NIS 13A, East Germany, Armed Forces

by Central Intelligence Agency

WARNING: The NIS is National Intelligence and may not be released or shown to representatives of any foreign government or international body except by specific authorization of the Director of Central Intelligence in accordance with the provisions of National Security Council Intelligence Directive No. 1.

For NIS containing unclassified material, however, the portions so marked may be made available for official purposes to foreign nationals and non-government personnel provided no attribution is made to National Intelligence or the National Intelligence Survey.

Subsections and graphics are individually classified according to content. Classification/control designations are:

(U/OU): Unclassified/For Official Use Only

(C): Confidential

(S): Secret

A. Defense Establishment (S)

The East German armed forces consist of ground, naval, and air and air defense forces, and these elements, plus a militarized security force known as the Frontier Command, make up the National People's Army (NVA). The armed forces constitute a single, closely integrated, and centrally controlled force. They are under full operational and administrative control of the Minister for National Defense, who is assisted by a unified high command.

The 119,500-man armed forces, while one of the smallest, is among the most modern and best equipped of the Eastern European Communist forces. The ground forces have approximately 90,000 men organized into six divisions. The naval forces, with a personnel strength of about 17,500, are equipped with over 450 ships and craft, predominantly patrol ships and minesweepers. The 12,000-man air forces are equipped with about 400 aircraft, of which 320 are jet fighters. The air defense component draws personnel from the ground forces to man surface-to-air missile (SAM), anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), and air control and warning (ACW) radar units; pilots and other air personnel for air defense are provided by the air forces.

The armed forces have a limited offensive capability, but in fulfillment of their mission of territorial defense, they are capable of defensive action against a Western force of eight to 10 divisions. They could not, however, maintain their present state of development or conduct sustained military operations without continued Soviet support. During wartime, the armed forces would be employed as a part of the overall Warsaw Pact effort. The Soviets consider East Germany as part of the first strategic echelon of the Warsaw Pact forces.

The East German armed forces are modeled along the lines of the Soviet forces, and the Soviets exercise considerable influence on East German military developments. The East German regime is dependent on Moscow, and the armed forces are ostensibly subordinate to the unified command of the Warsaw Pact in Moscow.

The USSR has a military force of about 333,000 stationed in East Germany, organized under the Group of Soviet Forces, Germany (GSFG). Consisting largely of ground troops (about 200,000) and air personnel (about 32,700), this force exercises a real, though generally indirect, influence on East German forces.

Militarized security forces, in addition to the 49,500-man Frontier Command under the Minister for National Defense, include the 11,000-man Alert Police under the Minister of Interior and the 3,500-man Security Guard Regiment under the Minister for State Security. These forces have a paramilitary capability and could be utilized to augment the armed forces in time of war in rear area security, traffic control, protection of lines of communication, and other such specialized duties.

1. Military History

After the collapse of Germany at the close of World War II, Allied policy, as outlined in the Potsdam Agreement of August 1945, called for Germany's complete disarmament. All ground, sea, and air forces were to be disbanded. War industry was either to be eliminated or converted to controlled non-military production. Implementation of the agreed policy was initiated by the quadripartite Allied Control Council.

In March 1948 the USSR withdrew from the Allied Control Council and during the summer began to establish militarized "police forces" in East Germany. Alert units were formed within the framework of the People's Police. In 1949 these units were transferred to centralized control, under the Directorate for Schooling, and were provided Soviet advisors and military equipment. In October 1949 the alert units were placed under the Main Directorate for Training of the Ministry for Interior, and in 1950 these units were redesigned the Garrisoned People's Police.

The first significant development in the establishment of a legal basis for the armed forces took place in March 1954, when the USSR formally recognized East Germany as a sovereign republic. This recognition was reaffirmed in September 1955 by an exchange of notes between the two states. The office of the Soviet High Commissioner in Germany was officially abolished, and responsibility for control of the frontier (except that over Allied military and other official traffic) was turned over to the East Germans. Supported by Soviet approval alone, the regime amended the constitution in September 1955 to legalize a national defense establishment. The existence of an armed force was not officially acknowledged, however, until 18 January 1956, when the regime enacted the Law of the Creation of the National People's Army. A Ministry for National Defense was simultaneously created out of the Main Directorate for Training of the Ministry of Interior.

The first evidence of East German naval development occurred late in 1949, when the Main Department for Special Disposition was formed within the militarized police organization with the mission of creating a naval establishment. In July 1950 a naval service was officially created within the Ministry of Interior with the title of Main Directorate for Sea Police. Although outwardly a police force, it soon developed into a true military organization. With the creation of the Ministry for National Defense, it became one of the three components of the armed forces. Since November 1960 the organization has carried the title People's Navy (Volksmarine).

The predecessor of the air forces was founded in 1950. The organization of this small air arm has undergone several changes since its inception. The pace of operational development and logistic support has been determined in large measure by the Soviet estimate of the political reliability of pilots and other key personnel. As early as 1946, pilots received training in the USSR. Thereafter, the air program was intensified until after the uprising of 17 June 1953, when air training was halted and jet aircraft were withdrawn. Jet training was resumed following the formal establishment of the armed forces in 1956.

a. Military Traditions

The East German Communist regime has faced the problem of reorienting German military tradition to meet those attributes acceptable to the Communist hierarchy. The result has been a hybrid not enthusiastically accepted by the East German people. The traditional espirit de corps and discipline of former German armies have not been fully realized in the armed forces. Until a universal military service law was passed in January 1962, recruiting efforts met considerable resistance, and various forms of coercion were occasionally used to stimulate "volunteer" recruitment. Since the adoption of conscription, however, the general attitude toward the military has improved, and the population is again beginning to show some pride in the armed forces.

b. Political Influence

Throughout their existence, the armed forces have been dominated, directly or indirectly, by Soviet political and military ideology. Originally, Soviet control of the military establishment was exerted primarily through the Soviet Military Mission. Soviet military advisors were present at practically all levels, with the mission of organizing, training, and equipping the embryonic forces, and their authority was decisive. Now, all top command and staff positions are held by East Germans loyal to Soviet interests. Most of the incumbents have been thoroughly indoctrinated in Soviet political and military concepts at Soviet military schools and academies. Over 95% of all commissioned officers and over 40% of the regular noncommissioned officers are members of the East German Communist party, the Socialist Unity Party (SED).

