The Berlin Wall and the Intra-German Border 1961-89

by Gordon L. Rottman, Chris Taylor (Illustrator)

Overview

The border between East and West Germany was closed on 26 May 1953. On 13 August 1961 crude fences and walls were erected around West Berlin: the Berlin Wall had been created. The Wall encircled West Berlin for a distance of 155km, and its barriers and surveillance systems evolved over the years into an advanced obstacle network. The Intra-German Border ran from the Baltic Sea to the Czechoslovak border for 1,381km, and was where NATO forces faced the Warsaw Pact for the 45 years of the Cold War. This book examines the international situation that led to the establishment of the Berlin Wall and the IGB, and discusses how these barrier systems were operated, and finally fell.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782005087
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/20/2012
Series:	Fortress , #69
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group until reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70. Gordon worked as a civilian contract Special Operations Forces Intelligence Specialist at the Army's Joint Readiness Center, Ft Polk, until 2002. A highly respected and established author, who is a recognised expert on this subject, he now devotes himself to full-time writing and research.

Chris Taylor was born in Newcastle, UK, but now lives in London. After attending art college in his home town, he graduated in 1995 from Bournemouth University with a degree in computer graphics. Since then he has worked in the graphics industry and is currently a freelance illustrator for various publishing companies. He has a keen interest in filmmaking and is currently co-producing a movie.
Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments before retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.

Table of Contents

Introduction     4
The Origins of Division     5
The Wall rises
The two Germanys
Chronology     11
The Intra-German Border     14
The border 1952-67
The modern border 1968-98
Towers
The Berlin Wall     29
The initial barriers
The second- and third-generation walls
Grenzwall 75
From West Germany to West Berlin
Manning the Wall and the IGB     42
Grenztruppen units
Frontier guard duty
Testing the Barriers     57
The fall of the Wall
An Assessment of the Wall and the IGB     59
The Sites Today     61
Further Reading and Research     61
Websites
Glossary and Abbreviations     63
Index     64

Editorial Reviews

The book is well illustrated including illustrations showing how the East Germans sealed off water obstacles and other barriers that could leave gaps in their barrier. This is a title anyone interested in the Cold War and security will find of great interest.” —J.E. Kaufmann, SiteO (March 2008)

“Here is a good account of the early border fences and how they grew into formidable obstacles designed to keep people in... Anyone interested in 'what if' wargaming should certainly know their likely effect on either a Soviet attack on the West or a Western counter-attack. Recommended.” —John Prigent, Internet Modeler (March 2008)

“Author Gordon Rottman tells the story of the building and upgrading of the border with photos of the various installations as they grew. The history of the men and organizations that had to man these border posts is also included. Illustrator Chris Taylor adds his skills to the work and combined with period photographs, gives an excellent look at this most unfortunate part of man's attempt to keep a population at bay. It is a book that I found quite intriguing and I'm sure you will find it equally fascinating.” —Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (March 2008)

From the Publisher