Security Company (SiK)

In addition to the border patrols on the Landesgrenz and in Berlin, the Grenztruppen also performed security duties at border crossing points scattered along the country's borders and in Berlin. The responsibility for this was task left to a Grenztruppen Security Company (SiK) of about 120 soldiers. 

Although stationed at the crossing point, the border guards were not permitted into the actual traffic control and inspection area. This was handled by the East German Customs. Instead, the Grenztruppen were charged with:

  • guarding the perimeter areas of the station

  • controlling traffic on parallel roads & the restricted areas

  • controlling deliveries & administrative traffic in and out of the crossing point

  • reporting activity at the West German control point and border

To conduct their security operations the SiK utilized three shifts:

  • Morning (0400-1200)

  • Day (1200-1900)

  • Night  (1900-0400)

Sometimes during holidays such as Christmas and New Years border duty was changed to two twelve hour shifts (6am-6pm, 6pm-6am)  to enable a third of the company to go on pass or leave.

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Members of the SiK responding to an alert - NVA photo

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SiK patrol near the border crossing. - NVA photo