Berlin 1971-1973

In 1947 seven prisoners were  locked up in Spandau Prison, Berlin. By the time the Regiment arrived in Berlin there was only one remaining prisoner, Rudolph HESS. A Military guard was provided by the four occupying  powers, The U.S.A., Britain, France and the soviet union. The Military guards were supplemented by eighteen warders. The Military guard was provided by a platoon strength who manned the six watch towers. The Battalion provided guards on two occasions, the first in 1972, and again in 1973. Strict orders were given to the guards regarding fraternization with HESS, and all sentries were searched prior to taking up their post to prohibit the use of cigarettes. Most of those who carried out this duty remember a very old man walking around the garden on a path he had trodden himself.

Spandau Prison was built as a 19th Century penitentiary. The buildings are of a pseudo-medieval, red-brick fortress. It was built in 1876 to hold 500 prisoners as a military detention center. after World War 2 it held the seven Nazi leaders sentenced from Nuremberg. But, since 1966, its only prisoner was Rudolph Hess (1894 - 1987) until his death on 17 August 1987. Just after his death the British Forces decided to completely destroy it to prevent it from becoming a shrine. Photographs were strictly forbidden, so this is a rare photo from the air. Each of the four powers then in Berlin, British, American, French, and Soviets rotated the service on guard duty and support at the prison for a month at a time .

A photograph of one of the Watchtowers on Spandau Prison, Berlin 1972, whilst occupied by 'B' Coy, 1DERR. The Building to the right is the governors office

A FARMERBOY REMEMBERS,

I was a section Commander at the time in 'B' Company and we were detailed to provide a guard for HESS in the prison that was very near Brooke Barracks. As with all guard duties we considered this to be a total pain in the neck, but 'Orders is Orders' Once we took over even the thickest of us could feel that this was a duty apart, and something we were never likely to repeat, we were effectively living history. As a section commander it was my responsibility to post the sentries in the watch towers. Because of the problems with the Russians all of our procedures had to mirror what the other powers did when responsible for the prison. Because the Russians locked their men into the watchtowers (To prevent desertion, so we were told) then we had to lock our own people in as well, (That did give a certain amount of pleasure I must say). Before we posted the lads we had to read the orders over, 'No smoking' 'No talking to HESS' etc etc. Before they were marched out they were searched to ensure no cigarettes or cameras found their way in. I remember unlocking the massive side gates that opened to a creaking noise that would have done justice to a horror film. I clearly remember HESS in his garden, hands behind his back, as if he was inspecting the troops as we marched by en-route to the watch towers. One of the watch towers was out of view from its neighbours and the legend was that a French squaddie had thrown himself of the tower and killed himself with his rifle sling. Whether it was true or not I was never sure, but many of the lads were a bit iffy about going in that tower. I must say it was one of the more interesting places that we 'Stagged on'

A close up from the same image, a soldier (Who) of 'B' Coy