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FIT - MODULE: THE BORDER

Historic background and tour-schedule:	East German Border Guards watching and photographing movement in the West.
It was the most deadly border man ever invented. It began as simple wooden markers that separated the American and Soviet zones of occupation after World War II and ended as a highly sophisticated barrier, absolutely mortal to everyone who planned to illegally change sides.	Moving on past this sign meant death or at least serious injury.
It was where the free world ended. The border between the democratic free West and the communist East. Those who had built the “Innerdeutsche Grenze”, the border that after World War II divided Germany in two completely different countries had in mind to keep their own people from fleeing to the West. In the media they called it “Barrier against the western fascism.”	The border – seen from the West.
Numerous East Germans who tried to escape, have been either gunned down by the East German Border Patrol, blown to pieces in the minefield or became shot by automatic “self-shooting devices” which had been mounted on the metal fence, in case no Border trooper would be there to pull the trigger of his AK 47 assault rifle.	East German engineers preparing a mine field.
It all stopped in fall of 1989 when the people of East Germany succeeded with their peaceful revolution and forced the communist government to finally open the border. One year later Germany was reunified. Most of the visible border fortifications are gone but the “wall in the heads” will remain for quite a while. This means that people who lived in two completely different worlds can not overnight change.	East German Border Marker.

Your tour schedule: FIT takes you to a thrilling trip along the former border. Let’s find out what is left and explore the “Hottest spots of the Cold War”. You will hear stories told by the troopers of the U.S. 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment who patrolled the border on the western side and there will be some talk about the East German “Grenzers” point of view. Part of the trip is a visit of the preserved American border-camp “Point Alpha”, which today is a museum. The tour usually starts around 09:00 AM (pick up at hotel) and will take until around 04:00 PM. Yes, this is a big one! There will be much to see, either the beautiful landscape of the “Rhoen-“highlands and tons of historic relics. So you better bring your camera! East German Border guards at work.   Price: 189, - EURO (including entrance fees and transportation) as basic price for the first person. Additional persons pay only 9, - EUROS per person. U.S.Army and West German Border Police working together.

 

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