Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic

Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic
Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic
Grenztruppen der DDR
Active	1 December 1946 – September 1990
Country	German Democratic Republic
Branch	Ministry of National Defence (1961–1990) ; Nationale Volksarmee (1961–1971); Ministry of the Interior (1946–1952, 1953–1961) ; Ministry for State Security (1952–1953)
Size	47,000
Garrison/HQ	Pätz
Commanders
General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party	Abolished
Chairman of the National Defense Council	Abolished

The Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic (German: Grenztruppen der DDR) was the border guard of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1946 to 1990.

The Grenztruppen were the primary force guarding the Berlin Wall and the Inner German border, the GDR's international borders between West Berlin and West Germany respectively. The force belonged to the Ministry of National Defence (MfNV) from 1961, and was a service branch of the National People's Army until 1971 when it became directly subordinate to the MfNV. The Border Troops numbered approximately 47,000 personnel at its peak, consisting of volunteers and conscripts, the third-largest Warsaw Pact border guard after the Soviet Border Troops and Poland's Border Protection Troops.

The Grenztruppen's main role was preventing Republikflucht, the illegal migration from the GDR, and were controversially responsible for many deaths at the Berlin Wall. At least 29 border guards were killed in the line of duty, and many faced criminal charges after German Reunification.

History[]

An East German Grenzaufklärungszug (GAK) border trooper taking pictures of US Army activities across the inner German border

Grenztruppen guarding maintenance workers on the western side of the inner German border fence. The red tape in the foreground, the so-called "death cord", marked the area the work detail was permitted to operate, and workers stepping beyond the tape would be shot.

Grenztruppen during an exercise near Mühlhausen on March 27, 1982

By December 1945, within six months of the end of the Second World War, each of the five states in the Soviet Zone of Occupation had new police forces in clear violation of the Yalta and Potsdam agreements^{[citation needed]}. In early January 1946, the name Volkspolizei (People's Police) was publicly applied to the new police forces in the Soviet Zone, and in August these forces were placed under the centralized control of the newly created German Administration of the Interior, headed by Erich Reschke. On 1 December 1946, the Deutsche Grenzpolizei (German Border Police) was organized by the Soviet Military Administration in Germany (Sowjetische Militäradministration in Deutschland, SMAD) as a paramilitary to defend the borders of the Soviet Zone. The initial 3,000 recruits of the Grenzpolizei were organized and trained from Volkspolizei resources, and by April 1948 numbered 10,000 personnel before rising to 18,000 in 1950. The Grenzpolizei were armed and organized like a police force, and were subordinate to the Main Administration of the Border Police and Alert Units of the German Administration of the Interior. The Soviet Zone was formed into the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) in October 1949 and led by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) under Soviet influence. The SED reorganized the Grenzpolizei along military lines, similar to the USSR Border Troops, and briefly transferred them from the Ministry of the Interior (Ministerium des Innern) to the Ministry of State Security (MfS or Stasi) from May 1952 to June 1953.

East German border guard Konrad Schumann fleeing East Germany, 1961.

In 1961, the Grenzpolizei were reorganized as the Border Troops of the GDR (Grenztruppen der DDR) and were moved from the Ministry of the Interior, which oversaw policing, to the Ministry of National Defence (MfNV) which oversaw the military. The Grenztruppen became the fourth service branch of the National People's Army (NVA), the armed forces of the GDR. In 1973 they were separated and became directly subordinate to the MfNV, on grounds of not to be counted in MBFR. While wearing standard NVA uniforms, the Grenztruppen had their own dark green arm-of-service colour, and their service and dress uniforms bore a green cuff title with white lettering "Grenztruppen der DDR" on the left arm. The vast majority of Grenztruppen efforts were directed along the GDR's western borders with West Germany and West Berlin, with only about 600 members assigned to guard the GDR's borders with Poland and Czechoslovakia. This continued until the 1980s when the rise of the Solidarity trade union in Poland saw the GDR considerably toughen the Grenztruppen's presence along their border.

On 1 July 1990, the GDR's border control regime along the borders with West Germany and West Berlin was ended. In September 1990, shortly before the reunification of Germany, the Grenztruppen were disbanded; its border patrol duties along united Germany's eastern frontiers were assumed by the Bundesgrenzschutz (Federal Border Guard – later the Bundespolizei or Federal Police).

Pass and Control Units[]

For most visitors to East Berlin and the GDR, including persons who utilized the land transit routes (road and rail) between West Germany and West Berlin, their exposure to the Grenztruppen der DDR consisted of dealing with the members of the Pass and Control Units (Paß- und Kontrolleinheiten, PKE) who processed travellers passing through the GDR's Grenzübergangsstellen (border crossing points). Although they wore Grenztruppen uniforms, the members of the PKE were in fact members of the 6th Main Department (Hauptabteilung VI) of the Stasi.

Organizational structure[]

Former Grenztruppen accommodations in Oebisfelde

Chiefs of the Deutsche Grenzpolizei (1946–1961) and the Grenztruppen der DDR (1961–1990)[]

1952 Richard Smolorz
1952–55 Hermann Gartmann
1955–57 Heinrich Stock
1957 Hermann Gartmann
1957–60 Paul Ludwig
1960–79 Generaloberst Erich Peter
1979–90 Generaloberst Klaus-Dieter Baumgarten
1990 Generalmajor Dieter Teichmann

The units of the Grenztruppe were organized in the same manner as ordinary NVA army units. The structure listed immediately below was that which existed prior to 30 November 1989.

Units and locations[]

Grenztruppen vehicle roundel

Headquarters[]

The headquarters of the Grenztruppen der DDR was located at Bestensee-Pätz (a small village southeast of Berlin in the present-day state of Brandenburg), near Königs Wusterhausen.

Border Troops Command (Kommando Grenztruppen (Kdo GT)) – Bestensee-Pätz

Border Troops Staff (Stab der Grenztruppen (Kdo GT)) – Bestensee-Pätz

Forces directly subordinated to the Command:
- Command Support Forces (Kräfte zur Sicherstellung der Führung)
  - 16th Guard and Support Battalion (Wach- und Sicherstellungsbataillon 16 (WSB-16)) – Bestensee-Pätz
  - 16th Helicopter Squadron "Albert Kuntz" (Hubschrauberstaffel 16 "Albert Kuntz" (HS-16)) (3 Mi-8, 15 Mi-2) – Nordhausen
    - Heliport Salzwedel (Hubschrauberlandeplatz Salzwedel (HLP-S)) – Salzwedel
    - Heliport Meiningen (Hubschrauberlandeplatz Meiningen (LP-M)) – Meiningen
    - Base Training Facility (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Neustadt/Harz
  - 16th Maintenance Company (Wartungskompanie 16 (WK-16)) – Mittenwalde-Motzen, in charge of
    - Command Post of the Border Troops Mittenwalde-Motzen (Führungsstelle des Kdo GT Mittenwalde-Motzen)
    - Command Post of the Border Troops Heidesee-Prieros (Führungsstelle des Kdo GT Heidesee-Prieros)
  - Computing, Accounting and Information Group 16 (Auswerte-, Rechen- und Informationsgruppe 16 (ARIG-16)) – Bestensee-Pätz
  - 16th Computing Center (Rechenzentrale 16 (RZ-16)) – Bestensee-Pätz
- Intelligence and Signals Forces (Aufklärungs- und Nachrichtenkräfte)
  - 16th Signals Service (Funkdienst 16 (FuD-16)) (possibly Stasi Third Department (Abt. III) personnel in GT uniforms)
    - Staff (Stab FuD-19 (S/FuD-16)) – Bestensee-Pätz
    - SIGINT Platoon (Funkaufklärungszug (FuAZ)) – Bestensee-Pätz
    - SIGINT Section 1 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 1 (FuAT-1)) – Selmsdorf
    - SIGINT Section 2 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 2 (FuAT-2)) – Ziemendorf
    - SIGINT Section 3 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 3 (FuAT-3)) – Hötensleben-Ohrsleben
    - SIGINT Section 4 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 4 (FuAT-4)) – Heilbad Heiligenstadt
    - SIGINT Section 5 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 5 (FuAT-5)) – Berka-Herda
    - SIGINT Section 6 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 6 (FuAT-6)) – Römhild
    - SIGINT Section 7 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 7 (FuAT-7)) – Sonneberg
    - SIGINT Section 8 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 8 (FuAT-8)) – Weischlitz-Gutenfürst
    - SIGINT Section 9 (Funkaufklärungstrupp 9 (FuAT-9)) – Potsdam-Groß Glienicke
  - 16th Signal Battalion (Nachrichtenbataillon 16 (NaB-16)) – Mittenwalde-Motzen
  - Signals Transmission Center (Funksendezentrale (FuSZ)) – Märkisch Buchholz
- Political Work Forces (Kräfte der Politischen Arbeit)
  - 16th Propaganda Company (Propagandakompanie 16 (PrK-16)) – Mittenwalde-Schenkendorf
  - 16th Printing Press (Druckerei 16 (Dru-16)) – Berlin-Treptow
  - Staff Military Band (Stabsmusikkorps GT (StMK GT)) – Bestensee-Pätz
  - House (Club) of the Border Troops (Haus der Grenztruppen) – Bestensee-Pätz
- Training Institutions and Field Replacement Forces (Ausbildungseinrichtungen und Ersatztruppen)
  - Rüthnik Training Grounds (Truppenübungsplatz Rüthnik (TÜP Rüthnik))
    - Training Grounds Command (Truppenübungsplatzkommandantur (TÜK)) – Rüthnik
  - Streganz Training Grounds (Truppenübungsplatz Streganz (TÜP))
    - Training Grounds Command (Truppenübungsplatzkommandantur (TÜK)) – Münchehofe-Hermsdorf
      - Training Base (Schulungsobjekt (SchulObj)) – Gross Köris-Löpten
  - NCO School VI "Egon Schultz" (Unteroffiziersschule VI "Egon Schultz" (US-VI "Egon Schultz")) – Perleberg
    - Canine Training Unit (Fachrichtung Diensthundewesen) – Potsdam
    - Munitionslager US-VI (ML/US-VI) – Perleberg
    - Base Training Range (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Perleberg
  - 16th Field Replacement Battalion (Grenzersatzbataillon 16 (GEB-16)) – active in wartime only

Border Command North[]

The Grenzkommando Nord (GKN) (Border Command North), with headquarters at Stendal (in the present-day state of Saxony-Anhalt) was responsible for the northern sector of the East German border. The GKN consisted of five frontier troops regiments, two training regiments, a helicopter flight and some smaller support units. The Grenzregiment 25 "Neithardt von Gneisenau" was disbanded in August 1983 and its units dispersed among the other border regiments of the command.

Commanders:

Oberst Harald Bär (1 Feb 1971 – 31 Dec 1981)

Oberst Johannes Fritzsche (1 Jan 1982 – 30 Nov 1989)

Order of battle:

Command of the Border Command North (Führung Grenzkommando Nord (Fü GKN)) – Stendal (Gardelegener Str.)