Civilian authority over the armed forces, exercised by the leader of the local regime, is virtually absolute. Within the armed forces, continuing indoctrination is effected through political officers who are directly responsive to party influence. Control stems from a Deputy Minister for Political Affairs and extends downward through the lower echelons of command. The mission of the political officer are to provide political indoctrination for the troops and to assist the commander in conforming military developments in party interests. Political officers are also active in the party cells that exist for personnel in most headquarters, units, and schools.

Another channel of political control is exercised through the Ministry for State Security, which maintains a special department for armed forces security. Counterintelligence officers and agents are assigned from this department to units throughout the armed forces. Vertical control exerted by the party functionaries and Ministry for State Security agents is reinforced by close lateral contact with local and regional party and Ministry for State Security organizations at all levels.

2. Command Structure

Ultimate authority stems from the East German Government and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union through the Central Committee of the SED to the Council of Ministers (cabinet). Actual governmental direction is accomplished through the National Defense Council.

The National Defense Council has full control over all resources and manpower of East Germany for purposes of "national defense." Direction of all defense and security measures is also the responsibility solely of the National Defense Council. The chairman of the council, SED First Secretary Erich Honecker, is empowered to proclaim a "state of national defense," following which he would have the power to modify at will any East German legislation and even to ignore or change the Constitution. In normal times the National Defense Council issues instructions through civilian governmental organizations subordinate to the Council of Ministers. In times of "national defense," however, with constitutional and other legal provisions modified or suspended, the National Defense Council's orders may be issued directly through military agencies and are binding even if they contravene published laws.

The Minister for National Defense, Karl Heinz Hoffmann (a leading cabinet member), is a member of the National Defense Council. The minister exercises full operational and administrative command of the armed forces. Key assistants to the minister are five, possibly seven, deputy ministers, who also serve in top posts within the high command -- the Chiefs of the Main (General) Staff, Rear Services Directorate, Training Directorate, Political Directorate, Armament and Technology Directorate, the People's Navy, and the Air Forces and Air Defense Command. Additional major staff agencies of the high command include the branch directorates for selected arms and services (armor, artillery, and engineers are known to exist) and various administrative and technical agencies, such as finance, inspectorate, justice, and personnel.

The command channel extends from the Minister of National Defense to the military districts, People's Navy, Air Forces and Air Defense Command, and the Frontier Command. Operational units of the armed forces are under the direct control of the commanders of the two military districts, the Chief of the People's Navy, and the Chief of the Air Forces and Air Defense Command. Frontier units are under the control of the Chief of the Frontier Command, except for the Coastal Border Brigade, which has been incorporated into the navy.

The Chief of the Main (General) Staff has no specific command authority over tactical units. Similarly, the Chief of Rear Services and the chiefs of the branch directorates have no command responsibilities, although they have certain administrative and technical responsibilities for field units.

B. Joint Activities

1. Military Manpower (S)

As of 1 July 1973, there were about 3,847,000 males in the age bracket 15 through 49. Of this number, about 3,113,000 (about 81%) were physically fit for military service. Their distribution by 5-year age groups is as follows:

Age	Total Number of Males	Maximum Number Fit for Military Service
15-19	587,000	803,000
20-24	582,000	513,000
25-29	499,000	405,000
30-34	575,000	560,000
35-39	577,000	445,000
40-44	498,000	350,000
45-49	353,000	320,000
Total, 15-49	3,047,000	3,115,000

(Disclaimer: Figure may not be accurate due to quality of source material)

The average number of males reaching military age (18) annually during the period 1973 through 1976 is expected to be about 132,000.

Before passage of the conscription law in January 1962, East Germany was the only Eastern European Communist country without compulsory service. Forces were supported by "volunteer" recruitment, which, in fact, involved various forms of duress. The 1962 military service law provides for a basic term of service of 18 months. All males 18 to 28 years of age are liable for military service. Prior to reaching conscription age, youths are called up for registration, physical examination, and classification at the county (Kreig) military office. Here the type of service to be performed and the actual unit assignment is determined. These offices would continue to operate during wartime as mobilization-recruitment headquarters. Personnel declared temporarily unfit bu the county military office must have their status reviewed annually until they have passed their 28th birthday. They may be conscripted in any one of those years should their disqualifying condition have been corrected. If not, they pass into the reserve along those who have completed their obligated term of service. All males must remain in the reserve until age 50 (60 for officers). Reservists receive periodic refresher training, especially in the first few years. Since 1968, approximately 200,000 reservists in the ground forces and 145,000 reservists in the military security forces have completed military service. The naval forces have about 22,800 men in reserve, and the air forces have about 4,400.

Generally the morale of the armed forces is good. Morale of officers exceeds that of enlisted personnel, and the overall level in the naval and air forces is slightly higher than that of the ground forces. The political reliability of some personnel in the lower echelons is questionable. In the event of war, however, morale and reliability are not expected to be significant adverse factors unless ultimate defeat becomes apparent. The adoption of conscription has resulted in a higher quality of personnel entering the armed forces. Economic and career incentives, improvements in conditions of service, and a more effective training program have contributed to a general rise in morale during the last few years.

2. Strength Trends (S)

The greatest buildup in personnel strength of the armed forces occurred following the erection of the Berlin Wall in August 1961; in 1962, the ground forces added 15,000 men and the naval forces increased their strength by 3,000, and by the end of 1963 the air forces had added 3,500 men. Since 1962, the strength of the ground forces has remained stable at about 90,000. The naval and air force have had some increase and in 1973 stood at 17,500 and 12,000 men, respectively. Barring an international crisis, no significant increase is expected in the strength of the armed forces.

(Figure 2: Armed Forces and Militarized Security Forces Personnel Strengths not included due to quality of source material)

3. Training (C)

The forces frequently hold joint exercises and participate in combined exercises with Soviet and other Warsaw Pact forces.

Selected senior officers from the ground and air forces attend the Armed Forces Command and Staff School at Dresden, and naval officers study under the school's naval faculty on Darnholm Island. Selected officers from all branches are sent to the USSR for advanced training and postgraduate schooling.

