17 August 1961 · Driving through
A tipper lorry from the building site drives through the Sonnenallee crossing
At about 7.15 p.m. on 17 August 1961 a tipper lorry coming from the building site on the Heidekampweg drove through the Sonnenallee control point into West Berlin.
The Treptow police reported at 8.45 p.m. on 17 August 1961 that at about 7.15 p.m. a tipper lorry coming from the building site on the Heidekampweg had driven through the Sonnenallee control point into West Berlin. The site, the report noted, lay behind the control point.
The lorry's registration could not be established, and the breakthrough could not be prevented.
Sources
- Stab. Präsidium der Volkspolizei Berlin - Abt. Information - Journal der Handlung, 17. August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)
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22 August 1961
The lorry with an unloading permit that did not stop
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