The GDR border was manned by young conscripts doing their military service. Most of them disliked being on duty on the border and were glad when it was over.

Here we see graffiti written by the soldiers on the inside of the observation tower. They are counting down the days: 88 + h = 88 days plus today (heute). The soldiers had to continuously watch the border for possible escapees. If they saw of their compatriots attempting to cross the border to the West, the conscripts were under orders to arrest them or possibly shoot them dead.

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Keywords: inner German border, history of post war Germany, GDR border guards, GDR Grenztruppen, division of Germany, Deutsche Teiling, Berlin Wall, Iron Curtain, remains of the GDR border