2nd Generation Towers

The round observation towers represented the second generation of observation towers placed along the border. They replaced the wood frame and steel frame towers that were built when the barrier system first began. The round towers were constructed of modular concrete sections, brought in on flat bed trucks and assembled with the help of a large crane. It took only a few days to set a new tower in place, however, the minimal site preparation led, on occasion, to disaster with more than one toppling in high winds. The towers were linked together and to the command tower by a hard line telephone system. A white light search light was placed on the roof but could be aimed from inside. In general, towers were placed to insure that a high level of visible control could be maintained over the barrier system. If the terrain would not allow this, blind spots were covered by bunkers, dog runs and remote sensing systems. To avoid creating a pattern, not every tower was staffed every day. Rather, within a give East German sector, the daily patrol and observation plan was varied.

--Erwin Ritter

--Jack Tartella

Erwin Ritter had the chance to closely study the tower system after the border opened.  Shown here are details of a second generation round tower from our sector that had  a command bunker located at it's base.  Note the heavy doors and concrete parking pad next to the entrance.

These photos detail the interior space of the bunker and the ladder running into the tower.

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