Wachregiment was named for the founder of the Soviet Cheka. The
genesis of this unit, however, can be traced to the early years of
the MfS’s existence. In 1962, military service became compulsory in
the GDR, and the three-year obligation could be fulfilled in the regu-
lar armed forces or in the Wachregiment (Guard Regiment). While
the latter had a more exacting political requirement for gaining entry,
there was less compulsion for ideological loyalty than among the
regular MfS employees, and many soldiers returned to civilian life
after their tour of duty. The unit was renamed the Felix Dzerzhinsky
Wachregiment on 15 December 1967.
In 1989, the regiment counted nearly 11,000 soldiers in its ranks
and was commanded by Brigadier General Manfred Döhring. It
possessed its own large arsenal, ranging from armored cars and
antiaircraft artillery to grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and
helicopters. Its main responsibilities included securing not only all
MfS buildings and installations but also the headquarters of the Cen-
tral Committee of the Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands and
the State Council of the German Democratic Republic, along with
the residences of leading party functionaries—more than 100 objects
in the East Berlin environs. The regiment was occasionally used for
economic purposes, such as assisting with the grain harvest, and
could be viewed on many ceremonial occasions, as it also maintained
its own orchestra and choir. See also ELSNER, BERNHARD.FELLGIEBEL, ERICH (1886–1944). A leading signals intelligence
officer during World War II and a member of the anti-Nazi resis-
tance, Erich Fellgiebel was born in Pöpelwitz (now Popwice, Poland)
on 10 April 1886. His long army career began in 1905 as a cadet in
a Prussian signals battalion and extended through World War I and
the Weimar Republic. In August 1938, he was appointed to head both
army communications and a communications division of the Armed
Forces High Command (including the Chiffrierdienststelle), even
though Adolf Hitler, while recognizing his exceptional expertise,
distrusted him from the outset.
As one of the chief conspirators in the 20 July 1944 plot against
Hitler, Fellgiebel had the vital task of blocking all communications
from the Führer headquarters during the assassination attempt.
When Hitler emerged with only superficial injuries, Fellgiebel then
FELLGIEBEL, ERICH • 105