Security is tight in Das Bunker....one descends at least 10 steps below ground only to be confronted by a massive steel door. One hears the whirring sound of the ventilation system which feeds air into the climate controlled atmosphere of this lair. Herr Schnurr had advised me to travel on my Canadian passport when coming for the visit, I thought this to be a bit unusual considering I was not to be crossing any international borders. After all, I am native born to The Great White North, blood kin to a Loree who fought for the rebels in the American Revolution (sigh!). For some reason, whenever I cross the 49th, I am never searched, and always waved on through by smiling American border guards?? However, regarding Bunker security, when in Rome.....???
I was accompanied by TS of course who, when we reached the door entered a code then submitted himself to what appeared to be some sort of "eye scan", I was instructed by a computer generated voice there after to slide my open passport through a slot in the door and it too was scanned. After a couple of seconds, the steel door opened with a soft sliding noise as carbon steel rods slid back from their homes in thick concrete door posts. My nostrils were immediately assailed by the unique smell of "Das Bunker". This was my 3rd visit and I inhaled deeply to fill my lungs once more with the smell of history, a smell that I had missed so much during the 2 years since I had last been inside the Bunker. Here are the fotos which Bunker Security allowed me to post
Those guys are like ex Mountie Dudes!)
In the last foto we see the shoulder strap part of the collection. There are four large padded display boards. The far left, devoted to cavalry, the next pre 1910 infantry...a"COMPLETE" collection of Infantry, then a panel of artillery and on the far right (out of view) Jäger, Pionier, Train, and Technical troops.
My thanks to my friend Tony Schnurr for his great hospitality and allowing me to publish some fotos of his fabulous collection.
