Patrol Zones

In patrolling the border the Grenztruppen and GAKs divided their duties and areas of responsibility into four patrol areas. Patrol and security activities would occur in all areas simultaneously. Listed below are the patrol zones and the responsibilities of the Grenztruppen in each area.
1. Towards the Enemy
Gebiet Fiend-o.gif (26228 bytes)

This area was between the actual border and the fence and ranged from just a few meters to several hundred meters wide. This zone was patrolled exclusively by GAKS. To get to this area the GAKS used gates, ladders, or sometimes made temporary doors in the fence by unfastening the metal mesh fence from the posts. The primary purposes for patrolling this area are listed below:  

Border to fence

  • Inspect border stones and markers. Along the border there were survey stones, historic stone border markers, and border poles which had metal plaques attached to the pole. The Grenztruppen would inspect the stones and poles for vandalism or theft and replace them. The plaques were frequently stolen by Westerners as souvenirs.

  • Inspect fence mines (SM-70/501): The border guards would inspect the fence for exploded or missing mines. Yes, occasionally Westerners would steal these too!  

  • Intelligence gathering: In this mode the GAKS would record all activity taking place in West German territory. This would include recording names on uniforms, types of vehicles, and license plates on cars for both civilian and military vehicles. They also photographed activity. They were particularly interested in military and police personnel, tactics used by western agencies patrolling the border, and any engineering work.

  • Guarding work details:  Anytime a work detail was working near the border fence GAKs would take a security post and place themselves between the work crew and West Germany. Any escapee would have to get through the GAKS and a hail of gunfire. The most common labor details along the border fence included  engineering work in the minefields, fence construction and repair, and vegetation removal.
 
2. Border Fence to Signal Fence
Gebiet-500-o.gif (27919 bytes) This zone was a restricted area and in most cases was used for agriculture use only. Although most farms and villages had been evacuated from this zone starting in 1952, there were still some villages that were in close proximity to the border. This area was patrolled by GAKs and regular Grenztruppen. The following were the most common duties performed in this patrol zone:

500 Meter Zone

  • Inspection of Border Posts:  Inspect the border posts and patrols to ensure compliance with orders and discipline (GAKS)

  • Inspect the Control Strips:  A great deal of the patrols within the zone involved border guards moving along the control road inspecting the finely raked control strip for signs of footprints or other disturbances that might indicate an escape attempt. The guards would patrol between a pr-determined set of check points each shift. They would also look for signs of damage to the fence and other fortifications.  

  • Inspection & Maintenance of Signal Fence & Signal Devices: In addition to checking the border fence, the Genztruppen also inspected the electronic signal fence that marked the beginning of the 500 Meter Zone.  The guards also inspected trip flares and other remote signaling devices placed throughout the 500 Meter Zone.  

  • Intelligence gathering: As in the previous mentioned zone, the border guards would record all activity taking place in West German territory; albeit from a further distance.

  • Guarding work details:  Again, border guards would find themselves watching work details in the area. Within this zone the most common labor forces they guarded were agriculture, forestry, and construction related.  

   
3. Hinterland

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This area was a 5 kilometer restricted zone. Residents were carefully screened and monitored for political reliability. Approval for visitors had to be granted by the local mayor, the Grenztruppen commander, with the Police serving as the final approving authority. As a result, much of the Grenztruppen activity in this region involved traffic and personnel control.  

Hinterland

  • Check on personnel movements:  Grenztruppen would check authorizations of visitors to the zone and conduct identity checks.

  • Traffic Control: Monitor traffic for vehicles not authorized to be in the zone. 

 

4. Civic Relations

Working  together and meeting  with the police, mayors, and other state organizations provided a means to foster cooperation between the various security agencies and an opportunity to share criminal and security intelligence. Additionally, the Grenztruppen sough to gain the trust and cooperation of the residents within the border area by participating in a variety of activities.

  • Discuss Security Arrangements: These meetings and discussions were part crime prevention and part internal political security. Topics discussed included what meetings citizens attended as well as general crimes such as fights, thefts, accidents, etc. Of special interest were foreign visitors and whom they visited. Also any information or intelligence about residents of the restricted zones was also shared and discussed.

  • Civic Participation:  The Grenztruppen also were involved in local civic events to help build a bond between the people and the guards that watched over them.