4. Military Budget (C)

The military budget is prepared by the Finance Directorate of the Ministry for National Defense in accordance with the aims and directives of the SED and is submitted to the Ministry of Finance for incorporation into the total state budget. Following confirmation by the Council of Ministers, the national budget is presented for review to the Budget and Finance Committee of the People's Chamber. The appropriation bill is enacted into law after ratification by the entire body. Actually, however, the military budget is formulated in close coordination with the Soviet Union because of East Germany's close defense ties and heavy reliance on the USSR for military material. The People's Chamber usually rubber-stamps it as presented.

Since 1968, East Germany's defense budget has remained stable, showing only moderate annual increases in line with a modest modernization campaign and increasing armaments costs. As is the case in other Communist countries, the announced budget figures do not include all expenditures for military purposes. Some military costs, particularly those for research and development, are charged to other budget accounts. However, East German research and development expenditures are believes to account for a relatively small portion of total military expenditures.

(Figure 3: Annual Defense Budget not included due to quality of source material)

5. Logistics (S)

East Germany's defense industry is small in relation to that of other industrialized countries, but its economy possesses the technological and industrial base to furnish a significantly greater portion of the country's conventional military equipment needs. A major expansion of military production would, however, entail an extensive alteration of the existing industrial pattern. Considering the heavy costs involved, this is not likely to occur in the near future. To maintain the development of the armed forces, East Germany imports military equipment, particularly from the USSR, which during the period 1968-71 supplies equipment valued at $2.5 billion.

Production of ground forces material includes transport vehicles, limited amounts of small arms and ammunition, some chemical warfare agents, and enough military explosives to allow for some exports. The country's highly developed telecommunications industry fills all the requirements of the armed forces except for radar and certain types of tactical radios. These and most other imported material are supplied by the Soviet Union.

Although East Germany is almost self-sufficient in the production of component parts for shipbuilding and its shipyards have the facilities and capability to produce large combatants, it has limited its naval production to submarine chasers, minesweepers, landing ships, motor torpedo boats, and auxiliaries, acquiring large combatants from the Soviet Union.

East Germany has no aircraft or missile industry. Aircraft are obtained primarily from the USSR, which also supplies air-to-air, surface-to-air, and surface-to-surface missiles.

6. Uniforms and Insignia (U/OU)

The uniforms and insignia of the East German armed force resemble those worn by the German Army in World War II. Excluding naval forces, all services wear brownish-gray uniforms.

a. Uniforms

Ground force uniforms may be divided into four basic categories: dress, semi-dress, field-service, and work. Styling of the uniforms is essentially the same for all ranks; major differences are evidenced only in the quality of materials. The semi-dress uniform, formally entitled the "walking-out" uniform, is most frequently observed. Since January 1965, career senior noncommissioned officers have been permitted to wear officer-type uniforms. A new semi-dress uniform for paratroopers, introduced in December 1969, includes an open collar single-breasted four-button coat, matching trousers, silver-gray shirt, and dark-gray tie. An orange beret can be worn with this uniform.

Uniforms for naval officers and enlisted personnel include dress blue, service blue, and summer white categories. Senior mates and rates wear officer-type uniforms, but without gold braid on the service cap. Enlisted personnel in the lower rates wear regular two-piece suits. White cap covers are generally worn from May to September, and navy-blue covers at other times. Officers also have a full dress uniform, identical to the dress blue, but having a gold leaf emblem on the coat lapels.

Air Force officers and enlisted personnel wear uniforms which are similar in style and color to those of the ground forces.

b. Insignia

Insignia of rank for officers and enlisted personnel of the ground and air forces are displayed on shoulder-boards or shoulder-loops of all uniforms except those intended for field use, coveralls, and other special clothing. General officers wear five-pointed silver stars; other officers wear four-pointed gold stars and/or silver braid, or silver horizontal stripes. Sleeve rank insignia worn on field uniform, coveralls, and other special clothing consist of silver or white horizontal stripes of varying widths and number, according to the rank, sewn on the upper left sleeve of the garment.

Rank insignia for naval officers are similar to those of their counterparts in the ground and air forces. Naval officers also wear sleeve rank stripes on all uniform except the summer white and the winter overcoats. The ranks of enlisted personnel are indicated by four-pointed silver stars and/or gold bread, or gold horizontal stripes. The rates from senior seaman through mate display the gold stripes on the upper left sleeve of the uniform, and on the shoulder-boards of the peacoat.

The branches of service in the ground forces are identified by use of distinctive colors in the piping on caps, shoulder-boards, and on collar and cuff tabs. The air forces' color is light blue, and the service is also identified by silver wing devices worn on light blue collar tabs. The shoulder-boards of general officers of the ground forces have a red background, flag officers of the naval forces a deep blue background, and general officers of the air forces a light blue background. Naval officers wear the corps emblem on the lower sleeve of the coat just above the sleeve rank stripes.

Specialist, or career field, insignia are worn by enlisted personnel of the three services. The ground and air forces use emblems which are basically silver in color and displayed on round or oval brownish-gray patches sewn on the lower left sleeve of the coat above the cuff turn-up. The emblem may also be in the color of the branch of service to which an individual has been assigned. the paratroop insignia consists of a silver embroidered parachute and wings emblem displayed on orange collar tabs. Naval enlisted personnel wear corps and specialty insignia, which consist of gold or red emblems on blue or white patches, displayed on the upper left sleeve of the uniform.

C. Ground Forces (S)

The ground forces are the largest component of the armed forces. Although small in comparison with most other Eastern European Communist ground forces, they are better developed. They have made significant progress since being established in 1956, growing to a well-trained, modern, conventional force of 90,000 men with six line divisions, each at combat strength, and supporting elements.

The primary mission of the ground forces is territorial defense and participation in Warsaw Pact operations against the NATO Central Region. They have a limited offensive capability and are capable of defending against a Western force of eight to 10 divisions. Because of their proximity to the NATO forces, the East German ground forces are reportedly in a full state of readiness.

