Evening star., 1962-02-23
Troops in Berlin Grab Guns in Practice
Timed to Robert Kennedy Visit

DcftL1N, req. rs (AP).-
American troops rushed through
the streets Of West Berlin to-
day in a dramatic demonstra-
ton Of Robert F. Kennedy's
pledge that the United States
would defend this city against
Communist attack as it would
New York or Chicago.
About $500 men of the I'd
Battle Group. seth Infantry,
tumbled from their hunks be-
fore dawn to take up battle
positions in the American Sec
tor Of the divided city. Grab
bing weapons, the troops set
up machinegun posts at cross
roads and dug in anti-tank
positions while infantry pa
trolled the dark streets.
Kennedy Lays Wreath
The United States Army said
the two-hour practice alert was
designed Ito evaluate the units
ability to react to various situa-
t1ons" and called it routine.
But 1t was significantly timed
with the United States Attorney
Generals visit here and his
assurance to West Berliners
that "the full strength of
American power" will protect
their vital links with the West
against Communist encroach-
ment.
Later Mr.. Kennedy laid a
wreath Ito the victims of Com
munist tyranny" at the red
wall dividing Berlin and re-
ceived some cautious waves
from East Berliners beyond
the barricade.
East Berliners could be seen
peeking from behind curtains
as the Kennedy motorcade
drove up to the wall at Ber-
nauerstrasse. Apartment houses
along the east side there have
been boarded up and evacu-
ated. But houses lying a lit
tie back from the wall are still
occupied and from several of
their windows appeared hands,
fluttering briefly before being
quickly withdrawn.
Thousands of West Berliners
had gathered on their side of
the barricade to cheer the At
torney General, some shout
ing "mauer Weg"-aWay with
The wall. But the crowd fell
silent as Mr.. Kennedy laid a ,
wreath on a wooden cross on
the sidewalk commemorating i,
an elderly woman who was
killed when she jumped from
her window to the West last
August.
Brandt Accompanies {
Mr.. Kennedy was out early !,
today for his second look at the :.
Red wall he has denounced as =
a medieval instrument of tor :
ture." :.
West Berlin Mayor Willy
Brandt pointed out features of Y
the wall to the Attorney Gen. {
eral and his younger brother, ]
Edward, from an observation I
platform. No East German I
guards were in sight. But East 6
German photographers were {
seen focusing their lenses on ]
the Kennedy party.
Thousands of West Berliners
lined the Kennedy route and
pressed about him whenever his I
motorcade stopped. v
Walks Across Town I
Mr.. Kennedy decided to walk !
to. one featured event - the ! !
presentation of an American
bald eagle to the West Berlin !
Zoo.
This took him almost a half 7
mile across one of the busiest +
parts of town. He was joined !
by about 1000 West Berliners, ,
mostly teen-agers.
The result was a good-na- .
tured near-riot that jammed
traffic around West Berlin's
main railroad station.
About 20 policemen managed
to form a ring around him and
get him safely into the zoos
big eagle cage. The eagle
named Willy Brandt" for the '
Mayor. made the trip in small [
cage, carried by four Of the t
Kennedy party on their shoul-
ders. ,
There was a 15-minute cere- {
n1ony at the ZOO, in which the !
Mayor. Mr.. Kennedy and the
ZOO. director participated.
Reception a Tumult
MIR. Kennedy and his wife,
Ethel, received a tumultuous
reception as they darted around
West Berlin on the first day of
their visit here yesterday. In
speech after speech, Mr.. Ken
nedy reaffirmed United States
commitments to protect the
Communist-encircled city and
pledged the United States to
the peaceful but persistent
purpose that Germans shall
once again find themselves re-
united"
Before a crowd of 10000 at
West Berlin's city hall, Mr..
Kennedy declared Berlin will
not be attacked because IAN
armed attack on West Berlin
is the same thing as an armed
attack on Chicago, New York,
London or Paris. You are our
brothers and we will stand by
you"
Police estimated a half mil
lion West Berliners turned out
despite cold Wintry weather to
akanp fLo Attor,,a1, rooornI