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46-676: Security was provided by soldiers of the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment . Nowadays, the community is treated by Germans as a symbol of the elite in the SED party when it ruled East Germany. The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was established in 1949 as a communist state from the Soviet Zone of Occupation . The GDR was de facto ruled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), whose leadership lived in mansions on

92-560: A nuclear bunker with the capacity to accommodate 400 people was completed in Waldsiedlung. In late 1989, Waldsiedlung's inhabitants had to leave the settlement in accordance with a resolution adopted by the GDR government under Premier Hans Modrow . After German reunification , Waldsiedlung became home to a rehabilitation clinic and private residences , and was brought under the administration of Bernau bei Berlin on 1 July 2001. In June 2017,

138-453: A wire mesh fence on which signs indicated a "wildlife research area". The inner ring was surrounded by a two-metre high green security wall and could only be entered with special passes. The four entrance gates were guarded by members of the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment , the paramilitary wing of the Stasi, and troops were stationed at 31 watchtowers within the outer fence. In the 1970s,

184-556: A career in the Stasi. Most soldiers in the regiment are known to be parachute-qualified. Several players of BFC Dynamo and SG Dynamo Dresden made their military service with the regiment, such as Lutz Eigendorf and Matthias Sammer . The head of the Stasi Erich Mielke was also the president of SV Dynamo . It became publicly known in 2011 that also the incumbent president of football club 1. FC Union Berlin Dirk Zingler

230-534: A classified military base known as Objekt 74 at Briesen. At full strength, the regiment consisted of over 11,200 personnel, including 2,500 officers, 8,735 NCOs and enlisted men, and nine civil staff. Its commander was a Major General after 1956. The Regiment was subdivided into the following commands from 1980 to 1989: The sites were inherited by the Ahrensfelde guard regiment in mid-January 1989. Until then they had formed accommodation facilities for UAV units of

276-486: A company which is an essential weapon, the heavy machine gun (HMG-company) and had the 70mm - anti-aircraft missile armed "Strela-2 'Company. Until 1982 there was also an artillery detachment armed with 122mm D-30 howitzer. Previously, they had 85-mm PaK D-44, and 82mm mortars and 120 mm in the stock. Regulators company RSK was additionally can be equipped with the AKS-74 around the shoulder stock to collapse. At least in

322-575: A dedicated elite and politically loyal armed force to protect itself. The Guards Battalion A participated in the suppression of the Uprising of 1953 against the SED's Stalinist policies. In November 1954, the Guards Battalion A was set up as the official paramilitary wing of the Stasi and its staff headquartered in Adlershof , East Berlin . In August 1961, units of the Guards Battalion A participated in

368-473: A four-lane autobahn connected Waldsiedlung directly to East Berlin. 52°44′03″N 13°29′11″E  /  52.73417°N 13.48639°E  / 52.73417; 13.48639 Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment ( German : Wachregiment "Feliks E. Dzierzynski" ) was the paramilitary wing of the Ministry for State Security ( Stasi ), the security service of

414-516: A highly trained Motorized Infantry and public security force. It was composed of experienced and ideologically reliable men separate from the National People's Army that could be deployed to suppress rebellion and unrest. The Guards Battalion A at the MfS ( Wachbataillon A beim MfS ) was founded on January 1, 1951 as an armed force to complement the Ministry for State Security (MfS or Stasi ),

460-527: A month earlier. Recruits were selected from soldiers and NCOs who served in the NVA as volunteers for three years. Sometimes, service with the FDGR could potentially lead to a career in the Stasi. Most soldiers in the regiment are known to be parachute-qualified. Several players of BFC Dynamo and SG Dynamo Dresden made their military service with the regiment, such as Lutz Eigendorf and Matthias Sammer . The head of

506-472: The Cheka . The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment's major task was the protection of the SED, especially its buildings in the capital of East Berlin , and from 1960 providing security for the party leaders' private residential compound, Waldsiedlung , located 24 kilometres (15 mi) north of Berlin near Wandlitz . The Stasi was dissolved on 13 January 1990 and its facilities and responsibilities taken over by

