22 August 1961 · Window jumps

A pretend visitor jumps from Bernauer Straße 7

Claiming to be visiting someone, a young woman talked her way past the rear guard posts, then jumped from a first-floor window two hours later.

On the evening of 22 August 1961 a young woman got past the guard posts at the back of the houses by saying she was going on a visit, and entered Bernauer Straße 7.

Two hours later she jumped from a first-floor window.

She was injured and lay on the pavement until West Berlin police took her away.

Sources

  1. Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer – Bereich B: Die Zerstörung der Stadt (Orientierungsplan und Ereignismarken), marker B 361Stiftung Berliner Mauer
  2. B 361 – Digital Guide, Berlin Wall MemorialStiftung Berliner Mauer

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  1. 26 August 1961

    A woman jumps from the first floor of Bernauer Straße 2

    On 26 August 1961 a woman jumped from a first-floor window of Bernauer Straße 2; she was hurt and taken to safety by West Berlin police.

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  2. 3 September 1961

    Ulla D. and Hans K. break into an empty flat and jump

    Using a pretext to get through the checks, the pair broke into the flat of a family who had already fled and jumped from its window.

    Window jumps · Reached the West · Mitte

  3. 19 September 1961

    Five escapees rope down from the roof of Bernauer Straße 43

    Four men and a woman crossed the rooftops, tied a rope to a chimney and let themselves down to the western pavement; the woman fell from the third-floor level and was badly hurt, and another woman was caught in the attic.

    Window jumps · Some got through · Mitte

  4. 19 September 1961

    Erich B.'s family jumps from Bernauer Straße 42

    A family of five from Swinemünder Straße 23 jumped from the first floor of the neighbouring house into a fire brigade net; the father broke his thigh.

    Window jumps · Reached the West · Mitte