East german cold war weapons. Perfect for history buffs, collectors, and outdoor enthusiasts. There are still found in service in some African and Middle Eastern countries. It focuses the army as part of a society that had been comprehensively militarized Discover Cold War Era East German Makarov semi auto pistol 9x18 (PR70586) CONSIGNMENT at Collectors Firearms - Buy Now The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, pronounced [minɪsˈteːʁiʊm fyːɐ̯ ˈʃtaːtsˌzɪçɐhaɪ̯t]; abbreviated MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (pronounced [ˈʃtaːziː] ⓘ, an abbreviation of Staatssicherheit), was the state security service and secret police of East Germany from 1950 to 1990. ) (BGS border troopers disembark from UH-1 Iroquois helicopters in 1976. While it was called a regiment, it was, in fact, a motorized Infantry Division. But what came next? Diplomatically, we know that the Cold War ended in Europe, the Red Army pulled out of East Germany, and Germany was united. Feb 17, 2024 · During the Cold War, East Germany, the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR), was part of the Warsaw Pact military alliance, and from 1958, nuclear missiles and warheads were stationed in During the Cold War, especially during its early years, the East German government attempted to build closer diplomatic relations and trade links between Iceland and East Germany. The combination of stahlhelm helmets and… Nov 17, 2015 · The East German Air Force (Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee - LSK) operated as a well trained and well equipped division of the National People's Army (NPA or Nationalen Volksarmee - NVA) from 1956 through to their final year of operation in 1990 when Germany was reunified (October 1990). These rifles have receivers marked “tgf 1950” in a style just […] A list of firearms, launchers, and explosive ordnance found in Global Mobilization - Cold War Germany. Land Forces of the National People's ArmyA company of Landstreitkräfte troops on parade in East Berlin, May 1985 The Land Forces of the National People's Army[2] (German: Landstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee – LaSK) was the ground-based military branch of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) National People's Army (NPA). ^ Galeotti (2017), pp. Learn more about this fascinating piece of history! Apr 16, 2025 · The Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension after the end of World War II. Because the Stasi trained many terrorist groups during the Cold War and I trained many anti-terrorist units, I always had a professional interest in the Stasi. Jane's Guns Recognition Guide. The StG 44 was an improvement of an earlier design, the Maschinenkarabiner 42 (H). Plans for a military attack existed right up to the end of the regime. 45x39mm cartridge, they began a program to make their own AK-74 model. For the next four decades, the Army garrisoned Germany, training and preparing to face a possible attack by the Communist Warsaw Pact. US and German military files, recently disclosed and evaluated by a team of journalists, run contrary to longstanding Border guards of the inner German borderThe border guards of the inner German border comprised tens of thousands of military, paramilitary and civilian personnel from both East and West Germany, as well as from the United Kingdom, the United States and initially the Soviet Union. Category: Cold War West German Prototypes Spähpanzer 1C Kanonenjagdpanzer 1-3 (Kanonenjagdpanzer HS 30) Jank One Man Tank The Scharfschützengewehr 82 or SSG 82, literally Sharpshooter's Rifle 82, is a rifle chambered in the 5. A new series covering the vehicles and weapons of the East German Army (NVA) and East German paramilitary forces. Staying a medium-range distance away from PACT soldiers is a key to victory. Alongside, they also wanted a precision rifle using the new cartridge, and that became the SSG (Scharfschützengewehr) 82. But on a societal level, how did 17 million East Germans react to the myriad of changes they confronted in a new democratic and capitalist world? Oct 30, 2018 · There is more than sufficient evidence that Armscor bought arms from IMES, a Stasi-run East German company operating behind the Iron Curtain. The Cold War was a prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, lasting from the late 1940s to the early 1990s. Pages in category "Infantry weapons of the Cold War" The following 89 pages are in this category, out of 89 total. During the Cold War, nuclear weapons were deployed in Germany by both the United States (in West Germany) and the Soviet Union (in East Germany). S. Journey back to the Cold War! Explore the history and unique features of East German gear, from iconic gas masks to vintage backpacks. Jul 14, 2012 · The fortifications of the inner German border was comprised of a complex system of interlocking fortifications and security zones 1,381 kilometres (858 mi) long and several kilometres deep, running the length of East Germany's territory from the Baltic Sea to Czechoslovakia. On 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. 