About 40 German sappers have been working for two months alongside the Polish army to strengthen the country's nearly 800-kilometer border with Russia. The goal is to protect NATO's eastern flank in the event of an attack, reports Deutsche Welle.
German military engineers are specially trained to build obstacles that slow down or block the movement of enemy forces. They are currently carrying out tasks in the area of the town of Budry, not far from the border with the Russian Kaliningrad exclave.
The servicemen from Germany are installing anti-tank barriers designed to prevent the entry of heavy military equipment. Some of the structures are so-called "Czech hedgehogs" – massive concrete blocks placed directly on the terrain.
The defensive site is located about 200 meters from the border with Russia. It includes three rows of reinforced concrete "hedgehogs," followed by a deep anti-tank ditch, and behind it, another line of obstacles is positioned.
A Polish officer explains that anti-tank mines can be placed very quickly in the space between the two barrier belts.
"The German sappers did an excellent job," said Polish General Stanisław Czosnek during an inspection of the defensive fortifications. He pointed out that he was "very impressed" by the work of his German colleagues, who built nearly one kilometer of the defensive line in six weeks.
"We are ready to fight for democracy and freedom," emphasized German General Tito Gante, who accompanied Czosnek during the site inspection.
The German contingent will remain in Poland until October, but the sappers will soon be deployed to other sections of the "Eastern Shield" project. Work near Budry is expected to be completed next week, adds Deutsche Welle.