What is "Soviet Forces Germany" or the "Western Group of Forces"?
The Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (1949 - 88) (ГСВГ, Группа советских войск в Германии), also known as the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany (1945 - 49) and the Western Group of Forces (1988 - 94) were the troops of the Soviet Army in East Germany.
The Soviet armies permanently stationed in Germany were the predominant land-based military threat to NATO from the late 1940s until 1989, a primary factor in the military situation during the Cold War. Following a resolution of the government of the USSR in 1979/80 20,000 army personnel, 1,000 tanks and much equipment was withdrawn from the territory of the GDR, among them 6th Guards Tank Division, HQ Wittenberg. In the course of Perestroika the GSFG was realigned as a more defensive force regarding strength, structure and equipment. This entailed a clear reduction of the tank forces in 1989. The GSFG was renamed the Western Group of Forces on June 1, 1989.
Personal Equipment
Each individual attending as a day player is required to have all of the equipment listed on this page before they will be allowed entry to the field. Click on the name of each item for more details, and photos. There will be an inspection when you sign in. If you have questions, or are having trouble sourcing some items, please contact us.
Before being sure you have all of this stuff, be sure to read the list of items that you cannot bring.
Required Items:
- East Bloc Weapons System (Kalashnikov Series)
- Sealed and rated goggles
- East Bloc Load Bearing Gear
- Minimum 2 dead rags
- Capacity to carry at least 2 liters of water
- Compass
- East Bloc pattern complete uniform
Recommended Items:
- Helmet and/or period correct body armor
- Rucksack
- Lunch – East Wind does not provide meals for day players. Make sure you pack a lunch of some sort. Plan for foods that can be easily be eaten in the field. There is no lunch break, and no opportunity to leave the field to get lunch. You may even find yourself needing to eat while forward deployed. MREs are the obvious choice for lunches in these conditions but pretty much anything you care to carry with you will do.
- Cup or mug