Berlin in 1996

[RN7]

What happens in Berlin between the 7th October 1996 and the New Year of 1997 when NATO forces reach Berlin

Berlin was a Cold War anomaly that would have led to a number of political difficulties after the Reunification of Germany for all parties concerned. The city was politically divided into two halves after the Second World War by the victorious Allied powers. The Western half was administered by the American, British and French occupation sectors, and the eastern half was placed under Soviet administration. Even after the reconstitution of Germany in 1949 and the establishment of the rival state of East Germany, both halves of Berlin remained under allied control and were outside of German jurisdiction throughout the Cold War. The Soviet Union refused to allow West Berlin to be the new capital of West Germany, and the Allied powers (America, Britain and France) only recognised Soviet authority over East Berlin even after East Germany established its capital in East Berlin. In 1961 the city was physically divided after the Berlin Wall was built by the East German government. West Berlin was also 100 miles east of the inter-German border within East German territory. West Berlin existed as a functional city state with a shared economic, political and legal system to West Germany, but it was not de jure part of West Germany. Due to its peculiar political arrangement no German military forces (East or West) were allowed within the city boundaries of either half of Berlin.

So despite the fact that West German troops had crossed the inter-German border there would have been no East German military forces in East Berlin. After the Bundeswehr crosses the inter-German border the East German military rapidly changes side and turns against the East German regime. The changing loyalties of the East German military is not an immediate event, but it gathers momentum throughout October 1996 and afterwards. So there would be a dwindling pool of loyal East German troops for the East German government to draw upon, and with West German panzer divisions marching through East Germany they would be needed in frontline areas and not in Berlin. Any East German move against West Berlin would have to be carried out by the various East German security forces, and most likely the Stasi. The Stasi are a para-military police force and are well armed by the standards of internal security troops, but they would still be hopelessly outmatched by the three Berlin garrison brigades with 10,000 troops and armour. There is also the West Berlin police force which was armed and trained to the same standard as West German border guards, and probably had a manpower strength of about 10,000 personnel.

Also even after the Bundeswehr crosses the inter-German border the Soviet's cannot intervene in West Berlin. They are fighting a major war in China and other NATO allies are not actively helping the Germans, in fact some NATO members including France are loudly condemning German Reunification. Although Soviet forces in East Germany could attack and probably quickly take control of West Berlin, it would lead to war with other NATO members including the US. This is the situation until December 1996 when US, British and Canadian forces are sent across the inter-German border.

[James Langham2]

What about the cutting off of supplies into Berlin

[Raellus]

Yeah, Berlin Blockade Part 2. Also, it's quite possible that, due to the war in China, both Soviet and East German forces still inside East German could have been reorganized/reoriented somewhat, so that could play into the situation in and around Berlin after the Bundeswehr crosses the border.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Was the Stasi ever given nuclear discretion Could they have/would they have conducted black ops into West Berlin and set off demolition nukes to slow NATO forces or sow chaos and fear It definitely seems like something they'd do if they had the armaments to do so. Failing that, continued terror bombings just with conventional explosives to keep the West Berlin contingent completely off balance.

[RN7]

Yeah, Berlin Blockade Part 2. Also, it's quite possible that, due to the war in China, both Soviet and East German forces still inside East German could have been reorganized/reoriented somewhat, so that could play into the situation in and around Berlin after the Bundeswehr crosses the border.

Road and rail links to West Berlin would certainly have been closed as they pass through East German territory, but maybe not the three air corridors at least until December 1996.

West Berlin was under Allied administration and basically the occupation sectors were American, British and French territories. The Potsdam Agreement established three air corridors that allowed direct flights from West Germany to West Berlin that passed through East German airspace. Only American, British and French military and commercial aircraft were allowed to use these air corridors, although the Polish airline LOT was also allowed use these air corridors on two air routes from Warsaw to London and from East Berlin to Paris. German aircraft including Lufthansa were forbidden from flying to West Berlin or any destination in East Germany, and East German aircraft were also not allowed to travel to West Germany.