Base Training Facility (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Stendal (Gardelegener Str.)
Berge Training Grounds (Truppenübungsplatz Berge (TÜP)) – Gardelegen-Berge (Straße nach Schwiesau)
25th Staff Company (Stabskompanie 25 (SK-25)) – Stendal (Gardelegener Str.)
- 25th Signals Emission Post (Funksendestelle 25 (FuSS-25)) – Kalbe – Vahrholz (Butterbergstr.)
25th Security Company (Sicherungskompanie 25 (SiK-25)) – Dingelstedt (Mönchhai)
25th Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 25 (PiK-25)) – Oschersleben (Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str. 26)
25th Construction Company (Baukompanie 25 (BauK-25)) – Gardelegen (Stendaler Str. 89)
25th Computing, Accounting and Information Group (Auswerte-, Rechen- und Informationsgruppe 25 (ARIG-25))
Military Band (Musikkorps des GKN) – Magdeburg (August-Bebel-Damm 12)
25th Automobile Repair Shop (Kfz-Werkstatt 25 (KfzW-25)) – Stendal (Gardelegener Str.)
25th Signals Equipment Repair Shop (Nachrichtenwerkstatt 25 (NW-25)) – Stendal (Gardelegener Str.)
25th Field Replacement Battalion 25 (Grenzersatzbataillon 25 (GEB-25)) – active in wartime only
6th Border Regiment "Hans Kollwitz" (Grenzregiment 6 "Hans Kollwitz" (GR-6))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-6 (Fü GR-6)) – Schönberg (Str. des Friedens 6)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände (AG)) – Groß Siemz-Klein Siemz (Hauptstraße) (on road F 105)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände (AG)) – Dassow-Holm, (An der B 105)
  - Shooting Range (Schießstand (SStd)) – Greven-Lüttenmark, (An der B 195)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Zarrentin-Bantin, Zarrentiner Weg
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Dassow-Flechtkrug, (An der B 105)
- 6th Staff Company (Stabskompanie 6 (SK-6))
- 6th Signal Company (Nachrichtenkompanie 6 (NK-6)) – Groß Siemz-Klein Siemz (Hauptstraße) (on road F 105 )
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb) – Lüdersdorf-Herrnburg, Bahnhof
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Str. mit SiZ)) – Selmsdorf, (Alte F 104)
- Highway Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-AB mit SiZ)) – Zarrentin, Am Heisterbusch
- 6th Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 6 (PiK-6)) – Wittenburg, Hagenower Chaussee
  - 6th Engineering and Ammunition Storage (Pionier- und Munitionslager 6 (PiML-6)) – Wittenburg-Wölzow, Alter Wölzower Weg
- 6th Automobile Repair Company (Kfz-Instandsetzungskompanie 6 (KfzIK-6)) – Lüdersdorf-Wahrsow, Hauptstraße
- I Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon/GR-6 (I. GB/GR-6))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I./GR-6 (Fü I./GR-6)) – Selmsdorf, Dr.-Leber-Str.
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/I./GR-6 (KS/I./GR-6))
  - 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (1. GK/GR-6)) – Dassow – Pötenitz (Am Nordstrand)
  - 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (2. GK/GR-6))
  - 3rd Border Company "Siegfried Apportin" (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 "Siegfried Apportin" (3. GK/GR-6)) – Lüdersdorf – Palingen (Am Weststrand)
  - 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (4. GK/GR-6)) – Utecht (Am Dorfe)
- II Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon/GR-6 (II. GB/GR-6))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II./GR-6 (Fü II./GR-6)) – Zarrentin – Lassahn (Dorfstr.)
  - 6th Boat Platoon (Bootszug 6 (BootZ-6))
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/ II./GR-6 (KSs/II./GR-6))
  - 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (5. GK/GR-6)) – Roggendorf – Thurauer Horst (Roggendorfer Chaussee)
  - 6th Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (6. GK/GR-6)) – Kneese (An der Landstr.)
  - 7th Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (7. GK/GR-6)) – Zarrentin (Testorfer Str.)
  - 8th Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (8. GK/GR-6)) – Greven-Leisterförde (Lüttenmarker Weg)
- III Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon/GR-6 (III. GB/GR-6))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III./GR-6 (Fü III./GR-6)) – Schönberg (Str. des Friedens 6)
  - 9th Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (9. GK/GR-6)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Dassow (Lütgenhof/Ulmenstr. 10)
  - 10th Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (10. GK/GR-6)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Lüdersdorf-Schattin (Waldstr.)
  - 11th Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (11. GK/GR-6)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Schlagsdorf-Schlagbrügge (Schlagsdorfer Str.)
  - 12th Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie/GR-6 (12. GK/GR-6)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Gallin (Am Hellberg)
8th Border Regiment "Robert Abshagen" (Grenzregiment 8 "Robert Abshagen" (GR-8))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-8 (Fü GR-8)) – Grabow (Goethestr.38)
  - Base Training Facility (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Malliß-Bockup (An der B 191)
  - Base Training Facility (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Neu-Kaliß (Göhrenscher Weg)
- 8th Staff Company (Stabskompanie 8 (SK-8))
- 8th Boat Company (Bootskompanie 8 (BK-8)) – Dömitz (Karl-Marx-Str.)
  - 8th Boat Maintenance Platoon (Bootsinstandsetzungszug 8 (BootIZ-8)) – Dömitz (Industriehafen)
- 8th Signal Company (Nachrichtenkompanie 8 (NK-8))
- 8th Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 8 (PiK-8)) – Boizenburg-Schwartow (Boitzestr.)
  - 8th Engineer and Ammunition Storage (Pionier- und Munitionslager 8 (PiML-8)) – Dömitz (Karl-Marx-Str.)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Eb mit SiZ)) – Schwanheide (Bahnhof)
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt mit SiZ)) – Nostorf-Horst (Nostorfer Str.)
- Water Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt Wa mit SiZ)) – Cumlosen (An der B 195)
- I Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon/GR-8 (I. GB/GR-8))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I./GR-8 (Fü I./GR-8)) – Nostorf (Zweedorfer Weg)
  - 8th Boat Platoon (Bootszug 8 (BootZ-8)) – Nostorf-Horst (Nostorfer Str.)
    - Boats Berth (Bootsliegeplatz) Boizenburg/Elbe (Am Elbberg)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellun /I./GR-8 (KSs/I./GR-8))
  - 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (1. GK/GR-8)) – Schwanheide-Zweedorf (Schwanheider Allee)
  - 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (2. GK/GR-8)) – Boizenburg -Bahlen (Neue Straße)
  - 3rd Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (3. GK/GR-8)) – Amt Neuhaus-Haar (Hauptstr.)
- II Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon/GR-8 (II. GB/GR-8))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II./GR-8 (Fü II./GR-8)) – Dömitz, Am Zollstangen
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/II./GR-8 (KSs/II./GR-8))
  - 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (4. GK/GR-8)) – Amt Neuhaus-Tripkau (Hauptstr.)
  - 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (5. GK/GR-8)) – Lenzerwische-Wootz (Sandstr.)
  - 6th Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (6. GK/GR-8)) – Lenzen-Gandow (Str. nach Lanz)
- III Border Battalion (III Grenzbataillon/GR-8 (III. GB/GR-8))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III./GR-8 (Fü III./GR-8)) Dömitz, Am Zollstangen
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/III./GR-8 (KSs/III./GR-8))
  - 7th Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (7. GK/GR-8)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Nostorf-Horst (Nostorfer Str.)
  - 8th Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (8. GK/GR-8)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Amt Neuhaus-Kaarssen (Im Stremel)
  - 9th Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie/GR-8 (9. GK/GR-8)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Dömitz (Friedensstr.)
24th Border Regiment "Fritz Heckert" (Grenzregiment 24 "Fritz Heckert" (GR-24))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-24 (Fü GR-24)) – Salzwedel (Siedlung des Friedens)
  - Shooting Range (Schießstand (SStd)) – Salzwedel-Ritze (Chüdenstr.)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Dähre-Holzhausen
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) -Diesdorf (Molmker Str.)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Salzwedel-Riebau (Dorfstr.)
- 24th Staff Company (Stabskompanie 24 (SK-24))
- 24th Signal Company (Nachrichtenkompanie 24 (NK-24))
- 24th Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 24 (PiK-24)) – Salzwedel-Ritze (Chüdenstr.)
  - 24th Engineer and Ammunition Storage (Pionier- und Munitionslager 24 (PiML-24)) – Salzwedel (Siedlung des Friedens)
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Str. mit SiZ)) – Salzwedel-Bergen
- I Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon/GR-24 (I. GB/GR-24))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I./GR-24 (Fü I./GR-24)) – Arendsee-Ziemendorf (Dorfstr. 49g)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/I./GR-24 (KSs/I./GR-24))
  - 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (1. GK/GR-24)) – Aland-Aulosen (Baumgartenweg)
  - 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (2. GK/GR-24)) – Arendsee-Kaulitz (Dorfstr.)
  - 3rd Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (3. GK/GR-24)) – Salzwedel-Hoyersburg (Hoyersburger Landstr.)
  - 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (4. GK/GR-24)) – Salzwedel-Seebenau (An der B 71)
- II Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon/GR-24 (II. GB/GR-24))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II./GR-24 (Fü II./GR-24)) (Str. nach Schmölau)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/II./GR-24 (KSs/II./GR-24))
  - 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (5. GK/GR-24)) – Lagendorf-Dahrendorf (Str. nach Lagendorf)
  - 6th Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (6. GK/GR-24)) – Diesdorf-Neuekrug (Alte Frachtstr.)
  - 7th Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (7. GK/GR-24)) – Jübar-Hanum, (Am Sportplatz)
  - 8th Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (8. GK/GR-24)) – Jübar-Nettgau (Hauptstr.)
- III Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon/GR-24 (III. GB/GR-24))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III./GR-24 (Fü III./GR-24) – Salzwedel (Siedlung des Friedens)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/III./GR-24 (KSs/III./GR-24))
  - 9th Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (9. GK/GR-24)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Zehrental-Gollensdorf (Dorfstr.)
  - 10th Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (10. GK/GR-24)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Salzwedel-Brietz (Hauptstr.)
  - 11th Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (11. GK/GR-24)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Salzwedel-Henningen (Dorfstr.)
  - 12th Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie/GR-24 (12. GK/GR-24)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Beetzendorf-Mellin (Heydauer Weg)
23rd Border Regiment "Wilhelm Bahnik" (Grenzregiment 23 "Wilhelm Bahnik" (GR-23))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-23 (Fü GR-23)) Kalbe (Milde) (Wernstedter Str. 16)
  - Base Training Facility (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Gardelegen-Peckfitz, Waldsiedlung
  - Training Location (Schulungsobjekt (SchulObj)) – Klötze-Steimke, Neuferchauer Str.
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Oebisfelde-Lockstedt, Everinger Str.
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Beendorf, Mittelweg (Huckelberg)
- 23rd Staff Company (Stabskompanie 23 (SK-23))
- 23rd Signal Company (Nachrichtenkompanie 23 (NK-23))
- 23rd Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 23 (PiK-23)) – Gardelegen-Peckfitz, Waldsiedlung
  - Ammunition Storage (Munitionslager (ML)) – Gardelegen-Peckfitz, Waldsiedlung
- 23rd Engineer and Signals Equipment Storage (Lager für Pionier- und Nachrichtenmaterial 23) – Hötensleben-Barneberg (Üplinger Weg)
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Oebisfdelde-Buchhorst (Röwitzer Str.)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Marienborn (Bahnhof)
- Highway Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-AB mit SiK)) – Harbke (Grenzübergang Marienborn Autobahn)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-Eb mit SiK)) – Oebisfelde (Am Bahnhof)
- I Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon/GR-23 (I. GB/GR-23))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I./GR-23 (Fü I./GR-23)) – Oebisfelde (Hermannstr. 3c)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/I./GR-23 (KSs/I./GR-23))
  - 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (1. GK/GR-23)) – Klötze-Jahrstedt (Crojaer Weg)
  - 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (2. GK/GR-23)) – Breitenrode, Bauerndamm
  - 3rd Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (3. GK/GR-23)) – Oebisfelde-Gehrendorf, Osterfeldstr.
  - 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (4. GK/GR-23)) – Oebisfelde-Döhren, Lukenweg
- II Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon/GR-23 (II. GB/GR-23))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II./GR-23 (Fü II./GR-23)) – Harbke, (Grenzübergang Marienborn Autobahn)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/II./GR-23 (KSs/II./GR-23))
  - 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (5. GK/GR-23)) – Oebisfelde-Schwanefeld (Streitfleck)
  - 6th Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (6. GK/GR-23)) – Ingersleben-Morsleben (Straße der Jugend)
  - 7th Border Company "Eberhard Knospe" (7. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 "Eberhard Knospe" (7. GK/GR-23)) – Sommersdorf (Harbker Weg)
  - 8th Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (8. GK/GR-23)) – Hötensleben-Ohrsleben, (Am Ostrand des Dorfes)
  - 13th Border Company (13. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (13. GK/GR-23)) – Harbke (Zur Lustgartenbreite)
- III Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon/GR-23 (III. GB/GR-23))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III./GR-23 (Fü III./GR-23)) – Oebisfelde-Weferlingen (Gardelegener Str.)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/III./GR-23 (KSs/III./GR-23))
  - 9th Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (9. GK/GR-23)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Oebisfdelde-Buchhorst (Wolmirshorster Str.)
  - 10th Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (10. GK/GR-23)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17)
  - 11th Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (11. GK/GR-23)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Oebisfelde-Walbeck (Im Sande)
  - 12th Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie/GR-23 (12. GK/GR-23)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Hötensleben (Hinter dem Narkenhoch)
20th Border Regiment "Martin Schwantes" (Grenzregiment 20 "Martin Schwantes" (GR-20))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-20 (Fü GR-20)) – Halberstadt (Friedrich-Liszt-Str. 30)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Osterwieck-Lüttgenrode (L 89 / Schulstraße)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Huy-Pabstorf (Am Selda, Am Dorfteich)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Ellrich-Rothesütte (Alte Nordhäuser Str. 26)
- 20th Staff Company (Stabskompanie 20 (SK-20))
- 20th Signal Company (Nachrichtenkompanie 20 (NK-20))
- 20th Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 20 (PiK-20)) – Ilsenburg
- 20th Engineer and Ammunition Storage (Pionier- und Munitionslager 20 (PiML-20)) – Nordharz-Stapelburg
- 20th Security Company (Sicherungskompanie 20 (SiK-20)) Osterwieck-Hessen (Am Zollenberg)
- I Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon/GR-20 (I. GB/GR-20))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I./GR-20 (Fü I./GR-20)) – Osterwieck-Hessen, Am Zollenberg
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/I./GR- 20 (KSs/I./GR-20))
  - 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (1. GK/GR-20)) – Huy-Dedeleben (Ernst-Thälmann-Str. 76)
  - 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (2. GK/GR-20)) – Osterwieck-Rhoden (Bullwinkel)
  - 3rd Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (3. GK/GR-20)) – Osterwieck-Wülperode
  - 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (4. GK/GR-20)) – Nordharz-Abbenrode
- II Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon/GR-20 (II. GB/GR-20))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II. / GR-20 (Fü II. / GR-20)) – Wernigerode-Schierke
  - Security Platoon Brocken (Sicherungszug Brocken) – Wernigerode-Schierke
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/II./GR-20 (KSs/II./GR-20))
  - 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (5. GK/GR-20)) – Ilsenburg – Suental
  - 6th Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (6. GK/GR-20)) – Ilsenburg – Wernigerode (Scharfensteinklippe)
  - 7th Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (7. GK/GR-20)) – Wernigerode-Schierke
  - 8th Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (8. GK/GR-20)) – Oberharz-Elend, Wietfelder Str.
- III Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon/GR-20 (III. GB/GR-20))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III./GR-20 (Fü III./GR-20)) – Ilsenburg
  - 9th Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (9. GK/GR-20)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Oberharz-Sorge
  - 10th Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (10. GK/GR-20)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Aue-Fallstein-Veltheim
  - 11th Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (11. GK/GR-20)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) Osterwieck-Göddeckenrode
  - 12th Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (12. GK/GR-20)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17)
  - 13th Border Company (13. Grenzkompanie/GR-20 (13. GK/GR-20)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Oberharz-Elend (Wietfelder Str.)
5th Border Training Regiment "Gustav Sobottka" (Grenzausbildungsregiment 5 "Gustav Sobottka" (GAR-5))
- Regimental Command (Führung GAR-5 (Fü GAR-5)) – Glöwen (on road F 107)
  - Shooting Grounds (Schießplatz GAR-5 (SP/GAR-5))
- Staff Company (Stabskompanie/GAR-7 (SK/GAR-7)) (16 SPW-60)
- 1st Training Company (1. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (1./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 2nd Training Company (2. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (2./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 3rd Training Company (3. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (3./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 4th Training Company (4. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (4./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 5th Training Company (5. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (5./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 6th Training Company (6. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (6./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 7th Training Company (7. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (7./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 8th Training Company (8. Ausbildungskompanie/GAR-5 (8./GAR-5)) (16 SPW-PSH)
Border Training Regiment 7 "Martin Hoop" (Grenzausbildungsregiment 7 „Martin Hoop“ (GAR-7))
- Regimental Command (Führung GAR-7 (Fü GAR-7)) – Halberstadt (Friedrich-Liszt-Str.)
  - Shooting Range (Schießstand GAR-7 (SStd / GAR-7)) – Halberstadt (An den Thekenbergen)
  - Shooting Grounds (Schießplatz GAR-7 (SP / GAR-7)) – Oberharz-Tanne (Langer Weg)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände GAR-7 (AG / GAR-7)) – Huy
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände GAR-7 (AG / GAR-7)) – Hasleben
- Staff Company (Stabskompanie / GAR-7 (SK / GAR-7))
- 1. Training Company (1. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (1. / GAR-7))
- 2. Training Company (2. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (2. / GAR-7))
- 3. Training Company (3. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (3. / GAR-7))
- 4. Training Company (4. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (4. / GAR-7))
- 5. Training Company (5. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (5. / GAR-7))
- 6. Training Company (6. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (6. / GAR-7))
- 7. Training Company (7. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (7. / GAR-7))
- 8. Training Company (8. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-7 (8. / GAR-7))

