Drill in the Berlin Metro: German Armed Forces on the Ground with Snipers

In the exercise called “Bollwerk Bärlin III”,the 1,000-soldier Honor Guard Battalion simulated a war scenario focused on protecting the federal government.

Since midnight on Monday, exercises have been conducted between 1:00 and 4:00 a.m. across Berlin and Brandenburg, simulating situations such as securing transportation routes, evacuating wounded soldiers, neutralizing saboteurs, and engaging in combat under low-visibility conditions.

At Jungfernheide station in the Berlin metro, soldiers clashed with armed irregular forces and evacuated the injured to a safe zone.

Major Maik Teichgräber, who leads the exercise, emphasized the importance of readiness for a possible crisis in Berlin:

“We must act with the worst-case scenario in mind. Our goal is to be able to respond immediately when needed.”

Following last year’s first metro drill, the unit is now more experienced.

According to military sources, such realistic urban exercises aim to increase the battalion’s readiness level.

Snipers seen in the area are also part of the drill. It should be noted that no live ammunition is used.

All soldiers have been stationed at Julius-Leber Barracks in Berlin-Wedding since 2014. The Honor Guard Battalion is the only combat unit operating in a major German city and is responsible for the security of the federal government and constitutional institutions in the event of a crisis or defense scenario.

The 1,000-strong battalion is the Bundeswehr’s oldest unit and also serves as its military showcase. Established in 1957, it consists of six main units from the army, air force, and navy, along with support and supply elements and two reserve battalions.

In normal times, the Honor Guard Battalion under the Ministry of Defense in Berlin is responsible for major military ceremonies that welcome state guests.

Important Note:

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, national and allied defense has once again become a priority in Germany.

To prepare society and ease concerns, the previously voluntary framework for mandatory military service has re-entered the political agenda.

Source: ARTI49