The organization of ground forces units follows the Soviet pattern. The line divisions were the first in the Eastern European Communist countries to be completely transformed into the Soviet-type motorized rifle and tank divisions. Equipment is mostly of Soviet design and manufacture. Training has improved markedly, steadily becoming more comprehensive and involving larger forces. The officer corps is capable and loyal. The major weakness, aside from the small size of the standing force, is the dependence on Soviet logistic support.

1. Organization

a. Territorial

Ground forces are administered and controlled through two military districts -- Military District III Headquarters at Leipzig is responsible for all units in the southern half of East Germany, and Military District V Headquarters at Neubrandenburg is responsible for units in the northern half. Each military district has its own support and service units, including an artillery regiment, an anti-aircraft artillery regiment, a signal regiment, an anti-tank battalion, an engineer battalion, a motor transportation battalion, a chemical company, and service elements. In addition, there is a surface-to-surface missile (SCUD) brigade located in Military District V.

The military district commanders are in a direct line from the Ministry for National Defense to the tactical units under their jurisdiction. Although the military districts are not tactical commands, they supervise and on occasion control all training programs. The military district commander is responsible for the combat preparedness of the units in his area. In wartime he probably would become a higher unit field commander, and personnel for his new headquarters would come largely from the military district headquarters staff. The military district headquarters would retain administrative and logistic responsibilities, as well as those involved with the wartime mobilization and preparedness of additional units for combat.

b. Tactical

The highest tactical unit is the division. The motorized rifle division with full wartime tables of organization and equipment (TOE) would be well balanced, mobile, and heavily armored. A motorized rifle division comprises three motorized rifle regiments, a medium tank regiment, an artillery regiment, a free-rocket-over-ground (FROG) battalion, an anti-aircraft artillery battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an engineer battalion, a signal battalion, a chemical defense company, and service elements. The tank division is similar in organization, except that it has three medium tank regiments and one motorized rifle regiment.

2. Strength, Composition, and Disposition

Of the approximately 90,000 officers and enlisted men in the ground forces, an estimated 15,000 officers and between 10,000 and 15,000 noncommissioned officers constitute the regular cadre. The remainder consist essentially of 18-month conscripts. Of the estimated 700,000 trained reserves, 345,000 were discharged from the ground and paramilitary forces since 1958. (There are 290,000 Soviet ground forces in the GSFG, organized into 10 motorized rifle and 10 tank divisions.)

Major units of the ground forces include six line divisions (four motorized rifle and two tank), one SCUD brigade, four combat support regiments (two artillery and two anti-aircraft artillery), two anti-tank battalions, and one airborne battalion. Approximate authorized personnel strengths of these units are as follows:

Unit	Authorized Personnel Strength
Motorized Rifle Division	10,700
Tank Division	8,800
SCUD Brigade	1,950
Artillery Regiment	1,300
Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment	900
Anti-Tank Battalion	370
Airborne Battalion	350

(Disclaimer: Figure may not be accurate due to quality of source material)

All line divisions are considered available for early commitment and are manned at 90% to 95% of authorized TOE. Division headquarters and their subordinate elements are widely scattered. This disposition of units probably results from a relative scarcity of facilities, caused by heavy concentrations of Soviet troops in certain areas. The presence of two motorized rifle and one tank division in each military district, suggests that a separate balanced force, probably under a field army headquarters, is to be established in each area in wartime. Some of the major weapons and items of equipment are listed in Figure 4.

(Figure 4: Major Arms and Equipment (S) not included due to quality of source material)

3. Training

The quality of training has reached an impressive standard. Field exercises and maneuvers have progressed from divisional to field army level under the control of the military district commanders. Most significantly, combined maneuvers with Soviet and other Warsaw Pact forces, under centralized command and on a large scale, have been held during the last few years.

Training is rigorous and realistic with a large proportion devoted to field training. Small-unit training is carried out throughout the year when units are at home stations and conduct training at close-in training areas, with battalion-size units moving in the larger training areas. Regimental-size training occurs throughout the year to maintain readiness of the basic tactical maneuver elements. Large-scale field training exercises and command post exercises are now held at various times during the year. Personnel and equipment in the SCUD missile unit travel in the USSR for live-firing exercises. Alerts and exercises testing mobilization machinery are held periodically and frequently involve paramilitary forces as well as ground forces.

Two noncommissioned officer (NCO) training regiments conduct the majority of NCO training, although some NCO training is carried out in line units. An NCO technical school was inaugurated at Rostock in December 1969 to train a variety of NCO specialists. A reorganization of officer training in late 1963 resulted in the consolidation of all ground officer basic training at the Lobau and Zittau branches of the Ernst Thalmann Ground Forces Officers School. Graduates are commissioned junior lieutenants, although outstanding graduates may be commissioned lieutenants. In addition, there is one advanced command and staff school, the Friedrich Engels Military Academy, Dresden, and selected officers are also sent in the Soviet Union for advanced training.

Pre-induction training consists of instruction in virtually all basic military subjects. Much of this type of training is conducted in paramilitary organizations such as the Society for Sport and Technology (GST). Instructors in this type of organization are usually former servicemen.

A reserve program was instituted in 1957, when regulations were issued prescribing the types and periods of training to be given to both former servicemen and those without prior military service. Under these regulations, students in universities and technical schools are given Reserve Officer Training Corps-type training during the school term and additional training in camp with military units during the summer. With the enactment of a conscription law in January 1962, the reserve program was revised. Reservists are divided into two categories. Category I includes all men through the age of 35 years who have not previously served or who have served as enlisted men or company-grade officers, and men up to age 60 who have served as officers above company-grade. Category II includes all other men between 36 and 50 years of age (between 36 and 60 years for former company-grade officer) whether or not they have previously served on active duty. Reservists receive their training in the reserve training regiment or in regular line units. They are also called up for short periods to participate in major exercises or to test the efficiency of the mobilization system.

4. Logistics

The logistics system is capable of supporting the ground forces for a relatively short period. For sustained operations, large-scale mobilization of rear service units would be necessary. Following the initial stages of combat, the system probably would rely on Soviet augmentation.

Requirements for all ground forces general and specialized supplies are coordinated through the rear services apparatus, which is also generally responsible for storage and issue to tactical echelons. Materiel is generally stored in and issued by central depots. There are exceptions, however, such as petroleum products, which are procured locally and distributed directly to the using agency. Normally, supplies move from central depots to divisional depots as required.