Border Command South[]

The Grenzkommando Süd (GKS) (Border Command South), with headquarters at Erfurt, guarded the southern border sector. The organizational structure of the GKS was similar to that of the GKN, with six frontier troops regiments, two training regiments, a helicopter flight and some smaller support units.

Commanders:

Oberst Gerhard Lorenz (1 Feb 1971 – 30 Oct 1973)

Oberst Klaus-Dieter Baumgarten (1 Nov 1973 – 14 Apr 1978)

Oberst Walter Tanner (15 Apr 1978 – 31 Oct 1982)

Oberst Heinz Janshen (1 Nov 1982 – 30 June 1987)

Oberst Dieter Hoffmann (1 July 1987 – 30 Nov 1989)

Order of battle:

Command of the Border Command South "Hermann Jahn" (Führung GKS "Hermann Jahn" (Fü GKS)) – Erfurt (Kranichfelder Str. 1)

Training Location (Schulungsobjekt (SchObj)) – Lehesten-Röttersdorf
Staff Company 27 (Stabskompanie 27 (SK-27)) – Erfurt (Kranichfelder Str. 3)
Security Company 27 (Sicherungskompanie 27 (SiK-27)) – Gerstungen-Neustädt (Feldweg)
Command Signals Center 27 (Verbandnachrichtenzentrale 27 (VNZ-27)) – Erfurt (Christian-Kittel-Str. 2)
Signals Emission Center 27 (Funksendezentrale 27 (FuSZ-27)) – Erfurt (Stunzelberg)
Combat Engineer Company 27 (Pionierkompanie 27 (PiK-27)) – Hildburghausen (Schleusinger Str.)
Construction Company 27 (Baukompanie 27 (BauK-27)) – Eisenach (Ernst-Thälmann-Str.)
Training Company 27 (Ausbildungskompanie (ABK-27)) (Stockhausen)
Computing, Accounting and Information Group 27 (Auswerte-, Rechen- und Informationsgruppe 27 (ARIG-27))
ruainingGRange roßlohra( Truppenübungsplatz Großlohra (TÜP))
- Training Range Command (Truppenübungsplatzkommandantur (TÜK)) – Großlohra (Burg Lohra)
Engineer and Ammunition Storage 27 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 27 (PiML-27)) – Hildburghausen (Schleusinger Str.)
Military Band (Musikkorps des GKS) – Plauen (Wilhelm-Pieck-Str. 175)
House [Club] of the Border Troops (Haus der Grenztruppen (HdGT)) – Plauen
Automobile Repair Shop 27 (Kfz-Werkstatt 27 (KfzW-27)) – Erfurt (Kranichfelder Str. 3)
Signals Equipment Repair Shop 27 (Nachrichtenwerkstatt 27 (NW-27)) – Erfurt (Christian-Kittel-Str. 2)
Border Troops Field Replacement Battalion 27 (Grenzersatzbataillon 27 (GEB-27)) – active in wartime only
Border Regiment 4 „Willi Gebhardt“ (Grenzregiment 4 „Willi Gebhardt“ (GR-4))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-4 (Fü GR-4)) – Heilbad Heiligenstadt, „Richteberg“
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Bornhagen, (Nördl.Ortsrand)
- Staff Company 4 (Stabskompanie 4 (SK-4))
- Signals Company 4 (Nachrichtenkompanie 4 (NK-4))
- Combat Engineer Company 4 (Pionierkompanie 4 (PiK-4)) – Heilbad Heiligenstadt-Günterode (Am Rasen)
  - Engineer and Ammunition Storage 4 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 4 (PiML-4)) – Bleicherode-Obergebra (Schachtstr.)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Eb mit SiZ)) – Ellrich (Bahnhof)
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Str. mit SiZ)) – Teistungen (on road F 247)
- I. Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon / GR-4 (I. GB / GR-4))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I. / GR-4 (Fü I. / GR-4)) – Hohenstein-Klettenberg (Klettenberger Hauptstr.)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / I. / GR-4 (KSs / I. / GR-4))
  - 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (1. GK / GR-4)) – Ellrich (Clara-Zetkin-Str.)
  - 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (2. GK / GR-4)) – Hohenstein-Liebenrode („Sachsenwerfer Berg“)
  - 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (3. GK / GR-4)) – Sonnenstein-Silkerode (Neuer Weg)
  - 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (4. GK / GR-4)) – Ecklingerode (Brehmer Str.)
- II. Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon / GR-4 (II. GB / GR-4))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II. / GR-4 (Fü II. / GR-4)) – Heilbad Heiligenstadt-Mengelrode (on road L 2006)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / II. / GR-4 (KSs / II. / GR-4)
  - 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (5. GK / GR-4)) – Teistungen (Am Dämmig)
  - 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (6. GK / GR-4)) – Freienhagen (Am Rumsberg)
  - 7. Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (7. GK / GR-4)) – Hohengandern (An den Mühlbachwiesen)
  - 8. Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (8. GK / GR-4)) – Wahlhausen (Kreisstr.)
- III. Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon / GR-4 (III. GB / GR-4))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III. / GR-4 (Fü III. / GR-4)) – Heilbad Heiligenstadt („Richteberg“)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / III. / GR-4 (KSs / III. / GR-4))
  - 9. Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (9. GK / GR-4)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Hohenstein-Mackenrode (on road L 1014)
  - 10. Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (10. GK / GR-4)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Bockelnhagen-Weilrode (Weilröder Str. 21)
  - 11. Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (11. GK / GR-4)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Sonnenstein-Jützenbach (Hauptstr.)
  - 12. Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie / GR-4 (12. GK / GR-4)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Rustenfelde (Hauptstr.)
Border Regiment 1 „Eugen Levinè“ (Grenzregiment 1 „Eugen Levinè“ (GR-1))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-1 (Fü GR-1)) – Mühlhausen/Thüringen (Wendewehrstr. 121)
- Staff Company 1 (Stabskompanie 1 (SK-1))
- Signals Company 1 (Nachrichtenkompanie 1 (NK-1))
- Combat Engineer Company 1 (Pionierkompanie 1 (PiK-1)) – Mihla-Lauterbach (Harsbergstr.)
  - Engineer and Ammunition Storage 1 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 1 (PiML-1)) – Mihla-Lauterbach (Harsbergstr).
- Highway Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-AB mit SiZ)) – Eisenach-Wartha (An der Autobahn)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Eb mit SiZ)) – Gerstungen (Bahnhofstr. 6)
- I. Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon / GR-1 (I. GB / GR-1))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I. / GR-1 (Fü I. / GR-1)) – Hildebrandshausen (Auf der Heide)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / I. / GR-1 (KSs / I. / GR-1))
  - 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (1. GK / GR-1)) – Pfaffschwende (Dorfstr.)
  - 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (2. GK / GR-1)) – Geismar (Am Roten Ufer)
  - 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (3. GK / GR-1)) – Treffurt (Überm Burschlaer Weg)
  - 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (4. GK / GR-1)) – Großburschla (Brühlweg)
  - 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (5. GK / GR-1)) – Ifta (Vor der Mühle)
- II. Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon / GR-1 (II. GB / GR-1))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II. / GR-1 (Fü II. / GR-1)) – Berka-Herda (Zum Marktberg 3)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / II. / GR-1 (KSs / II. / GR-1))
  - 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (6. GK / GR-1)) – Eisenach-Neuenhof (Auf dem Ufer)
  - 7. Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (7. GK / GR-1)) – Gerstungen-Lauchröden (Untereller Str.)
  - 8. Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (8. GK / GR-1)) – Gerstungen-Untersuhl (Am Berg)
  - 9. Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (9. GK / GR-1)) – Großensee (Auf dem Quermaßen)
  - 10. Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (10. GK / GR-1)) – Berka-Vitzeroda (Auf dem Eschbach)
- III. Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon / GR-1 (III. GB / GR-1))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III. / GR-1 (Fü III. / GR-1)) – Mühlhausen/Thüringen (Wendewehrstr. 121)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / I. / GR-1 (KSs / I. / GR-1))
  - 11. Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (11. GK / GR-1)) – Mackenrode-Weidenbach (Auf dem Krautgarten)
  - 12. Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (12. GK / GR-1)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Treffurt-Schnellmannshausen (An der Furth)
  - 13. Border Company (13. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (13. GK / GR-1)) – Eisenach-Neuenhof (Auf dem Ufer)
  - 14. Border Company (14. Grenzkompanie / GR-1 (14. GK / GR-1)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Berka/Werra (Auf der Stedte)
Border Regiment 3 „Florian Geyer“ (Grenzregiment 3 „Florian Geyer“ (GR-3))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-3 (Fü GR-3)) – Dermbach (Geisaer Str. 29)
- Staff Company 3 (Stabskompanie 3 (SK-3))
- Signals Company 3 (Nachrichtenkompanie 3 (NK-3))
- Combat Engineer Company 3 (Pionierkompanie 3 (PiK-3)) – Unterbreizbach-Pferdsdorf (Räsaer Tor)
  - Engineer and Ammunition Storage 3 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 3 (PiML-3)) – Unterbreizbach-Pferdsdorf (Räsaer Tor)
- I. Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon / GR-3 (I. GB / GR-3))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I. / GR-3 (Fü I. / GR-3)) – Unterbreizbach-Sünna (Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / I. / GR-3 (KSs / I. / GR-3))
  - 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (1. GK / GR-3)) – Vacha (Völkershausener Str. 2)
  - 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (2. GK / GR-3)) – Unterbreizbach (Heinrich-Heine-Str. 3)
  - 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (3. GK / GR-3)) „Rudi Arnstadt“ – Geisa (Rasdorfer Str. 13)
  - 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (4. GK / GR-3)) – Spahl (Auf dem Kies)
- II. Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon / GR-3 (II. GB / GR-3))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II. / GR-3 (Fü II. / GR-3)) – Kaltennordheim (Meininger Str.)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / II. / GR-3 (KSs / II. / GR-3))
  - 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (5. GK / GR-3)) – Andenhausen (Katzenstein)
  - 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (6. GK / GR-3)) – Frankenheim (Reichenhausener Str.)
  - 7. Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (7. GK / GR-3)) – Erbenhausen (Am Sauerstrauch)
  - 8. Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (8. GK / GR-3)) – Rhönblick-Stedtlingen (Str. der Einheit)
- III. Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon / GR-3 (III. GB / GR-3))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III. / GR-3 (Fü III. / GR-3)) – Dermbach (Geisaer Str. 29)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / II. / GR-3 (KSs / II. / GR-3))
  - 9. Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (9. GK / GR-3)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Dorndorf-Kirstingshof (Unterer Kirstingshof)
  - 10. Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (10. GK / GR-3)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Buttlar (Bermbacher Str.)
  - 11. Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (11. GK / GR-3)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Geisa (Schleider Str.)
  - 12. Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie / GR-3 (12. GK / GR-3)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Kaltennordheim (Am Rosengarten)
Border Regiment 9 „Conrad Blenkle“ (Grenzregiment 15 „Conrad Blenkle“ (GR-9))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-9 (Fü GR-9) – Meiningen (Drachenberg)
