 The
backbone of the Grenztruppen unit structure was the Border
Regiment. Strategically placed along the border and around Berlin, the
regiment provided the command interface with the Grenztruppen area
commands. Down on the front line, though, it was the Border Company that
manned the towers and fences along the Iron Curtain.
In addition to the assigned complement of border guards, the Grenztruppen relied on other types of units and detachments to help guard the state border and the Berlin Wall. These special purpose units played an active role in daily patrol operations. Some detachments such as the K-9 teams were widely known and visible on the border. On the other hand, the highly trained border guards called GAKs were not well known although they gathered intelligence and conducted reconnaissance missions into West Germany. The following pages provide a peek into how these organizations enhanced the operational effectiveness of the Grenztruppen mission. |