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552-473: The German Democratic Republic (GDR). The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was called a regiment, however the elite formation gradually grew to the size of a motorized infantry division with its constituent Kommandos made up of battalions. Its role in the Stasi was the protection of buildings and high-ranking officials of the GDR government and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and was also

598-404: The National People's Army that could be deployed to suppress rebellion and unrest. The Guards Battalion A at the MfS ( Wachbataillon A beim MfS ) was founded on January 1, 1951 as an armed force to complement the Ministry for State Security (MfS or Stasi ), the security service of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The GDR was a de facto communist state established in 1949 from

644-506: The Soviet occupation zone and was ruled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) with significant Soviet influence. Despite authoritarian measures to suppress political opposition , the threat of instability remained. The SED followed the Soviet model of creating a dedicated elite and politically loyal armed force to protect itself. The Guards Battalion A participated in the suppression of

690-473: The StG-943 in 1989. Stationed in the command 3 (on military Teupitz - cones), there was also a battalion of special weapons. It consisted of a company, which was armed with heavy anti-tank recoilless gun SPG-9 (in 1987, was reorganized into a rifle company), a company which is an essential weapon, the heavy machine gun (HMG-company) and had the 70mm - anti-aircraft missile armed "Strela-2 'Company. Until 1982 there

736-631: The Uprising of 1953 against the SED's Stalinist policies. In November 1954, the Guards Battalion A was set up as the official paramilitary wing of the Stasi and its staff headquartered in Adlershof , East Berlin . In August 1961, units of the Guards Battalion A participated in the construction of the Berlin Wall . In 1967, the Guards Battalion A was officially renamed the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment ( Wachregiment "Feliks E. Dzierzynski" ) in honor of Felix Dzerzhinsky , founder of

782-661: The 1970s, the former intelligence battalion, the mortar batteries and the I-battalion with Kalashnikovs in the S version were equipped. Specialized units such as the honor companies (28. and 29 MSK of the 10th MSB) were fitted in addition to the above-mentioned weapons, rifles and sabers. The paratrooper company, located in the reconnaissance battalion, also used the small Skorpion machine pistol from Czechoslovakia . For large events, there were as accessories batons (flexible), down from 1989 shields and helmets and chains. The FDGR had access to light armored personnel carriers such as

828-546: The BTR-60PB and the PSzH-IV. The six Mi-2s and Mi-8s and Mi-24s were used for personnel transport. Its uniforms were nearly identical to those of the National People's Army (NVA) and were distinguished primarily by the dark red MfS service color of its insignia and by a cuff title on the left sleeve bearing the regiment's name. Other Stasi officers wore a similar uniform, but without the cuffband. The service or dress uniform of

874-445: The BTR-60PB and the PSzH-IV. The six Mi-2s and Mi-8s and Mi-24s were used for personnel transport. Its uniforms were nearly identical to those of the National People's Army (NVA) and were distinguished primarily by the dark red MfS service color of its insignia and by a cuff title on the left sleeve bearing the regiment's name. Other Stasi officers wore a similar uniform, but without the cuffband. The service or dress uniform of

920-483: The Brandenburg state government placed the historic buildings of Waldsiedlung under  monument protection . As of 2021, tours to Waldsiedlung are allowed for anyone who wants to look around the area. Waldsiedlung covered an area of around 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi), although the area's perimeter was not immediately recognizable from the outside. The 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) outer ring consisted of

966-544: The GDR's Ministry of the Interior ( Ministerium des Innern ), but the regiment continued to exist. The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was formally dissolved on 2 October 1990, the day before the GDR was dissolved in the German reunification . While the FDGR's main duties were to ensure the safety of SED official and party members, it could also be mobilized to conduct some commando operations when required. Scholarly research into

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1012-524: The Ministry for State Security (e.g., backup units of VRD, BDL, HA VI, AGMS). These units were the uniformed as well as the guard and security units of the units of the Stasi (BV), not a subdivision of the guards regiment. Part of these units were merged in January 1989 into the guard regiment, which is why the site was taken over by the Ahrensfelde guard regiment. Until 1989, the guard regiment had no locations in

1058-458: The Stasi Erich Mielke was also the president of SV Dynamo . It became publicly known in 2011 that also the incumbent president of football club 1. FC Union Berlin Dirk Zingler was a member of the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment for three years during his military service. Dirk Zingler has explained that he had sought to spend his military service in Berlin and that he was unaware beforehand that

