The Last British Commandant in Cold War West Berlin Part 1 (136)

Major General Sir Robert Corbett, KCVO, CB was the last Commandant of the British Sector in Berlin.

We start his story with the description of his first experience of Berlin as a young Army officer commanding a military train across East Germany into West Berlin just weeks after the Berlin Wall had been built. 

We also talk about his subsequent Army career including his interview with British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe and his early days as the Commandant of the British Sector in Berlin.

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I am delighted to welcome Major General Sir Robert Corbett to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode136/

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0:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations and guest Major General Sir Robert Corbett

2:38 Corbett's firsthand account of the fall of the Berlin Wall and early experiences in Berlin

9:56 Confrontation with East German railway police and Ian Sanders' reflections

16:38 Observations on West Berlin's atmosphere, reconstruction, and damage from World War 2

22:03 Corbett's decision to join the army, career progression, and appointment in Berlin

30:24 Trust and collaboration among commanders during the Cold War and interview with British Foreign Minister Jeffrey Howe

33:43 Interaction with local government and freedom to change things under occupation in West Berlin

39:43 Purpose and importance of the Cold War Conversations podcast

42:06 Demolition of Spandau Prison and construction of British forces supermarket

44:03 Closing remarks and acknowledgments

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