Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

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Cerdic
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Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#1

Post by Cerdic » 22 Nov 2013, 20:00

Changing Berlin (1937)

by Douglas Chandler
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"NEW ROADS, LIKE TWIN BRIDGES OF CEMENT, SWEEP OVER GERMAN PLAINS AND ROLLING WOODED HILLS

Because of her position on the map, military necessity long ago led Germany to build stone-paved roads radiating in various directions from Berlin. They were sufficient for horse-drawn artillery, but rough for high-speed motor vehicles. Today smooth cement roads, remindful of America's best, are beginning to be laid toward frontiers. Each strip here, wide enough for four cars, is a one-way drive. Surface crossings are often avoided by the use of overpasses, with four-leaf clover approaches."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler

(This historic photograph is from a National Geographic article in the February 1937 issue titled "Changing Berlin". It offers a fascinating look at Berlin, Germany, a few years before the start of World War II.)

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"DAY'S WORK DONE, CROWDS FLOCK HOMEWARD ON UNTER DEN LINDEN

Like Upper Fifth Avenue, this artery is a broad, glittering thoroughfare of hotels, clubs, cafes, and high-priced shops. Here at Friedrich-Strasse corner is found one of Berlin's busiest spots; two dense traffic streams cross on the green lights."


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" 'MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY' AS ANNOUNCED BY KURFURSTEN-DAMM BILLBOARDS

'Every night,' says the author, 'Captain Bligh has his crew flogged here for the shuddering entertainment of Berlin audiences. Spoken in English, but with screen captions in German, this South Sea drama has enjoyed much popularity among the capital's film fans."

Remarquez qui produisait le film projeté, la Metro Goldwyn Mayer (bien que de production juive, ce film était tout même projeté à Berlin.

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"TO SEE AND BE SEEN BERLINERS CROWD SIDEWALK CAFES IN FINE WEATHER

Popular as outdoor dining and drinking and concerts are with Germans, many a visitor from warmer climes finds such social adventures a chilly experience. On Sundays dense crowds promenade the Kurfursten-Damm. Like the Boardwalk in Atlantic City at Eastertime, this is a favorite promenade for displaying new spring outfits."

Photograph by Gunter Russ


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"THE KONIG-STRASSE, ENDING AT ALEXANDER-PLATZ, FORMS THE CHIEF TRAFFIC CENTER OF EAST BERLIN

Seen at the right is a subway entrance, leading to a bewildering labyrinth of subterranean life. Two great architectural masses, the Alexander and the Berolina-Haus, flank this busy square and shelter armies of office workers."

Photograph by Herbert Hoffman



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"TO DEVELOP BOYS AND GIRLS IN BODY AND MIND, AND THUS INSURE A STURDY RACE TO DEFEND GERMANY IN THE FUTURE, IS A POLICY OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT

On the athletic field of the Police Sport Society are seen some of the 5,000 young people who participated in the opening festival of the Gymnastic Corporation of Berlin."

Photograph by Keystone


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"IN OPEN-AIR CAFES, BERLIN - ALONG WITH PARIS - LIKES TO SIT AND SIP AND TALK

From the hole-in-the-wall eating place to such fashionable restaurants as this, the Kroll, in the Tiergarten at the edge of the River Spree, there is almost invariably the added attraction of an outside garden. In some of the more informal out-of-door cafes, families may even make their own coffee, the restaurant providing water and cups. And, as always in Germany, there is a band!"

Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"SUMMERTIME ESCAPE FROM CROWDED BERLIN SEES THOUSAND ENCAMPED IN CROWDED QUARTERS ALONG NEAR-BY HAVEL RIVER

Colonies of these flimsy week-end huts and tents line river banks and lake shores about Berlin. Open-air dining, sun baths, and the care of tiny flower pots all add to the contentment of city vacationists."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler

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"VISITORS, ON FIRST SEEING BERLIN, ARE AMAZED AT ITS ABUNDANT STATUARY

Here even the top of the main building of Berlin University, former palace of Prince Henry of Prussia, is lined with human effifies. This seat of learning, which now enrolls about 7,000 students, is fairly new, compared with some European universities, not having opened its doors till 1810. Many Americans take courses here. At the left, a teacher and her schoolgirls stand before a monument of Karl Wilhelm von Humboldt, brother of the distinguished explorer, and founder of the University."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"THOUGH VANISHING BEFORE THE TAXI, A FEW BERLIN CABMEN STILL SURVIVE

Waiting for a fare, this weather-beaten driver cheers his equine companion of many long winters with a lump of sugar. White cab horses are scarce, because certain superstitious people will not ride behind one, believing that to do so would bring bad luck."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler

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"WITH PERISCOPES TIERGARTEN CROWDS WATCH HITLER'S BIRTHDAY PARADE - APRIL 20, 1936

Each drawn by six magnificent matched horses, heavy iron-wheeled field pieces rumble over the paved streets. No other vehicles make exactly the same sound as artillery 'when the caissons go rolling along'. The Tiergarten, a wooded park popular with pedestrians and horseback riders, stretches along either side of Charlottenburger Chaussee, and is set with many monuments and sculptures."


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"OVER THE SPREE RISES THE VAST DOME OF BERLIN'S PROTESTANT CATHEDRAL

At the left is the Marstall, formerly the royal stables, but now a library, and beyond the Kurfursten Bridge is the former Kaiser's Palace. Being towed is a loaded barge with rowboats tailing on behind. Beyond, still other cargo barges, one with its burdens covered, are crowded in the heavy traffic. The tug is about to lower its smokestack for the 'low bridge'. Because it is spread over so much territory, casual Berlin visitors may overlook this river's enormous water-borne traffic. But a glance a a big-scale city map shows how conveniently the capital is served by canals and rivers which connect it with the sea and with inland cities."

Photograph by T.R. Ybarra


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"BY THIS MONSTER ELEVATOR, CANAL BOATS WEIGHING HUNDREDS OF TONS ARE LIFTED BODILY, LOCK AND ALL

The water systems of Berlin and Stettin are connected by the Hohenzollern Canal, through which flows an ever-increasing stream of coal and heavy goods. East of Eberswalde the canal leaves a high plateau for lowlands along the Oder River. Till recently, four locks built here raised lowered boats a distance of 116 feet, requiring two hours to lock a 350-ton ship. After many years of work, this mammoth ship elevator was built, and now a boat can be passed up or down in five minutes. The boat simply sails into a big trough of water, which is lifted or lowered, the vessel floating in it."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"BRANDENBURG CANOE CLUBS LINE UP FOR A RACE ON TEGELER SEE

This popular summer retreat for Berliners, a tree-girt lake, also draws sport lovers from near-by Brandenburg, which is connected with the capital's suburbs by the Havel River. Beyond the canoes onlookers watch the race in sailboats and in double 'faltboats', kayaklike craft of canvas, now popular in Germany."

Photograph by A. and E. Frankl


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"GOOD-BY! BE GOOD ... AND SEND US A POSTCARD!

Germany celebrates many legal holidays during the year, and picnics and excursions are popular ways of spending the free days. Here is a typical farewell scene at one of Berlin's many railway stations."

Photograph by Wide World

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"THOUGH NEVER 'GLORIFIED' BY THE GREAT ZIEGFELD, SPREEWALD MAIDS' HATS ARE AS BIG AND STARTLING AS ANY IN THE FOLLIES!

For centuries the Wends, a Slavic tribal fragment, have lived in the Spreewald swamps, near Berlin. Besides their life on bicycles, ice skates, and in punts, they are noted for their diet of cherry pie, cucumbers, and stewed eels."


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"STREAMLINING, EVEN ON AN APARTMENT HOUSE, REVEALS ULTRAMODERN DESIGNS IN NEWER BERLIN ARCHITECTURE

As in London, Hamburg, and many other world cities, slum clearance and vast building programs have seen the bold rise of individual homes, flats, office and factory buildings differing widely from any previous ideas of human shelter."

