Berlin Wall Escapes1961–1989

15 August 1961 · Over the wall

Two youths flee over the fence of the Eternit works

At about 5.55 p.m. on 15 August 1961 a GDR customs commissioner on patrol found that two male youths had fled over the fence of the 'Eternitwerk'.

A GDR customs commissioner from the 'Süd' base at Rudower Chaussee established on a patrol at about 5.55 p.m. on 15 August 1961 that two male youths, aged between 17 and 20, had fled over the fence of the Eternit works ('Eternitwerk').

The report, logged at 7.50 p.m. from the customs operations staff, said the escape had been possible because of a lack of vigilance by the police posts, and that it had been evaluated.

Sources

  1. Stab. Präsidium der Volkspolizei Berlin - Abt. Information - Journal der Handlung, 15. August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)
  2. EternitBerlin-Brandenburgisches Wirtschaftsarchiv
  3. Stab. Präsidium der Volkspolizei Berlin - Abt. Information - Journal der Handlung, 22. August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)

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Related escapes

  1. 3 September 1961

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    At about 1.30 p.m. on 3 September 1961 a woman from Adlershof cycled up to the wire fence at the Rudower Chaussee control point and was over it before the guards could step in, leaving her bicycle, handbag and identity card behind.

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  2. 13 August 1961

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    In a report logged at 5.30 a.m. on 13 August 1961 the Treptow police recorded that Helga W., born in 1939, had got into West Berlin during the identity-card check at the Lohmühlenstraße crossing; her identity card stayed with the police.

    Over the wall · Reached the West · Treptow-Köpenick (Alt-Treptow) → Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg / Neukölln

  3. 13 August 1961

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    At 10.30 a.m. on 13 August 1961 a man, a woman and a child left East Berlin over the Heidekampweg, where no barrier had yet been built.

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  4. 13 August 1961

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