Standing Their Ground: Construction Workers at Prora - A Tale of Dissent and Rebellion in East Germany's Guard and People's Army
Anti-Government Protests and Rebellion - Building Workers as Dissenters in East Germany - Protests and Unrest - Military Builders in East Germany (GDR)
Hey there! Let's dive into an intriguing piece of history that happened right here at Prora, on the beautiful island of Rügen.
In the heart of East Germany, during a time marked by strict control and regulations, a unique group of individuals stood out—the construction soldiers. These guys were easy to spot with their signature shoulder patches adorned with a simple spade. They chose to forgo regular military service and instead enlisted in a form of militarized civilian service, sans the weapons. Interestingly, the GDR didn't officially have civilian service, but this was something of a compromise.
Katja Lucke, the director of the Prora Documentation Center, shares some fascinating insights. Approximately 3,000 to 3,300 construction soldiers resided in Block 5 at Prora, with around 15,000 scattered across the entire GDR. And guess where they were most concentrated? Building the Mukran ferry port in Sassnitz—you've got it, right here in Prora!
No wonder it became the largest construction soldier hub in the GDR at times! On a notable side note, there was a spike in their numbers in the 1980s, as they were drawn to Prora to work on the Mukran project.
So, who were these brave men? Organizationally speaking, they belonged to the construction units of the National People's Army (NVA). However, it took a remarkable amount of courage for young East Germans to shun conventional military service and face the subsequent repression. In 2018, the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship acknowledged this brave act.
To fill in the gaps of Prora's history, an exhibition titled "Opposition and Resistance - Construction Soldiers in Prora, 1964-1989/90" was developed by the Prora Center in 2013-2014. It has now reopened for public viewing and will remain on display throughout 2025. Afterward, it is expected to become a permanent part of the exhibition.
- Prora
- GDR
- Military Service
- Construction Workers
- Resistance
- Dictatorship
- Opposition
- The exhibition at Prora Documentation Center, titled "Opposition and Resistance - Construction Soldiers in Prora, 1964-1989/90", is on display throughout 2025, showcasing the history of resistance among the construction workers during East Germany's dictatorship.
- Interestingly, the construction soldiers, who resided in Block 5 at Prora and were most concentrated at the Mukran ferry port in Sassnitz, were a part of the construction units of the National People's Army (NVA) in East Germany.
- In an effort to document and understand this unique group, Katja Lucke, the director of the Prora Documentation Center, shares that approximately 3,000 to 3,300 construction soldiers lived in Prora, with around 15,000 scattered across the entire GDR, demonstrating their significant role in the community policy of the time, particularly in vocational training for alternative civilian service.