  - Training Range Hildburghausen (Truppenübungsplatz Hildburghausen (TÜP Hildburghausen)) – Hildburghausen (Hildburghäuser Stadtwald)
- Staff Company 9 (Stabskompanie 9 (SK-9))
- Signals Company 9 (Nachrichtenkompanie 9 (NK-9))
- Combat Engineer Company 9 (Pionierkompanie 9 (PiK-9) – Römhild (Am Großen Gleichberg)
- Engineer and Ammunition Storage 9 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 9 (PiML-9))
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungszug Meiningen (GÜSt-Str. mit SiZ)) – Henneberg (on road L 3019)
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungszug Eisfeld (GÜSt-Str. mit SiZ)) – Eisfeld (Coburger Str.)
- I. Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon / GR-9 (I. GB / GR-9))
- Battalion Command (Führung I./GR-9 (Fü I./GR-9) – Römhild (Am Großen Gleichberg)
- Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/I./GR-9 (KSs/I./GR-9)
- 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (1. GK/GR-9) „Manfred Weiß“ – Schwickershausen (Am Blankenrain)
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (2. GK/GR-9) – Grabfeld-Behrungen (Römhilder Str.)
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (3. GK/GR-9) – Mendhausen (Hauptstr. 39)
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (4. GK/GR-9) – Gomptershausen (Westhäuser Str.)
- II. Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon/GR-9 (II. GB/GR-9)
- Battalion Command (Führung II./GR-9 (Fü II./GR-9) – Straufhein-Eishausen (Heldburger Str.)
- Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung/II./GR-9 (KSs/II./GR-9)
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (5. GK/GR-9) – Bad Colberg-Heldburg (Am Hellinger Grund)
- 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (6. GK/GR-9) – Ummerstadt (Erlebacher Str.)
- 7. Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (7. GK/GR-9) – Bad Colberg-Heldburg-Holzhausen (Heldburger Str.)
- 8. Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (8. GK/GR-9) – Straufhain-Streufdorf (Simmershäuser Str.)
- 9. Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (9. GK/GR-9) – Eisfeld-Steudach (Coburger Str.)
- III. Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon/GR-9 (III. GB/GR-9)
- Battalion Command (Führung III./GR-9 (Fü III./GR-9) – Meiningen (Drachenberg)
- 10. Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (10. GK/GR-9) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Rhönblick-Hermannsfeld (Fasanerie)
- 11. Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (11. GK/GR-9) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Milz-Hindfeld (Alte Römhilder Str.)
- 12. Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (12. GK/GR-9) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Bad Colberg-Heldburg (Am Hellinger Grund)
- 13. Border Company (13. Grenzkompanie/GR-9 (13. GK/GR-9) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Veilsdorf (Hetschbacher Str.)
Border Regiment 15 „Herbert Warnke“ (Grenzregiment 15 „Herbert Warnke“ (GR-15))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-15 (Fü GR-15) – Sonneberg-Steinbach (Max-Planck-Str. 51)
- Staff Company 15 (Stabskompanie 15 (SK-15))
- Signals Company 15 (Nachrichtenkompanie 15 (NK-15))
- Combat Engineer Company 15 (Pionierkompanie 15 (PiK-15))
  - Engineer and Ammunition Storage 15 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 15 (PiML-15)) – Sonneberg (Forschengereuther Str.)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Eb mit SiZ)) – Probstzella, Str. nach Saalfeld
- I. Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon / GR-15 (I. GB / GR-15))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I. / GR-15 (Fü I. / GR-15)) – Schalkau, Eisfelder Str. 17
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / I. / GR-15 (KSs / I. / GR-15))
  - Security Company (Sicherungskompanie 15 (SiK-15))
  - 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (1. GK / GR-15)) – Effelder-Rauenstein-Rückerswind (Rückerswinder Str.)
  - 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (2. GK / GR-15)) – Sonneberg-Hönbach (Otto-Grotewohl-Str.)
  - 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (3. GK / GR-15)) – Föritz-Örlsdorf (Birkschrotspitze)
  - 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (4. GK / GR-15)) – Neuhaus-Schirschnitz (Heinerbach 98)
- II. Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon / GR-15 (II. GB / GR-15))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II. / GR-15 (Fü II. / GR-15)) – Probstzella (Auwiesen)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / II. / GR-15 (KSs / II. / GR-15))
  - 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (5. GK / GR-15)) – Judenbach-Heinersdorf (Trettaustr.)
  - 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (6. GK / GR-15)) – Judenbach-Neuenbau (Ortsstr. 29)
  - 7. Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (7. GK / GR-15)) – Gräfenthal-Lichtenhain (Gräfenthaler Str. 55)
  - 8. Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (8. GK / GR-15)) – Probstzella (Auwiesen)
- III. Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon / GR-15 (III. GB / GR-15))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III. / GR-15 (Fü III. / GR-15)) – Sonneberg (Max-Planck-Str. 51)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / III. / GR-15 (KSs / III. / GR-15))
  - 9. Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (9. GK / GR-15)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Frankenblick-Schichtshöhn (Eisfelder Str. 50)
  - 10. Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (10. GK / GR-15)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Neuhaus-Schnitz-Rotheul (Str. nach Lindenberg)
  - 11. Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (11. GK / GR-15)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Sonneberg (Wilhelm-Pieck-Str. 151)
  - 12. Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie / GR-15 (12. GK / GR-15)) – Oberland am Rennsteig-Spechtsbrunn (Alter Rennsteig 5)
Border Regiment 10 „Ernst Grube“ (Grenzregiment 10 „Ernst Grube“ (GR-10))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-10 (Fü GR-10)) – Plauen (An der Schöpsdrehe)
  - Reserve Location (Reserveobjekt (ResObj)) – Eichigt („Tannenberg“)
- Staff Company 10 (Stabskompanie 10 (SK-10))
- Signals Company 10 (Nachrichtenkompanie 10 (NK-10))
- Combat Engineer Company 10 (Pionierkompanie 10 (PiK 10)) – Gefell-Göttengrün (on road K 561)
  - Engineer and Ammunition Storage 10 (Pionier- und Munitionslager 10 (PiML-10)) – Plauen-Neuendorf (Schneckengrüner Str.)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-Eb mit SiK)) – Weischlitz-Gutenfürst (Bahnhof)
- Highway Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-AB mit SiK)) – Hirschberg-Göritz (Raststätte Hirschberg)
- I. Border Battalion (I. Grenzbataillon / GR-10 (I. GB / GR-10))
  - Battalion Command (Führung I. / GR-10 (Fü I. / GR-10)) – Remptendorf-Zschachenmühle
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / I. / GR-10 (KSs / I. / GR-10))
  - 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (1. GK / GR-10)) – Lehesten (Brennersgrüner Str.)
  - 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (2. GK / GR-10)) – Lehesten-Brennersgrün (Lehester Str.)
  - 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (3. GK / GR-10)) – Schlegel (Titschendorfer Str.)
  - 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (4. GK / GR-10)) – Blankenstein an der Saale (Lobensteiner Str. 6–8)
- II. Border Battalion (II. Grenzbataillon / GR-10 (II. GB / GR-10))
  - Battalion Command (Führung II. / GR-10 (Fü II. / GR-10)) – Gefell-Göttengrün (on road K 561)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / II. / GR-10 (KSs / II. / GR-10))
  - 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (5. GK / GR-10)) – Hirschberg (Plauensche Str.)
  - 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (6. GK / GR-10)) – Hirschberg (Juchhöh)
  - 7. Border Company (7. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (7. GK / GR-10)) – Weischlitz-Gutenfürst (Hauptstr.)
  - 8. Border Company (8. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (8. GK / GR-10)) – Triebel-Wiedersberg (Am Feilebach)
  - 9. Border Company (9. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (9. GK / GR-10)) – Triebel-Posseck (Höllensteg)
- III. Border Battalion (III. Grenzbataillon / GR-10 (III. GB/GR-10))
  - Battalion Command (Führung III. / GR-10 (Fü III. / GR-10)) – Plauen (Pausaer Str.)
  - Support Company (Kompanie Sicherstellung / III. / GR-10 (KSs / III. / GR-10))
  - 10. Border Company (10. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (10. GK / GR-10)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Wurzbach (Rodacherbrunn)
  - 11. Border Company (11. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (11. GK / GR-10)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Harra (Am Stollen)
  - 12. Border Company (12. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (12. GK / GR-10)) (6 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Birkenhügel (Waldstr. 7)
  - 13. Border Company (13. Grenzkompanie / GR-10 (13. GK / GR-10)) (4 SPG-9, 3 AGS-17) – Triebel-Posseck (Höllensteg)
Border Training Regiment 11 „“ (Grenzausbildungsregiment 11 „“ (GAR-11))
- Regimental Command (Führung GAR-11 (Fü GAR-11)) – Eisenach (Ernst-Thälmann-Str.)
  - Shooting Grounds (Schießplatz GAR-11 (SP / GAR-11)) – Gerstungen-Unterellen („Böller“)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände GAR-11 (AG / GAR-11)) – Eisenach („Moseberg“)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände GAR-11 (AG / GAR-11)) – Eisenach („Wartenberg“)
- Staff Company (Stabskompanie / GAR-11 (SK / GAR-11))
- 1. Training Company (1. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (1. / GAR-11))
- 2. Training Company (2. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (2. / GAR-11))
- 3. Training Company (3. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (3. / GAR-11))
- 4. Training Company (4. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (4. / GAR-11))
- 5. Training Company (5. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (5. / GAR-11))
- 6. Training Company (6. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (6. / GAR-11))
- 7. Training Company (7. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (7. / GAR-11))
- 8. Training Company (8. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-11 (8. / GAR-11))
Border Training Regiment 12 „Rudi Arnstadt“ (Grenzausbildungsregiment 12 „Rudi Arnstadt“ (GAR-12))
- Regimental Command (Führung GAR-12 (Fü GAR-12)) – Plauen (Wilhelm-Pieck-Str. 175)
  - Shooting Grounds (Schießplatz GAR-12 (SP / GAR-12)) – Remptendorf-Ruppersdorf (Forst Lückenmühle)
  - Shooting Range (Schießstand GAR-12 (SStd / GAR-12)) – Leubnitz- Schneckengrün (Plauener Str.)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände GAR-12 (AG / GAR-12)) – Pöllwitz/Vogtl. („Pöllwitzer Wald“)
- Staff Company (Stabskompanie / GAR-12 (SK / GAR-12))
- 1. Training Company (1. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (1. / GAR-12))
- 2. Training Company (2. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (2. / GAR-12))
- 3. Training Company (3. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (3. / GAR-12))
- 4. Training Company (4. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (4. / GAR-12))
- 5. Training Company (5. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (5. / GAR-12))
- 6. Training Company (6. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (6. / GAR-12))
- 7. Training Company (7. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (7. / GAR-12))
- 8. Training Company (8. Ausbildungskompanie / GAR-12 (8. / GAR-12))

