Berlin Wall Escapes1961–1989

22 August 1961 · Over the wall

A brewery tractor driver leaves the border works at Chausseestraße

On 22 August 1961 the driver of a tractor from the Schultheiss brewery, used for building the border fortifications at Chausseestraße, fled to West Berlin.

Black-and-white photo of a wide empty street leading to a barrier, the Wall and control buildings at the Chausseestraße crossing, with apartment blocks behind.
The Chausseestraße border crossing seen from Wedding in June 1972 Photo: Willy Pragher. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

On 22 August 1961 the driver of a tractor of the Schultheiss brewery, which was being used for border fortification work at the Chausseestraße control point, fled to West Berlin. The East Berlin police journal received the report at 7.40 p.m. from the 2nd Hundertschaft of the Kampfgruppen's (factory militia) 4th battalion; his identity was not yet known.

The Stasi report of the same day listed the case among the breakthroughs: a driver ('Kraftfahrer') of the VEB Schultheiss brewery who had been used for border fortification work had fled in Chausseestraße.

Black-and-white view of a street leading through a border crossing, with traffic cones, a watchtower, a guard hut and a painted wall on the left.
The Chausseestraße border crossing in January 1990 Photo: Gerd Danigel. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Sources

  1. Stab Präsidium der Volkspolizei Berlin, Abt. Information – Journal der Handlung, 22 August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)
  2. Jahrgang 1961: Lage nach dem Bau der Berliner Mauer (6) – Bericht Nr. 475/61, 22. August 1961Stasi-Unterlagen-Archiv (DDR im Blick)

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