Territorial_Army_(Germany)
The Territorial Army (Territorialheer) was a military reserve force, part of the German Army of the Bundeswehr, which was responsible for territorial defence from the 1950s to c.2001.
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In contrast to the field army, the territorial army was nationally commanded even in the anticipated wartime fighting period (similar to UK Transition To War). In contrast to the field army, it consisted largely of Reserve forces, which only grew in the event of a defense by conscription of reservists. The Heimatschutztruppe (Home Defence Troops) formed part of the Territorial Army.
The main function of the Territorialheer was to maintain the operational freedom of NATO forces through providing rear area defence against saboteurs, enemy special forces, and the like. It supported the field army, the other parts of the Bundeswehr, and the other NATO organisations operating in West Germany in "maintaining freedom of operations”. Liaison Missions were established with various parts of NATO's Allied Command Europe and Allied Forces Central Europe.
The territorial army was tasked with performing leadership and support tasks in the rear area. In cooperation with the Deutsche Bundespost, the Fernmeldetruppe operated a fixed telecommunications network to link military and civilian command posts. The Army Logistics Troops support the basic needs of the Bundeswehr and the repair of war materiel.