Figure 1.--Here we see the boys at the Brandenberg Gate. ATA was a popular cleaning powder developed in the 1920s. The ad on the bus reads, "ATA putzt und reinigt alles" meaning "ATA cleans everything!". Juno may have been cigarettes. The photograph here shows the Brandenburger Tor from the western side (i.e., from the Tiergarten, West Berlin). The street "Unter den Linden" starts behind the Gate in the view here.

Berlin as the capital of the country would have been a very ecxiting place for Hitler youth boys to visit. Durng World War II, Berlin was seen as the heart of NAZIdpm, but when the NAZIs took over, there was a great deal of opposition to the NAZis in Berlin. The NAZIs did not do well in Berlin during the Weimar electins. There was alarge working-class population which was oriehted toward the Communists and Socialists. There was also a substantial Jewish popultion. Even so there was plenty for nationalistic HJ boys to see in Berlin. We see the boys at the Reichstag, but at this time it was a burned out shell. The NAZIs used the Reichstag fire to act against the Communists and pther political opponents. It was never restored. The writing over the Reichstag read, "Dem Deutschen Volk" (For the German People). All of Hitler's appearances before the Reichstag were held at a nearby opera house. We also see the boys at the Brandenberg gate.

Berlin and the NAZIs

Berlin as the capital of the country would have been a very ecxiting place for Hitler youth boys to visit. Durng World War II, Berlin was seen as the heart of NAZIdom, but when the NAZIs took over, there was a great deal of opposition to the NAZis in Berlin. The NAZIs did not do well in Berlin during the Weimar electins. There was alarge working-class population which was oriehted toward the Communists and Socialists. There was also a substantial Jewish popultion. Hitler and Speer were planning huge projects to essentially rebuild the city. The first was the sports stadium used for the Olympics. Other major projects had to be postponed until after the War. Even so there was plenty for nationalistic HJ boys to see in Berlin.

Reichstag/Reichstagsgebäude

The Reichstag was the German parliament. It was established after the unification of Germany (1871). The building was constructed to house the parliament several years later. It was completed and opened (1894). We see the boys at the Reichstag, but at this time it was a burned out shell. The NAZIs used the Reichstag fire to act against the Communists and other political opponents (1933). It was never restored. The writing over the Reichstag read, "Dem Deutschen Volk" (For the German People). All of Hitler's appearances before the Reichstag were held at a nearby opera house. Even so, when the Red Army stormed, the Reichstag was the main objective and heavily defended by die hard SS men. Some of the boys here may have been involved in the defense of Berlin. German unification ended the Cold war (1989). This made it possible for Berlin to be German capital again. The Reichstag was finally renovated It again became the seat of the German parliament in 1999 after a reconstruction led by internationally renowned architect Norman Foster. The German parliament today is called the Bundestag.

Brandenburg Gate

We also see the boys at the Brandenburg gate or Brandenburger Tor--one of the main symbols of the city (figure 1). It was built at the site of one of the city's gate and now the only remaining of the old city's gate. It is situated between the Pariser Platz and the Platz des 18. März. The Reichstag is located one block to the north. It is at the end of Unter den Linden, the prinipal avenue of Berlin which is lined by linden trees and lead's to the Kaisr's residence. It was commissioned by King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia as a sign of peace. The archectect was Carl Gotthard Langhans who built it (1788-91). (not a cinema!). The site of the "Reichstag is one block on the left (north). The photograph here shows the Brandenburger Tor from the western side (i.e., from the Tiergarten, West Berlin). The street "Unter den Linden" starts behind the Gate in the view here. The photographer may have stood near to the place were during the cold war President Kennedy looked to the East over the wall, to East Berlin, with he addressed the people of West Berlin, assuring them of American support (1962). It was here he made the famous remark "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am an inhabitant of Berlin).

Unknown Location

We note a location that we can not identify. We believe it is also in Berlin. We wonder if it is the entrace to the Olympic sports stadium. We note foreign flags at the entrance. Perhaps our German readers will recognize it. We know that some of thephotographs here were taken during the 1936 Olympics.