Once the Bundeswehr crosses the inter-German border it's likely that flights were severely curtailed due to the warfare in East Germany. However I doubt that America, Britain and France will simply abandon its troops or the civil population of West Berlin, and will insist that regulated air convoys be allowed to continue to fly to West Berlin over the established air corridors at dates and times well known to the Germans and Soviets until perhaps the end of November. The Germans will obviously be happy to allow this, and as the NVA Luftstreitkrafte was quickly absorbed into the Luftwaffe it would leave very few air defence units loyal to the East German regime. What few air defence assets that East Germany retained would be under Soviet command, and the Soviets for their part would have been highly conscious of provoking NATO by shooting down a transport aircraft over East Germany when it could lead to direct NATO military support for Germany and China.

[RN7]

Was the Stasi ever given nuclear discretion Could they have/would they have conducted black ops into West Berlin and set off demolition nukes to slow NATO forces or sow chaos and fear It definitely seems like something they'd do if they had the armaments to do so. Failing that, continued terror bombings just with conventional explosives to keep the West Berlin contingent completely off balance.

The answer would have to be no. The Soviets did not trust the East Germans enough to allow them to build an armaments industry other than allowing them to build some rifles and bullets. Giving them nuclear weapons Nope!

[James Langham2]

Easy to harass aircraft flying through, though, radar locks, etc.

An option for the higher ranking leaders of the East German forces would be to use harassment (blamed on the Soviets) as a provocation for the West Germans to move east.

[RN7]

Easy to harass aircraft flying through, though, radar locks, etc.

An option for the higher ranking leaders of the East German forces would be to use harassment (blamed on the Soviets) as a provocation for the West Germans to move east.

Yes very easy.

During the initial crossing of the inter-German border the NVA Luftstreitkrafte must have been in cahoots with the Bundeswehr for the operation to work. Luftwaffe transports and army helicopters also crossed the border with West German troops, and the only way they would have done so without been shot down was if the Luftstreitkrafte controlled the air defence radars on the border and concealed the data from the Soviets, or had planned in advance to jam or disable Soviet radar coverage of the inter-German border.

So if that is the case then the Luftstreitkrafte or most of it quickly changed side and was integrated into the Luftwaffe. Any loyal East German air defence units would now be under Soviet command, and if they were reckless enough to shoot down a NATO transport in one of these three air corridors the crews would likely be shot themselves by the Soviets.

[RN7]

After the Bundeswehr crosses the inter-German border the East German government would become heavily reliant on its security forces to control territory and remain in power. East Germany had one of the largest state security forces in the world, including three separate para-military security organisations in addition to the regular police force.

1) Border Troops
2) Ministry of the Interior
3) Ministry for State Security (Stasi)

1) The 47,000 strong East German Border Troops (Grenztruppen) were the second largest border guard force in the Warsaw Pact after the Soviet Union. The Border Troops were organised into four commands of twenty frontier regiments, one border-crossing regiment, one artillery regiment, three helicopter flights, six training regiments and one coastal brigade. Each frontier regiment had three battalions with four companies, and also one staff company, one artillery company, one engineer company, one signal company, one service company and one transport company. The Grenztruppen were equipped as motorised infantry battalions, with armoured cars, wheeled armoured personnel carriers, mortars, machine guns, antitank weapons and some T-55 tanks. The Grenztruppen were considered East Germany's first line of defence, and its troops were mostly enlisted and were considered highly disciplined.

