There are regulations for just about everything in the military – but what happens when an army is merged with what was previously the enemy armed forces? German Reunification in 1989-90 brought about precisely this unique occurrence. In line with the Two plus Four Treaty (Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany) the Federal Republic of Germany remained a member of NATO. Communist East Germany had to dissolve its armed forces, the National People’s Army (NVA). The German Armed Forces absorbed about 11,000 soldiers and officers from Communist East Germany.

During the Cold War, the two German armies faced each other with their vast weaponry. In our exhibition you find out what status the military had in the two Germanies and what role the NVA played in the demise of the Communist regime.

Since Reunification, the “Army of Unity” has faced new challenges. Our exhibition calls to mind the emotional debate on the deployment in Kosovo in 1999 and visualizes the regions of the world where the German Armed Forces have since been stationed.

Personal impressions and objects belonging to contemporary witnesses show how the merger of two formerly opposing armies was a success. Why did soldiers from Communist East Germany decide to join the army of the former “class enemy”? How were images in their minds of the enemy and prejudices overcome? And how do Germans today see the new role of the “Army of Unity”?