World Events · 2
What directive did East German authorities give border guards patrolling the Berlin Wall, despite it risking guards' own lives if disobeyed?
Answer
A shoot-to-kill order against escapees
East German guards were officially ordered to shoot anyone attempting to cross the border, though some quietly chose to let people pass, risking punishment themselves.
💡 Did you know?
East German border guards were given shoot-to-kill orders for 28 years, yet many secretly let people escape rather than pull the trigger, risking execution themselves.
Other options people guess
- A mandatory warning-shot-only order
- An order to use tranquilizer darts instead of bullets
- An order to detain but never use firearms
Topics
- berlin-wall
- cold-war
- germany
- history
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