Border Command Center[]

The Grenzkommando Mitte (GKM) (Border Command Center), with headquarters at Berlin-Karlshorst, manned the crossing points into West Berlin and guarded the entire border perimeter surrounding West Berlin. The GKM consisted of six frontier troops regiments, two training regiments and some smaller support units. Unlike the Border Commands North and South, which fielded border regimens in full-sized border battalions, the border regiments of the Border Command Center were of reduced strength. They had the same complement of combat support and combat service support units, but the border guards were organized in companies directly subordinated to the regiments. A Bordercrossing Security Regiment (the GÜST Sicherungsregiment SiR-26 "Walter Husemann") was disbanded in 1985 and its forces dispersed among the border regiments, as the centralized location made the deployment of security details through the city to the various border crossings around West Berlin difficult. An artillery regiment (the Artillerieregiment AR-26 "Otto Nelte") was formed on March 17, 1971 with the mission to provide artillery support in case a war erupts and the GDR launches an offensive operation to capture West Berlin. It was put under Border Troops command to circumvent the restrictions for military forces in both parts of Berlin and was a source of constant tension between the GDR and its Soviet ally on one hand and West Germany and its western allies on the other. In the final years of its existence the German Democratic Republic sought warming up of its relationship with the Federal Republic of Germany and as one of the signs of goodwill the regiment was transferred to the Land Forces of the National People's Army on November 1, 1985(becoming the Artillerieregiment-40) and directly subordinated to the Chief of Artillery and Rocket Forces.

Commanders:

Oberst Bernhard Geier (1 May 1971 – 31 Aug 1979)

Generalmajor Erich Wöllner (1 Sep 1979 – 30 Apr 1990)

Oberst Günther Leo (1 May 1990 – 30 Sep 1990)

Order of battle:

Command of the Border Command Center (Führung GKM (Fü GKM)) – Berlin-Karlshorst (Siegfried-Widera-Str. 11)

