The Brocken - The Soviet Spy Mountain

In this Cold War documentary: Join me on a historical expedition to Germany to visit one of the most sinister Espionage / Cold War Black Ops installations in Europe - The Brocken Mountain former Soviet and Stasi Electronic Warfare Station. aka The Soviet Spy Mountain!

The Brocken Mountain is the highest peak in the Harz Mountain range in Northern Germany. During The Cold War 1961 - 1989 due to its proximity to the then Inner German Border between East and West Germany and its elevation, the Brocken summit was occupied by the Soviet Army and transformed into a highly fortified Electronic Warfare and Espionage facility, with the ability to reach the whole of NATO aligned Western Europe.

The Mountain was subject to a 2km wide Exclusion Zone to keep ordinary East German citizens away. While the Summit was heavily fortified with a wall, watch and gun towers and guarded by East German and Soviet Soldiers

The Soviet GRU and KGB operated from a highly classified facility known as "Object Yenisei" a secure site within a secure site which is still a state secret of the present day Russian Federation. While the East German secret police, aka The Stasi operated from "Object Urian" to spy on both the East and West German peoples, the West and NATO.

After the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989, on 3rd December 1989 in a display of total bravery 100s of local people marched up the mountain to reclaim the summit from the Soviets and Stasi.

Realising the huge geopolitical changes underway, instead of meeting the villagers with military force, the Soviet Station Commander opened the gates and let the people back on to the summit.

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Brocken Hotel Website:

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Background:

The Brocken, also known as Brocken Mountain or Blocksberg, is the highest peak in the Harz mountain range in Germany. It is located in the state of Saxony-Anhalt and stands at an elevation of 1,141 meters (3,743 feet). The mountain is not only significant for its height but also for its cultural and natural importance.

The Brocken has a long history of folklore and legends associated with it. It is often connected to the mythical Walpurgis Night, a traditional festival celebrated on the night of April 30th to May 1st. According to popular belief, this is the night when witches and demons gather on the mountaintop to hold a grand meeting. This association with witchcraft has inspired many literary works, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Faust."

The mountain's location in the Harz National Park makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The national park is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. The Brocken is covered with dense forests, featuring a mix of spruce, beech, and fir trees. The unique climate on the summit, known as an alpine climate, is created by the mountain's elevation, resulting in lower temperatures and high winds.

One of the most distinctive features of the Brocken is its frequent occurrence of mist or fog. Due to its height and exposure to prevailing winds, the mountain is often shrouded in dense clouds, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere.

To reach the summit of the Brocken, visitors can take a historic narrow-gauge steam railway known as the Harz Railway (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen) which has been in operation for over a century. The journey provides stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, including deep valleys, rocky cliffs, and charming villages. Once at the top, visitors can explore the summit area, which includes a weather station, a hotel, a restaurant, and a visitor center. The panoramic views from the summit are breathtaking, allowing visitors to see the vast expanse of the Harz region.

One of the most distinctive features of the Brocken is its frequent occurrence of mist or fog. Due to its height and exposure to prevailing winds, the mountain is often shrouded in dense clouds, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the "Brocken Spectre" or "Brocken Bow," where an observer standing on the summit can see their shadow cast upon the mist, surrounded by a circular rainbow.

Chapters:

01:30 Intro / Torfhaus
05:20 Walking to the Inner German Border
11:30 The Braunlage to Elend Road then and now
13:42 Schierke Station / The Brockenbahn
15:45 History of the Brocken Summit
23:03 The Peaceful Revolution 03/12/1989
25:22 The Summit Today
27:10 Object Urian / "The Stasi Mosque"
29:25 The Brocken Hotel
31:05 Outro

#coldwar #soviet #spy #blackops

[howardcopestake]

