Colditz & Dresden & More fancy uniforms

Goodbye Berlin!

Today I'm heading south along the North East corner of Germany; and almost as soon as I leave...rain and sleet. I had to stop at a service station as I couldn't see through the ice on my helmet but as it cleared the day became beautiful!

After racing along country roads through beautiful settings I arrived at the first stop for the day - Colditz Castle. The castle was constructed around 1180-1200 AD and became the royal residence in the state of Saxony. Interestingly it looks completely different to the castles the Britains we building at the same time because the whole structure was burned down (accidentally) by the baker and it was rebuilt in the 1500s.

The castle is however more (recently) famous for being used as a high security prisoner-of-war camp during WW2 and today serves as a museum to those who were held within. The castle/prison whilst being a high security prison has one of the highest successful escape rates; apparently due to the inmates they were keeping within. 


The inmates frequently used any and all available materials to fashion uniforms and attempt escape; this hat, belt buckle etc are all fakes.

These photos were taken of captured escapees; their uniforms are completely homemade.

Another attempt involved the construction of a glider to be launched from the building's roof. The glider was build with sheets and spare materials - however never had a chance to fly; the Soviets took the area before the escape attempt could be made.

Back on the road I'm continuing through the countryside. One completely unexpected thing here (and in Belgium too) is the incredible quantity of wind turbines; almost every open flat (windy) area has them.

An hour or so later I arrive in Dresden with is a major river port and sits on the border with Czech Republic.

The city was very richly decorated prior to WW2 when most of the city centre was bombed and destroyed; however the buildings have been rebuilt and today looks amazing. The central Cathedral (Frauenkirche) is the absolute highlight and although being left as rubble for 50 years as a war monument the reconstruction completed mid 2000s is true to the 1800s-eque building it replaces.

After a few drinks its time for bed, I did however have to have a drink here.

And a huge sleep I'm off to the Bundeswehr Military History Museum (German Armed Forces). ​

Each level successively moves from the historic German knights through to the 1800s highly colourful armies to those of WW1&2 and then to today.


One of the interesting items they have is one of (the?) first submarines - the scale model cutaway helps show its purpose; it was designed to float under ships and attach mines directly to their hull.

Unfortunately the first one built was done so on a budget and sank, however the museum pulled it out and have it on display.

The photos of the inside turned out terribly the inside is painted black and there's little lighting however its about the size of a steam locomotive built with all the important bits inside.

I also met this guy; who I think is probably a long lost relative.

Another interesting item is one of the first machine guns ever (1870s) built by the French. ​

I also learned this interesting bit of trivia; Ray Ban is as much of a brand name as a description of the product.

After all that there was one more thing in store. A car park full of tanks!

And now, unable to take home a violin case machine gun as a souvenir - its time to keep moving!