The four Border Troop commands included Grenzkommando Nord that guarded the northern sector of the West German border. It had six frontier regiments, two training regiments, a helicopter flight and a boat section on the Elbe River. Grenzkommando Sud guarded the southern sector of the West German border with six frontier regiments, two training regiments and a helicopter flight. Grenzkommando Kuste guarded the coast and was organised as a coastal brigade with twelve marine battalions, eight boat companies and a helicopter flight. The patrol craft and helicopters were operated by the East German Navy. Grenzkommando Mitte was stationed in East Berlin, and it manned the crossing points into West Berlin and the perimeter surrounding it. It had six frontier regiments, one artillery regiment, two training regiments, one border crossing point regiment of eight companies, and one boat company to patrol the waterways in and around West Berlin. There were also two independent frontier regiments on the border with Czechoslovakia and Poland. As the Border Troops of Grenzkommando Nord and Sud were based on the inter-German border it is likely that their commanders were pro-German Reunification, as they were responsible for opening the border and allowing the Bundeswehr to cross into East Germany. The other Border Troop units especially from Grenzkommando Mitte and the regiments on the Czech and Polish border would likely have remained loyal to the East German regime. The East German regime no doubt planned to use the forces of Grenzkommando Mitte against West Berlin.

2) The Ministry of the Interior controlled the East German police (Volkspolizei). Under its command included 8,500 Transport Police who were organised into sixteen companies of armed police, and another 15,000 troops attached to the Volkspolizei Alert Units (Bereitschaftpolizei). The Alert Units were organised into 21 battalions, with each battalion having a headquarter company, four alert companies (one mechanised and three motorised), and one support company with artillery, anti-tank guns and mortars. One alert battalion was attached to each East German district, but the key districts of Halle, Leipzig, Magdeburg and Potsdam had two battalions, and there were six battalions in East Berlin. The Ministry of the Interior also controlled Service Unit 9 (Diensteinheit IX), a covert anti-terrorist unit similar to GSG-9 that was formed in the aftermath of the Munich Massacre in 1972. Diensteinheit IX was armed with Soviet and West German weapons, and its pre-war function included hostage rescue, physical security and the hunting of Soviet Army deserters in East Germany. The Ministry of the Interior also controlled the Combat Groups of the Working Class (Kamphfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse). It was a workers militia of 500,000 members organised into 200 battalions, armed with second line equipment and it served as a home defence force in wartime. The loyalties of the Ministry of Interior troops probably depended upon their location in East Germany, and what they really thought of the East German regime once Bundeswehr panzers were sighted on the horizon.

3) East Germany's most notorious security force was operated by the Ministry for State Security (Stasi), the East German equivalent to the Soviet KGB. The Stasi was a large organisation with 90,000 employees with many functions, but its two principle roles were foreign intelligence and spying on the population of East Germany. The Stasi was in charge of the surveillance of mail and telephone lines, and ran a vast network of informants with as many as 500,000 collaborators with informants and agents in every apartment building and industrial plant. The Stasi also scrutinized the political reliability of the NVA and other East German security services, which did little to endear its popularity among the East German armed forces. The Stasi operated a secure internal communications system for the government, and had a penal system that was distinct from the Ministry of the Interior. The Stasi also controlled the Felix Dzierzynski Guard Regiment which was responsible for the protection of government and party buildings and personnel. The Felix Dzierzynski Guard Regiment was trained to the same standard as the NVA and Volkspolizei alert units, and recruits were selected from politically reliable backgrounds. The regiment had a strength of 11,000 troops and was nearly the size of a motorised rifle division, equipped with armoured vehicles, mortars, antitank weapons and antiaircraft guns. It was organised into three combat groups with six motorized rifle battalions, one artillery battalion, three training battalions, one engineer company, one support company, one medical company and one reconnaissance (parachute) company. The reconnaissance company was a commando unit equivalent to Soviet Spetsnaz forces. The Felix Dzierzynski Guard Regiment was in effect a politically reliable internal security force that could be deployed to suppress rebellion and unrest against the regime in East Germany, and as it was not part of the NVA it could be deployed in East Berlin. It has been said that the Stasi maintained a greater surveillance of its own people than any other secret police force in history, including the KGB and the Nazi Gestapo. However they did miss the well organised planning for German Reunification by senior elements of the NVA with the Bundeswehr, but during German Reunification they would have been by far the most resistant to unification.