I was a Royal Signals technician based with the UK’s Electronic Warfare regiment in Celle, we had detachments in Wolfsburg and Wolfenbuttel where, in conjunction with US signals units rendered the Brocken into little more than a propaganda broadcaster. With a combination of electronic jamming and disinformation injecting (RF signals full of gibberish) With the state of the art electronic Radar jammer that our unit had we were able not only to restrict the Russian air defence systems but detect ANY electronic activity in that area and inject false data. For the 2 years I was based there my unit was on constant alert to deploy our mobile EW units to support any armoured operation defencive or offensive. This article is really quite accurate

[michaelkeldsen]

I served in the Danish army in 1969/70. In Febr./March 1970 we were stationed in Münster Lager with the British Royal Artillery, with whom we exercised our 155 mm self propelled Howitzers. We really got an impression of how tense the Cold War was at that time - but also had a merry time in the Harz, Celle and other places. In January 1990 I was with my wife and children skiing in the Harz Mountains, which we had done for many years. But this skiing event was particularly exciting and historical, as we during our cross country suddenly discovered a whole in the fence into GDR. With a little bit of anxiety we proceeded through the hole and continued up to the top of the Brocken. A most absurd experience, as we - and other skiers - found our selves moving in between Soviet soldiers, who left the impression of passivity, inactivity and desillusion; and peaceful. There was a cafeteria, where you could buy a coffee etc. and enjoy it at a table next to a group of Soviet soldiers - those who used to be our enemies! Thanks to Andy McIoone for an interesting visit to this historical place; where I now go in the Winther time with my grand children for some alpine skiing! Michael Keldsen, Denmark.

[eberhardboldt]

This is an outstanding peace of history.
I have escaped December 1972 from East to West Germany near Nordhausen unharmed.
The Brocken mountain I saw 1959 and never been there after unification.
Sadly all the pine trees are all gone.
Greetings from Sydney my new home since 1980

[peterwinnington]

At Easter 1962, I made a cycle tour in Germany, with the Brocken as one of the highlights. No one warned me that my plan was unrealizable. Approaching along the the road you took, I was surprised to find that after a while there were weeds poking up through the tarmac. Then came a point where a strip of land had been ploughed on either side of the road, running straight across the tarmac. Unable to ride any farther, although there was no fence or warning sign, I stopped for a good look round, taking in a wooden tower a couple of hundred yards away, in which I could just make out a man watching me through binoculars. That spooked me and I turned back without taking any photographs. But my memory of it has not faded.

[joebolt]

I was with the RAFG Harrier force in the 80s & 90s. Training exercises and security briefs always mentioned the 'Brocken' along with the classic photo of the spy station high up overlooking the west as it was then. I first visited the area in 1991, the border fences and towers were mostly still intact but empty and we only got as far as Scheirke on the train up the Brocken. My shanks' pony wouldn't go to the top (I was RAF not Army, no vehicle no go!). Over 30 years later I will be returning to the area this month to see how things have changed and complete the journey to the top by train (and with the 2023 prices!). Your video has provided a good insight to the Brocken, much I didn't know and to look out for, excellent and thanks.

[marcusmees]

Fun fact: in German folklore this mountain is called "Blocksberg" and is the main meeting point for witches riding on their broomsticks

[porter-]

As a German too young to have witnessed the parting of Germany and having visited the Harz and Brocken multiple times this is immensely interesting to hear. I was aware of the listening post and some of the history, but not in that much detail. It's weird to imagine the Harz being split by the Iron Curtain for so long when it is very much one cohesive region, geographically and culturally. Though being from Schleswig-Holstein, I will have to insist that the Harz and Brocken are in central Germany, not northern Germany.

[herosstratos]

After reunification, tapes were found in GDR archives with recordings of a telephone conversation between the officer on duty in the reconnaissance tower of Communications Sector C of the German Air Force on the Stöberhai. On this tape it could be heard that the other officer pointed out that the information just mentioned should not have been passed on by telephone for reasons of confidentiality, to which the DO replied that nothing wrong could happen since it was a telephone conversation ...