A high premium is placed on careful maintenance. Command inspections are frequent, and maintenance schools for all types of equipment are conducted for officers and enlisted personnel. There are automotive repair shops, mobile machine shops, and signal repair ships at lower echelons. The timely accomplishment of maintenance at fixed rear area installations has been substantially improved in recent years. Maintenance is of a high order, although hampered occasionally by shortages of spare parts.

Evacuation is generally the responsibility of the rear service elements at the various levels. Medical evacuation is organized to treat sick and wounded personnel at the lowest possible level and return them quickly to duty. Evacuation proceeds from company to battalion collection posts and then to regiment and division medical points. The regiment medical point is the lowest echelon with organic transportation for the evacuation of casualties.

D. Naval Forces (S)

Among the Eastern European Warsaw Pact navies, the East German People's Navy (Volksmarine) ranks first in quality of equipment, and second in size and composition only to Poland. Composition has been aimed at fulfilling the basically defensive missions -- providing for the defense and security of home waters and coastal lines of communications. While East Germany's major role within the Warsaw Pact is to serve as the first line of defense in the Baltic and will continue to be defensive in nature, the addition of amphibious types and missile-equipped combat ships has provided the naval forces with the potential for participating in offensive operations. Within this framework the East Germans have developed a well-equipped and reasonably balanced force. Under routine circumstances the naval forces should be able to provide for the defense of home waters. Electronic equipment and ordnance on older ships have been improved, and new, more modern ships have been added. All ships currently in operational status are postwar construction and fairly modern. However, propulsion equipment has been particularly susceptible to breakdown.

1. Organization

Within the highly integrated armed forces structure, the naval forces enjoy an unusual degree of administrative autonomy because of the geographical separation of naval headquarters at Gehlsdorf from the Ministry for National Defense at Strausberg. The Chief of the People's Navy ordinarily remains at naval headquarters and delegates naval representation in Strausberg to the Chief of the Naval Directorate in the Ministry for National Defense, who coordinates the activities of naval representatives working in the various administrative elements of the ministry.

The Chief of the People's Navy has four assistants, each of whom controls a board area of naval activity. Each is a counterpart, at a lower echelon, of a member of the high command of the Ministry for National Defense. Important militarily is the Chief of Staff, who is responsible for operational and general administrative matters. The Chief of Rear Services controls logistic and support activities. Training programs and schools are the responsibility of the Chief of Training Establishments. Most influential is the Political Deputy, who is the principal link between the naval forces and the Socialist Unity Party.

Operational units of the naval forces consist of the 1st, 4th, and 6th Flotillas, and the Coastal Border Brigade (GBK). The 1st and 4th Flotillas are responsible for the defense of coastal waters, especially beyond the 3-mile limit. Ships assigned include the primarily defensive types -- destroyer escorts, large submarine chasers, and minesweepers. Also assigned to the 1st Flotilla are all 28 of the navy's amphibious vessels. The 6th Flotilla, specifically constituted for immediate commitment to the Warsaw Pact in time of crisis and with the mission of striking at enemy forces further away from home waters, operates ships with offensive capabilities, such as large guided missile patrol boats, fast patrol boats, and motor torpedo boats. The Coastal Border Brigade is responsible for the security of coastal waters (mainly within the 3-mile limit), ports, and beaches against smuggling and illegal entries and exits. Its afloat units consist mainly of motor gunboats and, more recently, submarine chasers. Ashore elements of the GBK include infantry-type beach patrol troops and coastal observation stations. Directly subordinate to naval headquarters are coastal defense missile units and combat engineers.

2. Strength, Composition, and Disposition

Of the 17,500 navy personnel, 17,000 are regular navy and 500 are Frontier Command troops assigned to the naval forces. Regular navy personnel include 3,100 afloat, 4,500 staff and support ashore, 1,800 beach patrol troops, 1,700 trainees, 500 coastal warning types, 200 in a motorized communication battalion, 650 combat engineers, 700 coastal defense missile personnel, 100 in helicopters, 50 anti-aircraft personnel, and 700 police and guard types. About 10% of the regular navy personnel are officers. Naval reservists total 22,800.

Although most personnel are conscripted, a high percentage are volunteers. The basic term of service is 18 months, but volunteers for shipboard duty are obligated for 3 years, and volunteers for career status are obligated for 10 years. As designated career personnel, all commissioned officers have a minimum 10-year service obligation.

The naval reserve is composed of four elements: officers released from active naval service; merchant marine officers with reserve commissions; former naval enlisted personnel who, because of outstanding service, were commissioned reserve officers upon their release from active duty; and former enlisted men released from active duty. Reservists are subdivided into two groups: Reserve Group I consists of pre-service conscripts, former enlisted personnel, and officers up to and including captain lieutenant, all below age 35, and corvette captains and above to age 60. Reserve Group II is composed of pre-service conscripts and former enlisted personnel from age 35 to 50 (60 in times of emergency), and officers up to and including captain lieutenant from age 35 to 60. Reservists who reach the age limit for Group I are automatically transferred to Group II.

The limiting factor in fleet mobilization would be the absence of reserve equipment. There is no formal reserve of naval ships as such, though some ships and craft are usually out of active service at any given time. Most ship complements are maintained below authorized wartime levels, and the 10 to 20 ships in refit at any given time have only cadre crews. Perhaps one-third of the reservists would be assigned to the ships. The remainder would be used for support ashore and as replacements for shipboard casualties. Naval reserves could be mobilized in increments of one-third each, by M+15, M+30, and M+40 respectively, but their full utilization would require acquisition of additional ships. Reserve personnel in the merchant and shipping fleets would probably remain in place during mobilization, with the navy merely taking over control of these organizations intact.

There are 800 personnel assigned to the naval staff at Gehlsdorf and another 200 in the hydrographic office in Rostock proper. Wolgast has about 500 and the Stralsund area about 700 personnel on a variety of logistic support and training staff billets. The 1st Flotilla has about 500 shore support personnel at Peenemuende and another 50 at Wolgast. The staff and support personnel of the 4th Flotilla total 500, most of them at Warnemuende. The 6th Flotilla's 250 staff and support personnel are stationed almost exclusively at Bug. The Coastal Border Brigade has about 100 personnel to each headquarters staff at Rostock, Sassnitz, and Tarnewitz, with another 150 or so distributed among Stralsund, Vitte, Wieck, Wismas, and other GBK installations. The remaining 300 staff and support personnel are at various minor facilities.

