Page:CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070015-2.pdf/12

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070015-2

been assigned. the paratroop insignia consists of a silver embroidered parachute and wings emblem displayed on orange collar tabs. Naval enlisted personnel wear corps and specialty insignia, which consist of gold or red emblems on blue or white patches, displayed on the upper left sleeve of the uniform.

C. Ground forces (S)

The ground forces are the largest component of the armed forces. Although small in comparison with most other Eastern European Communist ground forces, they are better developed. They have made significant progress since being established in 1956, growing to a well-trained, modern, conventional force of 90,000 men with six line divisions, each at combat strength, and supporting elements.

The primary mission of the ground forces is territorial defense and participation in Warsaw Pact operations against the NATO Central Region. They have a limited offensive capability and are capable of defending against a Western force of eight to 10 divisions. Because of their proximity to the NATO forces, the East German ground forces are reportedly in a full state of readiness.

The organization of ground forces units follows the Soviet pattern. The line divisions were the first in the Eastern European Communist countries to be completely transformed into the Soviet-type motorized rifle and tank divisions. Equipment is mostly of Soviet design and manufacture. Training has improved markedly, steadily becoming more comprehensive and involving larger forces. The officer corps is capable and loyal. The major weakness, aside from the small size of the standing force, is the dependence on Soviet logistic support.

1. Organization

a. Territorial

Ground forces are administered and controlled through two military districts -- Military District III Headquarters at Leipzig is responsible for all units in the southern half of East Germany, and Military District V Headquarters at Neubrandenburg is responsible for units in the northern half. Each military district has its own support and service units, including an artillery regiment, an anti-aircraft artillery regiment, a signal regiment, an anti-tank battalion, an engineer battalion, a motor transportation battalion, a chemical company, and service elements. In addition, there is a surface-to-surface missile (SCUD) brigade located in Military District V.

The military district commanders are in a direct line from the Ministry for National Defense to the tactical units under their jurisdiction. Although the military districts are not tactical commands, they supervise and on occasion control all training programs. The military district commander is responsible for the combat preparedness of the units in his area. In wartime he probably would become a higher unit field commander, and personnel for his new headquarters would come largely from the military district headquarters staff. The military district headquarters would retain administrative and logistic responsibilities, as well as those involved with the wartime mobilization and preparedness of additional units for combat.

b. Tactical

The highest tactical unit is the division. The motorized rifle division with full wartime tables of organization and equipment (TOE) would be well balanced, mobile, and heavily armored. A motorized rifle division comprises three motorized rifle regiments, a medium tank regiment, an artillery regiment, a free-rocket-over-ground (FROG) battalion, an anti-aircraft artillery battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an engineer battalion, a signal battalion, a chemical defense company, and service elements. The tank division is similar in organization, except that it has three medium tank regiments and one motorized rifle regiment.

2. Strength, composition, and disposition 

Of the approximately 90,000 officers and enlisted men in the ground forces, an estimated 15,000 officers and between 10,000 and 15,000 noncommissioned officers constitute the regular cadre. The remainder consist essentially of 18-month conscripts. Of the estimated 700,000 trained reserves, 345,000 were discharged from the ground and paramilitary forces since 1958. (There are 290,000 Soviet ground forces in the GSFG, organized into 10 motorized rifle and 10 tank divisions.)

Major units of the ground forces include six line divisions (four motorized rifle and two tank), one SCUD brigade, four combat support regiments (two artillery and two anti-aircraft artillery), two anti-tank

7

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070015-2