GDR border guards

GDR border guards were personnel responsible for monitoring and securing the border of East Germany (German Democratic Republic) from 1949 to 1990. Their primary role was to prevent illegal crossings into West Germany and West Berlin, maintaining the separation during the Cold War. They used fences, watchtowers, patrols, and other security measures to control movement. Border guards also enforced strict travel regulations and conducted surveillance, playing a key role in maintaining East Germany's political and physical barrier to the West. Their actions reflected the broader Cold War tensions and the East German government's efforts to restrict emigration.