Photograph by Burton Holmes from Galloway

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"TO THE UNITED STATES SCHOLAR IN BERLIN, AMERIKA-INSTITUT OFFERS USEFUL STUDY FACILITIES

Established in 1910 and financed by Germans and Americans, this institute exchanges scientific printed material between both countries. It contains not only the Roosevelt Library, donated by Theodore Roosevelt, but also a special American library of 16,000 volumes. Among members of its administrative board is a German teacher of American literature at Berlin University, who now is an exchange professor at the University of Nebraska making special studies of the American West. Explaining the library's facilities to a visitor is Director K.O. Bertling."
Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"AMONG LOTTERY TICKETS, AS AMONG HORSE RACES, THERE'S ALWAYS ONE THAT WINS

Luck symbols in Germany may range from horseshoes and four-leaf clovers to the number seven and a certain kind of mushroom. This window, typical of many in Berlin, displays lottery tickets for sale."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"ENTHUSIASM FOR PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS OF ALL KINDS MARKS THE NEW GERMANY

Here 1,500 men and girls in the Exhibition Hall at the Kaiser-Damm in Berlin await the word from their leader. The Fourth Winter Olympics was held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in February, 1936, and Berlin, of course, was the scene of the 11th Olympic Games last summer."

Photograph by Wide World


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"NOT EVEN AN ELEPHANT WANTS TO STEP ON A TACK!

Among great zoos, in late years, many clever devices have been evolved for the better exhibition of animals., birds, and reptiles without the use of bars or screens. At Berlin seven rows of sharp spikes keep Jumbo in his place."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler

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"MANY CITIZENS USE BERLIN'S POST OFFICES FOR WRITING THEIR LETTERS

This is one of Berlin's many branch post offices. The public writing room is well lighted, with comfortable chairs, tables, inkpots and blotters. No doubt Teutonic thoroughness and painstaking also provide pens that will write!"

Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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" 'LONG-DISTANCE SEEING AND TALKING OFFICE," READS THIS SIGN

In a branch post office near the Zoo the city has installed its first commercial television station. For about 60 cents you may call up a friend in Leipzig for a 'long-distance see-speak.' "
Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"FLOWER VENDERS, NOTED FOR RICH AND RACY ARGOT, ARE PRIVILEGED CHARACTERS

Flippant back talk from these sharp-tongued, quick-witted women, educated by years of contact with street crowds, is accepted by Berliners with good-natured tolerance."

Photograph by Douglas Chandler


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"HERMANN-PLATZ IN SOUTH BERLIN IS DOMINATED BY 'WARENHAUS KARSTADT,' AN ENORMOUS DEPARTMENT STORE

From a roof garden on top of this modern structure, an expansive view of all southeast Berlin may be enjoyed. In its method of merchandising and display, as well as in its architecture, the emporium reflects American influence."

Photograph by Aug. Rumbucher


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"BERLIN CATHEDRAL LOOKS DOWN UPON STREETS BEDECKED FOR LAST SUMMER'S OLYMPIC GAMES

This Protestant edifice is really three separate churches under one vast roof. In its crypt are entombed nearly a hundred members of the Hohenzollern family."

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien

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"BANNER OVER BERLIN - A BRIGHT, SUNSHINY DAY, WITH UNTER DEN LINDEN IN GALA DRESS

By far the most conspicuous is Germany's swastika-emblazoned flag. The Zeughaus (Armory) at right, begun in 1694, is now a military museum and Hall of Fame. It holds Hindenburg's death mask and busts of famous warriors and statesmen, as well as weapons, armor, and uniforms from the Middle Ages to the World War. Here, too, is Napoleon's hat, found near Waterloo!"

