To patrol the border and the designated security zones

To patrol the border and the designated security zones, the Grenztruppen used a combination of methods on a daily basis. The following techniques were the most common patrol methods and detection systems employed by the border guards.

		Foot Patrols. Foot patrols were conduced along the border usually on the control road that paralleled the border fence. The border guards would conduct their patrol along designated checkpoints. Along the route it was not uncommon to report back to the command center using field phone connections that were placed at intervals along the control road or by radio. While patrolling along the border fence the border soldiers would carefully check the finely-raked control strip for signs of footprints or other disturbances.
- NVA photo


- TDP photo		Observation Points. A common practice was to place a guard team in a concealed position, usually along a wood line, where the team could observe the 500 meter zone, the border fence, and activity in the West. In some cases, the border guards used small, camouflaged bunkers.

- TDP photo		Towers. Towers along the border, in most cases, were not occupied continuously. However, in high traffic areas, particularly near the legal border crossing sites, some towers were manned around-the-clock. The elevation of the towers offered better fields of view which in turn enabled the border guards to cover a greater area with rifle fire if needed. The towers were normally manned with at least two border guards.

- TDP photo		Motorized Patrols. The Grenztruppen used a variety of vehicles to conduct mounted patrols. Some of the more common vehicles were Trabant jeeps, Robur trucks, and even motorcycles. On some occasions, bicycles were used. Like foot patrols, the vehicular patrols covered set checkpoints along the border using the concrete control road.

		Arial Patrols. It was not uncommon to see Grenztruppen or Soviet helicopters flying the wall or fence line, or perhaps even shadowing American helicopters flying the western side of the fence. Arial patrols, though, did add an extra factor of risk. Flying itself is inherently dangerous, but when combined with flying a sensitive border, the least little distraction or equipment failure could cause a pilot to stray over the fence or crash. The most common helicopters used were the Mi-2 HOPLITE, followed by the Mi-24 HIND and Mi-8 HIP.



- NVA photo		Boat Patrols. A lesser known method of Grenztruppen patrols was the patrol boat. Inland boat units were used in the Berlin area and in the sector of Border Command North which had rivers and canals on or near the Landesgrenz. The Boat Companies were independent of the Coastal Border Brigade that patrolled the coastal waters.

- NVA photo		Reaction Force. The Grenztruppen maintained reaction forces to respond to alarms along the border. If an alarm was activated along the Signal Fence or a mine detonation occurred, the Reaction Force was sent to investigate. The unit would also be used to search for unauthorized personnel sighted in the restricted zones.

		Work Details. At any given time there could be a number of work crews working on or near the border. Whether it was repairing the fence or harvesting crops, you could be sure Border Guards were nearby. If a group was working within the 500 Meter Zone a guard team would either be with the group or in a “blocking position” between the work activity and the border fence. If the activity was near the fence or in the minefield the guards were posted on the west side of the fence often just feet from the West German border.
- TDP photo

- Renee photo		Snowmobiles. In addition to the normal wheeled vehicles, the Grenztruppen used the BURAN snowmobile in some areas which received heavy or prolonged snow falls. As with other patrol vehicles the border guards were paired on the snowmobile.

- NVA photo		Control Points. On roads leading into the restricted zones of the border, one would encounter road blocks or control points ("Kontrolle") manned by Grenztruppen. The residents of the restricted zones had special identification cards that were shown in order to pass the control point. In this manner the Grenztruppen controlled access into the zone and were aware of all visitors. Often times special buses would be used to take residents of the restricted zones to jobs outside of the border area. To help identify non-residents of the restricted areas that may have been on the bus as it re-entered the zone, the Border Guards would coordinate a special signal or code word the bus driver would give to indicate a non resident was on the bus. The guards would then verify the authorization of the individual to enter in the border restricted areas.