Berlin Wall Escapes1961–1989

30 August 1961 · Guards who fled · Treptow and Neukölln

Two patrolmen at Kiefholzstraße had told their comrades the day before

At about 8.35 a.m. on 30 August 1961 two riot policemen deserted during a patrol on Kiefholzstraße. They had told two comrades of their plan the day before; the two had kept quiet and were arrested afterwards.

Colour photo over a graffiti-marked concrete wall: a railway bridge with a high fence on top, a lamp platform with stairs on the left and a white van parked below in the border area.
The Wall along Kiefholzstraße at the Ringbahn's Beschaubrücke in November 1986, seen from Neukölln Photo: Roehrensee. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

According to the Stasi report of 30 August 1961, an Oberwachtmeister and an Unterwachtmeister of the 2nd company, 5th Abteilung of the Berlin brigade deserted at about 8.35 a.m. at Kiefholzstraße while on patrol.

The day before, they had told two other members of their unit what they planned. Those two did not report it; after the desertion they were arrested and handed over to the military prosecutor.

Sources

  1. Jahrgang 1961: Lage nach dem Bau der Berliner Mauer (14) – Bericht Nr. 500/61, 30. August 1961Stasi-Unterlagen-Archiv (DDR im Blick)

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Related escapes

  1. 28 August 1961

    A night patrol at Kiefholzstraße does not come back

    At about 3 a.m. on 28 August 1961 two riot policemen patrolling Kiefholzstraße in Treptow deserted together, half an hour after their last check.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Treptow-Köpenick (Plänterwald) → Neukölln

  2. 22 August 1961

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    Shortly after midnight on 22 August 1961 an Unterwachtmeister on patrol at the corner of Kiefholzstraße and Dammweg left his unit, saying he needed to relieve himself, and deserted.

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  3. 25 August 1961

    Two unsworn policemen leave with their carbines between Dammweg and Karpfenteichstraße

    Between 7.57 and 8 a.m. on 25 August 1961 two riot policemen who had not yet been sworn in deserted together from their post between Dammweg and Karpfenteichstraße, taking their carbines and ammunition.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Treptow-Köpenick (Plänterwald) → Neukölln

  4. 3 September 1961

    A policeman crawls through the fence at Treptower Straße

    At 11.20 p.m. on 3 September 1961 a riot-police Unterwachtmeister crawled through the barrier fence at Treptower Straße onto West Berlin ground.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Treptow-Köpenick → Neukölln