin Wall. He commanded through 1964 at the height of the Cold War, accompanying President Kennedy around the city and at the famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech.
Helmet liner from the Berlin Brigade Headquarters and Special Troops, with iconic bear insignia. This was worn from 1961-1967, when the Combat Support Battalion insignia was approved.
Helmet liner from the Berlin Brigade Combat Support Battalion. This example dates to the 1960s-1970s.
Helmet liner from the 6th Infantry Regiment in Berlin. The 6th served from 1950-1984.
Helmet liner of the 287th Military Police Company, which was stationed in Berlin since the 1950s. This example dates to the early 1980s.
Parade helmet for the 502nd Airborne, which served in Berlin 1984-1994.
Insignia & Other Items
Early Berlin District patch and unauthorized Distinctive Insignia. These depicted the Brandenburg Gate and were worn in the early 1950s before being phased out in favor of the US Army Europe blue patch with flaming sword. The insignia at right was worn for a short time in the 1950s.
Early "Berlin District" patch variations, dating from the late 1940s-mid 1950s.
Many variations of the Berlin patch worn by US troops in Berlin. The "Berlin" tab was worn from about 1951 onward.
Collection of insignia worn by the Horse Platoons of Berlin. Featured here are DIs from the 78th Recon Cavalry, which passed duties to the 16th Constabulary (Separate) and was part of the 4th Cavalry. The HP was then part of the 759th MP, and ended its final years as part of the 287th MP. The German riding badge in bronze could be earned by horsemen who qualified. The patches are from horse shows in Berlin.
DIs and scarf patch for Berlin Special Troops
Insignia of the 3rd Battle Group, 6th Infantry Regiment
Medal for Human Action, awarded to those who served in the Berlin Airlift from 1948-1949.
Berlin Brigade Distinctive Insignia: 18th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Regiment, 502nd Infantry Regiment
Berlin unit insignia. Top: 279th Station Hospital, Army Security Agency Berlin, Army Security Agency. Bottom: MEDDAC Berlin, DENTAC Berlin, and Berlin Brigade.
Official observers were permitted from each Allied nation to cross boundaries and observe their opposition. These small units traveled, unarmed, into Soviet territory--and were often harassed or even killed in "accidents." The patch at left is from the 50-strong US Military Liaison Mission (USMLM) and the patch at right is the British equivalent, British Commanders' in Chief Mission (BRIXMIS).
Distinctive Insight and patch for Co. F, 40th Armor
6th Infantry Drill Platoon patch and tab
Honor Guard Distinctive Insignia
DI of the 298th Army Band in Berlin
Helmet liner decal and two German-made DIs of the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division.
French (left) and British Berlin insignia
Book of Berlin military installations.
Pin and patch for the Berlin Air Safety Center (BASC), a four-power organization that was responsible for all air traffic in and out of Berlin.
A selection of Labor Service patches worn by Germans in the US service in the early postwar years. Army bases staffing, security, hospitals, and logistical support were often contracted to the local workforce, which continues to support and protect US bases abroad today.
Insignia to the German 6941st Guard Battalion, which provided security to the Berlin garrison.
1982 Berlin service certificate to a veteran of the Berlin Brigade.
Military Train Interpreter brassard.
Duty Train Commander brassard
For a short time in the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the units of the 7th Army were sent to reinforce Berlin. Photo evidence shows some elements wore the "Berlin" tab above their shoulder patch.
Aviation Detachment patch
DIs and patches to the 2nd Battle Group, 6th Infantry Regiment
German-madeDIs and patch of the 6th Infantry Regiment, which served in Berlin 1950-1984.
Scarf patch and DI for the 502nd Infantry, which served in Berlin from 1984-1994.
6th Infantry patches and tabs
Very short-lived patch and tab from the 559th Infantry Rifle Platoon, an Honor Guard assigned to Berlin 1950-58.
DIs and commemorative patch for the Berlin Combat Service Battalion, a design approved in 1967. This replaced the Special Troops insignia.
759th MP Battalion telephone directory, motorcycle officer photo, EM Club voucher, and DI. The 759th served in Berlin from 1945-1953.
DI of the 94th Field Artillery. C Battery of the 94th served in Berlin from 1963 until being redesignated as E Battery, 320th FA, in 1986.
DI of the 54th Army Security Agency Special Operations Unit, which was in place 1966-1967, before being redesignated as USASA Field Station Berlin.
A recognition and response card issued to US troops in Berlin. It detailed action required if a Soviet Military Liaison Mission vehicle was seen in the US Zone.
The Soviet equivalent of the recognition card pictured above, showing how to identify US, British, and French vehicles
Berlin Brigade Military Police brassards
Unofficial tab of the 287th MP Company in Berlin
Brassard worn by a Berlin Brigade veteran in the mid 1960s. He served as a guard at Spandau Prison and was part of the 18th Infantry Regiment.
DI of the 503rd Engineers, which arrived in Berlin during the Berlin Blockade and constructed a new airfield for Airlift efforts.
Scarce pocket badge of Allied Staff Berlin
Pocket badge of the 6th Infantry Regiment
Military Police ascot, c. 1960s
1962 jacket patch for the Berlin Brigade Shooting Team
Clarinet from a member of the 298 Army Band, which served in Berlin. The instrument is French-made and the case identifies the veteran and unit. This veteran enlisted in 1946 and served through the late 1940s.
A selection of Berlin-related publications, spanning from 1946-1981!
Military Police brassards, insignia, and badge from a veteran that served in Berlin in the 1970s at Checkpoint Charlie.
Fourragere for early postwarBerlin units.