Drafted into the East German Army (286)

Cold War Conversations

Steffen was born in Karl Marx Stadt and was conscripted into the NVA (East German Army) in 1988.

When he left school he started an apprenticeship in electronics learning how to build radio receivers at REMA, a then-famous producer of HiFi equipment.

Steffen is called up at 18 for his 18 months of service and he talks of the conscription process and incentives offered to him to serve for a longer period.

Steffen is posted to a unit in Leipzig that was responsible for telephone lines from the NVA Headquarters for the area south of Berlin. He describes the training he took and the role he carried out including installing phones for NATO Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty inspectors.

In the summer of 1989 many citizens of East Germany flee the country via the now semi-open Hungarian border and Steffen describes heightened tension within the Army.

Don’t miss next week’s episode where Steffen describes his transfer into the Bundeswehr, the West German Army.

0:00 Introduction and guest presentation

2:36 Steffen's childhood and school life in East Germany

15:21 Steffen's conscription into the East German army and training experiences

25:37 Steffen's comrades and checks conducted on him before his role

29:38 Steffen's experience with possible Stasi checks

32:34 Steffen's daily duties in the East German army and infrastructure of the East German phone system

37:14 Steffen's mission involving a secret code word and awareness of the Allied military liaison missions

43:16 Access to Western media while in the East German army

47:49 Lead up to Steffen's job on October 7th, 1989 and preview of next week's episode

48:34 Sponsor: Encouragement for listeners to donate and join the Facebook discussion group

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