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien

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"PRODIGIOUS QUANTITIES OF COAL, GRAIN, AND OTHER VITAL FREIGHT MOVE THROUGH BERLIN'S VAST WEST HARBOR

Since Hamburg, Berlin, Rhine cities, and others are tied by canal and river traffic, the inland waterway system here much resembles China's in importance to trade. River workers' families live on the boats, as in the Orient."
Agfacolor Plate by Hans Hildenbrand


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"BERLIN, WITH MORE THAN 4,200,000 INHABITANTS, IS THE WORLD'S FOURTH LARGEST CITY

Only New York, London, and Tokyo exceed the German capital in population. Though mentioned in history as early as 1237, Berlin is essentially a city of modern times, having grown enormously in the past century. In the distance stretches Unter den Linden, with its old trees, since destroyed. At the right appears the Cathedral; at the left the Schloss, former palace of the Prussian kings, now a museum."

Agfacolor Plate by Hans Hildenbrand


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"NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS FOR AN HOUR, RIVER BOATS TIE UP ALONGSIDE AND FLOATING HOUSEWIVES EXCHANGE GOSSIP

Warehouses and factories are clustered along the Spree to take advantage of cheap transportation by water. Near the river stands the Stadthaus, or Town Hall."

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien


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"RIVERS AND CANALS TIE BERLIN TO MUCH OF WESTERN EUROPE AND HELP MAKE IT A TEEMING TRADE CENTER

Spanning the Spree is the sturdy Oberbaum Bridge, with its towers, built forty years ago. Beside it at the left is a modern preserving plant which holds literally millions of eggs."

Agfacolor Plate by Hans Hildenbrand


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"LIKE A WIDE ARTERIAL STREET OF WATER, THE NAVIGABLE SPREE CARRIES COMMERCE INTO THE HEART OF BERLIN

Tugboat and barge are tied up near important freight depots; busy Humboldt Hafen lies not far from the Lehrte Railroad Station, which rises behind the Moltke Bridge."

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien

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"WARSHIPS, TANKERS, FREIGHTERS, LINERS - YOUNG GERMANY LEARNS TO BUILD THEM ALL IN THIS SHIP MODEL SCHOOL AT POTSDAM

Fascinatingly like real, full-sized craft are these model vessels, built on a scale of 1 to 20. At the left is a Lilliputian version of Germany's 10,000-ton 'pocket battleship', the Deutschland."

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien


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" 'NOW GIVE ME FOUR OR FIVE FRONDS TO COMPLETE MY BOUQUET'

Scenting the cool, damp air of early morning with hothouse fragrance, street flower venders spread their fresh-cut stock before hotel, church, and office doorways to entice potential customers."

Agfacolor Plate by Hans Hildenbrand


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"THOSE WHO CANNOT GO TO THE BEACHES MAY DO THEIR BATHING THUS

Berlin is so far north that it enjoys from 16 to 18 hours of summer daylight. Short as the season is, the city has numberless boat and bathing clubs, and is famous in the athletic world for its excellent swimmers."

Agfacolor Plate by Hans Hildenbrand
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"THOUGH ITS IMPERIAL POMP AND GLORY ARE FLED, FADED SANSSOUCI PALACE REMAINS AN OBJECT OF CURIOSITY TO SIGHT-SEERS

For 40 years this was the almost constant home of Germany's eccentric "Frederick the Great. Near by his greyhounds are buried. Frederick died in the palace at 20 minutes past two on the morning of August 17, 1786, and at that very moment his clock, legend says, stopped running, 'never to go again.' "

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien


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"HERE FREDERICK WAS WONT TO PLAY HIS FLUTE AND ARGUE WITH VOLTAIRE

At Potsdam, where Frederick William I painted portraits of his generals, his son, Frederick the Great, built this one-story palace."

