Alliierten Museum

The Alliierten Museum (Allied Museum) in Berlin-Zehlendorf is dedicated to the history of the Allied forces in Berlin and Germany, particularly during the post-World War II era, when Berlin was divided into sectors controlled by the Allies (the United States, the United Kingdom, and France). It offers a detailed and fascinating look at the period of the Berlin Airlift, the Cold War, and the eventual reunification of Germany. The museum explores how the Allied occupation of Berlin shaped the city’s history in the second half of the 20th century.

Alliierten Museum

Allied Museum

Clayallee 135 – Outpost

14195 Berlin-Zehlendorf

Germany

www.alliiertenmuseum.de

info@AlliiertenMuseum.de

+49 30 81 81 99 -0

Fax: +49 30 81 81 99 -91

Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00

Closed Monday

Free admission

Gift shop

S-Bahn

  • S 1 to “Zehlendorf,” then take Bus No. 115 (direction U-Guntzelstr.) or No. 183 to “AlliiertenMuseum”

U-Bahn

  • U 3 to “Oskar-Helene-Heim”

Bus

  • No. 115 or No. 183 to “AlliiertenMuseum”

Aircraft collection

Handley Page Hastings T.5
52

TG503

DF+240

Fouga CM170R Magister

Handley Page Hastings T.5

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

The first part of the permanent exhibition is located in the former US soldiers’ cinema. It focuses on the period from the end of the Second World War until the 1948/1949 Airlift and includes maps of Berlin with the planned division into sectors, pictures of the invasion of Berlin, uniforms, historical signs, the first Berlin daily newspapers, documents on denazification and CARE packages. A large part of the exhibition is devoted to the Airlift, which the Allies used to supply the population with food, medicine and fuel during the blockade of West Berlin in 1948/1949. The former soldiers’ cinema also regularly hosts lectures, readings and film screenings.

The Nicholson Memorial Library building houses the second part of the permanent exhibition. Here, everyday life in the American, British and French garrisons and the situation during the Cold War are the main focus. One of the impressive exhibits is the restored segment of the famous spy tunnel built in the early 1950s by the American and British intelligence services between West and East Berlin in order to tap the Soviet communication lines.

In the open-air exhibition area, the larger objects, such as a British transport aircraft of the Handley Page Hastings T.Mk.5 type, the railway carriage of a French military train, the last guard house from Checkpoint Charlie and a GDR border control tower are on display.

Hastings T.5
Hastings T.5

Key Features of the Alliierten Museum:

  1. Historical Background and Purpose:
    • The Allied Museum focuses on the post-WWII era, starting from the Berlin blockade and the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949) to the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
    • The museum explains the role of the Western Allies (the U.S., the U.K., and France) in maintaining Berlin’s freedom and how the city became the focal point of tensions between the East and West during the Cold War.
  2. Berlin Airlift:
    • A key feature of the Alliierten Museum is its extensive collection of Berlin Airlift memorabilia. The Berlin Airlift was a massive operation where Allied forces flew supplies into West Berlin during the Soviet blockade of the city in 1948-1949.
    • The museum showcases historic photographs, documents, and military vehicles from the period, as well as models and displays that explain the logistics of the airlift and its significance in Berlin’s history.
    • It also features the Airlift Memorial, dedicated to the pilots and crew who made the operation possible, highlighting their bravery and resilience during the blockade.
  3. Cold War Era Exhibits:
    • The museum explores how Berlin became the divided capital of Germany, with the U.S., British, and French sectors in West Berlin and the Soviet sector in East Berlin.
    • Exhibits show how the Allied forces contributed to Berlin’s political and military defense during the Cold War, the tension-filled standoff between the East and West, and the military presence in the city.
    • Visitors can learn about the NATO and Warsaw Pact military strategies, the Berlin Wall (its construction, symbolism, and eventual fall), and the role Berlin played as a hotbed of espionage and diplomatic activity during the Cold War.
  4. Allied Military Presence:
    • The Alliierten Museum has a variety of military artifacts and vehicles used by the Allied forces, including tanks, jeeps, and military trucks from the post-WWII era, many of which were stationed in Berlin during the Cold War.
    • The museum also has exhibits on the work of the military police, the Allied Kommandatura, and the ways in which the Allies helped organize and manage daily life in West Berlin, including education, public services, and transportation.
  5. Focus on Western Allies in Berlin:
    • The Alliierten Museum not only highlights military and diplomatic aspects of the Allied presence but also focuses on the lived experience of Berliners under Allied occupation.
    • Exhibits showcase the interaction between Berliners and the Allied forces, focusing on cultural exchanges, propaganda, public life, and the role of the Allies in shaping postwar Berlin.
  6. Artifacts and Documents:
    • The museum holds a collection of historical documents, including letters, photographs, maps, and uniforms, some of which are from personal collections of former Allied personnel stationed in Berlin.
    • There are also a number of personal stories and memoirs shared by the people who lived through the period, offering a human perspective on the events and decisions that shaped Berlin’s postwar history.
  7. Interactive Exhibits and Multimedia:
    • The Alliierten Museum includes various interactive displays, films, and audio recordings that help bring the history of Berlin’s division and the role of the Allies to life. This multimedia aspect helps visitors engage more deeply with the material and understand the complexities of the Cold War period.
  8. Exhibitions on the Fall of the Berlin Wall:
    • The museum also explores the revolutionary changes leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the eventual reunification of Germany.
    • It details how the Allied presence in Berlin played a role in maintaining the city’s connection to the West and how this influence helped shape the events that led to the peaceful end of the Cold War in Germany.
  9. Educational Programs and Special Events:
    • The Alliierten Museum offers guided tours, workshops, and educational programs for school groups and visitors interested in learning more about the Cold War and Berlin’s complex history.
    • The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, lectures, and special events related to post-WWII history, providing a dynamic educational experience.

Summary:

The Alliierten Museum in Berlin-Zehlendorf provides an in-depth exploration of the Allied occupation of Berlin after World War II, focusing on the contributions of the U.S., United Kingdom, and France in protecting and rebuilding Berlin during the Cold War. It covers the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, and the broader geopolitical context of the Cold War, offering insights into the military, political, and cultural aspects of life during this tense period in history. Through artifacts, personal stories, historical documents, and interactive displays, the museum highlights the crucial role the Allied forces played in the survival of West Berlin and the eventual reunification of Germany. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in Cold War history, the division of Germany, and Berlin’s unique role during this pivotal time in world history.