29 March 1962 · False papers and disguises · Bernauer Straße
Johannes M. offers a guard a thousand marks at Ruppiner Straße
Johannes M. tried to buy his and his girlfriend's way through the border; the guard agreed, then alerted his comrades.
On the afternoon of 29 March 1962 Johannes M. approached the border guard posted at Ruppiner Straße, near Bernauer Straße, and offered him a thousand marks to let him and his girlfriend through to the West.
The soldier agreed, but then alerted his comrades.
When Johannes M. came back with his girlfriend, Klara B., both were arrested.
Sources
Whose account is this? Told from historical research only.
Historians and memorials
- Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer – Bereich D: Alltag an der Mauer (Orientierungsplan und Ereignismarken), marker D 425Stiftung Berliner Mauer
- D 425 – Digital Guide, Berlin Wall MemorialStiftung Berliner Mauer
- D 425 – Digitaler Tourguide, Gedenkstätte Berliner MauerStiftung Berliner Mauer
Facts checked against the sources: September 2026
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Cite this page
Berlin Experiences, “Johannes M. offers a guard a thousand marks at Ruppiner Straße”, Berlin Wall Escapes, 2026, https://berlinwallescapes.com/escapes/johannes-m-bribe-ruppiner-strasse-1962/ (accessed [date]).
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