6941st Guard Battalion Labor Service
The 6941st Guard Battalion (6941st Gd Bn) in West Berlin was a paramilitary unit established by the United States Armed Forces during the occupation of Berlin by the Allied forces after World War II and during the Cold War. From 1950 to 1993, it primarily guarded all U.S. American facilities in divided Berlin. The members of this unit were recruited predominantly from German nationals and nationals of NATO member states.
The 6941st Gd Bn was, with some administrative exceptions in the areas of personnel, training, and logistics, part of the CS-Organization (Civilian Support Organisation) with headquarters in Heidelberg.[1] Compared to the CS units in West Germany, the leadership style for the "civilian employees" of the 6941st Gd Bn was subject to strict military regulations. Since most men in the West German CS units, however, in contrast to their West Berlin colleagues, had served in the Bundeswehr, this distinction in leadership style was not considered an issue.
History
The 6941st Guard Battalion was founded in September 1950 under the designation 6901st Labor Service Area. In 1952, after a reorganization of the unit, it became the 6941st Labor Service Center. In 1969, the unit received its final name, the 6941st Gd Bn, still with the addition "(LS)" for Labor Service, which was dropped in the early 1980s, in accordance with its military structure and mission.
The 6941st Gd Bn originated from German nationals employed by the U.S. Armed Forces in Berlin who, even before and during the Berlin Airlift, guarded economic goods such as building materials and coal, initially as "Civilian Guards" and later as "Industrial Police."
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent withdrawal of the Allied forces from Berlin, the basis for the mission of the 6941st Gd Bn no longer existed and it was consequently disbanded on September 30, 1993, almost three years after the reunification of Germany.
The counterpart to the 6941st Guard Battalion was considered to be the 248 German Security Unit in the British Sector of Berlin.
Mission
The primary mission of the 6941st Gd Bn was the guarding and securing of U.S. facilities, barracks and goods in former West Berlin. Thus, the U.S. soldiers stationed in Berlin were relieved and freed for their primary tasks, which included rotational guard duty in Spandau Prison and training for military emergency. Usually soldiers guard themselves, as this is an essential task (self-protection) in an emergency. With the Guard Battalion, however, this could be organized more economically and efficiently (e.g., no communication difficulties with the German population). The U.S. soldiers had sufficient opportunity to practice self-protection during their regular training stays at West German training areas. The personnel specially trained for guard duty, initially composed only of Germans, later also members of the protecting powers and citizens from non-communist-governed countries, carried out this task in continuous operation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
The 6941st Gd Bn secured, among other things, the U.S. Headquarters in Berlin, the American Consulate in Berlin, all U.S. barracks areas including all associated external facilities, U.S. ammunition depots, U.S. motor pools, U.S. warehouses, U.S. communications and surveillance facilities, U.S. transportation facilities, U.S. schools, U.S. shopping centers, U.S. bank and U.S. special facilities such as the Berlin Document Center, the guest house of the Berlin commanding general, or the officers' club (Harnack House) of the U.S. Armed Forces in Berlin, as well as recreational facilities and clubs.
In addition to deployment on U.S. installations, i.e., on extraterritorial territory, the 6941st Gd Bn was also used, for example, to secure the annual Allied Parade of the three Western powers in the Tiergarten district, or for security, in closer cooperation than generally usual with the American and British Military Police (from 1992 also with the Feldjäger of the Bundeswehr), at the German-American Folk Festival in the Zehlendorf district, where in times of heightened security levels, personal checks were also carried out by members of the 6941st Gd Bn. In times of crisis, the 6941st Gd Bn also proved itself in the extensive outer security of U.S. facilities, through patrols between U.S. facilities in the American Sector of Berlin, securing U.S. housing areas and supporting the communications of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Personnel
The unit motto was Unity and Strength.