The headquarters of the four line battalions of the beach patrol troops of the Coastal Border Brigade are at Baroln, Markgrafenheide, Stabbenlammer, and Tarnewitz. The 1,800 beach-patrol troops are spread rather evenly along the entire coastline. (A training battalion at Kuchlungsborn is included in the 1,800 figure rather than under trainees because the personnel could be deployed immediately should the need exist. The other 1,700 trainees of the naval forces, concentrated mainly in the Stralsund area, could be reassigned efficiently prior to the completion of their training. In addition, 500 personnel man coastal observation stations along the entire coastline, the 200-man motorized communications battalion operates out of the Ulmenstrasse Barracks in Rostock, and the 650 combat engineers are usually concentrated at Sassnitz and Kuchlungsborn. There are about 500 personnel in coastal defense missile units on Rurgen island, largely concentrated around Borgen, and another 230 at Schwarzeapfust, near Wassentactule. These units have been employing the SAMLET, but apparently this missile is being phased out and replaced by a new but yet to be identified missile.

Most of the naval ships are relatively small units designed primarily for service in coastal waters. Combat ship strength includes two destroyer escorts, 230 patrol ships, 37 minesweepers, and 28 amphibious ships and craft. The two Riga class destroyer escorts (DE) are the largest ships of the navy. As of April 1973, these ships included the following:

Patrol ships

• 1 Hai I class large submarine chaser (PC)
• 12 Hai-III class large submarine chasers
• 12 SO-I class submarine chasers (PCS)
• 4 P-6 class motor gunboats (PCM)
• 6 Kondor I class motor gunboats
• 6 Schwalbe II class motor gunboats
• 4 Miscellaneous class patrol boats
• 59 Miscellaneous port security boats (PSB)
• 37 Etis class small motor torpedo boats (PT)
• 12 P-6 class motor torpedo boats
• 12 Shershen class fast patrol boats (PTF)
• 12 Osa class large guided missile patrol boats (PTFG)

Minesweepers

• 10 Krake class fleet minesweepers (MSF)
• 2 Habicht I and II class fleet minesweepers
• 20 Schwalbe II class medium minesweepers (MSM)
• 25 Kondor class medium minesweepers

Amphibious types

• 5 Robbe class medium landing ships (LSM)
• 12 Labo-100 class utility landing craft (LCU)
• 10 Utia-III class personnel landing craft (LCP)

In addition to the combat ships listed above, the navy also operates 34 auxiliaries and 91 service craft. An additional seven auxiliaries and 12 service craft are assigned to pre-naval training units of the Society for Sport and Technology.

The majority of the 1st Flotilla's 57 combat ships (12 large submarine chasers, two fleet minesweepers, 15 medium minesweepers, and all 28 amphibious vessels) are stationed at the flotilla headquarters at Peenemuende. Under normal conditions one-third of the non-amphibious types are under extended refit or in reserve status.

All 4th Flotilla ships are based at Warnemuende and include two destroyer escorts, seven fleet minesweepers, and 23 medium minesweepers; two fleet minesweepers and four or five medium minesweepers are ordinarily under refit or in reserve.

The 6th Flotilla is now based almost exclusively at the new Bug Naval base. All 12 large guided missile patrol boats, 15 fast patrol boats, and 48 of the 49 motor torpedo boats are based at Bug, but the motor torpedo boats are rotated to smaller bases at  ,  , Parow, and Sassnitz on a regular basis. The one remaining small motor torpedo boat is at Wolgast.

The Coastal Border Brigdde has eight submarine chasers, for motor gunboats, and three patrol boats at Tarnewitz; 15 motor gunboats and 11 patrol boats at Sassnitz; four submarine chasers at Warnemuende; five patrol boats at Stralsund; and two patrol boats at Rostock.

The auxiliaries and service craft are divided fairly evenly among the three flotillas. One large submarine chaser, used as a training ship, is based at the Fleet School at Parow. Four fleet minesweepers and three medium minesweepers are also attached to the Fleet School.

The navy also has a helicopter squadron which is used for a variety of purposes, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, air-sea rescue, utility, training, and reconnaissance. It consists of eight helicopters and is based at Parow; some units bay be looted at Furkshof.

3. Training

Most institutionalized training is centralized in the Stralsund area. The Fleet School (the enlisted specialist school at Parow) provides various levels of instruction for petty officers, who return there periodically throughout their careers to qualify for advancement. Similarly, the officer candidate school at Schwedermache is called the Karl Liebknecht Naval Officers College, also provides a limited amount of postgraduate education for officers. Higher levels of advanced education are available at the naval facilities of the Freidrich Engels Military Academy, located on Darnholm island, and at postgraduate schools in the USSR. Specialty training centers are located at the various naval bases. Naval forces training is conducted in accordance with Soviet standards, doctrines, and procedures. Emphasis often is placed on political indoctrination at the expense of professional competence but the quality of professional training is adequate.

4. Logistics

The East German naval forces are largely dependent upon the Soviet Union for the supply of weapons and petroleum products. The precise arrangement for the procurement of such supplies is not known in all other respects. East Germany is capable of supporting its own naval establishment.

East German shipyards have the facilities and capability for producing major combatant ships; however, naval construction has been limited to minesweepers, motor gunboats, submarine chasers, amphibious vessels, motor torpedo boats, auxiliaries, and service craft. The most important naval production both in terms of tonnage and in numbers of units has arrived at Peene Shipyard Wolgast, Stralsund People's Shipyard, Stralsund Naval Shipyard, Rostock Barstow Shipyard and   and both in East Berlin. Naval ships and craft acquired from the USSR has included Riga class destroyer escorts, Osa class large guided missile patrol boats, P-6 class motor torpedo boats, one Shershen class fast patrol boat, and one Baskunchak class small transport oiler.

