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Abstract

East Germany continued to strengthen its border fortifications in response to ongoing flight attempts. The original barbed wire barrier was replaced by a massive concrete wall that was supplemented by control towers, flood lights, car tracks, guard dogs, spring guns, and an electric fence. A translation of the diagram key appears below the image. 

Sketch of an East German Border Fortification (1984)

Source

Translation 

1) Concrete wall with or without pipe on top
2) Metal latticework fence
3) Checkpoint area
4) Lighting system
5) Anti-vehicle trench
6) Line marking the front boundary of the border patrol
7) Column track
8) Wire run for guard-dogs
9) Signal or warning light
10) Observation tower
11) Electric fence

Source: Skizze einer Grenzanlage in Berlin (Sketch of a Border Fortification in Berlin), Presse- und Informationsamt des Senats von Berlin, 1984.