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We missed this a while ago when it came out, but thought that this set, pairs and single figures making up a scene from D-Day Miniature Studio "The Wall" DDR Grenztruppen - East German Border Troops, Berlin, Winter, 1970's-80s. It certainly shouldn't be held prisoner we think! See the figures & photos that inspired them in our preview...
"The Wall" DDR Grenztruppen - East German Border Troops, Berlin, Winter, 1970's-80s set, pairs & singles from D-Day Miniature Studio...
The subject: The border guards of East Germany...
The Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic (Grenztruppen) were the border guard of the German Democratic Republic from 1946 to 1990. The Grenztruppen were the primary force guarding the Berlin Wall and the inner German border.
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The Berlin Wall and the Inner German border, which marked the GDR's external borders with West Berlin and West Germany, respectively, were primarily patrolled by the Grenztruppen. From 1961 until 1971, when it became directly obedient to the MfNV, the force belonged to the Ministry of National Defence (MfNV) and was a service branch of the National People's Army.
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Approximately 47,000 volunteers and conscripts made up the Border Troops at their peak, making them the third-largest Warsaw Pact border guard after the Soviet Border Troops and Poland's Border Protection Troops.
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Republikflucht, or illegal immigration from the GDR, was the Grenztruppen's primary responsibility, and they are disputed to be the cause of numerous fatalities along the Berlin Wall.
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The majority of visitors to East Berlin and the GDR, including those who used the land transit routes (road and rail) between West Germany and West Berlin, interacted with the Pass and Control Units (Paß- und Kontrolleinheiten, PKE) personnel who handled visitors passing through the GDR's Grenzübergangsstellen (border crossing points) when they visited East Berlin and the GDR. The PKE members were actually part of the 6th Main Department (Hauptabteilung VI) of the Stasi, despite wearing Grenztruppen uniforms.
East German Border Troop Officer, Winter, 1970's-80s
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35222
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 18
This officer is heavily wrapped in winter clothing to avoid the snowy cold. The padded jacket covered with gear hung from straps. The camera with long telephoto lens for identifying evidence and maybe spying on the other side of the fence. He carries the AK-47 on his back an a map pack on his left hip. He is seen having a break with a cigarette in his right hand.
East German Border Troops, Civilian Volunteer, Winter, 1970's-80s
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35223
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 18
These Civilian Volunteers or "Freiwilliger Helfer" was established by the East German government on 25 September 1952. Its function was to assist the Volkspolizei ("People's Police") in fighting crime and border violation and protecting public goods.[1] The FH had the right to control traffic and were also called upon to take part in search and manhunt operations.[2][3] Furthermore, there was intended to be an educational effect for the East Germans, because the FH volunteers were on patrol in residential areas and workplaces. The FH volunteers fulfilled their patrol missions in plain clothes, but were identifiable by their armband.
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East German Border Troops. Officer & Civilian volunteer, Winter 1970's-80s
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35224
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 35
The officer and his helper volunteer are also sold as a set of two, slightly cheaper than buying them both singularly.
East German Border Trooper, Winter, 1970's-80s
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35225
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 18
This east German soldier is seen leaning to one side in this 35th scale sculpt by Pawel Krasicki. He looks like something has taken his fancy as le looks on and could well be saying something with his lips apart.
East German Border Trooper w/Dog, Winter, 1970's-80s
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35226
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 22
Border guards used trained dogs to pick up suspicious activity and scents of escaped citizens at man points of the wall. Used to search not only the wall, but cars and vehicles as you can see in the photo below. These guards & their dogs made effective working teams during that time.
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East German Border Troopers w/Dog, Winter, 1970's-80s
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35226
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 39
These two East German soldiers are seen sold together as a set with their canine friend. Sold for a slightly cheaper price than buying two single figures alone.
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"The Wall" DDR Grenztruppen - East German Border Troops, Berlin, Winter, 1970's-80s "Big Set"
by D-Day miniature studio
1/35th scale
#35226
Sculptor: Pawel Krasicki
Box Art: Pawel Krasicki
Price: € 74
These four figures and their canine friend are available as a set for that slightly cheaper price again. All of them make a good story ready to be told on your work bench.
If you would like your own copies of these figures, you can order them via the D-Day Miniature Studio website.