Berlin Wall Escapes1961–1989

30 August 1961 · Guards who fled · Treptow and Neukölln

Standing 150 metres from his partner, a policeman crosses at the Köllnische Heide

At about 1 p.m. on 30 August 1961 a riot policeman who, against orders, was standing about 150 metres from his partner in broken ground at the Köllnische Heide deserted to West Berlin.

Colour photo through bare birch branches: a low wall in the foreground, a sandy border strip with a fence and a long white wall beyond, and an old railway buffer on the right.
The Wall at Köllnische Heide station in November 1986, where it cut the railway between Baumschulenweg and Neukölln, seen from the Neukölln side Photo: Roehrensee. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

According to the Stasi report of 30 August 1961, a Wachtmeister of the 3rd company, 3rd Abteilung of the Berlin brigade was standing, against his platoon leader's order, in confusing terrain about 150 metres from his second man. He used the chance to desert onto West Berlin territory at about 1 p.m. at the Köllnische Heide, near the 'Dammbrücke'.

The report counted five riot-police desertions in its reporting period and noted that West Berlin loudspeaker vans were now announcing the numbers of deserters at the control points.

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. 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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  2. 25 August 1961

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    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.

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  3. August 1961

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    An Oberwachtmeister of the Potsdam riot-police training unit, on guard in Klein Glienicke, used a toilet break to flee with his submachine gun and 80 rounds.

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  4. 16 August 1961

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