[dig]

Damn, man! Your cold war docs are outstanding! I chimed in before but early 80's USAF stationed up in these parts. What a pissing contest with the east.

Sometimes I got some time off, which was hardly ever, my German girl friend at the time and I would visit the Harz area. Goslar, etc. I remember looking at the the Brocken with binocs. This was 1984 or so. The Iron Curtain was real back then.

Keep up the good work Andy! Hope you are making some money on these vids.

[Pudel_Happy]

Thank you for this great breakdown on the old Soviet SIGINT site and inner German border. I visited the Brocken in March, 2017, so it was snow and ice all the way. I took the narrow guage steam train from Wernigerode. I was disappointed more mention was given to the legend of the Broken Witches than local Cold War history. Our Field Station Berlin is in shambles. Too bad more effort isn't taken to maintain these historical sites. Keep em coming.

[williamlloyd]

Very informative! Appreciate your taking the time to explain the Cold War geography, technology, border security features, etc.

[libertinoradio]

Massive balls on the local Germans that went to peacefully liberate the site, the common sense response by the Soviet officer on duty deserves respect also. Another day a slightly different mood in the air and that could have been a bloodbath. Interesting video, subscribed. Cold war history fascinates me, particularly the espionage elements, Best wishes.

[laarre]

Just discovered this channel and it is a gold mine. I’m around 30 years old so I don’t have any first hand experiences with our lovely eastern neighbors from the communist era. In the formerly neutral home country of mine, the cold war is seriously underrepresented in school curriculums so it’s refreshing and illuminating to hear grass root level stories and experiences from a western perspective.

[Werrf]

This was an absolutely fascinating tour of a piece of Cold War history I had never heard of before! I was just a kid when the wall came down, and didn't really understand how monumental it was; the more I learn, the more amazing this history becomes. I was particularly struck by the story of the Soviet commander bringing tea to the protestors. It's so easy for us to remember the Soviets as cold, passionless monsters; stories like this really remind us that we're all human. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[ww-cgn-d]

From 1978 to 1980 I was stationed on Mt. Meissner in the german tower (FmKp 947) just near the american installation (331st ASA Company). Depending on the weather conditions we were able to watch the sovjet station even above the clouds. It was the best time of my life...

[workshop_deluxe]

Wow, what a lovely video, what a great, excellent work. Cannot thank you enough for it. Grown up in Hamburg as a West-german guy, married to a woman from Wernigerode, Schierke, Brocken, Elend, Harz, etc. became a second home for me. Thanks again, Chris.

[mhoppy]

This is truly fascinating stuff. Thank you Andy. And thank you for your service.

[cannondale]

Again, watching your video on this Cold War listening post was an education.

[Oxide_does_his_best]

Great stuff man, you're gonna have higher sub count than me in under a year. Fantastic stuff!

[georevox]

Wow, what a fantsaitc film about this significantly location in the cold war. As a young lad the view from Torfhaus to the Broken mountain in the autumn of 1988 was my first impression of what it looked like to live in in a devided country, continent and world. In the autumn of 1989 we visited not the Hartz mountains, but the town that was known as Karl-Marx-Stadt back in the GDR, just weeks before the GDR came ton it‘s end. In the autumn of 1990 the same impression from Torfhaus was my first image of what it looked like when the cold war was over. I still remember the drive my parents took me from Braunlage to Elend (remember, all the roads were so new that they were on no map and the roads in the border area in East Germany were also not very accurate) on West German maps). Back in 1990 the tourist infrastructure was still very basic but some people bought field kitchen equipment from East German army surplus and sold pea soup to the tourists and I will never forget the smell and taste of it. Later on I hiked the Brocken summit a lot of times but every time I cross the former border a shiver runs down my spine because of the unique history of this location. Oh, btw, the climate is also very special up there. There is a kind of tree line as trees are unable to grow on the summit due to the inclement temperatures on wind speeds most of the time.