Both Sides Double Berlin Wall Guard

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 15

Both Sides Double Berlin Wall Guard

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter— Copyright) BERLIN, August 13. Thousands of armed men today guarded the Berlin wall on its first anniversary. Both East and West were ready to prevent any incidents, the Associated Press reported.

West Berlin police informants along the wall said the East Germans had doubled their border guards. These sources also reported seeing several Soviet utility vehicles on reconnaissance missions. The East German authori-

ties had predicted that West Berlin trouble-makers would set off explosions on the wall today.

On the Western side, extra police were patrolling and rifle-carrying West Berlin police, alone or in pairs, could be spotted every couple of hundred yards. Police radio cars stood all night at strategic locations ready to rush to any trouble spot if necessary. The Western Allies also were reported to have increased border patrolling. West Berlin police said they saw more American military police. British and French patrols are also out today. British soldiers on patrol were in full battle dress with camouflaged steel helmets. Machine-guns were mounted on their patrol vehicles. Across the wall, the East Germans had a 20.000-man border force on alert. In addi. tion. the Communists were reported to have mobilised their factory militia, which can turn out thousands of armed workers. East German armoured half-track vehicles, water cannon and troops on trucks were observed through fieldglasses by West Berlin police. Leaflets calling for a mass rally at 5 p.m. G.M.T. today were distributed in West Berlin yesterday. They were signed by the “committee for an indivisible Berlin.”

A group of about 20 young West Berliners staged a silent protest march along the border wall in the American sector last night, but dispersed again shortly afterwards, Reuter reported.

West Berlin police said the only incident during the night was the flight of an armed East German guard to West Berlin.

They said all was quiet along the 99-mile border of West Berlin with East Germany and East Berlin.