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Block formation

SM-70

Self-shooting device

The SM-70s were used on the inner-German border (not in Berlin) from 1971 to 1984. In total, about 60,000 SM-70s were installed along 447 km. The GDR did everything to keep the existence of these "killing machines" secret.

In principle, the SM-70 is an anti-personnel mine that is triggered using a tripwire. The firing funnel contains 80 steel fragments measuring 4x4 mm, which are fired by a charge of 100 grams of TNT explosive. The fragments have a range of 120 meters and a lateral dispersion of 15 meters. The mine was lethal at a range of 10 m.


Origin: GDR
Operating time: 1971-1984
Explosive power: 110 gram TNT
Range: 120 m Spread 15 m

© COLD WAR MUSEUM

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Schematic representation of a SM-70

© Point Alpha Memorial

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Michael Gartenschläger (1944-1976)

Michael Gartenschläger made the existence of the automatic firing systems known. Gartenschläger, a citizen of the GDR, was arrested in 1961 for his participation in protests against the SED regime and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1971, the German government bought his release and he was deported to West Germany. He then worked as an escape helper and helped 31 people escape from the GDR. On March 30, 1976, he dismantled an SM-70 and sold it, along with his life story, to DER SPIEGEL magazine. When Gartenschläger tried to dismantle another automatic firing system on the night of May 1, 1976, he was expected by a special MfS task force and shot dead. Gartenschläger's story caused a great public stir in West Germany and, due to political pressure, the SED regime had the SM-70 dismantled in 1984. Nevertheless, the inner-German border remained a deadly border between East and West until 1990 due to the mines and armed border guards that were still deployed.

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