Increasing Soviet obstruction in Germany

Chapter Two The Constabulary Takes Charge 1946 - 1950

In June 1946 USFET headquarters concluded that border security was not satisfactory, specifically because US border guards were not familiar with directives pertaining to frontier control, were not being properly supervised, and because of frequent rotation of troops.

The disarming of the Land border police was one of the primary causes for this deterioration of border security.

The American troops had come to rely on the Germans to provide border control. Third Army was ordered-to solve these deficiencies. The solution - the Constabulary - was already in the final planning stage and being implemented when the USFET criticism was received.

Increasing Soviet obstruction in Germany had led to the first tripartite conference on Germany between representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, and France in London during March 1948.

The Russians retaliated by pulling out of the Allied Control Council, calling the tripartite conference a violation of the Potsdam Agreement and, on 1 April 1948, initiated the Berlin Blockade.

In addition, they began requiring anyone who wished to visit the Soviet Zone to obtain a residence permit.

The Allies, in turn, proposed that a national assembly be set up to draft a constitution for the western zones and began planning for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The Tripartite Agreement on the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was signed on 8 April 1949, with the first parliament opening its sessions on 7 September and the Federal Republic being officially established on 21 September. (Technically, it had been created on 23 May 1949 with the proclamation of the "Basic Law" - the FRG constitution.)

In spite of the Soviet lifting of the Berlin Blockade on 12 May 1949, the Western Allies thought the Soviet threat was sufficient to go ahead with the NATO concept, and the treaty became effective on 24 August.

Concurrently with the establishment of the Federal Republic on 21 September, OMGUS was replaced by the Office of the US High Commission for Germany (HICOG) thus emphasizing that Germany would be a major voice in all future discussions about the eastern frontiers and boundaries.

In addition, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was established in the Soviet Zone on 7 October 1949, adding one more voice in future discussions. From this point on there was not much talk about mutual cooperation with the Soviets on the interzonal border or the Czechoslovak frontier.