At its peak, the 6941st Gd Bn reached a strength of approximately 850 "civilian employees" and was organized into five companies, each consisting of four platoons. The four guard companies - 4012th Gd Co, 4014th Gd Co, 4077th Gd Co and the 4078th Gd Co - performed duties in guard and security service, while the fifth company, the HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company), was responsible for administration and supply. The 6941st Gd Bn recruited and administered its "civilian employees" through its own personnel department. Personnel matters were supervised and managed by the CPD (Civilian Personnel Division) of the U.S. Armed Forces in Berlin and the Labor Services Agency (leadership and administration of the Civilian Support Organisation) in Heidelberg. Due to its structural orientation, the 6941st Gd Bn had its own transport capabilities with attached workshops, its own catering for 24-hour feeding of employees, its own logistics department for supplying equipment and consumables, and its own communications department.
The duty of the "civilian employees" was performed in uniform, similar to older uniforms of the U.S. Armed Forces, and with appropriate armament for the task. On the uniform were worn the Berlin Bear, unit insignia, and rank insignia, in modified form, corresponding to the ranks of the U.S. Army. The uniformed "civilian employees" of the 6941st Gd Bn were part of the Berlin cityscape during the occupation period, just like the U.S. soldiers themselves, and were gladly equated or confused with them by the civilian population. It was customary for the "civilian employees" to address each other by their ranks and for officer ranks to be saluted. Officers were to be saluted, as was the flag during flag ceremonies. Because of this strong military orientation, the 6941st Gd Bn held a special position within the CS-Organization.
This was possible because the restrictions of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (NATO-SOFA) for the employment of national civilian personnel did not apply in Berlin. The U.S. troops in Berlin were not part of NATO, but occupation troops as a result of World War II. West German units were subject to restrictions, which were initially interpreted so generously in terms of military orientation that these units also made a "smart" military impression. For some, this was almost unavoidable and sensible, as they carried out purely military tasks (smoke mortars, military bridge construction, engineering, telecommunications, etc.) hand in hand with U.S. units. In the course of the late 1970s and 1980s, however, the restrictions were largely enforced, as the activities of all armed forces were critically observed by the growing peace movement and a critical press (e.g., Der Spiegel).
Through constant training, operational exercises, qualified instruction, and continuous monitoring of regulations and standards, the 6941st Gd Bn was considered particularly well-trained and qualified for its service. The leadership of the 6941st Gd Bn was especially proud of the fact that in the 43-year history of the unit, there was not a single incident of firearms use against potential attackers on U.S. facilities, thus demonstrating the professionalism in the fulfillment of duty of this unit.
Insignia
In addition to the CS patch (Civilian Support insignia), the so-called Cognac Patch because of the three stars, worn on the left shoulder, the unit patch of the respective Civilian Support Group (sub-unit) was worn on the right shoulder, in the case of the 6941st Gd Bn, the coat of arms with the Berlin Bear.
Over the years there were several variations of the CS patch. There were forms with a curved upper edge, and instead of the stars there were variants with the inscription "German" as well as variants for the 6941st Gd Bn with the inscription "Berlin" and in camouflage (camouflage version - green/black). The current unit insignia corresponding to the uniform worn was used: Class A (office personnel, indoor duty, etc.) in the early years khaki and variations of blue-gray, later various variants of blue/gray; Class C (guard personnel, labor personnel, outdoor duty, etc.) in the very early years black drill, hence the colloquial name "Black Guard" or "Black Guards," later various variants of drill, including drill "hot weather" (US-Vietnam uniform). While the other Civilian Support Groups also wore their own unit insignia in different variations on the Class C uniform, in Berlin only the CS patch was worn.
Personal Awards and Badges
Individual awards were given to members of the 6941st Gd Bn for good duty performance and leadership with the "Commemorative Badge" (worn visibly on the uniform) as a service award, after 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. The CS commanders were authorized to award this distinction as an honorary award also to members of the U.S. Army. The basic award was sometimes awarded with an oak leaf cluster.
In addition to this visible award, members could also be honored for particularly good performance over a period of at least 12 months with the "Sustained Superior Performance" Award. It consisted of a certificate and a cash bonus.
In addition, there was the award for "Guard of the Month" (worn visibly on the uniform during the month of selection).
Occasionally, civilian American medals were also awarded to CS members, which could then be worn as a ribbon on the Class A uniform.
