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Horst BrunnerMilitary figure of the GDR
Date of Birth: 21.02.1929
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Horst Brünner: A Life Dedicated to Military Service
- Political and Military Career
- Education and Career Advancement
- Deputy Minister of National Defense
- Post-Unification
Horst Brünner: A Life Dedicated to Military Service
Early Life and EducationHorst Brünner was born into a bricklayer's family and completed his schooling in 1943. He pursued a degree in sales and supply economics from 1943 to 1946.
Political and Military Career
Brünner joined the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) in 1946. He served in the district police department of Löbau from 1946 to 1949.
In 1962, Brünner became head of a department in the Main Political Directorate of the Ministry of National Defense. From 1965 to 1968, he served as head of the political directorate and deputy commander of the GDR border troops.
Education and Career Advancement
From 1968 to 1970, Brünner studied at the Military Academy of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces. Upon his return, he earned the rank of major general and was appointed head of the political directorate and deputy commander of the 3rd Military District (Leipzig) in 1971.
Brünner was transferred back to the Main Political Directorate in 1972. In 1976, he was promoted to lieutenant general and became a candidate member of the SED Central Committee.
Deputy Minister of National Defense
On December 10, 1985, Brünner succeeded Heinz Kessler as deputy Minister of National Defense and head of the Main Political Directorate. In 1986, he was promoted to colonel general and became a member of the National Defense Council of the GDR.
Post-Unification
Brünner was dismissed from service on December 31, 1989. In 1998, he was convicted of indirect involvement in killings at the Berlin Wall and sentenced to two years of probationary custody.
