Visit to Observation Point Alpha

On Wednesday, May 1^st  Ryan and I went with the group of soldiers to Observation Point Alpha. OP Alpha was a Cold War observation post between what was East and WestGermany. The Post overlooked the “Fulda Gap” which would have been a prime invasion route for Soviet forces had the Cold War erupted into actual warfare.  In 1965 Responsibility for border surveillance at OP Alpha was turned over from the German BGS to the US Army. The Post was abandoned by US military troops in 1991 and today a memorial commemorates its 40-year existence.

Looking into the "Fulda Gap" (East Germany)

OP Alpha sits atop a 411-meter hill, lying in the center of that section of the NATO defense line. US troops kept 24-hour monitoring of activity on the roads leading into the town of Geisa. At the first sign of an invasion the OP Alpha crew would have withdrawn. Due to its exposed position this observation point was referred to as “the hottest spot of the cold war.”

US OP Alpha Tower

In 1968 the first observation tower made of wood was established, replaced in 1982 with a steel tower and again in 1985 with the current concrete structure. This location also became the base of the US 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment. In 1972 the US 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment or "Blackhorse Regiment" assumed the post. Approximately 40 soldiers were stationed for 4 weeks at OP Alpha.

Model showing the fence and "dead zone"

One of the East German border fences.

GDR Watch Tower

We learned that it was not just a fence built between East and West Germany, but a series of fortifications. The complexity of the border system increased steadily until it reached its full extent in the early 1980s. When trying to escape from East to West Germany one would first reach the edge of the “restricted zone”. This was a closely controlled strip of land 3 miles wide, running parallel with the border. The signal fence was about 500-1,000 meters from the actual border and was lined with low-voltage electrified barbed wire. This wire activated alarms when touched or cut. Beyond the signal fence was the “protective strip” lit by floodlights and lined with guard towers, bunkers, and dog runs. Next the escapee would come to a control strip often referred to as the “death strip”. Tripwire-activated flare launchers were situated at various points to help the border guards to pinpoint the location of an escape attempt. The last and most formidable obstacle was the outer fencing. In some places there were multiple parallel rows of fences, each up to several meters high, with minefields in between. These fences not electrified but were booby-trapped with directional anti-personnel mines at intervals of 10 meters. Finally, the escapee had to cross whatever natural obstacles were on the western side of the border fence as well as navigating a strip of cleared ground that was up to 500 meters wide. While crossing this outer strip, the escapee would appear in clear view and shooting range of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) border guards before reaching the safety of West German territory.

Anti-tank ditch used to keep cars from escaping East Germany

During our visit to OP Alpha we were lead through a museum by an English-speaking guide who grew up in West Germany during the time Point Alpha was in operation. Following some lunch we went on a 10K hike through hills and along various points along the boarder. Our guide took us to a farm that was built on the boarder and separated by the wall.

WWIII medals created by the Soviets. This shows how close to WWIII we really came. 

Looking toward GDR Tower from OP Alpha

Enjoying our view from the OP Tower.

Border marker

The actual borderline between West and East Germany was marked by granite border stones 20 centimeters square with the letters “DDR” carved on the west-facing edge. Our Tour guide took us to a farm divided by the border. Half of the farm was in West Germany and the other half (including the well) was in East Germany. The GDR refused to move the border around the farm. Soon after the wall was built the GDR destroyed the section of the farm built on East German land. The family soon abandoned the remaining buildings on West German land due to the constant surveillance and fear of the GDR.

Remaining foundation of farm in East Germany

Other Half of farm in West Germany