East German naval ships and craft are repaired mainly at the   at Rostock,   yard at Gehlsdorf and at the   at Wolgast. Most materials and component parts for ships and craft are purchased domestically; however, some steel plates are imported from the USSR. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands provide East Germany with some electronic equipment. Most other types of equipment including the control systems, heavy and complicated armaments, navigational radar and propulsion systems are produced domestically. Naval storage depots are located near Peenemuende, Stralsynd, Warnemuende, and Wolgast and the central supply depot is at  

E. Air and Air Defense Forces (S)

The air and air defense forces consist of aircraft, surface-to-air missiles (SAM), anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), and air control and warning (ACW) combat units. This integrated force, the Air Forces and Air Defense Command has a twofold mission: air defense of the country and tactical air operations in support of ground forces.

In addition to the responsibilities for the national readiness of the Air Forces and Air Defense Command, the commander exerts influence on the state-owned civil airline INTERFLUG, and he has authority to prevent deviations from approved flight patterns. He is also authorized to issue directives concerning air matters to the Society for Sport and Technology.

Representatives of the Air Forces and Air Defense Command are attached to the military district headquarters to facilitate administrative, logistic, and housekeeping support, and to provide liaison for operational support of the air and air defense units.

1. Organization

The headquarters of the Air Forces and Air Defense Command is at Eggendorf. The commander's staff includes a first deputy, who is also Chief of Staff; a deputy for political matters, who is also chief of the political department; a deputy for logistics and support, who is also Chief of the Rear Services; a deputy for the air forces; and a deputy for air defense.

The deputy for the air forces concerns himself with plans, flight instruction, maintenance, research and development, transports and helicopters, and the direction of activities relating to air matters in the Society for Sport and Technology.

The deputy for air defense is administratively responsible for SAM units, AAA batteries, and ACW radar units.

As is the case of other non-Soviet Warsaw Pact nations, the entire country is an air defense district. Air defense district headquarters for the national air forces are at Strausberg/Eggendorf. Air defense district headquarters for the Group of Soviet Forces, Germany (GSFG), are at Wurnsdorf. Operations are closely coordinated between these two headquarters, each having specific areas of responsibility.

Within the air defense district for the national air forces are two air defense zones and two air defense sectors. Zone headquarters coordinate operations of aircraft, SAM, AAA, and ACW radar, and sector headquarters provide air surveillance and filtered warning information. Early warning data are received from the East German and Soviet radar networks, army field forces radar, observation posts, and passive detection sources.

The largest operational air unit is the air defense division, of which there are two (both were formerly designated as fighter divisions); one division is located in each of the military zones. There is also a training division with headquarters at Kurnenz.

Currently, one air defense division controls two wings, one located at Neubrandenburg, as is the division headquarters, and the other at Peenemunde Airfield. The second air defense division, with headquarters and a fighter wing at Cottbus Airfield, also has wings at Preschen, Marxwalde, and Drewitz Airfields.

Although the organizational strength of the two air defense divisions has remained at six wings, there has been a steady increase in capability in performing both air defense and ground support functions.

Other operational units include a transport unit at Marxwalde, a transport squadron at Dresden, a helicopter unit at Brandenburg/Briest, and SAM, AAA, and ACW radar regiments.

2. Strength, Composition, and Disposition

Personnel strength of the Air Forces and Air Defense Command is 19,500. In the aviation component there are 12,000 men, of whom slightly over 600 are pilots in operational units. Personnel in SAM units number about 4,700, and the ACW radar units have about 2,600. (In the GSFG, air personnel number about 32,700, and there are more than 10,000 SAM and ACW radar personnel.)

Elements of the two air defense divisions are located at six airfields on a north-south line fairly close to the Polish border. As of April 1973, there were 390 aircraft in operational units: 320 jet fighters, 30 transports, and 40 helicopters. Of the air forces fighter inventory, 90% is made up of the FISHBED (MiG-21), making East Germany foremost among Eastern European Communist countries in percentage of this type of aircraft. Almost 100% of these are the all-weather FISHBED D/F and J-export models.

As of April 1973, Soviet aircraft in East Germany totaled 982; 400 were all-weather jet fighters; 378 of which were FISHBED models (D/F, K, and J). Air elements consist of nine fighter regiments comprising three air divisions headquartered at Zerbst, Merseburg, and Putnitz. Main operating bases of the fighter regiments are Zerbst, Alt Lunnewitz, Juteborg, Putnitz, Kothen, Finow, Altenburg, Merseburg, and Wittstock. In addition, there are six attack fighter/bomber (FITTER, FRESCO A, B, C) regiments of two divisions headquartered at Grossenhain and Rechlin, and three reconnaissance regiments (BEAGLE, BREWER, and FISHBED II) with main operating bases at Allstedt, Welzow, and Werneuchen.

Hardened hangarette construction began in East Germany in 1968 at the Soviet Air Force airfields, but it was not until 1972 that hangarette construction began at the East German Air Force bases.

East German-manned SAM forces, equipped with the Soviet-manufactured high-altitude SA-2 missile system, are disposed in the northern and southeastern parts of the country. These forces are organized into seven SAM regiments consisting of 20 battalions. A battalion mans one site and is one fire unit. The GSFG has nine SA-2 SAM regiments consisting of 27 battalions and, together with the German-manned firing sites, provide adequate air defense cover of East Germany. In addition to the SA-2 forces, the Soviets have deployed 20 SA-3 units to provide low-altitude air defense of airfields occupied by Soviet aircraft. Eight brigades of the highly mobile medium altitude SA-4 system are presently deployed with the GSFG and at least two more brigades are expected to be deployed by 1974. Two to three regiments of the low-altitude SA-6 system are also present. The FAN SONG "F" has been assigned, in limited numbers, to the East German SAM forces. With this modification, the East German SA-2 system has acquired a considerable low-altitude capability in clear weather.

The East Germans have two radar regiments, with a total of about 200 ACW radar sets. The GSFG has 365 ACW radar sets.

3. Training

Pre-operational and operational training programs for the air forces are improving. Soviet advisors maintain strict control over training policies and curriculums. Pre-military air training is provided by the Society for Sport and Technology, which offers members 2 or 3 years of glider training followed by a year of powered-flight training. Training in the Society is a prerequisite for potential pilots. Instructors are mainly air reservists.

