Uncover the shadowy world of an elite spying unit through newly digitised photographs from the BRIXMIS archive collection.
The work of BRIXMIS (the British Commanders’-in-Chief-Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany) was crucial in the intelligence battle that shaped the Cold War. British military personnel operated in Soviet controlled East Germany to uncover vital military intelligence secrets, under the guise of a liaison mission.
Thousands of images taken during this vital 43-year operation are held in IWM's Collections. In 2023, a collection of around 14,000 colour photographs were digitised.
What was BRIXMIS?
At the end of the Second World War Germany was divided into four Occupation Zones, governed by either Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States or France. An agreement provided for the exchange of Military Liaison Missions between the respective Occupation Zones. The liaison staff were granted freedom of travel within the other zones, except for certain restricted areas.
The British Mission was known as The British Commanders’-in-Chief-Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany (BRIXMIS). They used their role to gather military intelligence, overtly and covertly, which proved invaluable to the British Armed Forces and to NATO. Their unique position, behind the Iron Curtain, put BRIXMIS in a remarkable position to collect intelligence on the exercises, equipment, weaponry and daily operations of Soviet and East German forces, in order to assess Soviet capabilities and intentions.
BRIXMIS intelligence gathering operated 365 days a year, for over forty years during the Cold War. Tour teams would usually consist of 3 members: an officer, an NCO (Non-commissioned officer) and a driver. Their role included photographing anything of interest, often from the inside of their ‘tour cars’ as they drove around East Germany. They would covertly enter the ‘restricted zones’, where it was assumed the most valuable intelligence could be gained. Soviet forces would obstruct BRIXMIS activity through harassment, detainment and even ramming BRIXMIS cars off the road.
All the Military Liaison Missions were used to gather intelligence in their respective zones, including the Soviet Mission (SOXMIS). This created a degree of transparency in occupied Germany that helped reduce international tension. BRIXMIS photographs uniquely record the British perspective of the demobilisation and removal of Soviet troops in East Germany between 1989 and 1990. They offer a fascinating snapshot into the closing chapter of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.
Soviet missiles photographed by a BRIXMIS team
BRIXMIS gathered valuable military intelligence on the Soviet Union by photographing vehicles, weaponry and equipment.
This photo shows what was known as a ‘Scud Missile’, a type of tactical ballistic missile. Photographs were used to understand Soviet technology and help develop counter measures in the event of war.
Being spotted by Soviet personnel inevitably reduced the chance of gaining vital intelligence.
Soviet military personnel photographed by BRIXMIS team
BRIXMIS teams would search for activity relating to Soviet forces, including training exercises, to gather intelligence that could reveal Soviet capabilities and intentions.
The tour teams would often return to the site of activity at night to examine abandoned equipment or ammunition.
Soviet helicopter photographed by BRIXMIS
Throughout the course of the Cold War, there were multiple technical intelligence ‘scoops’ by BRIXMIS, which included the first sighting of new Soviet equipment.
Soviet helicopters would sometimes fly aggressively toward BRIXMIS teams to deter their intelligence gathering. However, this often created the opportunity for more detailed photographs to be taken.
Soviet soldiers photographed by BRIXMIS team
BRIXMIS tour members always wore uniform, and their cars were marked with identifiable number plates, making them easily recognisable. Military and civilian members of the Soviet Union were supposed to report sightings of BRIXMIS tours to the intelligence services so that attempts could be made to stop them gathering intelligence.
Here, soldiers smile for the camera, demonstrating little concern at being photographed.
Soviet vehicles and equipment are loaded onto a train
In 1990, there were Soviet military withdrawals from East Germany as the Cold War continued to unwind. BRIXMIS teams monitored train activity to learn what was being moved, where it was going and at what rate.
By the end of the year, the Soviet Union would agree to remove all personnel from Germany by 1994.
A couple notice BRIXMIS members photographing them through the car mirror
BRIXMIS activity was under constant surveillance by the Stasi (East German Secret Police), who would covertly and overtly follow tour teams to ensure they were not entering restricted zones. BRIXMIS tours would attempt to ‘lose’ the Stasi before carrying out their intelligence gathering.
Taking photos of anyone suspicious or anything out of the ordinary helped identify Stasi members.
Soviet tanks being moved at night
BRIXMIS tours gathered intelligence 24/7, throughout the duration of the Cold War. Night-time was often an opportunity for more covert intelligence gathering, the use of Night Vision goggles allowed teams to drive without their car lights on.
Photographs taken at night evoke the secret nature of BRIXMIS activity.
East German Soldiers taking part in demonstrations, January 1990
The ‘peaceful revolution’ of 1989 led to the lifting of restriction on freedom of speech, allowing East Germans the opportunity to demonstrate against the Socialist Unity Party. This photograph shows soldiers with banners that appear to have an anti-border message.
Photographs like this would have developed British understanding of morale amongst East Germany forces.
BRIXMIS vehicles on tour
Tours could last up to five days and personnel would always sleep in quiet, rural locations to avoid detection.
The vehicles shown are Mercedes Benz Geländewagens known as ‘G-Wagens’. It’s reliability and 4-wheel drive made it the main tour car for BRIXMIS in the 1980s.
This photograph was taken the day before German reunification and last official day of BRIXMIS touring, which explains the balloon, wine and beer.
BRIXMIS Mission House on the eve of German reunification
Reunification became official on 3 October 1990, which meant the end of the liaison agreement that created BRIXMIS.
It was a night of celebration across Germany as the country become a single state for the first time since 1945. This photograph was taken at the BRIXMIS Mission House in Potsdam, where the occasion was marked by a ceremonial lowering of the union flag.
It captures an important moment of the Cold War era.
BRIXMIS would formally disband on 31 December 1990.
The legacy of BRIXMIS reflects the complex international relationships of the Cold War and the role of intelligence gathering. Photographs were a vital part of their work and can now be used to better understand BRIXMIS and the world it operated in.
Learn more about Digital Futures
Digital Futures is an ambitious mass preservation project which started in 2020. Over the coming years, it aims to digitise 2.1 million of the most vulnerable media in IWM’s collection, dating from the Cold War.
Thousands of films, tapes and sound reels have been digitised, and recently the millionth photograph was newly digitised through Digital Futures – a photograph from this BRIXMIS collection.
