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East Germany The Working-Class Combat Groups
The Working-Class Combat Groups, actually a workers' militia,
had over 500,000 members in 1987. Since their creation in 1953,
they have increasingly assumed the character of a territorial
force of considerable military importance. They consist of
volunteer reserve units organized around 100-member companies
formed in factories and other enterprises for the purpose of
providing local security to the state. For training, equipment,
and supplies they are responsible to the Ministry of the
Interior, specifically to the Main Administration of the People's
Police.
These forces had armored fighting vehicles, including SK-1
armored personnel carriers; 82mm mortars; 76mm antitank guns; and
23mm and 37mm antiaircraft guns. The Combat Groups train after
work and on weekends for a total of 136 hours annually. In
addition, they take part in monthly exercises and a large annual
exercise and occasionally perform labor duties said to benefit
the national economy. Further, experienced and politically
reliable Combat Group members are active in political instruction
in the NVA and in military education in the schools. Finally, the
Combat Groups also have been involved in East Germany's program
of military aid to Africa, providing training and equipment for
militia groups, in Brazzaville, for example.
Data as of July 1987
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