Club of the BCC (Club des GKM) – Berlin-Rummelsburg (Hauptstr.7)
Staff Company 26 (Stabskompanie 26 (SK-26))
Security Company 26 (Sicherungskompanie 26 (SiK-26)) (10 SPW-PSH) – Schönefeld-Waltersdorf, (Grünauer Str)
Signals Company 26 (Nachrichtenkompanie 26 (NK-26)) (7 SPW-PSH) – Berlin – Rummelsburg (Hauptstr.7)
Amphibious Combat Engineer Company 26 (Amphibische Pionierkompanie 26 (APiK-26)) (3 SPW-PSH) – Potsdam – Groß Glienicke (Seeburger Chaussee 2–4)
Construction Company 26 (Baukompanie 26 (BauK-26)) – Berlin – Treptow (Am Treptower Park 1)
Diver Platoon 26 (Taucherzug 26 (TauZ-26)) – Berlin – Rummelsburg (Hauptstr.7)
Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defence Company 26 (Kompanie Chemische Abwehr (KChA-26)) – Potsdam – Groß Glienicke (Seeburger Chaussee 2–4)
Training Establishment for Service Dogs (Ausbildungseinrichtung für Diensthunde (Ausb.Einr.)) – Berlin – Niederschönhausen (Buchholzer Str. 36)
Computing, Accounting and Information Group 26 (Auswerte-, Rechen- und Informationsgruppe 26 (ARIG-26))
Ammunition Storage 26 (Munitionslager 26 (ML-26)) – Stahnsdorf – Güterfelde (Parforceheide)
Artillery Repair Shop 26 (Artilleriewerkstatt 26 (AW-26)) – Potsdam – Groß Glienicke (Seeburger Chaussee 2–4)
Automobile and Armoured Vehicles Repair Shop 26 (Kfz- und Panzerwerkstatt 26 (KfzPW-26)) – Potsdam – Groß Glienicke (Seeburger Chaussee 2–4)
Signals Equipment Repair Shop 26 (Nachrichtenwerkstatt 26 (NW-26)) – Potsdam (Michendorfer Chaussee)
Military Band of the BCC (Musikkorps des GKM) – Berlin-Rummelsburg (Hauptstr.7)
Border Troops Field Replacement Battalion 26 (Grenzersatzbataillon 26 (GEB-26)) – active in wartime only
Border Regiment 38 „Clara Zetkin“ (Grenzregiment 38 „Clara Zetkin“ (GR-38))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-38 (Fü GR-38)) – Hennigsdorf (Ruppiner Chaussee)
- Staff Company 38 (Stabskompanie 38 (SK-38)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- Signals Company 38 (Nachrichtenkompanie 38 (NK-38))
- Artillery and Mortar Battery 38 (Artillerie- und Granatwerferbatterie 38 (Art/ Granatw.Bttr-38)) (6 PaK-85, 6 GrW-120)
- Combat Engineer Company 38 (Pionierkompanie 38 (PiK-38))
- Boat Company 38 (Bootskompanie 38 (BK-38)) (8 GSB 075) – Hennigsdorf – Nieder Neuendorf (Spandauer Landstr.)
- Automobile Transport Company 38 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 38 (KfzTK-38))
- Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt mit SiK)) – Hennigsdorf – Nieder Neuendorf (Spandauer Landstr.)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Hohen Neuendorf – Stolpe (highway post)
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Hennigsdorf (Ruppiner Str.)
- 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/ GR-38 (1. GK/ GR-38)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Hennigsdorf – Nieder Neuendorf, Spandauer Landstr.
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/ GR-38 (2. GK/ GR-38)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/ GR-38 (3. GK/ GR-38)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Hohen Neuendorf, Schönfließer Str.
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/ GR-38 (4. GK/ GR-38)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/ GR-38 (5. GK/ GR-38)) (12 SPW-PSH)
Border Regiment 35 „Nikolai Bersarin“ (Grenzregiment 35 „Nikolai Bersarin“ (GR-35))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-35 (Fü GR-35)) – Berlin-Niederschönhausen, Buchholzer Str. 36
- Staff Company 35 (Stabskompanie 35 (SK-35)) (2 SPW-PSH) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
- Signals Company 35 (Nachrichtenkompanie 35 (NK-35))
- Artillery and Mortar Battery 35 (Artillerie- und Granatwerferbatterie 35 (Art/ Granatw.Bttr-35)) (6 PaK-85, 6 GrW-120) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
- Combat Engineer Company 35 (Pionierkompanie 35 (PiK-35)) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
- Automobile Transport Company 35 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 35 (KfzTK-35)) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
- Border Crossing Point with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt mit SiZ)) – Berlin – Prenzlauer Berg (Bornholmer Str.)
- 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/ GR-35 (1. GK/ GR-35)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/ GR-35 (2. GK/ GR-35)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/ GR-35 (3. GK/ GR-35)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/ GR-35 (4. GK/ GR-35)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/ GR-35 (5. GK/ GR-35)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Schildow (Franz-Schmidt-Str. 47–55)
Border Regiment 36 „Helmut Poppe“ (Grenzregiment 36 „Helmut Poppe“ (GR-36))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-36 (Fü GR-36)) – Berlin – Rummelsburg (Hauptstr.7)
- Staff Company 36 (Stabskompanie 36 (SK-36))
- Signals Platoon 36 (Nachrichtenzug 36 (NZ-36))
- Combat Engineer Platoon 36 (Pionierzug 36 (PiZ-36))
- Boat Company 36 (Bootskompanie 36 (BK-36)) (20 GSB 075 boats)
- Automobile Transport Platoon 36 (Kfz-Transportzug 36 (KfzTZ-36))
- Special Facility (Sonderobjekt (SdObj)) – Berlin-Mitte (Brandenburger Tor)
- Road Border Crossing Point CHAUSSEESTR. (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße CHAUSSEESTR. (GÜSt-Str.)) – Berlin-Mitte (Chausseestr.)
- Road Border Crossing Point FRIEDRICHSTR/ZIMMERSTR. (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße FRIEDRICHSTR/ZIMMERSTR. (GÜSt-Str.)) – Berlin-Mitte (Zimmerstr.)
- Road Border Crossing Point HEINRICH-HEINE-STR. (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße HEINRICH-HEINE-STR. (GÜSt-Str.)) – Berlin-Mitte (Heinrich-Heine-Str.)
- Road Border Crossing Point INVALIDENSTR. (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße INVALIDENSTR. (GÜSt-Str.)) – Berlin-Mitte (Invalidenstr.)
- Road Border Crossing Point OBERBAUMBRÜCKE (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße OBERBAUMBRÜCKE (GÜSt-Str.))...... Berlin – Friedrichshain (Oberbaumbrücke)
- Water Border Crossing Point MARSCHALLBRÜCKE (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser MARSCHALLBRÜCKE (GÜSt-Wa)) – Berlin-Mitte (Marschallbrücke)
- Water Border Crossing Point OSTHAFEN (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser OSTHAFEN (GÜSt-Wa)) – Berlin – Friedrichshain (Osthafen)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn BHF FRIEDRICHSTR. mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-Eb mit SiK)) – Berlin-Mitte (Friedrichstr.)
- 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/ GR-36 (1. GK/ GR-36))
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/ GR-36 (2. GK/ GR-36))
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/ GR-36 (3. GK/ GR-36))
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/ GR-36 (4. GK/ GR-36))
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/ GR-36 (5. GK/ GR-36))
Border Regiment 33 „Heinrich Dorrenbach“ (Grenzregiment 33 „Heinrich Dorrenbach“ (GR-33))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-33 (Fü GR-33)) Berlin-Treptow, Am Treptower Park 1
- Staff Company 33 (Stabskompanie 33 (SK-33)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- Signals Company 33 (Nachrichtenkompanie 33 (NK-33))
- Artillery and Mortar Battery 33 (Artillerie- und Granatwerferbatterie 33 (Art/ Granatw.Bttr.-33)) (6 PaK-85, 6 GrW-120)
- Combat Engineer Company 33 (Pionierkompanie 33 (PiK-33))
- Automobile Transport Company 33 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 33 (KfzTK-33))
- Road Border Crossing Point SONNENALLEE with Security Platoon (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße SONNENALLEE mit Sicherungszug (GÜSt-Str. mit SiZ)) – Berlin – Treptow (Sonnenallee)
- Water Border Crossing Point BRITZER ZWEIGKANAL (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser BRITZER ZWEIGKANAL (GÜSt-Wa)) – Berlin – Treptow (Baumschulenstr.)
- 1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/ GR-33 (1. GK/ GR-33)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/ GR-33 (2. GK/ GR-33)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/ GR-33 (3. GK/ GR-33)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/ GR-33 (4. GK/ GR-33)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/ GR-33 (5. GK/ GR-33)) (12 SPW-PSH)
Border Regiment 42 „Fritz Perlitz“ (Grenzregiment 42 "Fritz Perlitz" (GR-42))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-42 (Fü GR-42)) – Kleinmachnow (Leninallee)
- Staff Company 42 (Stabskompanie 42 (SK-42)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- Signals Company 42 (Nachrichtenkompanie 42 (NK-42))
- Artillery Battery 42 (Artilleriebatterie 42 (Art.-Bttr.-42)) (6 Pak-85/MT-LB, 6 GrW-120) – Kleinmachnow (Seemannsheimweg)
- Combat Engineer Company 42 (Pionierkompanie 42 (PiK-42)) Blankenfelde – Mahlow (Arcostr.)
- Automobile Transport Company 42 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 42 (KfzTK-42))
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt Str.)) – Blankenfelde-Mahlow (Kirchhainer Damm)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Schönefeld – Waßmannsdorf (Wassmanndorfer Chaussee)
- 1. Border Company „Siegfried Widera“ (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-42 „Siegfried Widera“ (1. GK/ GR-42)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Schönefeld (Waltersdorfer Chaussee)
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/ GR-42 (2. GK/GR-42)) (12 SPW-PSH) Schönefeld-Wassmannsdorf (Wassmanndorfer Chaussee)
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/ GR-42 (3. GK/GR-42)) (12 SPW-PSH) Schönefeld – Klein Ziethen (Großziethener Str.)
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/ GR-42 (4. GK/GR-42)) (12 SPW-PSH) Großbeeren – Heinersdorf (Heinersdorfer Str.)
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/ GR-42 (5. GK/GR-42)) (12 SPW-PSH) Großbeeren – Heinersdorf (Heinersdorfer Str.)
Border Regiment 44 "Walter Junker" (Grenzregiment 44 "Walter Junker" (GR-44))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-44 (Fü GR-44)) – Potsdam – Babelsberg (Steinstr.)
- 44th Staff Company (Stabskompanie 44 (SK-44)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- 44th Signals Company (Nachrichtenkompanie 44 (NK-44))
- 44th Artillery Battery (Artilleriebatterie 44 (Art.-Bttr.-44)) (6 Pak-85/MT-LB)
- 44th Mortar Battery (Granatwerferbatterie 44 (GwBttr.-44)) (6 GrW-120) – Potsdam (Heinrich-Mann-Allee 103)
- 44th Combat Engineer Company (Pionierkompanie 44 (PiK-44))
- 44th Boat Company (Bootskompanie 44 (BK-44)) (11 GSB 075) – Potsdam (Bertini-Str. 6)
- 44th Automobile Transport Company (Kfz-Transportkompanie 44 (KfzTK-44))
- Water Border Crossing Point JUNGFERNSEE (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser JUNGFERNSEE (GÜSt-Wa)) – Potsdam – Nedlitz (Bertinistr. 6)
- Water Border Crossing Point DREILINDEN (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser DREILINDEN (GÜSt-Wa)) – Kleinmachnow (Dreilinden)
- Water Border Crossing Point BABELSBERGER ENGE (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser BABELSBERGER ENGE (GÜSt-Wa)) – Potsdam-Babelsberg (Babelsberger Enge)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point DREWITZ (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn DREWITZ (GÜSt-Eb)) – Potsdam-Babelsberg (Bahnhofstr.)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point GRIEBNITZSEE (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn GRIEBNITZSEE (GÜSt-Eb)) – Potsdam – Babelsberg (Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str.)
- (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße GLIENICKER BRÜCKE (GÜSt-Str.)) – Potsdam (Glienicker Brücke)
- (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt AB mit SiK)) – Kleinmachnow (Dreilinden)
- 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-44 (1. GK/GR-44)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-44 (2. GK/GR-44)) (12 SPW-PSH) – Kleinmachnow (Seemannsheimweg)
- 3rd Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-44 (3. GK/GR-44)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-44 (4. GK/GR-44)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-44 (5. GK/GR-44)) (12 SPW-PSH)
Border Regiment 34 "Hanno Günther" (Grenzregiment 34 "Hanno Günther" (GR-34))
- Regimental Command (Führung GR-34 (Fü GR-34)) – Potsdam – Groß Glienicke (Seeburger Chaussee 2–4)
- Staff Company 34 (Stabskompanie 34 (SK-34)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- Signals Company 34 (Nachrichtenkompanie 34 (NK-34))
- Artillery and Mortar Company 34 (Artillerie- und Granatwerferbatterie 34 (Art/Granatw.Bttr-34)) (6 Pak-85, 6 GrW-120)
- Combat Engineer Company 34 (Pionierkompanie 34 (PiK-34))
- Automobile Transport Company 34 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 34 (KfzTK-34))
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Staaken (Am alten Gaswerk)
- Road Border Crossing Point with Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße mit Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt Str. mit SiK)) – Staaken (Heerstr.)
- 1st Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie/GR-34 (1. GK/GR-34)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 2nd Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/GR-34 (2. GK/GR-34)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 3rd Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/GR-34 (3. GK/GR-34)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 4th Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GR-34 (4. GK/GR-34)) (12 SPW-PSH)
- 5th Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GR-34 (5. GK/GR-34)) (12 SPW-PSH)
Border Training Regiment 39 "Ho Chi Minh" (Grenzausbildungsregiment 39 "Ho Chi Minh" (GAR-39))
- Regimental Command (Führung GAR-39 (Fü GAR-39)) – Berlin – Wilhelmshagen (Fürstenwalder Allee 326)
  - Base Training Facility (Standortübungsplatz GAR-39 (SÜP/GAR-39)) – Wernsdorf (Neu-Zittauer Str.)
  - Training Grounds (Ausbildungsgelände GAR-39 (AG/GAR-39)) – Berlin – Wilhelmshagen (Fürstenwalder Allee 326)
- Staff Company 39 (Stabskompanie 39 (SK-39)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- Signals Company 39 (Nachrichtenkompanie 39 (NK-39))
- Combat Engineer Company 39 (Pionierkompanie 39 (PiK-39))
- Boat Company 39 (Bootskompanie 39 (BK-39))
- Automobile Transport Company 39 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 39 (KfzTK-39))
- 1. Border Training Company (1. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-39 (1. GAK/GAR-39)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 2. Border Training Company (2. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-39 (2. GAK/GAR-39)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 3. Border Training Company (3. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-39 (3. GAK/GAR-39)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 4. Border Training Company (4. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-39 (4. GAK/GAR-39)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 5. Border Training Company (5. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-39 (5. GAK/GAR-39)) (16 SPW-PSH)
Border Training Regiment 40 "Hans Coppi" (Grenzausbildungsregiment 40 "Hans Coppi" (GAR-40))
- Regimental Command (Führung GAR-40 (Fü GAR-40)) – Oranienburg (Platz des Friedens)
  - Ammunition Storage 40 (Munitionslager GAR-40 (ML/ GAR-40)) – Oranienburg – Germendorf (Veltener Str.)
  - Base Training Grounds (Standortübungsplatz (SÜP)) – Oranienburg – Germendorf (Veltener Str.)
  - Shooting Range 40 (Schießplatz GAR-40 (SP/ GAR-40)) – Potsdam – Groß Glienicke (Grüner Weg)
- Staff Company 40 (Stabskompanie 40 (SK-40)) (2 SPW-PSH)
- Signals Company 40 (Nachrichtenkompanie 40 (NK-40))
- Combat Engineer Company 40 (Pionierkompanie 40 (PiK-40)) – Falkensee (Spandauer Str.)
- Automobile Transport Company 40 (Kfz-Transportkompanie 40 (KfzTK-40))
- 1. Border Training Company (1. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-40 (1. GAK/ GAR-40)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 2. Border Training Company (2. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-40 (2. GAK/ GAR-40)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 3. Border Training Company (3. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-40 (3. GAK/ GAR-40)) (16 SPW-PSH)
- 4. Border Training Company (4. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-40 (4. GAK/ GAR-40)) (16 SPW-PSH) – Falkensee (Spandauer Str.)
- 5. Border Training Company (5. Grenzausbildungskompanie/ GAR-40 (5. GAK/ GAR-40)) (16 SPW-PSH) – Falkensee (Spandauer Str.)

Border Brigade to the Czechoslovak People's Republic[]

The Border Brigade to the Czechoslovak People's Republic "Walter Breit" (Grenzbrigade zur CSSR "Walter Breit" (GBr CSSR)) with headquarters at Pirna was responsible for the security of the border with Czechoslovakia. It consisted of six battalion-sized units called Border Subsections (Grenzunterabschnitt).

Brigade Command (Führung GBr CSSR (Fü GBr CSSR)) – Pirna
Border Subsection I (Grenzunterabschnitt I (GUA-I)) – Bad Brambach (Ringstr. 26)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Schönberg/Vogtl. (on road F 92)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Bad Brambach (Bahnhofstr.)
Border Subsection II (Grenzunterabschnitt II (GUA-II)) – Klingenthal/Sa (Graslitzer Str. 1)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Oberwiesenthal (Tellerhäuser Str.)
Border Subsection III (Grenzunterabschnitt III (GUA-III)) – Olbernhau (Rosenthaler Str. 22a)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Marienberg-Reitzenhain (on road F 174)
Border Subsection IV (Grenzunterabschnitt IV (GUA-IV)) – Rathmannsdorf (Hohensteiner Str. 13b)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Bad Schandau-Schmilka (on road F 172)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Bad Schandau-Krippen (Train station)
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Bad Schandau-Schmilka
Border Subsection V (Grenzunterabschnitt V (GUA-V)) – Ebersbach-Neugersdorf (Camillo-Gocht-Str. 9)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Ebersbach-Neugersdorf (Bahnhofstr.)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Seifhennersdorf (Zollstr.41)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Ebersbach-Neugersdorf (Train station)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Seifhennersdorf (Train station)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point Zittau (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn Zittau (GÜSt-Eb Zittau)) – Seifhennersdorf (Zollstr.41)
Border Subsection VI (Grenzunterabschnitt VI (GUA-VI)) – Altenberg-Georgenfeld (Georgenfelder Weg)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Altenberg-Zinnwald (Teplitzer Str.)

Border Brigade to the Polish People's Republic[]

The Border Brigade to the Polish People's Republic „Hermann Gartmann“ (Grenzbrigade zur VR Polen „Hermann Gartmann“ (GBr VRP)) with headquarters at covered the Polish border. It consisted of six battalion-sized units called Border Subsections (Grenzunterabschnitt).

