WORK OF CLEARING RUBBLE, EAST GERMAN TROOPS WITH PNEUMATIC DRILLS (NATURAL SOUND THROUGHOUT) GUARDS DOGS AND PERSONNEL CARRIERS, DEMOLITION OF WALL IN PROGRESS.




Initials JRG/VS/BHH/OS



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Background: THE BERLIN IN WALL, SET UP IN 1961, IS BEING REBUILT NEAR THE OLD REICHSTAG BUILDING IN BERLIN. THE WORK IS PART OF A PROJECT TO MODERNISE AND STRENGTHEN THE BORDER.

SO FAR STRETCHES BORDERING THE BRITISH, FRENCH AND AMERICAN SECTORS HAVE BEEN REBUILT.

THE MAIN DEMOLITION WORK ON THE WALL NEAR THE REICHSTAG WAS STARTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY). IT FACES THE BRITISH SECTOR, AND IS SIX FEET (TWO METRES) FROM THE FOOT OF THE BUILDING.

AN ARMED PERSONNEL CARRIER AND THREE DOGS GUARDED THE SOLDIERS WHO USE PNEUMATIC DRILLS, PICK AXES AND A CRANE TO TEAR DOWN THE WALL. AFTERWARDS THEY SEALED THE GAP WITH BARBED WIRE.

WORK OF MODERNISING THE BORDER IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1970.