Border Units and Barracks

Border Troops as Deployed  Across  Eaglehorse Area

 

As with most  military organizations, units were redesignated and locations changed as years passed; this occurred on both sides of the border.  Rather than tracing the complete history of the Grenztruppen units, here is a snap shot of units deployed within the Eaglehorse area of border responsibility from mid Summer1985 thru September 1989.  We would like to thank Erwin Ritter for providing this information. 

 

Border Regiment 3

 

With regimental headquarters in Dermbach, this unit had border responsibility for much of the 1/11 ACR border area.  Three companies, however, part of the Second Battalion, had border responsibility in our northern run of sector.  Located in the towns of Frankenheim, Erbenhausen and Stedtlingen were, respectively, Border Company 6, 7 and 8.  Most border guard units were located in small towns very close to the trace in company size barracks.  The  compounds consisted of the living space and administrative area, motor shop,  parking area and kennels if authorized.  Of all border unit barracks located in the Eaglehorse sector,  the Frankenheim facility was by far the most visible, seemingly only a few hundred meters into the DDR. 

 

Border Regiment 9

 

In the central and southern sector, DDR Border Troop responsibilities shifted to Regiment 9, Headquarters in Meiningen.  The First Battalion Headquarters was located in Romhild with an Engineer Company.  Four line companies, located in the following towns, patrolled the central and " eastern " run extending past the Eussenhausen Crossing Point: Company1-Schwickertshausen, Company 2 - Behrungen, Company 3-Mendenhausen and Company 4- Gompertshausen.  Also at Schwickershausen was the security platoon assigned to the l HWY 19 Crossing Point.  The personnel conducting vehicle inspections and staffing the East German road control points at the legal crossing point came from a platoon located in Meiningen.  The East German Customs officers also were located in Meiningen but not under Border Troop command.

 

The Third Battalion, located in Meiningen, had responsibility for the rear security of the sector along the Signal Fence and approaches.  Company 10 was located in Hermannsfeld, easily visible from OP Sierra / Tennessee and Company 11 was in Hindfeld.

 

After September 1989, border command responsibilities were greatly rearranged but for the most part, the company size garrison towns remain unchanged.  As we have noted, in the years since reunification, the former Border Troop barracks areas have found new uses.  Some are low income housing, others either in part or entirely involved with industry and a few are abandoned or waiting redevelopment.

All photos courtesy Erwin Ritter

Click on the thumbnail to bring up the full-sized picture

Border Regiment 3, Battalion 2, barracks home of Company 6 in Frankenheim, northern run of the Eaglehorse sector.

Border Company 7 barracks at Erbenhausen, part of 2 Battalion, Regiment 3.

Company 2, Battalion 1 at Behrungen, long white building.

Continuing southeast through the border area, in the town of Romhild, Battalion 1, part of Grenzregiment 9. In town, Bn HQ and an engineer company.

Located in Hermannsfeld, clearly visible from Sierra / Tennessee, barracks of Border Company 10, part of Battalion 3, Regiment 9. This company had responsibility for rear security along the signal fence and approaches to the control zone.

Company 1, Battalion 1, located in Schwickertshausen, long white building to right.

Also responsible for rear security, Border Company 11 located at Hindfeld.

Border Company 4 at Gompertshausen, building pair above small town.

Long white building in foreground, barracks of Company 8, part of Regiment 3.

Border Company 3 at Mendenhausen.

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