Tear Down that Wall

Imagine going to sleep in the town you live in and waking up the next morning forbidden to contact or visit your neighbors or family across town.  I think the townsfolk of Modlareuth, Germany had a little more warning than that, but not much before they were forbidden to cross the river which became the division between East and West.  The river cut right through the town.  This tiny river over time and escalating tensions became an impenetrable wall separating not friend from foe but friend from friend.

With successful escapes brought more security to the wall.  The final version of the wall was a concrete structure roughly 12 feet high and 8 inches thick.  A security barbed fence was offset about 40 feet from the wall.  The space in between was raked to reveal the footprints of anyone trying to escape.  Concrete blocks were buried to prevent digging under the wall.  An elaborate communication line was strung along the wall so that watchposts could communicate.  If the fence was breeched, the guards knew within a hundred yards where the breach occurrred.

Dogs were tethered to lines to help prevent escape in some areas.  There were watch towers like this one.  This tower is in its original location.

While we were in the watch tower, we met an American who was in Germany on a mission trip with his church.  He was stationed there 20 years ago and this was his first trip back since he served.  He said he wasn't sure what his emotions were going to be during his return visit.  He described it as "pure joy" to see the town without division.

I have many more pictures and pictures of all the placards with the historical background written in English.  If you are interested in these, send me an email at andrewpwasson@gmail.com and I will try to send you a link where you can download these photos.

I was quite surprised to find out that Buckeye Nation is alive and well in Germany.  Check out the end of the gun on this statue of a border guard.  OH....