NAM.2018-09-13-1

Large white metal sign with Berlin Garrison logo and inscribed, ‘Ruhleben/ Fighting City’. The Ruhleben Complex in Charlottenburg in Berlin was one of training areas that the British Army utilised while they were stationed in the city during the Cold War. The range complex, and Fighting In Built Up Areas (FIBUA) training area was used to prepare for if or when the Soviets attacked and the Battle of Berlin began. Initially it was quite small, consisting of a dozen one or two storey buildings, and was even open to the public, who could watch the British training with blank ammunition. In the 1980s the complex was renovated and expanded, and made off-limits to civilians. More buildings were added to replicate the urban environment, such as a church, bridges, a supermarket and even U-Bahn carriages on raised tracks. It was renamed as Ruhleben Fighting City. The new RFC also incorporated new technology. Remote cameras recorded training from building roofs. Units’ training packages and combat action were then analysed afterwards in after action reviews. After the Allies left Berlin, Ruhleben Fighting City was taken over by the German government, and is now used for counter-terrorism training.

Cold War (1945-1989)