1104-537: The city of Bernau bei Berlin in Bezirk Frankfurt , around 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of East Berlin. The housing complex was constructed through an agency subordinate to the Ministry for State Security ( Stasi ) and was completed in 1960. Waldsiedlung was occupied by senior politicians and their families under the protection of the Stasi's bodyguard department, and relocating there became mandatory for all Politburo members. Among East Germans, Waldsiedlung

1150-410: The construction of the Berlin Wall . In 1967, the Guards Battalion A was officially renamed the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment ( Wachregiment "Feliks E. Dzierzynski" ) in honor of Felix Dzerzhinsky , founder of the Cheka . The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment's major task was the protection of the SED, especially its buildings in the capital of East Berlin , and from 1960 providing security for

1196-467: The day before the GDR was dissolved in the German reunification . While the FDGR's main duties were to ensure the safety of SED official and party members, it could also be mobilized to conduct some commando operations when required. Scholarly research into the regiment after the end of the Cold War mentions that FDGR soldiers had trained PLO and other Middle Eastern and South American-based terrorists at

1242-556: The districts. The service objects there were guarded by the WSE, which were placed under the respective BV. Commanders of the guards regiment were: The personnel strength of the regiment: Military service in the Guard regiment was completed as WED (abbr. Wehrersatzdienst , alternative military service). In contrast to the National People's Army , recruits were inducted in April and September / October,

1288-399: The guards regiment. Part of these units were merged in January 1989 into the guard regiment, which is why the site was taken over by the Ahrensfelde guard regiment. Until 1989, the guard regiment had no locations in the districts. The service objects there were guarded by the WSE, which were placed under the respective BV. Commanders of the guards regiment were: The personnel strength of

1334-444: The honor companies (28. and 29 MSK of the 10th MSB) were fitted in addition to the above-mentioned weapons, rifles and sabers. The paratrooper company, located in the reconnaissance battalion, also used the small Skorpion machine pistol from Czechoslovakia . For large events, there were as accessories batons (flexible), down from 1989 shields and helmets and chains. The FDGR had access to light armored personnel carriers such as

1380-695: The inner ring. The site had a club house ( de ) with a cinema and a restaurant, a shop where a limited selection of subsidized luxury Western goods could be purchased with East German marks , a market garden, a health clinic, a shooting range , a swimming pool , a sports field, and tennis courts . There were also barracks and social buildings for site employees and guards. During the Honecker -era, cooks at Waldsiedlung were required to produce gourmet -level meals. In addition to high-quality East German food products, western products such as Beaujolais wines and seltzer water were imported from West Berlin . In 1983,

1426-412: The party leaders' private residential compound, Waldsiedlung , located 24 kilometres (15 mi) north of Berlin near Wandlitz . The Stasi was dissolved on 13 January 1990 and its facilities and responsibilities taken over by the GDR's Ministry of the Interior ( Ministerium des Innern ), but the regiment continued to exist. The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was formally dissolved on 2 October 1990,

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1472-418: The regiment after the end of the Cold War mentions that FDGR soldiers had trained PLO and other Middle Eastern and South American-based terrorists at a classified military base known as Objekt 74 at Briesen. At full strength, the regiment consisted of over 11,200 personnel, including 2,500 officers, 8,735 NCOs and enlisted men, and nine civil staff. Its commander was a Major General after 1956. The Regiment

1518-547: The regiment belonged to the Stasi. It was, however, not possible to apply for the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment. The Stasi selected who it thought fit to serve with the regiment. The FDGR received the same training and weapons as the Volkspolizei-Bereitschaft and some of its personnel were paratroopers . It was also equipped with modern armored fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers , anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft weapons and mortars. The regiment

1564-508: The regiment was an army uniform made of high quality (of officers) with claret fabric collar and brown (officer) leather belt. The left sleeve was fitted with a cuffband and the words "wachregiment F. Dzerzhinsky". Soldiers of the MOS units typically had the following personal uniforms: In command 4 - Eberswalde-Finow in Bernau contributed UAZ, professional officers and professional officers uniforms of

