23 August 1961 · Swimming · The Spree between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain
Horst P. and Wolfgang R. are caught swimming at the Treptower Brücke
Before 4.20 a.m. on 23 August 1961 two men born in 1940 were found swimming in the water at the Treptower Brücke, trying to get to West Berlin, and were arrested.
In a report at 4.20 a.m. on 23 August 1961 the Treptow police passed on a water-police report: Horst P., born in 1940, of Krüllstraße in Treptow, and Wolfgang R., born in 1940, of Rochowstraße (Berlin O 17), had been found swimming in the water at the Treptower Brücke and wanted to go illegally to West Berlin.
Both were taken to the Treptow police inspectorate. The report notes that P. had been a 'Grenzgänger', a cross-border commuter to the West.
Sources
- Stab. Präsidium der Volkspolizei Berlin - Abt. Information - Journal der Handlung, 23. August 1961Chronik der Mauer (document: Landesarchiv Berlin, C Rep. 303/26.1/239)
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