Editing Volksmarine (section)

==Operative tasks==
The {{lang|de|Volksmarine}} was first and foremost a coastal defence force, but offensive action and amphibious assaults against NATO were also included in its training and plans. It was operationally incorporated into the ''United Baltic Sea Fleets'' of the [[Warsaw Pact]] states, intended to serve alongside them in the event of war. Its designated area of operations was the [[Baltic Sea]] and the entrances to the Baltic Sea. If open warfare had erupted between the Warsaw Pact and NATO, the primary mission of the {{lang|de|Volksmarine}} was to keep the sea lanes open for Soviet reinforcements and to participate in offensive actions against the coasts of hostile nations in the Baltic Sea.  For these purposes, it was equipped with light forces such as anti-submarine ships, fast torpedo boats, minesweepers as well as landing craft. Routine duty was heavily focused on extensive reconnaissance activities, carried out mainly by the minesweepers and specialized electronic surveillance boats.

The 6th Border Brigade (Coast) had a special responsibility for the prevention of "''[[Republikflucht]]''" (people leaving the GDR without official permission).  With effect from 1 November 1961, it was subordinated to the {{lang|de|Volksmarine}}.  It had a substantial number of small patrol boats and surveillance posts along the coast.