1610-413: The regiment was an army uniform made of high quality (of officers) with claret fabric collar and brown (officer) leather belt. The left sleeve was fitted with a cuffband and the words "wachregiment F. Dzerzhinsky". Soldiers of the MOS units typically had the following personal uniforms: In command 4 - Eberswalde-Finow in Bernau contributed UAZ, professional officers and professional officers uniforms of

1656-413: The regiment: Military service in the Guard regiment was completed as WED (abbr. Wehrersatzdienst , alternative military service). In contrast to the National People's Army , recruits were inducted in April and September / October, a month earlier. Recruits were selected from soldiers and NCOs who served in the NVA as volunteers for three years. Sometimes, service with the FDGR could potentially lead to

1702-504: The regular army with weapons Color black (pioneers) and (white Motorized Rifle) to camouflage the Wachregimentseinsatzes. Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment ( German : Wachregiment "Feliks E. Dzierzynski" ) was the paramilitary wing of the Ministry for State Security ( Stasi ), the security service of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment

1748-414: The same training and weapons as the Volkspolizei-Bereitschaft and some of its personnel were paratroopers . It was also equipped with modern armored fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers , anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft weapons and mortars. The regiment was equipped with small arms ( Makarov , Walther PP , PM-63 RAK , AKM , AK-74 , LMG, RPG-7 ). They were also reported to be armed with

1794-412: The security service of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The GDR was a de facto communist state established in 1949 from the Soviet occupation zone and was ruled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) with significant Soviet influence. Despite authoritarian measures to suppress political opposition , the threat of instability remained. The SED followed the Soviet model of creating

1840-566: The upscale Majakowskiring in the Pankow district of East Berlin . After the events of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 , the SED party leadership decided to build themselves a secure residential zone in a more remote location than their mansions on the Majakowskiring. Construction of Waldsiedlung began in 1958, two years later after an SED resolution, in a remote wooded area belonging to

1886-431: Was a member of the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment for three years during his military service. Dirk Zingler has explained that he had sought to spend his military service in Berlin and that he was unaware beforehand that the regiment belonged to the Stasi. It was, however, not possible to apply for the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment. The Stasi selected who it thought fit to serve with the regiment. The FDGR received

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1932-440: Was also an artillery detachment armed with 122mm D-30 howitzer. Previously, they had 85-mm PaK D-44, and 82mm mortars and 120 mm in the stock. Regulators company RSK was additionally can be equipped with the AKS-74 around the shoulder stock to collapse. At least in the 1970s, the former intelligence battalion, the mortar batteries and the I-battalion with Kalashnikovs in the S version were equipped. Specialized units such as

1978-468: Was called a regiment, however the elite formation gradually grew to the size of a motorized infantry division with its constituent Kommandos made up of battalions. Its role in the Stasi was the protection of buildings and high-ranking officials of the GDR government and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and was also a highly trained Motorized Infantry and public security force. It was composed of experienced and ideologically reliable men separate from

2024-431: Was colloquially called Wandlitz , after the nearby village. In the 1980s, Waldsiedlung became known by the tongue-in-cheek nickname " Volvograd ", both in reference to the Soviet city of Volgograd and the GDR political elite's use of Volvo cars from Sweden (after initially using luxury Soviet Chaikas ). Waldsiedlung consisted of 23 detached family houses with 180 m (1,900 sq ft) of land each within

2070-404: Was equipped with small arms ( Makarov , Walther PP , PM-63 RAK , AKM , AK-74 , LMG, RPG-7 ). They were also reported to be armed with the StG-943 in 1989. Stationed in the command 3 (on military Teupitz - cones), there was also a battalion of special weapons. It consisted of a company, which was armed with heavy anti-tank recoilless gun SPG-9 (in 1987, was reorganized into a rifle company),

2116-415: Was subdivided into the following commands from 1980 to 1989: The sites were inherited by the Ahrensfelde guard regiment in mid-January 1989. Until then they had formed accommodation facilities for UAV units of the Ministry for State Security (e.g., backup units of VRD, BDL, HA VI, AGMS). These units were the uniformed as well as the guard and security units of the units of the Stasi (BV), not a subdivision of

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