The border between East and West Germany was closed on 26 May 1953. On 13 August 1961 crude fences and walls were erected around West Berlin: the Berlin Wall had been created. The Wall encircled West Berlin for a distance of 155km, and its barriers and surveillance systems evolved over the years into an advanced obstacle network. The Intra-German Border ran from the Baltic Sea to the Czechoslovak border for 1,381km, and was where NATO forces faced the Warsaw Pact for the 45 years of the Cold War. This book examines the international situation that led to the establishment of the Berlin Wall and the IGB, and discusses how these barrier systems were operated, and finally fell.
The Berlin Wall and the Intra-German Border 1961-89
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"Here is a good account of the early border fences and how they grew into formidable obstacles designed to keep people in... Anyone interested in "what if" wargaming should certainly know their likely effect on either a Soviet attack on the West or a Western counter-attack. Recommended." -John Prigent, "Internet Modeler "(March 2008)
"The book is well illustrated including illustrations showing how the East Germans sealed off water obstacles and other barriers that could leave gaps in their barrier. This is a title anyone interested in the Cold War and security will find of great interest." -J.E. Kaufmann, "SiteO" (March 2008)
"Author Gordon Rottman tells the story of the building and upgrading of the border with photos of the various installations as they grew. The history of the men and organizations that had to man these border posts is also included. Illustrator Chris Taylor adds his skills to the work and combined with period photographs, gives an excellent look at this most unfortunate part of man's attempt to keep a population at bay. It is a book that I found quite intriguing and I'm sure you will find it equally fascinating." -Scott Van Aken, "modelingmadness.com" (March 2008)
"The book is well illustrated including illustrations showing how the East Germans sealed off water obstacles and other barriers that could leave gaps in their barrier. This is a title anyone interested in the Cold War and security will find of great interest." -J.E. Kaufmann, "SiteO" (March 2008)
"Author Gordon Rottman tells the story of the building and upgrading of the border with photos of the various installations as they grew. The history of the men and organizations that had to man these border posts is also included. Illustrator Chris Taylor adds his skills to the work and combined with period photographs, gives an excellent look at this most unfortunate part of man's attempt to keep a population at bay. It is a book that I found quite intriguing and I'm sure you will find it equally fascinating." -Scott Van Aken, "modelingmadness.com" (March 2008)
About the Author
Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group until reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70. Gordon worked as a civilian contract Special Operations Forces Intelligence Specialist at the Army's Joint Readiness Center, Ft Polk, until 2002. A highly respected and established author, who is a recognised expert on this subject, he now devotes himself to full-time writing and research.
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In 1980 I found myself in a newly organized long-range reconnaissance patrol company. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
In 1980 I found myself in a newly organized long-range reconnaissance patrol company. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Barry Wom
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great intoduction to the detail of the wall and for all history and Berlin/Cold War buffs. Its obviously very anally retentive but thats the point. Great to take on your trip to the place to give it some recent historical and phsyical perspective.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Resource & Surprisingly Moving
16 Nov 2009
By Meira
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Rottman's compilation of information about the Berlin Wall and the IGB is outstanding - a great resource for anyone interested in East Germany and Cold War Berlin. Meticulous details, haunting original photos, as well as CGI "snapshots" of segments of the Wall (or IGB) make for a more interesting book than your average historical overview. It is hard to explain why minute details about the materials, dimensions, and layers of intricacy involved in creating and maintaining the wall moved me, except to say that while reading this book, I was overwhelmed (both fascinated and horrified) by the sheer magnitude of the project. The amount of money, personnel, acreage, time, and technology the East Germans felt compelled to use in order to keep people from leaving their little utopia is mind-boggling. It reminds me that freedom is fragile. This history should not be forgotten. Thank you, Gordon Rottman.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Altogether a Fine Effort
9 May 2010
By Corey S. Hatch
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This little handbook by Rottman does justice to the subject of the Berlin Wall and Intra-German Border, especially regarding the myriad technical details he's dug up. NVA and Grenztruppen organization, units and brigades involved with particular portions of the border, technical details regarding construction, devices, and materials used, etc. It's all there. And Chris Taylor's artwork is wonderful.
What's missing, however, is 1) some finer resolution on historical dates and events, 2) greater detail and context regarding how and why the wall was constructed, and supremely missing, 3) even fundamental type-checking, proof-reading, and polished language translation! Oh my, I just about went crazy with all the mistakes, oversights, and poorly translated terms. I had difficulty getting through this book without constantly tripping over the errors.
That said, given the amount of detail and research that obviously went into this work, I give a whole-hearted four stars. Rake the material with a fine-tooth comb, and it'll be just perfect.
Altogether a fine effort.
What's missing, however, is 1) some finer resolution on historical dates and events, 2) greater detail and context regarding how and why the wall was constructed, and supremely missing, 3) even fundamental type-checking, proof-reading, and polished language translation! Oh my, I just about went crazy with all the mistakes, oversights, and poorly translated terms. I had difficulty getting through this book without constantly tripping over the errors.
That said, given the amount of detail and research that obviously went into this work, I give a whole-hearted four stars. Rake the material with a fine-tooth comb, and it'll be just perfect.
Altogether a fine effort.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great technical reference
16 Dec 2009
By James D. Crabtree
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book provides illustrations, in art and photographs, which shows the types of fencing, walls, barriers, sensors, trip devices and towers which made up the Wall System. But there's more! Rottman also provides information on the border force which used to guard the Inter-German Frontier and the Berlin Wall, info such as organization, equipment, recruiting, training, etc. He talks about how the wall evolved and how it was maintained and also talked about the cost of the wall to the East German regime in precious labor and in physical resources. All in all, this book looks at aspects of the Wall which are not normally discussed in other books on the subject.
Even if you have other books on the Berlin Wall or the Inter-German Frontier, you'll want to add this book to your Cold War collection.
Even if you have other books on the Berlin Wall or the Inter-German Frontier, you'll want to add this book to your Cold War collection.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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