The raids were ruthless in their execution and consisted of numerous warrantless searches and arrests across 12 cities, often targeting immigrants and prominent leftist activists.

Over the following years the barbed wire and mesh barrier that was constructed overnight was gradually replaced with a virtually impregnable ring of reinforced concrete that ran 155km around West Berlin.

Although the station was uncensored in that that it shared information that was suppressed within the Communist Bloc, it was am important propaganda tool founded and funded by the US government.