Reichskanzlei Thread

[stauffenberg_1944]

Perhaps someone already asked this here ... Does anyone have a high-quality Reichskanzlei floor plan? All floors are of interest, including basements, bunkers, a grand floor, a second and an attic floor.

[Mister S]

I recently heard from someone that a new free-to-play game, which is currently in alpha testing, has a reproduction of the Reich Chancellery. I gave it a quick try, and I was very impressed. It is, by far, the most accurate and intricate reproduction of the chancellery anywhere. Every single major room and detail about the real building is included, both interior and exterior aspects. The game allows you to play as either the Germans or the Russians, and you fight your way through the building, which is very fun, especially when you are liberating it as the Russian team. Unfortunately, the free alpha game test only lasts for a few more hours, and will not be playable for at least another few months. It's very nice that the developer took the time to make the building so accurate, and will probably be even more fun when the full game releases. It also includes multiple other scenes from around Berlin, allowing you to fight around the Brandenburg Gate, and in the other areas directly north of the Chancellery. Definitely worth a look.

Gameplay footage (skip to around 12:00 to see the bunker/garden area):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWtxUkz6XFg

Here are some screenshots I took (I'll make a few posts w/ more):

[Mister S]

[Mister S]

[Mister S]

[Mister S]

[Mister S]

A look at the full map:

[Br. James]

I fully agree, Mister S: VERY IMPRESSIVE indeed! That said, by the time pitched battles were possible in and around the Government/Wilhelmstrasse sector of Berlin, the statuary in the Court of Honor and the Garden Terrace, as well as most of the furnishings inside the Reichschancellery complex, had been removed and put into storage. So the visuals would have been quite a bit different...though the creator of this video game apparently did make the effort to show bomb damage throughout the buildings.

Again, VERY IMPRESSIVE!

Br. James

[Mister S]

I fully agree, Mister S: VERY IMPRESSIVE indeed! That said, by the time pitched battles were possible in and around the Government/Wilhelmstrasse sector of Berlin, the statuary in the Court of Honor and the Garden Terrace, as well as most of the furnishings inside the Reichschancellery complex, had been removed and put into storage. So the visuals would have been quite a bit different...though the creator of this video game apparently did make the effort to show bomb damage throughout the buildings.

Again, VERY IMPRESSIVE!

Some changes, like holes and sandbags, were added to improve the combat in the game and add covering positions, and some furniture was left in for the game, as you mentioned. Most of the big stuff, like the statues outside and the tapestries inside, were indeed moved downstairs/elsewhere in the real building in early-1945, but some things like chairs and desks were left, and can be seen in photographs after the war. So it really isn't even that inaccurate. The only thing that was exaggerated in the games depiction is some of the damage, like bomb craters and explosions added to the outside and inside of the building. The real building was left relatively untouched when you compare it to the destruction around it, and most rooms were ultimately destroyed from looting; not fires or bombs. However, to the developers' credit, the bomb holes allow for easier movement around the building, and a more fluid gameplay overall. I suspect that is why they were added on. But everything else is spot on, and extremely impressive when it comes down to it. Even the small corridor from the old chancellery that leads to the dining hall is included and is spot-on accurate, same with the grand entrance at Vossstrasse 4. I can't complain at all. And even small details, like the mosaics on the walls, the wood carvings in the desk, or the plaques above the doors were included. Almost insane how much work they must've done to turn those small details from historical photos into accurate, HD game textures. The game developers who pulled that off should be commended! I can't wait to play more...

[BERLINVOSS]

Hi
Anybody have a link to the PDF files maps by pietro guido online separate from the book

Robert

[VanillaNuns]

The game looks very impressive. I was sceptical at first when I watched the video, but I tip my hat to the creators for the exemplary historical accuracy.

[VanillaNuns]

I was able to walk over the Reichkanlzei site on Good Friday, because the attendant at the parking lot that occupies part of the site left a gate open. I picked up some bits of red brick and tile and a piece of what might have been a ventilation pipe. Maybe I can sell these on e-bay and become rich.

Pieces of "red brick and tile" still remaining at the site in 2008? Sounds more like fool's gold to me.

I've been to the area many, many times in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2005 - and there were never any gates or parking attendants back then apart from one visit when temporary construction work was being done.

And no red brick lying around either...

It's like all the people who collected souvenirs from the "hidden bunkers and underground tunnels" when Leipziger Platz was first being redeveloped almost 20 years ago.

[Br. James]

My one and only visit to Berlin (and to all of Germany) was in June of 1998 and of course I had to visit the Reichstag -- which was still under reconstruction -- go through the Brandenburg Gate, walk into the lobby of the Hotel Adlon, walk along Wilhelmstrasse and visit all of the TR spots which my collecting studies reminded me of. When I came to VossStrasse and turned the corner by the restaurant where once stood the Borsig Palace and walked down alongside where the New Reichschancellery used to be, I came to a driveway which entered into the rear of the apartment complex which replaced that vast building and ended up in an open parking lot, the center of which was a circular area covered with lawn. This was where the Führerbunker had been, well below ground. There was no entrance gate to the parking lot nor any attendants anywhere in sight. I was free to wander around as long as I wanted to...so I did!

I was aware that the red marble from the walls of the Marble Gallery in the New Reichschancellery had been stripped from that vast room during Soviet times and that that marble had been taken down to the subway station beneath the Wilhelmsplatz to refinish what was then called the UBahn Mohrenstrasse, so of course my next stop was right there, where I could see and touch and sit upon benches made from that beautiful red marble, which also covered the walls of that subway station. Here, too, there was no gateway or attendant present to keep me out; I was able to walk around to my heart's content, and now, over 22 years later, all I have is memories of that wonderful day in Berlin!

Br. James

[plant1965]

Can anyone tell me where on the floor plan the library was located? Many of the old submissions with floor plan details are no longer available. Thanks very much for any help!

Here are some schematics:

[plant1965]

Can any of you tell me where the library is located on the floor plan?