Command Towers

As noted, the Border Troops divided the responsibility for their patrolling and control of the border into regiment -- then battalion -- and finally company areas of responsibility.  Not all towers were manned at all times to avoid creating a pattern, however, through the tower and bunker system assisted by vehicle and foot patrols, dog runs and remote sensors plus air coverage, a very tight control was maintained.  The command towers, shorter and wider than the standard observation towers were manned at all times and were the control center of each border company in their security efforts.  Some were closer to the actual border trace than others; they maintained a full array of both land line and fm communications plus the ability to react and marshal forces as necessary should a potential escape to the West be detected.

[All photos --Erwin Ritter]

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