Brigade Command (Führung GBr VRP (Fü GBr VRP)) – Frankfurt (Oder) (Kopernikusstr.28)
- Training and Reserve Base (Schul/Reserveobjekt (Reserveobj)) – Frankfurt (Oder) (Kliestower Weg)
Border Subsection I (Grenzunterabschnitt I (GUA-I)) – Görlitz (Karlstr. 4)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Görlitz (Radmeritzer Str.)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Görlitz (Brücke der Freundschaft)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Görlitz (Central Train Station)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Zittau-Hirschfelde (Train Station)
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Horka (Freight Train Station)
Border Subsection II (Grenzunterabschnitt II (GUA-II)) – Forst (Lausitz), Wehrinselstr.41
- Border Crossings Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-SiK))
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Forst (Lausitz), Bahnhof
- Highway Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn (GÜSt-AB)) – Forst (Lausitz), Kleinbademeusel
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Forst (Lausitz)-Sacro (on road B 289)
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt Str.)) – Bad Muskau
Border Subsection III (Grenzunterabschnitt III (GUA-III)) – Guben, Grünstr.
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Guben, Frankfurter Str.
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Guben, Eisenbahnbrücke Nord
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Eisenhüttenstadt
Border Subsection IV (Grenzunterabschnitt IV (GUA-IV)) – Frankfurt (Oder) (Kopernikusstr. 28)
- Border Crossings Security Company (Grenzübergangsstelle Sicherungskompanie (GÜSt-SiK))
- Highway Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn (GÜSt-AB)) – Frankfurt/O, An der Friedensbrücke
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Frankfurt/O, An der Oderbrücke
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Frankfurt/O, Grenzbahnhof
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Küstrin-Kietz, Bahnhofsweg
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Frankfurt/O, Am Winterhafen
Border Subsection V (Grenzunterabschnitt V (GUA-V)) – Schwedt (Oder), Ehm-Welk-Str. 5
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Schwedt (Oder), Oderbrücke
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Tantow, Bahnhofstr.
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Bad-Freienwalde-Hohensaaten, Eichrähne
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Gartz (Oder), Am Wasser
- Water Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Wasser (GÜSt-Wa)) – Mescherin, Bollwerk
Border Subsection VI (Grenzunterabschnitt VI (GUA-VI)) – Löcknitz, Chausseestr.6
- Highway Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Autobahn (GÜSt-AB)) – Nadrensee, Pomellen
- Railroad Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Eisenbahn (GÜSt-Eb)) – Grambow, Bahnhofstr.
- Road Border Crossing Point (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße (GÜSt-Str.)) – Ramin-Linken, (on road B 104)

Flag of the boats of the Grenztruppen on the Oder and Elbe Rivers

Flag of the Grenzbrigade Küste

6th Border Brigade Coast[]

The security of the Baltic coast was within the responsibilities of the Volksmarine. For that reason the 6th Border Brigade Coast "Fiete Schulze" (6. Grenzbrigade Küste "Fiete Schulze", headquartered in Rostock), while administratively part of the Border Troops was operationally subordinated to the naval headquarters at Rostock. The Naval Command had an integral staff division, tasked with the command-and-control of the brigade. The 6th Border Brigade Coast consisted of twelve marine battalions and several boat battalions and companies to guard the GDR's relatively small coastline along the Baltic Sea.

Brigade Command (Führung 6. GBrK (Fü 6. GBrK)) – Rostock (Fiete-Schulz-Str 69)
Border Troops Staff Company 6 (Grenzstabskompanie 6 (GStK-6))
Brigade Command Post (Gefechtsstand GBrK (GS/GBrK)) – Graal-Müritz (Graaler Landweg)
Border Troops Computing, Accounting and Information Group 6 (Grenz- Auswerte-, Rechen- und Informationsgruppe 6 (GARIG-6))
Border Troops Signals Company (Grenznachrichtenkompanie 6 (GNK-6))
Border Troops Repair Company 6 (Grenzinstandsetzungskompanie 6 (GIK-6))
- Engineer Platoon 6 (Pionierzug 6 (PiZ-6))
Border Troops Security Company 6 (Grenzsicherungskompanie 6 (GSK-6))
Sea Border Crossing Point Mukran (Grenzübergangsstelle See Mukran (GÜSt-See)) – Sassnitz, (Neu Mukran)
Sea Border Crossing Point Rostock (Grenzübergangsstelle See Rostock (GÜSt-See)) – Rostock-Überseehafen (International port)
Sea Border Crossing Point Sassnitz (Grenzübergangsstelle See Sassnitz (GÜSt-See)) – Sassnitz
Sea Border Crossing Point Stralsund (Grenzübergangsstelle See Stralsund (GÜSt-See)) – Stralsund
Sea Border Crossing Point Warnemünde (Grenzübergangsstelle See Warnemünde (GÜSt-See)) – Rostock – Warnemünde (Train station)
Sea Border Crossing Point Wismar (Grenzübergangsstelle See Wismar (GÜSt-See)) – Wismar
Road Border Crossing Point Ahlbeck (Grenzübergangsstelle Straße Ahlbeck (GÜSt-Str)) – Ahlbeck
1. Border Company (1. Grenzkompanie (1. GK)) – Heringsdorf – Bansin
- Detachment (Teile) – Ahlbeck
- Road Control Point (Straßenkontrollpunkt) – Garz (on road B 110)
- Water Control Point (Wasserkontrollpunkt) – Kamminke
- 1. Border Boats Group (1. Grenzbootsgruppe) – Altwarp
- Border Section Post (Grenzabschnittsposten) – Altwarp
1. Border Ships Abteilung (1. Grenzschiffsabteilung (1. GSA))..... (6 ships Project MSR/89.1 Kondor) – Rostock – Warnemünde (Hohe Düne)
2. Border Ships Abteilung (2. Grenzschiffsabteilung (2. GSA))..... (6 ships Project MSR/89.1 Kondor) – Rostock – Warnemünde (Hohe Düne)
4. Border Ships Abteilung (4. Grenzschiffsabteilung (4. GSA))..... (6 ships Project MSR/89.1 Kondor) – Rostock – Warnemünde (Hohe Düne)
Border Battalion 2 (Grenzbataillon 2 (GB-2))
- Battalion Staff (Führung GB-2 (Fü GB-2)) – Sassnitz (Stubbenkammer/ Königsstuhl)
  - Training Range (Übungsgelände GB-2) – Buschwitz-Stedar, „Pulitz“
- 2. Border Company (2. Grenzkompanie/ GB-2 (2. GK/ GB-2) – Sellin, Richtung Göhren
- 3. Border Company (3. Grenzkompanie/ GB-2 (3. GK/ GB-2) – Lohme (Rügen), Arkonastr.
- Security Company Border Crossing Point Mukran (Sicherungskompanie/ GÜSt Mukran (SiK/ GÜSt-Mukran) – Sassnitz
- 2. Border Boats Group (2. Grenzbootsgruppe) Stralsund-Dänholm, Alter Marinehafen
- 3. Border Boats Group (3. Grenzbootsgruppe) Barhöft / Klausdorf (Port)
- 7. Border Boats Group (7. Grenzbootsgruppe) Stralsund-Dänholm, Alter Marinehafen
- 1. Technical Surveillance Company (1. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-2 (1. TBK/ GB-2) – Kröslin, Greifswalder Oie
- 2. Technical Surveillance Company (2. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-2 (2. TBK/ GB-2) – Sellin
- 3. Technical Surveillance Company (3. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-2 (3. TBK/ GB-2) – Sassnitz, Stubbenkammer/ Königsstuhl
- 4. Technical Surveillance Company (4. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-2 (4. TBK/ GB-2) – Putgarten, Kap Arkona
- 5. Technical Surveillance Company (5. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-2 (5. TBK/ GB-2) – Hiddensee, Dornbusch
- 1. Technical Surveillance Platoon (1. Technischer Beobachtungszug/ GB-2 (1. TBZ/ GB-2) – Kröslin, Ruden Island
- 2. Technical Surveillance Platoon (2. Technischer Beobachtungszug/ GB-2 (2. TBZ/ GB-2) – Barhöft/ Klausdorf
- Water Control Point (Wasserkontrollpunkt) Sassnitz
- Water Control Point (Wasserkontrollpunkt) Barhöft / Klausdorf (Port)
Border Battalion 3 (Grenzbataillon 3 (GB-3))
- Battalion Staff (Führung GB-3 (Fü GB-3)...... Graal-Müritz, Ribnitzer Str.
- 4. Border Company (4. Grenzkompanie/GB-3 (4. GK/ GB-3) – Ahrenshoop
- 5. Border Company (5. Grenzkompanie/GB-3 (5. GK/ GB-3)- Graal-Müritz
- 6. Border Company (6. Grenzkompanie/GB-3 (6. GK/ GB-3) – Kühlungsborn (Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str 16)
- 6. Technical Surveillance Company (6. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-3 (6. TBK/ GB-3)) – Born am Darß, Darßer Ort
- 7. Technical Surveillance Company (7. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-3 (7. TBK/ GB-3)) – Ahrenshoop-Niehagen (Wustrow)
- 8. Technical Surveillance Company (8. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-3 (8. TBK/ GB-3)) – Rostock – Warnemünde (Hohe Düne)
- 9. Technical Surveillance Company (9. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-3 (9. TBK/ GB-3)) – Kühlungsborn (Makarenkostr.)
Border Battalion 4 (Grenzbataillon 4 (GB-4))
- Battalion Staff (Führung GB-4 (Fü GB-4)) – Boltenhagen, Tarnewitzer Huk
  - Training Range (Übungsgelände GB-4) – Boltenhagen, „Tarnewitzer Huk“
  - Shooting Range (Schießplatz GB-4) – Boltenhagen, „Tarnewitzer Huk“
- (7. Grenzkompanie/ GB-4 (7. GK/ GB-4)) – Kirchdorf /Insel Poel, Am Schwarzen Busch
- (8. Grenzkompanie/ GB-4 (8. GK/ GB-4)) – Kalkhorst-Brook, Dorfstr.
- 6. Border Boats Group (6. Grenzbootgruppe) – Boltenhagen-Tarnewitz (Port)
- 8. Control Boats Group (8. Kontrollbootgruppe) – Wismar – Schiffbauerdamm
- Control Point Timmendorf (Kontrollpunkt Timmendorf) – Timmendorf/ Poel Island (Port)
- Control Point Tarnewitz (Kontrollpunkt Tarnewitz) – Boltenhagen-Tarnewitz (Port)
- 10. Technical Surveillance Company (10. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-4 (10. TBK/ GB-4)) – Neuhof/ Poel Island (Zum Strand)
- 11. Technical Surveillance Company (11. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-4 (11. TBK/ GB-4)) – Boltenhagen-Redewisch, Ausbau
- 12. Technical Surveillance Company (12. Technische Beobachtungskompanie/ GB-4 (12. TBK/ GB-4)) – Dassow-Barendorf, Seestr.
Border Training Battalion 5 (Grenzausbildungsbataillon 5 (GAB-5))
- Battalion Staff (Führung GAB-5 (Fü GAB-5))...... Kühlungsborn (Makarenkostr.)
- Automobile Training Company (Kraftfahrausbildungskompanie/ GAB-5 (KfAbK/ GAB-5))
- Signals Training Company (Signalausbildungskompanie/ GAB-5 (SigAbK/ GAB-5))
- Special Training Company (Spezialausbildungskompanie/ GAB-5 (SpAbK/ GAB-5))
- NCO Training Company (Unteroffizierausbildungskompanie/ GAB-5 (UabK/ GAB-5))

Reorganization in 1989[]

In accordance with a June 1989 decision of the National Defence Council of the GDR, the Grenztruppen der DDR were extensively reorganized as of 30 November 1989. The personnel strength was reduced by approximately 17 percent, while the number of headquarters units was reduced from 50 to 24.

In the place of the previous command structure, six border district commands (Grenzbezirkskommandos), 16 border county commands (Grenzkreiskommandos) and two border training centers (Grenzausbildungszentren) were created. The Grenzbezirkskommandos reported to the national headquarters.

