DDR Border Troops

The DDR Border Troops, or Grenztruppen, were the armed forces responsible for securing the borders of East Germany (German Democratic Republic) during the Cold War. Established to prevent illegal crossings into West Germany, they employed various measures, including surveillance and barriers, and were equipped with firearms and military technology. The troops operated from 1952 until the reunification of Germany in 1990. Their role was primarily to maintain the divide between the Eastern and Western blocs and enforce the policies of the socialist state. After reunification, the DDR Border Troops were dissolved as Germany unified.