| Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany (1945–54) Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (1954–89) Western Group of Forces (1989–94) | |
|---|---|
 Soviet Army marking present on GSFG vehicles | |
| Active | 1945–1994 |
| Country |
|
| Branch | |
| Type | Group of forces |
| Part of | |
| Headquarters | Wünsdorf (now in Zossen) |
| Engagements | East German uprising of 1953 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | See list |
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The Western Group of Forces (WGF),[a] previously known as the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany (GSOFG)[b] and the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (GSFG),[c] were the troops of the Soviet Army in East Germany. The Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany was formed after the end of World War II in Europe from units of the 1st and 2nd Belorussian Fronts. The group helped suppress the East German uprising of 1953. After the end of occupation functions in 1954 the group was renamed the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. The group represented Soviet interests in East Germany during the Cold War. Before changes in Soviet foreign policy during the early 1990s, the group shifted to a more offensive role and in 1989 became the Western Group of Forces. Russian forces remained in the eastern part of Germany after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and German reunification until 1994.
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