45×39mm Soviet cartridge built in East Germany at the end of the Cold War for use by East German special police units. and USSR employed spies, quelled internal dissent, made allies abroad, and stockpiled nuclear weapons in this proxy war. The warriors of SF Berlin, located 110 miles inside East Germany, knew their primary responsibility in wartime was to conduct unconventional warfare (UW)— specifically, missions targeting the Berlin road, rail, and canal infrastructure. Aug 6, 2024 · When you think of post-war rifles that have stood the test of time, the Heckler & Koch G3 immediately comes to mind. (2002). Feb 18, 2016 · During the Cold War, the Bundeswehr was the core of NATO's conventional defense in Central Europe. ^ Hogg, Ian, ed. Apr 20, 2022 · On 7th October 1989, the German Democratic Republic celebrated its 40th anniversary. The fence system begins anywhere from one meter to Jan 26, 2021 · This book, first published in 1980, provides a detailed analysis of the East German army in the last decade of the Cold War. The Grenztruppen, who represented the “bad boys” of the Cold War as they watched over the minefields and border fences, exist no more, but the images of the stern-faced guards remain with us forever. Military Museums: Museums throughout Germany and Europe acquired examples of NVA equipment to display as artifacts of the Cold War. After West Germany was These are lists of all military weapons ever used by German land forces throughout history. As Churchill stated Apr 29, 2019 · Global Mobilization - Cold War Germany is a premium DLC made for ArmA 3's Creator DLC programme. Featuring a design that incorporated World War II-era developments with Cold War-era technology, it was the primary battle rifle used by the West German Bundeswehr and several other NATO countries. The Land Forces Command, located at Geltow, was established on This is a list of weapons of West Germany. Jane's Information Group. List of German military equipment of World War II List of weapons of West Germany List of modern equipment of the German Army A visual history of the German Rifle Squad weapons and structure. Jan 27, 2022 · The Cold War gave rise to a host of exotic weapons never fired, but none were quite as strange–and potentially revolutionary—as Heckler & Koch's G11. Despite not being among the nuclear powers during the Cold War, Germany had a political and military interest in the balance of nuclear capability. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Discover the story behind their iconic uniforms, weapons, and tactics, and learn how they shaped the military landscape of a divided Germany. List of German military equipment of World War II List of weapons of West Germany List of modern equipment of the German Army I can find plenty of information on small arms, machine guns, vehicles, etc. DDR M82 steel export helmet helm M 605 replica. The armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) were entirely equipped with weapons of Soviet design - largely produced in the DDR itself. The star of the DLC is the new Weferlingen terrain, a new 419 km²-sized map modelled on real-world parts of Germany's northern plains. The other route crossed the North German Plain. Original Item: Only One Available. It was billed as a sniper rifle produced for the East German Stasi—the dreaded Secret Police of the DDR. It is important to close the distance between NATO and PACT forces as quickly as possible for maximum effect. Home / Cold War / Warsaw Pact / East German - DDR 100% Authenticity Guaranteed 30-day Returns Germany and NATO Did you know that Germany was the front line of the Cold War in Europe for 40 years? Or that REFORGER, an annual NATO military exercise, stood for the REturn of FORces to GERmany? Check out this page to view photos of these exercises, find out why an East German amateur pilot decided to land his plane near Moscow’s Red Square in 1987, and much more The idea of the East German army of some exceptional Prussian super-warriors cannot really be proven by evidence, but were more influenced by impressive parades and "German" looking uniforms. The StG 44 (abbreviation of Sturmgewehr 44, "assault rifle 44") [a] is a German assault rifle developed during World War II by Hugo Schmeisser. He was strongly Jul 13, 2025 · East German DDR Memorabilia & More - GermanDotMilitariaPS: Please place the item into your cart and then check the postage cost options by viewing your Shopping Cart before checkout. infoTimeLine of East German History The Firearm Blog. Jul 25, 2014 · The Honecker Bunker (photograph by Ciarán Fahey) Buried under sand and rubble in a nondescript forest north of Berlin lies a massive Cold War treasure with its secrets sealed shut, locked up and Oct 2, 2024 · Hidden in the forests of eastern Germany are relics of the Cold War. The term was first used by writer George Orwell. Due to Aug 12, 2010 · A film aired on German television on Thursday revealed how serious East Germany was about taking control of West Berlin. Even so, the The Cold War had begun, but travel between East and West Germany was not yet restricted by the Berlin Wall (1961). It was waged on political, economic, and propaganda fronts and had only limited recourse to weapons. West Germany was formed as a result of the division of germany after World War II. In a larger sense, their mission was to buy time for the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR), who had only 10,000 US troops in West Berlin to The Alliance hoped that this strategy would prevent war. The brief lifespan of East Germany's military, the National Volksarmee, is well-documented and studied by military historians. The StG 44 was the first successful assault rifle, with features The German Democratic Republic (DDR) established the National People's Army on 1 March 1956 [2][3] (six months after the formation of the West German Bundeswehr) from the Kasernierte Volkspolizei. It was one of the most repressive