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

The first significant development in the establishment of a legal basis for the armed forces took place in March 1954, when the USSR formally recognized East Germany as a sovereign republic. This recognition was reaffirmed in September 1955 by an exchange of notes between the two states. The office of the Soviet High Commissioner in Germany was officially abolished, and responsibility for control of the frontier (except that over Allied military and other official traffic) was turned over to the East Germans. Supported by Soviet approval alone, the regime amended the constitution in September 1955 to legalize a national defense establishment. The existence of an armed force was not officially acknowledged, however, until 18 January 1956, when the regime enacted the Law of the Creation of the National People's Army. A Ministry for National Defense was simultaneously created out of the Main Directorate for Training of the Ministry of Interior.

The first evidence of East German naval development occurred late in 1949, when the Main Department for Special Disposition was formed within the militarized police organization with the mission of creating a naval establishment. In July 1950 a naval service was officially created within the Ministry of Interior with the title of Main Directorate for Sea Police. Although outwardly a police force, it soon developed into a true military organization. With the creation of the Ministry for National Defense, it became one of the three components of the armed forces. Since November 1960 the organization has carried the title People's Navy (Volksmarine).

The predecessor of the air forces was founded in 1950. The organization of this small air arm has undergone several changes since its inception. The pace of operational development and logistic support has been determined in large measure by the Soviet estimate of the political reliability of pilots and other key personnel. As early as 1946, pilots received training in the USSR. Thereafter, the air program was intensified until after the uprising of 17 June 1953, when air training was halted and jet aircraft were withdrawn. Jet training was resumed following the formal establishment of the armed forces in 1956.

a. Military traditions

The East German Communist regime has faced the problem of reorienting German military tradition to meet those attributes acceptable to the Communist hierarchy. The result has been a hybrid not enthusiastically accepted by the East German people. The traditional espirit de corps and discipline of former German armies have not been fully realized in the armed forces. Until a universal military service law was passed in January 1962, recruiting efforts met considerable resistance, and various forms of coercion were occasionally used to stimulate "volunteer" recruitment. Since the adoption of conscription, however, the general attitude toward the military has improved, and the population is again beginning to show some pride in the armed forces.

b. Political influence

Throughout their existence, the armed forces have been dominated, directly or indirectly, by Soviet political and military ideology. Originally, Soviet control of the military establishment was exerted primarily through the Soviet Military Mission. Soviet military advisors were present at practically all levels, with the mission of organizing, training, and equipping the embryonic forces, and their authority was decisive. Now, all top command and staff positions are held by East Germans loyal to Soviet interests. Most of the incumbents have been thoroughly indoctrinated in Soviet political and military concepts at Soviet military schools and academies. Over 95% of all commissioned officers and over 40% of the regular noncommissioned officers are members of the East German Communist party, the Socialist Unity Party (SED).

Civilian authority over the armed forces, exercised by the leader of the local regime, is virtually absolute. Within the armed forces, continuing indoctrination is effected through political officers who are directly responsive to party influence. Control stems from a Deputy Minister for Political Affairs and extends downward through the lower echelons of command. The mission of the political officer are to provide political indoctrination for the troops and to assist the commander in conforming military developments in party interests. Political officers are also active in the party cells that exist for personnel in most headquarters, units, and schools.

Another channel of political control is exercised through the Ministry for State Security, which maintains a special department for armed forces security. Counterintelligence officers and agents are assigned from this department to units throughout the armed forces. Vertical control exerted by the party functionaries and Ministry for State Security agents is reinforced by close lateral contact with local and regional party and Ministry for State Security organizations at all levels.

2. Command structure

Ultimate authority stems from the East German Government and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union through the Central Committee of the SED to

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