VR Polen was an independent regiment that patrolled 456 kilometers of the border between Poland and East Germany. Unlike the border regiments on the Landesgrenz, VR Polen had six regiments instead of three. As mentioned on a previous page, the border fortifications between Poland and East Germany were not as formidable as the western border and there were fewer restrictions for persons living near the border region.  A presence of border guards was needed, though, to deter unauthorized travel to Poland. Travel restrictions were more lax in  Poland which facilitated escapes to the West by East German citizens. 

East German & Polish border patrol officers