police The East German Squad Automatic Weapon is a East German infantry soldier given permission to loot the battalions beer treasury and the only thing bigger than his wish to flee to the west is his apparent anger issues, all for the sake to lay down suppressive fire on his enemies. The system has been constantly upgraded to prevent the escape of East German citizens. Despite these precautions, the German Border Police (BGS) reported that there were seventeen successful escapes in the 11th ACR sector during 1987. One year later NATO’s 1950s manoeuvers in West Germany (British Pathé Archives) A country split in two The split between the GDR (German Democratic Republic) and FRG (Federal Republic of Germany) in 1949 was in some ways, inevitable, as only a war could have persuaded Stalin to leave East Germany, but the price paid in blood for the territory made some legitimation of this occupation. During this era, a wide variety of weapons were developed and stockpiled, each designed to maintain strategic dominance or deter aggression. The PM was designed in the late 1940s by Nikolay F Makarov. Army Special Forces soldiers in Berlin prepared for daring and secret missions behind Warsaw Pact lines with clandestine arms in the event the Cold War Nov 13, 2019 · With the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this week, we look at some of the guns that held the line between East and West. The “bayonet” on Apr 21, 2023 · East Germany, formally the German Democratic Republic or DDR in its German acronym, existed for 40 years, 11 months, and 4 weeks. It is Nov 5, 2017 · The personnel, infra-structure, weapons, ammunition and all other types of equipment of the former East German armed forces-supplemented by weaponry former-ly owned by the East German Intelligence and internal Security Services (Stasi), the border troops and other armed units-ended up under Bundeswehr ownership, custody and responsibility. As PACT, be EXTREMELY mindful of British GPMG's and British Riflemen, overall they have the best weapons in the game and can wipe out entire teams with just a few members. NOTE: This list only contains weapons from Global Mobilization. This formation culminated years of preparation during which former Wehrmacht officers and communist veterans of the Spanish Civil War helped organize and train paramilitary units of the People's Jan 8, 2021 · The Stasi also had plenty of conventional weapons. Jun 12, 2023 · TimeLine of East German History EastGermany. The Pistole M was the East German version of the Soviet PM (Makarov) pistol. Eisenhower mobilized NATO opposition. Image: USIA It was the perfect balance of durable and economical, and that is why it would ultimately serve through the Cold War and beyond. In the event of a war, the adversary would have to reckon with immediate, massive employment of nuclear weapons. Stay in groups May 20, 2021 · Throughout the Cold War it was typically said that the army of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), or East Germany, was probably the best trained and best equipped of the Warsaw Pact powers May 11, 2022 · Washington, DC, May 11, 2022— The Central Intelligence Agency aggressively pursued clandestine efforts to undermine East German morale at the height of the Cold War, recently declassified CIA records confirm. Nov 27, 2017 · While the Iron Curtain still stood, U. ). Sep 5, 2019 · When East Germany received the technical data package for the 5. ^ "East German Makarov: A Cold War Classic". It only used a limited amount of ex-WWII kit for a short while. At its height, it had a strength of 495,000 military and 170,000 civilian personnel. The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was the paramilitary wing of the Stasi. It was a tense time in the Cold War with the arms race between the U. We found more than 15 military items during a 2-hours flight! THE EAST GERMAN MILITARY: SCHOOL TO THE NATION During the Cold War, the Fulda Gap offered one of the two obvious routes for a hypothetical Soviet tank attack on West Germany from Eastern Europe, especially from East Germany. Oct 2, 2015 · The Cold War became a historical footnote, sandwiched between the Second World War and the conflicts of the early twenty-first century. Training rifles such as these fall into the category of the “non-firearm” types as they were not produced with any real components. In addition to German-designed weapons left behind after WWII, the Stasi had access to various weapons provided by their Soviet masters. As their weaponry is the best of the PACT forces, with the VZ59 and MPi-KM-72 being deadly even in medium-range combat. Each week, host Ian Sanders brings you raw, firsthand accounts from the people who lived through one of history’s most tense and transformative eras — soldiers, spies, civilians, and Dec 23, 2019 · To better appreciate the incredible density of Soviet/East German bases in the GDR, we took a flight over the area south of Berlin. Jun 18, 2017 · East German Makarov PM chambered in 9x18mm. In this special audio documentary produced for the Royal Armouries, Cold War historian Ian Sanders explores the lives of those tasked with guarding the Wall and those who tried to escape East Germany. As NATO, be mindful of East German Riflemen and Czech GPMGs. As part of the Western Bloc West Germany was a member of NATO and an important part of the alliance. In 1951 it was adopted as the standard pistol of Soviet armed forces after winning a competitive trial. Featuring the troopers of the US Army's 2nd Armored Cavalry