I understand Ulbricht had his work cut out convincing Khrushchev that the Wall was even necessary, but eventually he gave in, even ensuring that units of GSFG were on the alert.
I find it amazing that no one - amongst the Allies sparked - although I concur there was little that they could do; but then, one can imagine the problem Duty Officers at the various levels of command would have had trying to even find key personnel on a Saturday night in the bright lights of West Berlin in an August, let alone procure a decision.
And what could they actually do? Reinforce up the corridors? Fight the NVA and GSFG units deployed there? Deploy troops from barracks - assuming there’s any that aren’t getting plastered in the bars and clubs? No; not really. And as Kennedy said, “A wall is better than a war”. Not that I’m sure that was much comfort for the subsequent blighted lives of the East German generations that had to endure such a rift and bondage.
PS: Sorry Hermann, I meant this to be a reply to your post.
His name was Konrad Schumman. Sadly, he committed suicide in 1998. His story is one of both bravery and regret. After he jumped into West Berlin, he moved to Bavaria, got married and worked in a winery, then later at an Audi factory. He always feared the Stasi would come and assassinate him, but it never happened. After the wall came down in 1989, he wanted to return to his birthplace in Saxony, but he was rejected and called a traitor by his own family and friends.
Suffering from depression, he eventually took his life. Sad ending.
I have to build as I go with the Munga, and now have to concentrate on the comms fit; I have no idea of what it consisted of in reality – I suspect a Larskpur-based bespoke fit by the Infantry Brigade Signals Squadron - but equally, could be a local purchase via the Berlin Senate; inevitably therefore, I’ve had to revert to gizmology and this is where I’m at so far:
A little more work and that’ll be it, especially on what’s meant to be a handset (the slightly curved piece of lead wire and 2 x plastic ends, on the side).
I don’t think it’ll look too bad once in Bronze Green and installed.
Thanks Richard; it’ll be with no small relief if I can get this little vehicle finished, let alone the figures.
If there’s a Leopard calling you then I’d say go for it! Or even the M60 (MASSTER perhaps?) Nothing like a couple of Cold War representatives to help ignite the mojo!
Those concerned at my radio silence may be relieved to know that slowly, but surely, there is some progress on the MUNGA; mind you, it’s fought me every inch of the way. As mentioned before, I’ve now combined the two kits – Elite Modellbau and CMK, in an attempt to get a working model:
Belatedly, and as a result of new info – though by no means complete – I’ve discovered my radio fit is a tad wide of the mark, so I’ll have to re-visit that. Two paces forward, four back – ain’t that always the way?
Thanks Richard; it’s been hard work I must admit. It didn’t help that I realised my gizmology for the radio was off. I still haven’t got the details I need but my Mk 2 version will have to do.
What some may find interesting is the inspiration for the build - or at least the Royal Military Police bit of it all:
Well Terry, I’ve got to say, brittle resin, superglue etc - well - we just don’t get along. Which is bizarre in a way - I built Elite Modellbau’s Munga some time ago with hardly any problems; the Chimera I’m now dealing with has almost sucked the life out of me - but of course - is essential to the whole project!
I’ll get there but it will not be pretty; that said, once the little bastard is finished, I can get on with the figures - I am so keen to tackle that East German DPM - which must make me sound somewhat strange(?)
Of course, I’ve got the RMP figures to tackle first. Talk about victim of one’s (modelling) imagination(!)
D’you think? Having an NVA jackets hanging in a wardrobe, the only way I can think of to paint that camouflage and stay as almost-sane as I am now, is to average the colour between background and “rain” stripes …
Having an NVA jackets hanging in a wardrobe, the only way I can think of to paint that camouflage and stay as almost-sane as I am now, is to average the colour between background and “rain” stripes …
