6 July 1987 · Guards who fled

A border guard in camouflage runs through the Spandau forest under fire

On Monday 6 July 1987 an East German border guard in a camouflage suit ran through the Spandau forest in north-west Berlin and reached West Berlin, dodging about 30 rounds of gunfire.

On Monday 6 July 1987 an East German border guard fled across the fortified border to West Berlin, dodging about 30 rounds of gunfire, West Berlin police said two days later.

According to the police he wore a camouflage suit as he ran through the Spandau forest in north-west Berlin. They gave no further details.

Sources

  1. E. German Guard Flees (9 July 1987)Los Angeles Times

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  1. July 1987

    Jens Bernhardt waits until his partner falls asleep and climbs the fence into Spandau

    In July 1987 a young conscript border guard hid his sleeping tower partner's ammunition at 3 a.m., climbed down and pulled himself over the steel-mesh fence into Spandau with metal hooks. He later spoke publicly about how the shoot-to-kill order was applied.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Spandau (assumed: Gatow / Kladow)

  2. 4 November 1980

    Egon B.'s desertion and the death of Ulrich Steinhauer

    Border soldier Egon B. disconnected the border communication system, shot his patrol leader Ulrich Steinhauer and climbed the Wall from the saddle of his service bicycle into Spandau; a West Berlin court later convicted him of manslaughter.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Spandau / Schönwalde-Glien

  3. 31 August 1961

    A patrol leader at Schönwalde deserts with his carbine

    On the morning of 31 August 1961 a Border Police lance corporal born in 1940 deserted from his post near Schönwalde with his carbine and 60 rounds; the Stasi listed him among the desertions to West Berlin.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Schönwalde-Glien → Spandau

  4. 17 August 1986

    Two border guards climb the Wall at Groß Ziethen and celebrate in a West Berlin tavern

    Days after the Wall's 25th anniversary, two East German border guards left their watchtower, helped each other up the Wall between Groß Ziethen and Neukölln, threw their guns back into the East and went to a West Berlin tavern.

    Guards who fled · Reached the West · Neukölln (Buckow / Rudow)