1940 - 1945
Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183 H27779 • Licensed for reuse under CC-BY-SA 3.0 de
The Zoo Flak Tower
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The Zoo flak tower (German: Flakturm), Tiergarten Flak Tower or commonly referred to as the "Zoo Tower" was a fortified flak tower that existed in Berlin from 1941 to 1947.
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It was one of several flak towers that protected Berlin from Allied bomber raids. Its primary role was as a gun platform to protect the government building district of Berlin; in addition, the Hochbunker (blockhouse) was designed to be used as a civilian air-raid shelter. It also contained a hospital and a radio transmitter for use by the German leadership, and provided secure storage facilities for art treasures.
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During the Battle of Berlin, it acted as a citadel and by depressing its large anti-aircraft artillery, its garrison was able to provide support for ground operations against Soviet Red Army.
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The towers resisted all attempts to destroy them by air attack and ground forces. They withstood the heaviest Soviet gun, the 203 mm howitzer. Only after the war, with full access and planned demolitions, was the Zoo Tower completely destroyed.
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Source: Wikipedia
Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-S76936 • Licensed for reuse under CC-BY-SA 3.0 de
The Zoo Tower, 4th Sept 1947, at the start of demolition.
Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1982-028-14 / Hoffmann, Otto • Licensed for reuse under CC-BY-SA 3.0 de
Berliner's picnic and swim with the partly demolished Zoo Tower in the background.
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