Jun 24, 2017 · Their German accents didn't give away their true identities as American Special Forces soldiers, part of a clandestine military unit operating during the Cold War. of East and West Germany during the Cold War, but anti-tank weapons seem to be missing; all I've found was RPG-7 and RPG-18, and the crew served AT-3 and AT-4. Aug 13, 2020 · The Cold War-era Makarov is a common pistol, but within the hundreds of thousands made, the East German variants are the most desirable. It resulted from efforts by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to react strongly against American nuclear warheads located in West Germany, and build up the prestige of the Soviet satellite state of East Germany. Apr 25, 2025 · Explore the fascinating history of the East German Army's equipment, featuring an array of unique weaponry and gear. It examines the capabilities of the main force, after the Soviet army, in the Soviet Bloc, and shows how it depended on more things than purely military factors and national policies. He‘s equipped with standard East German gear, a camo covered M56 helmet and a gas mask sling bag. During the Cold War, much was not as it seemed. It pitted the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its allies) against the Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO Today in this "East German Grenztruppen" Loadout video, we'll be patrolling the Berlin Wall to stop and search people entering in and out of East Berlin in Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer with my Dec 8, 2020 · Abstract This article examines the concept of ‘stay-behind’ as a war-fighting tactic used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization to maximize its defensive efforts against a possible Soviet onslaught during the Cold War. It is also known by its early designations as the MP 43 and MP 44 (Maschinenpistole 43 and 44). g. This list will be organized by era. [1] This Cold War-era themed DLC is the first of the premium DLCs to be released as part of the Creator DLC initiative. It was released on April 29th, 2019. Like the German handguns, the Makarov is straight blowback-operated and can be shot in double action. The most notable exports were; Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South America. Catalog of military and civilian small arms belonging to the nation of East Germany. How The Makarov Pistol Became A Cold War Icon: Designed around the Walther PP/PPK series of pistols. But in the years that followed, growing tension between East and West evolved into the Cold War. This category is for articles about military equipment of Germany introduced during the Cold War period (approximately 1945 to 1990). From 1947 to the collapse of USSR, East Germany and its Nationale Volksarmee represented an important asset of the Warsaw pact, and also participated in military vehicles production. In The fall of the Wall is a well-known story. For the full list of weapons in ArmA 3 itself, please refer to its actual article here. The purpose of these training rifles was to ensure that both the soldier and their issued weapon systems would not be harmed. This list may not reflect recent changes. An equipment expansion and moderniaation program--designed partly to supplement the reorganization-is further enhancing the overall combat capability of the ground forces in East Germany. American President Dwight D. Apr 10, 2016 · The Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS / "Federal Border Guard") was the first national-level armed service established in West Germany after WWII. You’ll hear directly from former border guards, escapers Jul 11, 2025 · Listen to Cold War Conversations, a English podcast exclusively on JioSaavn. Because of its deterrent effects, members of the German military also called this strategy “life insurance” for the Federal Republic of Germany. German text with English captions and a two-page English summary Mar 29, 2022 · The GDR is believed to have been the largest Combloc weapons exporter of the Cold War. Although similar reorganization is under way throughout the Soviet The Berlin Crisis of 1958–1959 was a crisis over the status of West Berlin during the Cold War. Jan 2, 2025 · Hidden in the forests of eastern Germany are relics of the Cold War. Exploring one of the core chapters of post-war European history, the materials posted today by the National Security Archive detail key facets of the intelligence agency’s still East Germany chose East Berlin as its capital, while West Germany chose Bonn. 9 (7 reviews) What were two effects of the command economy in the Soviet satellite states? Aug 1, 1983 · Since 1980 the Soviets have been reorganizing their ground forces in East Germany to give them a more balanced combined-arms capability. Experience the Cold War like never before with Cold War Conversations — an award-winning podcast recommended by The New York Times. 