25 September 1961 · Window jumps

Rudolf B., his wife and son rope down from Bernauer Straße 5

A family let themselves down on a rope from their second-floor flat; the guards only noticed when a crowd gathered and the fire brigade arrived.

On the evening of 25 September 1961 Rudolf B. escaped with his wife and son from their second-floor flat at Bernauer Straße 5.

The family let themselves down from the flat on a rope.

The border guards only realised what had happened when onlookers gathered and the fire brigade arrived.

Sources

  1. Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer – Bereich B: Die Zerstörung der Stadt (Orientierungsplan und Ereignismarken), marker B 360Stiftung Berliner Mauer
  2. B 360 – Digital Guide, Berlin Wall MemorialStiftung Berliner Mauer

Spotted an error, or know more about this story? Email us a correction or addition

  1. 24 August 1961

    Parents and 14-year-old daughter rope down from Bernauer Straße 10

    Probably on 24 August 1961 a married couple and their 14-year-old daughter let themselves down on a rope from a first-floor window.

    Window jumps · Reached the West · Mitte

  2. 17 August 1961

    The Mathern family leaves by the ground floor

    Alarmed when the first front doors on Bernauer Straße were locked, the Mathern family fled from their ground-floor flat on 17 August 1961.

    Window jumps · Reached the West · Mitte

  3. 19 August 1961

    Rudolf Urban's rope descent from Bernauer Straße 1

    Rudolf Urban and his wife let themselves down on a rope from their first-floor flat; he was badly injured and died in hospital four weeks later.

    Window jumps · Killed · Mitte

  4. 24 August 1961

    Max W.'s rope breaks at Bernauer Straße 24

    Max W. let himself down from his first-floor flat; the rope snapped and he fell to the pavement, where West Berlin police picked him up.

    Window jumps · Reached the West · Mitte