Originally Posted by Bugsy

What actually happened was that the constant demonstrations (especially and particularly in Leipzig) had completely unnerved the GDR regime. What folks were actually complaining about (and this is important) was their very restricted access to foreign travel, since they (GDR citizens) were limited to holidays in other COMECON states. But GDR citizens had access to West telly and wanted to explore these (purportedly Western) venues for themselves, but which were off-limits to them.

...not quite, IIRC. The GDR travel into COMECON states was allowed. Unfortunately for the GDR, the Czechs decided to open up their border with the west as part of their "velvet revolution". At which point, all of the East Germans with wanderlust drove to Czechoslovakia, crossed into Austria, and headed north to their relatives. Shutting the GDR/Czechoslovakian border at short notice would have been rather difficult.

Suddenly, the "Anti-Fascist Wall" became very similar to the Maginot line - very impressive, but ineffective because you could get round the side of it.

Originally Posted by Gravelbelly

Originally Posted by Bugsy

What actually happened was that the constant demonstrations (especially and particularly in Leipzig) had completely unnerved the GDR regime. What folks were actually complaining about (and this is important) was their very restricted access to foreign travel, since they (GDR citizens) were limited to holidays in other COMECON states. But GDR citizens had access to West telly and wanted to explore these (purportedly Western) venues for themselves, but which were off-limits to them.

...not quite, IIRC. The GDR travel into COMECON states was allowed. Unfortunately for the GDR, the Czechs decided to open up their border with the west as part of their "velvet revolution". At which point, all of the East Germans with wanderlust drove to Czechoslovakia, crossed into Austria, and headed north to their relatives. Shutting the GDR/Czechoslovakian border at short notice would have been rather difficult.

Suddenly, the "Anti-Fascist Wall" became very similar to the Maginot line - very impressive, but ineffective because you could get round the side of it.

Unfortunately, you don't remember correctly, Gravelbelly, in spite of your "IIRC". The Czechs had opened their borders to GDR citizens and then, at a later date, opened their borders to Austria.

To gain access to West Germany, increasing numbers of GDR citizens were turning up at the West German Embassy in Prague and camping out in the grounds around it. While this was going on, the pressure on the GDR gobment to allow foreign travel was ongoing. In the end, the folks in the West German Embassy in Prague were allowed free passage to West Germany via the GDR in special trains which were not allowed to stop anywhere at GDR stations on their way, to ensure that not even more GDR citizens jumped on them. This was supposed to be a grudging allowance from the GDR gobment, but which turned out to be taken by people as a sign that the regime was on its last legs.

The immense pressure from the people of the GDR in the form of demonstrations, particularly in Leipzig, eventually won the day and led to the aforementioned declaration of freedom of passage to Western venues. This was, as said, misinterpreted by folks and the result was the fall of the Berlin Wall.

MsG

I was the BLO soxmis driver in 1988 we used to escort the russian,s to the NAAFI in Herford and varios other plaices went into east Berlin before the wall came down with them but the job was not as exciting as I was led to believe .

I was disappointed with the BRIXMIS display at RAF Cosford. True, there is a fine example of a Senator, and indeed a Trabant 600 (movement for the masses) but that is it, apart from a display case containing a'THREAT' pamphlet and a SOXMIS card along with other little bits. IMHO it doesn't represent a coherent story of BRIXMIS/SOXMIS , and certainly doesn't do it justice. The Berlin Wall walkthrough is pretty pathetic and represents a missed opportunity.

Notwithstanding the above, the RAF Museum at Cosford is nothing short of STUNNING, and it's free admission. If you haven't been...go!

Liebe Kinder

I don't think there were many cowboys; just guys and gals who did a job and did it well. Recall; a squaddie is as a squaddie does.

Hope the HIP is flyin' OK...


Kechil

Originally Posted by marco_poloroid

I was disappointed with the BRIXMIS display at RAF Cosford. True, there is a fine example of a Senator, and indeed a Trabant 600 (movement for the masses) but that is it, apart from a display case containing a'THREAT' pamphlet and a SOXMIS card along with other little bits. IMHO it doesn't represent a coherent story of BRIXMIS/SOXMIS , and certainly doesn't do it justice. The Berlin Wall walkthrough is pretty pathetic and represents a missed opportunity.

Notwithstanding the above, the RAF Museum at Cosford is nothing short of STUNNING, and it's free admission. If you haven't been...go!

I agree with you. The RAF museum does have some stunning equipment in it, but fails to tell the story fully. Last time I went in there was a tank (sorry cannot remember what it is) just by the front door, the information about it was completely lacking.

The older parts of the museum seem to have a lot more info, even if it is for the techo heads.

RP

Sadly I was there in May 2008. Wrong mark of Senator. Display at Int Corps Museum is better....
Kechil

hi I set up that display using a lot of my kit from when I served with Brixmis I was the last tour driver ace times best job in the Army no doubt, wish those days were back lol

the RMPs who cahsed SOXMIS cars were called white mice, we in BRIXMIS were chased by Stasi rarely but our threat was mostly just traps were set to catch us a railway sidings etc great time escaping lol
we could get bogged in at Satzcorn ramp orchard a lot too!!

we (BRIXMIS) covered the whole DDR we had Flag tours covering (not at the same level) East Berlin shoppers we called them lol they did their bit too