During the Cold War, it was presumed to be an invasion route for any conventional war between NATO and Soviet forces. Downs Barracks in Fulda was the headquarters of the American 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, later replaced by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The cavalry had as many as 3,000 soldiers from the end of World War II until 1993. Not all those soldiers were in Fulda proper, but scattered over observation posts and in the cities of Bad Kissingen and Bad Hersfeld. The strategic importance of this region, along the border between East and West Germany, led to a large United States and Soviet military presence. Politics Fulda has traditionally been a conservative Catholic city, with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fulda being based in the city cathedral. During the time of German Empire and Weimar Republic, the city was a stronghold for Centre Party. After the end of World War II, in addition to all mayors, Fulda's constituency seats have been safe seats for CDU in both the Landtag of Hesse (District X 1946-1950, District 14 1950-1983, Fulda I since 1983) and Bundestag (Fulda electoral district). CDU has never received less than 42.4 percent of the vote in communal elections since 1946. Oberbürgermeister (Lord mayor) Department I (head and personnel administration, finance, committee work, culture, business development, city marketing, investments) Cuno Raabe (CDU): 1946–1956 Alfred Dregger (CDU): 1956–1970 Dr. Wolfgang Hamberger (CDU): 1970–1998 Dr. Alois Rhiel (CDU): 1998–2003 Gerhard Möller (CDU): 2003–2015 Heiko Wingenfeld (CDU): 2015– Department II (public security and order, family, youth, schools, sports, social affairs, seniors) Karl Ehser: 1934–1945 Karl Schmitt: 1946–1948 Heinrich Gellings: 1948–1969 Dr. Wolfgang Hamberger: 1969–1970 Dr. Tilman Pünder: 1971–1980 Lutz von Pufendorf: 1981–1984 Dr. Alois Rhiel: 1984–1989 Josef H. Mayer: 1990–1995 Oda Scheibelhuber: 1995–1999 Bernd Woide: 1999–2003 Dr. Wolfgang Dippel: 2004–2014 Dag Wehner (CDU): 2014– Landtag (state parliament) Cuno Raabe (CDU): 1946-1962, elected in 1946, 1950, 1954 and 1958 Alfred Dregger (CDU): 1962-1972, elected in 1962, 1966 and 1970, resigned to accept Bundestag mandate Winfried Rippert (CDU): 1972-1999, appointed in 1972, elected in 1974, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1991 and 1995 Walter Arnold (CDU): 1999-2004 and again 2009-2018, elected in 1999, 2003; resigned in 2004; elected in 2009 and 2013 Margarete Ziegler-Raschdorf (CDU): 2004-2009, appointed in 2004, elected in 2008 Thomas Hering (CDU): 2018-, elected in 2018 Bundestag (federal parliament) Anton Sabel (CDU): 1949-1957, elected in 1949 and 1953 Hermann Götz