After the Bundeswehr establishes itself in East Germany and the NVA begins to show its true loyalties, the East German government would likely pull back as many of its loyal security units to eastern districts of East Germany and allow the Soviets to fight the Bundeswehr. Most of its remaining forces would be withdrawn to loyalist strongholds including East Berlin, as if they lose control of their capital they will lose their legitimacy. So in and around Berlin the East Germans have a large Stasi force including most of the Felix Dzierzynski Guard Regiment, Grenzkommando Mitte and six battalions of Ministry of the Interior Alert Units, with some loyal NVA and militia units.

Facing them in West Berlin are the three Berlin garrison brigades of the US, British and French armies, and the West Berlin police force. The combined strength of the Berlin garrisons was 10,000 troops (4,300 US Army, 3,000 British Army and 2,700 French Army). The three Berlin brigades were basically infantry brigades, but they included mechanised units with tanks, artillery and air defence units. This force included perhaps 300 armoured vehicles such as 28 US M60A3 that were replaced by M1A1's, 18 British Chieftains'replaced by Challenger 1, and 40 French AMX-30. The US also had 9 M109 155m howitzers and all of the brigades were equipped with a large number of Dragon, TOW and Milan ATGW's. Allied air force personnel were also stationed at Gatow, Tegal and Templehof airports, with the RAF strength at Gatow reportedly standing at 700 personnel in 1991. No combat jets were based in West Berlin but there were some US and British helicopters. Once the Bundeswehr crosses the inter-German border the French protest and pull their forces out of Germany including West Berlin. This would have been a major event as France had 52,700 troops and 570 tanks stationed in Germany. The Soviets likely allowed the French to evacuate their troops and civilians through Tegal airport in the French sector of West Berlin, although they would have to leave their vehicles. Do they destroy them or give them to the US and Britain

[James Langham2]

The four Border Troop commands included Grenzkommando Nord that guarded the northern sector of the West German border. It had six frontier regiments, two training regiments, a helicopter flight and a boat section on the Elbe River. Grenzkommando Sud guarded the southern sector of the West German border with six frontier regiments, two training regiments and a helicopter flight. Grenzkommando Kuste guarded the coast and was organised as a coastal brigade with twelve marine battalions, eight boat companies and a helicopter flight. The patrol craft and helicopters were operated by the East German Navy. Grenzkommando Mitte was stationed in East Berlin, and it manned the crossing points into West Berlin and the perimeter surrounding it. It had six frontier regiments, one artillery regiment, two training regiments, one border crossing point regiment of eight companies, and one boat company to patrol the waterways in and around West Berlin. There were also two independent frontier regiments on the border with Czechoslovakia and Poland. As the Border Troops of Grenzkommando Nord and Sud were based on the inter-German border it is likely that their commanders were pro-German Reunification, as they were responsible for opening the border and allowing the Bundeswehr to cross into East Germany. The other Border Troop units especially from Grenzkommando Mitte and the regiments on the Czech and Polish border would likely have remained loyal to the East German regime. The East German regime no doubt planned to use the forces of Grenzkommando Mitte against West Berlin.

Usefully, yesterday at the Other Partizan wargames show I picked up Gordon L Rottman's Osprey book Fortress 69: The Berlin Wall and Intra-German Border. He gives a few details of the Grenztruppen.

Armament - 9mm Pistole M (Makarov), MPiK and MPiKM K47 and AKM), IMGK and IMGD (RPK and RPD), RP46 and sMGK (RP-46 and PK), sMG38 in AA role (DShKM38/46) and RPG7. Late issue were MPiK74N (AKS74) and RPG18.

Vehicles - Ural375D, KraZ214 and Tatra148 trucks. Trabant 601 Kubal (so low powered that on even gentle slopes passangers had to get out and walk) patrol cars. Motorradwerk Zschopau (MZ) ETZ250 and TS250/1/A motorcyles. Small numbers of helicopters (Mi2, 8 and 24). All can be identified by the bright green backing on the national badges. Tanks had been long withdrawn.

