Berlin Wall Escapes1961–1989

13 August 1961 · By boat

An inflatable dinghy across the Britzer Zweigkanal

On the afternoon of 13 August 1961 two young people crossed the Britzer Zweigkanal in Johannisthal in an inflatable dinghy. About twenty minutes later a third youth swam across at the same spot.

A straight, still canal between banks of dense green trees under a blue summer sky, with an electricity pylon in the distance.
The Britzer Verbindungskanal (formerly Britzer Zweigkanal) at Baumschulenweg in 2008; the canal formed the sector border here, and the 1961 dinghy crossing was a little further along at Johannisthal Photo: André Karwath aka Aka. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

The Britzer Zweigkanal separated Johannisthal, in the East Berlin district of Treptow, from Neukölln in West Berlin.

The East Berlin police's own log records that at about 16.16 two young people crossed the canal in an inflatable dinghy and reached West Berlin. At about 16.35 another youth swam across at the same place. Someone had brought him to the bank on a motor scooter and then turned round and driven back. The police set about tracing the scooter's owner.

The next day the police log recorded that people were still leaving across the Britzer Zweigkanal, and that a boat on the western side was helping those who swam over.

Sources

  1. Stab PdVP Berlin – Journal der Handlung, 13 August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)
  2. Stab PdVP Berlin – Journal der Handlung, 14 August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)

Spotted an error, or know more about this story? Email us a correction or addition

Related escapes

  1. 5 June 1962

    Axel Hannemann – from a cargo barge into the Spree

    A 17-year-old apprentice from Cottbus jumped from the Marschallbrücke onto a westbound cargo barge; when the skipper stopped, he jumped into the Spree and was shot a few metres from the West Berlin bank.

    By boat · Killed · Mitte

  2. 8 June 1962

    The excursion ship "Friedrich Wolf"

    Young East Berliners commandeered the passenger steamer "Friedrich Wolf", locked up its crew and swerved under heavy fire into West Berlin's Landwehrkanal.

    By boat · Reached the West · Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

  3. 24 August 1961

    Günter Litfin – shot swimming the Humboldthafen

    Eleven days after the border was sealed, 24-year-old tailor Günter Litfin tried to swim across the Humboldthafen and became the first refugee killed by targeted shots at the Berlin Wall.

    Swimming · Killed · Mitte

  4. 29 August 1961

    Roland Hoff – shot in the Teltow Canal

    Five days after Günter Litfin's death, 27-year-old Roland Hoff jumped into the Teltow Canal with a briefcase under his arm and was killed by border police gunfire.

    Swimming · Killed · Steglitz-Zehlendorf