30 November 2018. The highlight was the military parade, and East Germany had a formidable military to show off. ISBN 0-00-712760-X. Postage will automatically be combined and updated if you are purchasing multiple items in one order. It utilized a number of WWII items during the Cold War. See Handguns See Submachine guns See Shotguns See Assault rifles See Sniper rifles See Squad automatic weapons See Machineguns See Grenade This is a list of weapons of West Germany. Historical events in Berlin During the Cold War period, Berlin was the scene for several historical events, including: Jan 25, 2023 · In early January of 1984, an aspiring young West German socialist with a shoulder-length curly mane traveled by train to East Berlin with his comrades for an important meeting. This pistol was the service pistol for many Soviet Bloc countries, including Russia, during the Cold War. The outer fences and walls were the most familiar and visible aspect of the system for Western visitors to the border Jul 17, 2013 · The Air Force of the East German Nationale Volksarmee or Luftstreitkräfte der NVA as it was officially known posed a formidable threat to NATO forces positioned in Western Europe during the Cold War. May 3, 2022 · An East Berliner pleads with members of the East German People’s Police as he tried to cross the closed border between East and West Berlin on August 14, 1961. However, it also has less damage than PACT weaponry. You can choose your preferred posting method there. The U. Maybe in the future they will appear for collectors, but for now they are difficult to acquire. This is a wonderful training item dating back to the East German Cold War Era. 55–56. Especially so since any conflict with the Soviet Union was most likely going to start in West Germany itself or on its border with East Germany. (New BGS troopers take their service oath in 1963. From an old US Army Documentary series - a look at the infamous Inner-German Borderthe "Frontier of Democracy" during the Cold War. What happened to Volksarmee/East Germany Military equipment after the German reunification, are they leaving it to rot or sold to other countries? Cold War 113 Share Add a Comment As NATO, the weaponry you receive is more accurate than PACT weaponry. This listing allows you to trace back a particular nation's aviation history in reverse-chronological order. Although small, it was one of the most technologically sophisticated air arms of all the Warsaw Pact nations. This category is for articles about weapons developed by West Germany that entered service during the Cold War. (Photo: David LaPell). 24 July 2015. After West Germany was May 3, 2018 · West Germany planned to procure and even deploy chemical weapons in the 1960s. Battle ground of the Cold War. Jul 10, 2020 · A cloak-and-dagger icon from the Cold War, the Makarov 9x18mm still delights collectors today … if they can get their hands on one. It is one of those intriguing ‘what ifs?’ of history. As PACT, your weapons have higher damage but less accuracy. This documentary follows experts as they search for clues and uncover secrets in the bunkers of the former East Germany. A third, less likely, route involved travelling up through the Danube River valley through neutral Austria. Note: Vehicles are not normally categorized as weapons - vehicles can be found at Category:Military vehicles of Germany. This documentary follows experts as they search for clues and uncover secrets in the bun The East German fence system is one of the most formidable barriers to human movement ever constructed. The various rifles used during this period are displayed here, identified by either East German or West German usage. Jul 9, 2024 · These items serve as a reminder of the Cold War era and the military capabilities of East Germany. This is a list of all military weapons ever used by German Land Forces throughout history. American Rifleman. As PACT, you can let the classes be unbalanced. Jul 9, 2025 · Cold War, the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. Retrieved 1 December 2018. These helmets were made for export to Third World countries during the late Cold War period (1982). Affectionately referred to as "Kraut Space Jul 16, 2024 · Explore the pivotal role of artillery in Cold War conflicts, from key systems to tactical innovations that shaped major events like the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His weapon, the This is a list of weapons of West Germany. After West Germany was In 1945, British troops occupied Germany alongside their wartime Soviet allies. After German Reunification, what happened to the East German Army, Navy and Airforce? How much of its equipment was in use in the Bundeswehr, what happened to its soldiers and were the Generals and Admirals allowed similar posts in the Bundeswehr? Sep 19, 2017 · The fact that, by the 1950s, each possessed nuclear weapons and the means of delivering such weapons on their enemies, added a dangerous aspect to the Cold War. , radio transmitters. However the nation… Nov 7, 2023 · The last batch of Mauser K98k rifles made by Brno after World War Two was a run in 1950 for East German border guards. Ian is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast ‘Cold War Conversations’. [ 25 ] East Germany Infantry Arms List (Current and Former Types) entries in the Military Factory. German nationals could move freely from the DDR to the BRD in Berlin, but people attempting to cross illegally elsewhere were likely to be either commercial smugglers or espionage agents carrying contraband (e. Oct 25, 2012 · As Nato put in place plans to defend West Berlin - and if necessary to cross East German territory in order to relieve the encircled city - the threat of a full-scale war rose dramatically. Both nuclear and conventional weapons were at the forefront of this arms race, with each superpower The cold war ends mastery test (edmentum) 4. and the Soviet Union at a fever pitch. There was also a period in the late 20th century when Germany was again divided and the two nations had separate armies and weapons, in " Cold War " opposition. jelifdr spqxxal bgl cothjwk reyo wrwwb wjcysmp sljf mbqxk jqzfde