Civil defense of the GDR

Flag of the GDR civil defense

The civil defense (ZV) of the GDR or civil defense was an organization for the protection of the population, the national economy, the essential facilities and the cultural values ​​from the consequences of disasters, accidents, etc. In the event of war, it should also serve to protect the own population from military combat operations.

history

The beginnings of civil defense in Germany go back to considerations after the First World War that the democratic constitutional state must be defended in peacetime and should include the non-military part of defense . It was possible to build on experience in disaster control. In addition, the knowledge gained during the Second World War from air protection , fire brigade , medical services, etc. was incorporated.

In connection with other measures to protect the population of the GDR , institutions and management structures for combating disasters began in the 1950s. For example, special platoons and squads were formed in the fire brigade, but these were removed from the fire brigade's portfolio in 1956.

At department level, the Active Fire Protection Administration was created in the Ministry of the Interior (MdI) . Working groups have been set up at the level of the district councils . The leading functionaries were trained accordingly at the training facilities for air defense in the USSR . On February 11, 1958, the People's Chamber of the GDR passed the Air Protection Act as the basis for later civil defense. In the period that followed, air defense units and task forces were formed in the ministries, the councils of the districts, districts, municipalities, the economically important companies and institutions. The objective was to set up a warning system, set up air protection formations, create reserves for supplying the population and create shelters.

With the Civil Defense Act of September 16, 1970, the growing demands for the protection of the population and the safeguarding of vital areas, even in the event of war, were to be taken into account. Accordingly, the following civil defense forces were set up: rescue, recovery, repair, detoxification, medical, fire protection, supply, reconnaissance and equipment formations as well as special facilities for sanitary treatment and deactivation. The formations were divided into platoons , groups, departments and readiness .

guide

The Council of Ministers of the GDR formally decided on all basic state measures of civil defense . These were usually drawn up and presented by the National Defense Council . The central management of civil defense was carried out by the main civil defense administration based in Berlin.

The heads of civil defense in the districts, counties and municipalities had appropriate staffs. The management structure was very complex, had overlaps and was rather confusing (see management structure of the ZV 1980).

To solve the tasks of civil defense, compulsory service could be introduced.

Those working in the field of civil defense were made up of active service soldiers, NCOs and officers whose rank up to Colonel had the addition "ZV"; Heads and employees of state and economic bodies, companies and institutions as well as volunteer citizens. Those on active duty wore a sleeve strip on their uniform that read "Civil Defense".

Conducting civil defense

Rank, name	period of service	comment
Colonel General Fritz Peter	1976-1990	Head of civil defense in the GDR
Major General Rudi Schütz	1978-1986	Deputy Head and Chief of Staff
Major General Werner Zaroba	1986-1990	Deputy Head and Chief of Staff
Major General Rolf Fischer	1976-1990	Deputy Head and Chief of Civil and Economic Protection
Major General Klaus Rude	1978-1990	Deputy Head and Chief Training
Major General Kurt Sommer	1977-1990	Deputy Head and Head of Political Administration

Other generals of the civil defense of the GDR (1976–1990)

• Major General (retired) Dipl.-Staats-Wiss. Hugo Harwardt
• Major General Dipl.-Mil. Albert Pankau

education

The training of the members of the civil defense took place at the corresponding "district schools ZV". In addition, the Institute of Civil Defense of the GDR existed in Beeskow as the highest teaching institution of GDR civil defense. In 1979 the institute received university status . The last commanding officer of the institute was Major General Albert Pankau.

At universities and technical colleges in the GDR, knowledge and skills for performing civil defense tasks were imparted as part of vocational training. At the polytechnical and extended high schools, civil defense was part of military instruction .

Orders and decorations

On September 16, 1970, the Medal of Merit for Civil Defense was donated in three stages. On October 25, 1977, the Foundation followed the medal for loyal service in the ZV in four stages and the medal for loyal duty in the ZV in three stages.

From 1971 onwards, special badges of the best were awarded to citizens of the GDR who did voluntary civil defense work. These were shield-shaped, 39 mm high, 31 mm wide and showed the symbol of civil defense on a red enameled background. Above it, on a white background, was the word BEST , framed by an oak leaf . From 1981 there were repeat trailers for this badge, which in every way resembled those used by the NVA. By 1985, the followers displayed up to ten repetitions, which were then limited to five repetitions. The best badge in civil defense was awarded until 1990.

There were also a variety of badges and decorations.

• 

  Merit Medal

• 

  Medal for Faithful Service

• 

  Medal for faithful performance of duty

• 

  Best badge of the ZV

Individual evidence

1. ^ Dictionary of German military history. 1985, p. 1101.
2. ^ Defense Act of October 13, 1978.
3. ↑ Military Service Act of March 25, 1982.
4. ↑ service career regulations - ZV of 25 March 1982nd

literature

• Holger Beiersdorf, Jörg Welkisch: Air defense, civil defense and civil defense of the GDR. GNN Verlag, 2008, ISBN 978-3-89819-288-0 .
• Clemens Heitmann : Protect and Help? Air defense and civil defense in the GDR from 1955 to 1989/90 . Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin 2006, ISBN 3-86153-400-2 .
• Klaus Froh, Rüdiger Wenzke: The Generals and Admirals of the NVA: A biographical manual . Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-86153-209-3 .
• R. Brühl (edit.): Dictionary of German military history. 2 volumes. Military publishing house of the German Democratic Republic, Berlin 1985, ISBN 3-327-00239-8 .

Web links

Commons : civil defense of the GDR  - collection of images