Postcard From Berlin, 1979 – Going Postal

Back in the late 1970s, when we were both rising stars in IT in the Ministry of Defence, my friend was posted to Berlin to run the Army’s computer centre there. Being a good mate, once he was settled in, he invited me and my family over for a few days. I of course jumped at the chance.This being 1979 and with still ten years to go before the Wall came down. Berlin was a very different place from what it is now. The MoD certainly thought so and insisted I go for a security briefing before I went (and a debrief when I got back). All I can remember of the meeting now is that it was impressed on me the importance of not getting involved in either currency changing or “overly friendly” ladies – advice to which I adhere to this day.Not knowing what it was possible possible to do in a semi-occupied city several mile behind the Iron Curtain, I had no real plan of things to do and resolved to do as much as the Authorities allowed in the time available. It turned out that West Berlin was much li...