Civilian Labor

Although the engineer units of the Grenztruppen and East German Army did the majority of the work along the border, sometimes East German civilians were used for work projects. While farm workers routinely worked under the watchful eyes of border guards within the 500 Meter Zone, it was not uncommon to see civilians also working on construction projects along the border fence or clearing brush in the area near the border. Additionally, civilian workers were also used to plow the "Death Strip" to keep it clear for observing tracks of potential escapees.

Local residents working on the border stems back to the immediate post-war period when civilians were forced to assist in digging ditches or constructing other barriers by Soviet soldiers. Later, citizens would assist the border guards in clearing fields or maintaining the "Death Strip" in their area. However, as time passed and the border fortifications became more complex, organic military assets were the norm for such work but civilian labor was still used as needed up until the Wall fell in 1989.

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An East German civilian works at clearing vegatation from the area near the border fence. -  TDP photo
Other Photos
Workers clearing the "Death Strip" in the 1950s

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 Working on the border fence in 1962. - BBP photo

Workers plowing the Death Strip. - TDP

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East German  civilians work on a drainage ditch just meters from the border.- TDP

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