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien


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"POTSDAM, THE 'PRUSSIAN VERSAILLES,' WAS THE HOHENZOLLERNS' PLAYGROUND

Oriental figures adorn this Sanssouci Park pavillion. Because some of the walls within are decorated with simian sketches, Frederick the Great nicknamed the place 'Monkey Hall.' "

Finlay Photograph by Wilhelm Tobien

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"BERLIN SUMMERS BEING SHORT, ANY BRIGHT DAY SEES BATHERS SWARM TO NEAR-BY RESORTS, AS HERE AT WANNSEE

Sailing southwest down the Havel River towards Potsdam, pleasure craft pass this wide expanse formed by the spreading river. Sun-bathing on warm sands and dining and dancing in shore resorts, Berliners make Wannsee their Coney Island."

Agfacolor by Hans Hildenbrand

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"MODEL OF SOME TEMPLE IN INDIA, THIS ORNATE EDIFICE SHELTERS ELEPHANTS

Pampered pachyderms in Berlin's Zoological Garden roam about without benefit of bars, but they are not quite as free as they look. Rows of spikes in the pavement at the left keep them from becoming too familiar. The Zoo is always well patronized, as the German's are a Nature-loving people."
Agfacolor Photograph by HansHildenbrand


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"IN THE DAYS OF EMPIRE MANY A ROYAL PRINCESS RODE TO HER WEDDING IN THIS LUXURIOUS COACH

Built in Strasbourg in 1789 for King Frederick William II, the richly carved, gilded state carriage is preserved now in the Hohenzollern Museum. Fuhrer Adolf Hitler makes official trips by motorcar."

Source and captions: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mytravelph ... 048773636/

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Adam Carr
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#2

Post by Adam Carr » 06 Dec 2013, 15:25

Thanks for posting these great photos. I can match a few of them.

This is the Dom seen from the river. The changes in the postwar rebuilding of the Dom can be seen (improvements in most people's opinion). This was taken in 2008 and the half-demolished shell of the Palast der Republik can be seen. Now there's nothing there at all. It can be seen also that the Schlossplatz bridge is a postwar replacement.
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Adam Carr
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#3

Post by Adam Carr » 06 Dec 2013, 15:29

This is the Dom from Unter den Linden. Again the postwar simplification of the domes can be seen. The statue on the pillar in front of the Dom has gone. The Lustgarten has been turned back into a public park after both the Nazis and the Communists used it as a parade ground.
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Adam Carr
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#4

Post by Adam Carr » 06 Dec 2013, 15:31

This is the Zeughaus (Armoury) on the Linden. It has been beautifully restored and now houses the National History Museum, with interiors by I M Pei.
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Adam Carr
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#5

Post by Adam Carr » 06 Dec 2013, 15:36

Sans Souci today. All that's changed is the swastika flag. Plus of course Friedrich is now buried there, whereas in 1937 he was in the Garnisonkirche.
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Adam Carr
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#6

Post by Adam Carr » 06 Dec 2013, 15:38

Friedrich's pavilion in the grounds of Sans Souci is also unchanged.
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bronk7
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#7

Post by bronk7 » 06 Dec 2013, 19:52

great and interesting pics....1937, then in 1945, death and destruction and.....etc

SteveFBS
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#8

Post by SteveFBS » 19 Dec 2013, 01:01

VERY INTERESTING! Thanks so much for posting.

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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#9

Post by Johney Boy » 20 Dec 2013, 17:11

Great pictures. Thank you.

Cerdic
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#10

Post by Cerdic » 20 Dec 2013, 18:38

Another collection from 1937 [source: Daily Mail]

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Mannheim
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#11

Post by Mannheim » 22 Dec 2013, 04:53

While trawling through these excellent photos, I noticed that the period photo of the SA man lounging on the vehicle was taken in what was, I think, Wilhelmplatz and which is now known as Zietenplatz/Wilhelmplatz. The Propaganda Ministry can be seen on the left-hand side of the period photo and can be compared with the same building in the modern photo (taken two months ago). Ditto for the building on the corner. The only major differences I can see are that the statues have been moved and the building between the Propaganda Ministry and the one on the corner has gone.
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Re: Changing Berlin: National Geographic 1937

#12

Post by reichpilot » 01 Jan 2014, 04:47

Thanks for posting! Great pictures.

Don

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