German orders and decorations could be worn after prior approval by the Civilian Support Agency. Other badges, such as the German Sports Badge or awards of the DLRG (German Life Saving Association) could be worn after proof of entitlement.
Likewise, there were the badges common in the U.S. Army for drivers, "Drivers Badge," and the badges for marksmanship with rifle and pistol, "Marksman Badge," "Sharpshooter Badge" and "Expert Badge" (worn visibly on the uniform).
Examples include: Commemorative Badge, Commemorative Badge (Camo), Commemorative Badge (5/10 Years of Service), Commemorative Badge (15 Years of Service - and more), U.S. Army Marksman Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, Expert Badge Rifle and Pistol, U.S. Army Drivers Badge, Guard of the Month Badge (Runner-up), Commemorative Coin.
Unit Awards
Unit awards received by the 6941st Gd Bn included, among others, the "USAREUR Sword of Freedom Award for Maintenance Excellence" and the "USAREUR Sword of Freedom Award for Supply Excellence."
Ranks
The ranks and rank insignia of the U.S. Civilian Support Groups in Germany were strongly based on those of the U.S. Army.
The ranks and pay groups mentioned here with their levels apply exclusively to the 6941st Guard Battalion in Berlin, as there were differing regulations for other CSG units in the Federal Republic of Germany due to the Four Power Agreement and the resulting different German paying agencies (State Office for Occupation Burdens in Berlin and State Offices for Defense Burdens in the old federal states).
The ranks served on the one hand for identification vis-a-vis military personnel. In the CS organization, i.e. among civilians, it was also customary to use the address Mr. or Mrs. In the 6941st Gd Bn, however, under the special legal conditions in West Berlin the NATO-SOFA was not valid, and attention was paid to militarily correct forms of address, which included the obligation to salute officers. Because of the special status of the Four-Power City of Berlin and the presence or contact with the soldiers of the three Western powers, this outward preservation of form was quite appropriate.
From the late 1970s onwards, candidates for promotion received the original "Certificate of Promotion" from the Department of the Army, United States of America (DA).
Equipment
The equipment of the Guard Battalion corresponded to that of a light infantry battalion, i.e., among other things, NBC protective equipment, light assault packs, etc. In barracks areas or places with public traffic, the respective Guard Relief (guard team) was equipped with pistols and batons (Club, Policeman's, Wood), while on installations with lower public density such as ammunition depots and, for example, Jagen 110 / Teufelsberg FSB (TeuBerg Com Fac), the Guard Relief, with the exception of the Relief Commander and control personnel, who carried pistols, was equipped with assault rifles. For other security tasks, armament was carried according to the task to be fulfilled. In addition, the 6941st Gd Bn had a well-equipped vehicle fleet as well as all necessary means of communication, including a mobile command post.
Armament and Training
Members of the 6941st Gd Bn were trained on firearms, Pistol M1911A1, cal .45 ACP (Colt Government) and Pistol M9, cal 9mm (Beretta 92FS 9mm Para.), as well as the M1 rifle, later the M14 and the M16A1/A2, cal .223 Rem. (Colt AR15, 5.56mm) and the legal provisions for the exercise of police force as well as the provisions on the use of firearms. Duty was performed according to the applicable directives of the U.S. Army (ARs, DOD Regs., USAREUR Regs. etc.) as well as applicable German law.[2]
Locations
The 6941st Guard Battalion was housed from 1950 to 1958 in the former Gardeschützenkaserne (Guards Rifles Barracks) in Lichterfelde, renamed "Roosevelt Barracks." In 1958, the unit was moved to the former Prussian Main Cadet Institute, which during the Third Reich was the location of the "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler." The Cadet Institute bore the name "Andrews Barracks" during its use by the US Army. The 6941st Guard Battalion remained there until the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The arrival of American troop reinforcements at the height of the Berlin Crisis and their stationing in the Andrews Barracks made it necessary to move the Guard Battalion back to the Roosevelt Barracks. In 1991, the 6941st Gd Bn moved back to the Andrews Barracks, as the Bundeswehr housed its Feldjäger (Military Police) in the Roosevelt Barracks.
See also
References
Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at de:6941st Guard Battalion; see its history for attribution