Aug. 14, 1961 - Two battle-ready Soviet Army divisions were reported to have ringed Berlin this morning in support of East Germany's dramatic closing of the border between East and West Berlin. The Soviet divisions were said to have armor and artillery with them. Other Soviet Army divisions among the estimated total of 20 in East Germany were reported on the move throughout the country. The East German action to close the border brought angry exchanges between East Berliners and the Communist People's Police. Smoke and tear-gas bombs and water hoses were used to disperse one crowd of several hundred youths who had taunted the police and armed Communist factory brigades.
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