Berlin Wall Escapes1961–1989

31 August 1961 · Guards who fled

Alone on his post at Schönholz, an unsworn recruit leaves his weapon and helmet

At about 8 p.m. on 31 August 1961 a riot-police recruit born in 1943, not yet sworn in and standing a post on his own at Provinzstraße in Schönholz, left his weapon, ammunition and helmet behind and deserted.

Black-and-white aerial photo of a wide, snow-covered border strip running diagonally between allotments and houses above and apartment blocks and a railway below.
Aerial view of the border strip between Schönholz (top) and Reinickendorf (bottom), March 1980; the Provinzstraße, cut by the strip, passes under the railway at bottom right Photo: Willy Pragher. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

According to the Stasi report of 31 August 1961, at about 8 p.m. an Unterwachtmeister born in 1943, in the police only since April 1961 and not yet sworn in, deserted from his post. He belonged to the 2nd battery of the artillery Abteilung of the Basdorf training brigade and was standing a post alone at Schönholz/Provinzstraße. He left his weapon, ammunition and steel helmet behind.

He was one of four desertions to West Berlin by border and riot police around Berlin recorded in the reporting period, which brought the Stasi's count of deserters since 13 August to 74.

Sources

  1. Jahrgang 1961: Lage nach dem Bau der Berliner Mauer (15) – Bericht Nr. 510/61, 31. August 1961Stasi-Unterlagen-Archiv (DDR im Blick)

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