European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 7, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine the 170,000-Man army of the communist German democratic Republic has dwindled to 90,000 since the opening of its Border with the Federal Republic of Germany. Troops Here Are parading to Mark the 40th anniversary of the East German army a Cavern at bad a Lungen. Bad a Lungen an army that s a amps map falling apart devout defenders of the state have turned into ready renegades by de Reavis staff writer maj. Thomas Hennicke who commands an East German armoured infantry regiment at bad a Lungen South of Eisenach near the West German Border state of Hesse is finding that even a peaceful revolution can mean major casualties for the military. His ranks Tell him so. A normally there Are 2,000 men Here but we re Down to 60 percent strength Quot Hennicke said. The major s unit is being bled dry in attempt to provide a transfusion of labor to the country s dying Economy. A the men Are in Leipzig working As Streetcar conductors truck Drivers and in the mining and chemical industries Quot Hennicke said. The forced work is one of the Many problems that the country a sudden about face from communism has caused the army. According to nato reports the army s problems run deep. Its 170,000-Man strength has reportedly dwindled to 90,000. Insubordination and desertion Are reportedly running rampant. The East German ministry for National defense has denied these reports. But a recent visit to Hennicke s Cavern showed that the fighting Force is indeed fragmented. Hennicke is stationed at the Anton Saefkow Cavern which lies on the Crest of a rolling Hill on the outskirts of continued on Page 14 from the to a St wednesday March 7, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13