Grenzbezirkskommando 1, Schwerin

with three Grenzkreiskommandos:

Grevesmühlen / Gadebusch
Hagenow
Ludwigslust
18 Grenzkompanien
two Bootskompanien
three Reservegrenzkompanien

Grenzbezirkskommando 2, Magdeburg

with five Grenzkreiskommandos:

Salzwedel / Osterburg
Klötze
Haldensleben
Halberstadt / Oschersleben
Wernigerode
27 Grenzkompanien
seven Reservegrenzkompanien

Grenzbezirkskommando 3, Erfurt

with four Grenzkreiskommandos:

Nordhausen
Worbis/Mühlhausen
Heiligenstadt
Eisenach
22 Grenzkompanien
5 Reservegrenzkompanien

Organization of the Grenztruppen in 1988^[1]

Grenzbezirkskommando 4, Suhl

with four Grenzkreiskommandos:

Bad Salzungen
Meiningen
Hildburghausen
Sonneberg / Neuhaus
29 Grenzkompanien
four Reservegrenzkompanien

Grenzbezirkskommando 5, Gera

no assigned Grenzkreiskommando

eight Grenzkompanien
two Reservegrenzkompanien

Grenzbezirkskommando 7, Karl–Marx-Stadt

no assigned Grenzkreiskommando

three Grenzkompanien
one Reservegrenzkompanie

The four Grenzausbildungsregimenten were consolidated into two Grenzausbildungszentren:

Grenzausbildungszentrum 16 (locations in Halberstadt und )
Grenzausbildungszentrum 36 (locations in Plauen und Eisenach)

The two training centers reported directly to the national headquarters, along with the training schools for Grenztruppen officers, officer candidates and NCOs.

Translation of German terms into English[]

ABC-Abwehrkompanie – Nuclear Biological Chemical defence company

Amphibische Pionierkompanie – amphibious engineer company

Artillerieregiment – frontier troops artillery regiment

Grenzausbildungsregiment – frontier troops training regiment

Grenzausbildungszentrum – frontier troops training center

Grenzaufklärer (GAK) – border reconnaissance

Grenzkompanie – frontier troops company

Grenzregiment – frontier troops regiment

GÜST (Grenzübergangsstelle) Regiment – border crossing point regiment

Instandsetzungskompanie – repair company

Kfz-Transportkompanie – truck transport company

Kompanie Chemische Abwehr – chemical defence company

Musikkorps – parade band

Nachrichtenkompanie – signal company

Nachrichtenwerkstatt – communication support company

Pionierkompanie – engineer company

Reservegrenzkompanie – reserve frontier troops company

Sicherungskompanie – security company

Stabs- und Versorgungsbataillon – staff & supply battalion

Subordination of the Deutsche Grenzpolizei (1948–1961)[]

13 Jul 1948-11 Oct 1949: Controlled by the DVdI

12 Oct 1949–1952: Controlled by the MdI

1952-16 Jun 1953: Controlled by the MfS

17 June 1953 – 1955: Controlled by the MdI

1955-28 Feb 1957: Controlled by the MfS

1 Mar 1957-14 Sep 1961: Controlled by the MdI

Sep 1961 -1973: Controlled by the NVA, the Grenzpolizei were reorganized as the Kommando der Grenztruppen (KdoGT) der NVA and were moved from the GDR MdI to the GDR Ministry of National Defence (MfNV).

1973 – 1990: Controlled directly by the MfNV. Renamed the Grenztruppen der DDR

1990 – 1994: Controlled by the Bundeswehr. The border guards' numbers were rapidly reduced. Half were dismissed within five months of the opening of the border.^[2] The border was abandoned and the Grenztruppen were officially abolished on 1 July 1990;^[3] all but 2,000 of them were dismissed or transferred to other jobs. The Bundeswehr gave the remaining border guards and other ex-NVA soldiers the task of clearing the border fortifications, which was only completed in 1994. The scale of the task was immense, as not only did the fortifications have to be cleared but hundreds of roads and railway lines had to be rebuilt.^[4]

Training and equipment[]

Training for Grenztruppen soldiers was provided by the four training regiments; after the reorganization of 30 November 1989 (see below), the four regiments were consolidated into two training centers. Training for noncommissioned officers was held at the Unteroffiziersschule der Grenztruppen der DDR "Egon Schultz“ in Perleberg. Training for dog handlers was conducted in Wilhelmshorst. Grenztruppen officers and officer candidates were trained at the Offiziershochschule der Grenztruppen der DDR "Rosa Luxemburg" in Suhl (previously located in Plauen).

Border Troop regiments were trained similar to regular infantry, but were much more lightly equipped than comparable NVA infantry formations, with the heaviest weapon being the RPG-7 grenade launcher. To increase their capability to search for persons attempting to flee the GDR, most units had German Shepherd dogs. A regiment consisted of around 1,500 men divided into three battalions of four companies each. These regiments also had an anti-tank battery, a mortar battery and an engineer company.

Units of the Grenzkommando Mitte were mechanised, with PSzH-IV and FUG armoured vehicles.

The firearms utilized were the Makarov PM as the standard sidearm, MPi-K Rifle (an East German copy of the AK-47), RPK and RPD to name the most utilized weapons by the Grenztruppen. It has also been documented that the RPG-7 and PKM were also used in certain situations if needed.

Grenztruppen with a German Shepherd service dog
A Trabant field car
An field car
A Grenztruppen ZIL-131 with KUNG
PSzH-IVs
A Grenztruppen river patrol boat

Refugee shootings along the Berlin Wall and the inner German border[]

The inner German border between Thuringia and Hesse. The border fence can be seen with a mined control strip behind it and a lane patrol road; the actual boundary was located above the wooded slope. In the rear part of the open area on the wooded slope is a cross which marks the place of death of the 34-year-old worker Heinz-Josef Große who died on 29 March 1982 while attempting to escape.

Undoubtedly the most controversial aspect surrounding the Grenztruppen der DDR concerns those who were killed or wounded while attempting to flee East Germany into the West. Even today, the topic of the "shoot-to-kill order" (Schießbefehl) is quite sensitive in Germany, East and West. According to information released by the "Working Group 13th of August" (Arbeitsgemeinschaft 13. August e.V.) on 13 August 2004, 1065 persons were killed along the GDR's frontiers and coastline, including 37 Grenztruppen soldiers killed during escape attempts. Many more were wounded.

The Berlin Public Prosecution Department estimates that about 270 'proven' deaths on the border were due to acts of violence by GDR border security guards, including deaths caused by mines and automatic firing devices. However, the Central Assessment Group for Governmental and Organized Crimes (^[de]), which existed from 1991 to 2000 as a branch of the Berlin Police, registered 421 suspected cases of killings by armed GDR border guards.^[5]

Line-of-duty deaths[]

29 Grenztruppen died in the line of duty. The first three deaths occurred at the time of the Soviet occupation zone, after the founding of the German Democratic Republic in October 1949 until its end of 1990 were a further 26 border policemen and border soldiers were killed. Of these 29, 20 died on the inner German border, eight at the Berlin Wall, and one on the border with Czechoslovakia.

A 2017 study by the Free University of Berlin recorded 24 border guards being killed: nine were shot by people fleeing East Germany, eight in "friendly fire" incidents, three by civilians, three by US patrols and one by a West German border guard^[6]

The list of names of the deceased are below. Only occasional light on the cause of death and killers if known is shed.

Paul Sager († 10. November 1948)
Gerhard Hofert († 3. August 1949)
Fritz Otto († 1. September 1949)
Siegfried Apportin († 2. July 1950)
Herbert Liebs († 21 February 1951)
Werner Schmidt († 2 March 1951)
Heinz Janello († 2 March 1951)
Rudolf Spranger († 7 August 1951)
Manfred Portwich († 27 October 1951)
Ulrich Krohn († 16 May 1952)
Helmut Just († 30 December 1952)
Waldemar Estel († 3 September 1956)
Jörgen Schmidtchen († 18 April 1962; army deserter shot dead by two cadets from the flak school at Stahnsdorf^[7])
Manfred Weiss († 19 May 1962)
Peter Göring († 23 May 1962)
Reinhold Huhn († 18 June 1962)
Rudi Arnstadt († 14 August 1962)
Günter Seling († 30 September 1962)
Siegfried Widera († 8 September 1963; killed by refugees on August 23, 1963)
unknown Volkspolizei member († 15 September 1964)
Egon Schultz († 5 October 1964)
Hans-Adolf Scharf († 10 June 1966)
Rolf Henniger († 15 November 1968)
Lutz Meier († 18 January 1972)
Klaus-Peter Seidel, and Jürgen Lange (both † 19 December 1975; both shot dead by deserting army soldier Werner Weinhold^[8])
Ulrich Steinhauer († 4 November 1980; a postal officer from his post deserter killed with a shot in the back. The offender managed to escape, he was convicted in West Berlin in 1981 for manslaughter in a youth custody of 6 years.^[9])
Klaus-Peter Braun († 1 August 1981)
Eberhard Knospe († 5 May 1982)
Uwe Dittmann († 22 March 1985)
Horst Hnidyk († 3 August 1989)

References[]

^ "Die Nationale Volksarmee und die Grenztruppen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik Ende 1988" (PDF). relkite.com. Alterfritz. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
^ Koenig, Robert L. (22 April 1990). "Unity replaces fence — German social, economic barriers next to fall". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
^ Rottman (2008), p. 58.
^ Rottman, p. 61
^ "Germany and the German Democratic Republic – Truth and justice". Amnesty International, Daan Bronkhorst. June 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
^ "Germany charts 327 Cold War border deaths". 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
^ Hans-Hermann Hertle: The Berlin Wall – Monument of the Cold War. Ch. Links, Berlin 2007, S. 107–109. ISBN 3-86153-463-0 . Ch links, Berlin 2007, p. 107-109. ISBN 3-86153-463-0.
^ Helmut Müller-Enbergs (Editor): Who was who in the GDR?, Volume 2, M – Z. Ch. Links, Berlin, 2006, entry Weinhold, Werner S. 1070. ISBN 3-86153-364-2 . 1070th ISBN 3-86153-364-2.
^ Hans-Hermann Hertle, Konrad Jarausch and Christoph Kleßmann: Fall of the Berlin Wall and. Ch. Links, Berlin 2002, S. 299. ISBN 3-86153-264-6 . Ch links, Berlin 2002, p. 299 ISBN 3-86153-264-6.

[1] "Die Nationale Volksarmee und die Grenztruppen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik Ende 1988" (PDF). relkite.com. Alterfritz. Retrieved 5 February 2017.

[Koenig-2] Koenig, Robert L. (22 April 1990). "Unity replaces fence — German social, economic barriers next to fall". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

[Rottman,_p._58-3] Rottman (2008), p. 58.

[Rottman,_p._61-4] Rottman, p. 61

[5] "Germany and the German Democratic Republic – Truth and justice". Amnesty International, Daan Bronkhorst. June 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2008-03-11.

[6] "Germany charts 327 Cold War border deaths". 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2019-09-22.

[7] Hans-Hermann Hertle: The Berlin Wall – Monument of the Cold War. Ch. Links, Berlin 2007, S. 107–109. ISBN 3-86153-463-0 . Ch links, Berlin 2007, p. 107-109. ISBN 3-86153-463-0.

[8] Helmut Müller-Enbergs (Editor): Who was who in the GDR?, Volume 2, M – Z. Ch. Links, Berlin, 2006, entry Weinhold, Werner S. 1070. ISBN 3-86153-364-2 . 1070th ISBN 3-86153-364-2.

[9] Hans-Hermann Hertle, Konrad Jarausch and Christoph Kleßmann: Fall of the Berlin Wall and. Ch. Links, Berlin 2002, S. 299. ISBN 3-86153-264-6 . Ch links, Berlin 2002, p. 299 ISBN 3-86153-264-6.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic

Contents

History[]

Pass and Control Units[]

Organizational structure[]

Chiefs of the Deutsche Grenzpolizei (1946–1961) and the Grenztruppen der DDR (1961–1990)[]

Units and locations[]

Headquarters[]

Border Command North[]

Border Command South[]

Border Command Center[]

Border Brigade to the Czechoslovak People's Republic[]

Border Brigade to the Polish People's Republic[]

6th Border Brigade Coast[]

Reorganization in 1989[]

Translation of German terms into English[]

Subordination of the Deutsche Grenzpolizei (1948–1961)[]

Training and equipment[]

Refugee shootings along the Berlin Wall and the inner German border[]

Line-of-duty deaths[]

See also[]

References[]

Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic
Grenztruppen der DDR
Active	1 December 1946 – September 1990
Country	German Democratic Republic
Branch	Ministry of National Defence (1961–1990) Nationale Volksarmee (1961–1971) Ministry of the Interior (1946–1952, 1953–1961) Ministry for State Security (1952–1953)
Size	47,000
Garrison/HQ	Pätz
Commanders
General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party	Abolished
Chairman of the National Defense Council	Abolished