Troops in Grenztruppen Kommando Mitte (Frontier Troops Command Centre) are listed as on this picture:

[RN7]

Usefully, yesterday at the Other Partizan wargames show I picked up Gordon L Rottman's Osprey book Fortress 69: The Berlin Wall and Intra-German Border. He gives a few details of the Grenztruppen.

Armament - 9mm Pistole M (Makarov), MPiK and MPiKM K47 and AKM), IMGK and IMGD (RPK and RPD), RP46 and sMGK (RP-46 and PK), sMG38 in AA role (DShKM38/46) and RPG7. Late issue were MPiK74N (AKS74) and RPG18.

Vehicles - Ural375D, KraZ214 and Tatra148 trucks. Trabant 601 Kubal (so low powered that on even gentle slopes passangers had to get out and walk) patrol cars. Motorradwerk Zschopau (MZ) ETZ250 and TS250/1/A motorcyles. Small numbers of helicopters (Mi2, 8 and 24). All can be identified by the bright green backing on the national badges. Tanks had been long withdrawn.

Troops in Grenztruppen Kommando Mitte (Frontier Troops Command Centre) are listed as on this picture:

Good list.

Its peculiar that the Germans under the guidance of the Soviets can produce vehicles like the Trabant 601 Kubal, yet left to their own devices they can produce the Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche and the Leopard 2 tank.

[James Langham2]

The main troop list didn't upload, I will try again later

[Jason Weiser]

To me what happens in Berlin is not much...

1) All of the national contingents are offered safe passage out of West Berlin once the shooting begins in Germany. This is of course, a fairly clumsy attempt to divide NATO, but it works in one sense, the French take the Soviets up on their offer, and withdraw within days. The other two national contingents bulk up the West Berlin Police (who already had a role in defending the city) as best they can, and wait for the what they think is the inevitable Soviet assault.

2) The trouble is, the Soviets only have one Motor Rifle Brigade in East Berlin, the reduction of West Berlin in case of war was to be left to the East Germans..the same East Germans who are now joining their Western brethren in killing Soviet soldiers. The 6th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is right now just trying to hold on in it's kaserne in Karlhorst, and there isn't much help coming. Some elements of the Grenztruppen, and the KdA remain loyal to the Communist cause, and supplement the defense of Karlhorst, but there aren't many of those..and the Soviets (rightfully so) don't trust them.

Therefore, the Soviets content themselves with cutting the rail and air links to the city where they can, but the blockade is porous due to the fact they simply do not have the troops to spare to put a ring around West Berlin. Eventually, when the Poles show up, they put a ring around Berlin, and relive 6th Guards, but that respite does not last long, as the US, British and Canadians enter the war in November, and the Poles are driven back, with the 6th again under siege in Karlhorst. This time, no help comes, and after a 8 day fight, the 6th surrenders with all honors to I British Corps.

[RN7]

No internet at moment, using phone. I would pretty much agree with Jason on with not much happening in Berlin until December. The East Germans don't have firepower to move against West Berlin and the Soviets can't spare a couple of divisions needed to take on the garrison brigades in West Berlin, or won't. In the meantime some air supply to West Berlin and plenty of defence preparation. The Soviets also make their own preparations to capture West Berlin.

[pmulcahy11b]

To me what happens in Berlin is not much...

1) All of the national contingents are offered safe passage out of West Berlin once the shooting begins in Germany. This is of course, a fairly clumsy attempt to divide NATO, but it works in one sense, the French take the Soviets up on their offer, and withdraw within days. The other two national contingents bulk up the West Berlin Police (who already had a role in defending the city) as best they can, and wait for the what they think is the inevitable Soviet assault.

SGM Vallente GA Mills, a long-time veteran of Special Forces and a veteran of SFDB, told me that the SFDB's job if the balloon goes up was to exfiltrate out of Berlin (they had many routes in that respect) and to split into two sections. One section would begin to raise a partisan movement in East Germany, the other to begin to destroy communications hubs, dams, government and military buildings, and conduct harassing attacks against Warsaw Pact forces.