Pre-operational training in service consists of a 5-month course in the theoretical aviation subjects, followed by a 7-month course on piston-engine trainers, political indoctrination, and further theoretical training. Approximately 60% of those who complete their training are assigned as fighter pilots, and the remainder become transport pilots. Officer and noncommissioned ground technical support receive training at the air technical school at Kamenz Airfield. Primary field training is given at both Bautzen and Kamenz Airfields. Prior to being assigned to fighter regiments for operational training, student pilots are commissioned as junior lieutenants. They then receive their transitional and combat training at Rothenburg airfield. Indications are that operational combat training includes ground-controlled interception, air-to-air missile training, night and bad weather flying, and some training in support of ground troops; additional training includes participation in air defens exercises with the other services and Warsaw Pact countries. Senior air officers attend the Armed Forces Command and Staff School at Dresden. Especially qualified officers may be sent to the Zhukovskiy Academy in Moscow for 6 years of technical training; upon graduation they are awarded a graduate engineer diploma.

Surface-to-air missile training is based on Soviet doctrine and training methods. There are two SAM training schools in East Germany; one at Kamenz and the other at Pinnow. Selected personnel attend Soviet technical schools for advance training, and East German SAM units travel to the USSR on a scheduled basis for live firing exercises. SAM units maintain proficiency through missile training and participation in joint air defense exercises.

4. Logistics

The East German depend on the Soviet Union for sophisticated aircraft. East German industry does provide, however, some of the specialized air forces equipment and most of the general supply items needed by the air forces.

Material requirements are coordinated by the Chief of the Rear Services of the East German Air Force, who is responsible for the procurement, storage, and issuance of supplies. The Rear Services maintain depots for POL, ammunition, aircraft spare parts, and other general purpose items. In addition, small supply installations are maintained at operational airfields for air regiments occupying them. These installations are controlled by aviation technical battalions which provide supply, support, and housekeeping services for the regiments.

Maintenance of military aircraft is the responsibility of the Aviation Engineering Services. The maintenance structure and practices of this organization closely parallel those utilized by the Soviet Air Forces. The air engineering services of the air regiments are responsible for field maintenance and scheduled maintenance up to the 200-hour inspection. The 200-hour inspections and major repairs of most aircraft are performed at the Dresden Klotzsche aircraft repair facility, which is partially staffed by Soviet advisors.

In general, the air forces logistics system functions effectively in peacetime. Logistics methods and procedures are carefully devised and relatively efficient. Maintenance personnel are technically qualified, well trained, and highly motivated. A potential weakness of the otherwise excellent logistics capability is the dependence on the Soviets for replacements parts for aircraft and associated equipment. Such dependence could impede the operational effectiveness of the East German Air Force during sustained conflict.

All major components of the East German SAM system are provided by the USSR. General purpose equipment such as trucks and some spare parts are manufactured in-country, and adequate logistical support is provided by 24 SA-2 associated facilities.

Soviet SAM forces are supported by six SA-2, two or more SA-3, 20 SA-4 and two SA-6 facilities. New hardened support facilities consisting or reinforced concrete bunkers equipped with blast doors have been observed, generally within 2 miles of a conventional support facility.

F. Militarized Security Forces (S)

The militarized security forces consists of the Frontier Command, the Alert Police, and the Security Guard Regiment. These forces are organized into military units, and they are trained for small-unit combat in addition to their specialized infantry functions. They could be used in wartime to augment the ground forces, particularly for the conduct of security duties in the rear areas.

1. Frontier Command

The Frontier Command totals about 49,500 men, excluding the 300-man coastal contingent assigned to the navy. It has been part of the National People's Army since 1961 when the frontier troops were transferred from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry for National Defense, and was reorganized in the spring in 1971.

Directly subordinate to the Frontier Command headquarters, which is located southeast of Berlin at Patz, are three regional commands. One is responsible for roughly the northern half of the country; another, the southern half; and the third, the greater Berlin area. Each of these commands consists of six regular regiments. In addition, the Central Command has three training regiments and the Northern and Southern Commands have two training regiments each. The regular regiments are made up of battalions and companies located primarily along the West German border and around West Berlin. The coastal contingent is located in Rostock.

Although small-unit infantry training and instructions in chemical, biological, and radiological warfare have increased, the majority of the training program is still devoted to specialized border control functions. With the exception of the Berlin units, the Frontier Command troops are equipped only with light infantry weapons. Air Force helicopters are assigned to units on the western border. During 1963-1966, Berlin brigades received some heavy weapons, and heavy weapons companies were activated in each regiment.

The basic peacetime mission of the Frontier Command is the maintenance of security of the frontier and of the Berlin sector and zonal borders; the organization effectively performs this mission. In the event of war, Frontier Command troops probably would perform delaying actions until relieved by East German or Soviet ground forces. Their ability to carry out the wartime mission is limited by the low level of training, lack of mobility and some shortages of modern material.

2. Alert Police

The first East German internal security force other than regular police forces was activated in 1955, initially bearing the name Interior Troops and later redesigned Alert Police. This force, controlled by the Minister of Interior, filled a need for a mobile garrisoned internal security force, which has been provided exclusively until that time by the Soviets. The Alert Police are organized into 21 Bereitschaften, usually referred to as regiments although they are closer to battalion strength. These regiments, under the control of district People's Police Headquarters, are located in each of the 14 administrative districts and in East Berlin; in areas where trouble is likely to occur, there is more than one such unit. Total strength of the Alert Police is approximately 11,000.

Soviet-type small arms and some heavy infantry weapons (82-mm recoilless guns and 82-mm mortars) are held by the Alert Police. A wide variety of motor vehicles is available, including trucks and armored personnel carriers.

The basic mission of the Alert Police is detection and suppression of anti-regime activity. This force would be used in the performance of security duties in wartime. Basic training is carried out within the units and includes infantry small-unit tactics.

3. Security Guard Regiment

The Security Guard Regiment, with a total strength of about 3,500, is subordinate to the Ministry for State Security. Its mission is to provide protection for visiting dignitaries and key government personnel, to guard sensitive buildings, and to provide the honor guard for visitors. It is organized into five battalions and has some support units. Personnel receive basic infantry training and participate in periodic field training exercises.

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