oct 22, 1961 - Checkpoint Charlie (standoff)

Description:

East German guards stopped the crossing of senior American diplomat Allan Lightner into East Germany at Checkpoint Charlie due his lack of documentation (he and his wife were going to the theatre).
General Clay (stationed in West Berlin) then sent soldiers to accompany the couple and in response the soviets stationed tanks at the checkpoint. This escalated into a standoff where 10 tanks were stationed either side of the checkpoint 100 yards apart.
The standoff ended peacefully after talks between the two superpowers on the 28th.

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