Classic Plant Taking Down the Berlin Wall

I was inspired to create this post by our French friend Herve Exca, who is the founder of the superb Technique TP forum and Facebook group of the same name, who posted this series of historic photos on his group.

The photos depict classic German brands of machines engaged in breaking down the controversial Berlin Wall in 1989.

Researching this topic, I was amazed to discover that the construction of the 155-kilometre Berlin Wall which separated East and West Germany, started in the year of my birth, back in 1961. Enforced upon an oppressed Eastern population who were under pressure from their communist leaders, the thinking behind the draconian idea was to separate the two very different ideologies.

While the wall was in place from 1961 to 1989 it was estimated that over 100,000 people attempted to escape from the East side, with over 5,000 succeeding, however, sadly many did not make it across with an estimated a death toll ranging from 136 to over 200 being documented in and around the Berlin zone.

I don’t remember much about those early years, but I do recall the euphoria of the moment when the wall was finally torn down and the eventual reunification of Germany as a single nation once more.

The cameras were on hand to capture the moment as iconic machines from that era started taking down the various stages of the structure.

Many manufacturers saw this historical moment to put their machines in the spotlight on the world stage I’m sure, as media outlets gathered to document proceedings. Like German manufacturer NOBAS seen in the photo above fitted with a KRUPP hydraulic breaker.

In this photo we see a rare machine which I believe could be a Fortschritt T185 or T188 wheeled excavator model, fitted with clamshell grab, if anyone knows any better, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Machines of all types including loading shovels were also deployed like this Zettelmeyer in a customer’s distinctive blue livery.

Talking of loading shovels, the military were also on hand with a range of machinery to assist in taking down the wall.

And finally, how about this for an iconic shot as an O&K RH12 reaches out towards the wall with a German soldier stood in the foreground keeping an eye on the proceedings.

I would like to thank Herve Exca for sharing these images with us here on the Digger Man Blog.