Patrol Orders

"I order" ..... Grenztruppen receive their orders prior to departing on patrols.  - NVA photo courtesy of Erwin Ritter
Like their American counterparts, the Grenztruppen issued orders to their patrols prior to their departure. The following are sample patrol orders a Patrol Leader or Platoon Leader would give before conducting a patrol. The information for these orders came from a former GAK who escaped to the West in 1982.  

Observation post:   “We’re assigned in the area from Check Point 102-108, observing the western border area and the enemy. You observe from Observation Point (OP) 1 to OP 3. I’ll observe from OP 2 - OP4. If you see the enemy, give me a sign. The patrol on our left will be patrolling from Check Points 113 - 121 and their radio call sign number is 66. The patrol on our right will be from Check Point 93 – 99 and their radio call number is 64. The platoon leader is radio call sign LUDWIG 60. Our call number is LUDWIG 65.”  
Foot Patrol along the Fence:    “We’re patrolling from Checkpoint 88 to CP 121 along the 6 meter control strip and the minefield. You observe to the left and front, and I’ll observe to the right and to the rear. If you spot a border violator, stop and give me a signal. You’ll walk six steps in front of me. Ready, march!”   

Platoon Leader Order: “The 1st Platoon will be in Security Area XII.  I order the following patrol assignments:

  • With me on the foot patrol will be Private Mueller. My radio call sign number is 40.

  • Call sign 46 is Sergeant Schmidt and Private Jena who will patrol the Control Strip from Check Points 50 - 83. 

  • Call sign 43 is Corporal Fischer and Private Ulbricht who will perform security duty for a forestry crew starting at 0700 hours.  You will use a R-109 radio on frequency 221. 

  • Call sign 44 is Corporal Franks and Private Schimmer patrolling by truck between Check Points 75 – 89 along the fence checking the SM-501 mines. You will use a R109 radio on frequency 221.  

  • Call sign 45 is Corporal Zech and Private Wittmann patrolling by  jeep between Check Points 75 – 89. Search the area in preparation for servicing the fence mines.  

  • Privates Uller, Probst, and Boden will move postal bags. Corporal Strauss and Private Faust are assigned to District clean-up. “  

Source: Ich War Grenzaufklaerer