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The Berlin Wall
This was a daring plan involving a homemade hot air balloon. Four friends living inside of East Germany, attempt to float over the infamous Berlin Wall of East Germany, and then to freedom during the Cold War era.
They were Eric, Hans, Heidi and Helga.
Eric and Heidi Schmidt is a married couple that share a common dream with their dear friends, Hans and Helga Addleman.
They are all determined to escape the horror of East Berlin. "No matter what!" Erected on the 13th of August 1961, The Wall divided Berlin for 28 years during the Cold War and claimed the lives of, as official records currently state, 140 people, until its fall on the 9th November 1989.
What started as a ramshackle border fence, comprising mostly of barbed wire and concrete posts, would be continually expanded into a 157-kilometre long fortress consisting of two walls with an armoured
'no-man’s-land.'
Called, 'The Death Strip.'
Unlike the no-mans land of the First World War, the control zone of the Berlin Wall was entirely in the territory of one power.
– East Germany – a country determined to stop the endless flow of desperate citizens escaping West across its borders – using lethal force if necessary.
Those East Germans who attempted to cross The Wall were risking their lives to do so. And as the fortifications became higher and broader, so did the methods of escape employed to best the barrier become more daring and creative.
Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga were four friends living in East Berlin who were determined to escape to the West. They had grown tired of the oppressive regime and the lack of freedom.
They dreamed of starting a new life where they could have much greater opportunities and to live without fear.
Eric started to do research on hot air balloons.
He learned about the different types of balloons, but he knew he needed the raw materials to build one, and the skills required to fly one. He decided to visit a library in East Berlin, where he found some books on hot air balloons.
He borrowed them and took them home, hiding them under his coat. He studied them carefully, taking notes and making sketches.
And then learned that he would need a large envelope made of nylon or polyester, a basket or gondola, a burner, a fuel tank, and some ropes and cables.
He also learned how to control the hot air balloon's altitude and direction by adjusting the temperature of the air down inside the envelope. He shared his findings with Hans and Helga, who agreed to help him with the project.
They also recruited Heidi, Eric's wife, who was also eager to escape. They knew they had to be very careful and secretive, as they could be arrested or shot if they were caught.
They also knew they had to work fast, as they did not know how long the Wall would stand.
Deciding to use their own money and savings to buy the materials they needed.
They had also scavenged some items from junkyards and abandoned buildings. They hid their various purchases and things in their basements, attics, and closets.
Eric... "Did you guys know that on December 5th,1961, at the german Albrechtshof border station. A twenty seven year man called Harry Dieterling was an engine driver who was bound and determined to escape."
He escaped by smashing a scheduled passenger train through barriers at the Albrechtshof border station into the West Berlin district of Spandau.
Throughout the latter portion of 1961, he had been recruiting people to ride what he called ‘the last train to freedom’. In total there were 32 people on board – 7 of whom were members of Dieterling’s family – pressed to the floor of the carriage as it careened toward the Berlin Wall.
When the train finally screeched to a halt, no one was injured and most inside were jubilant. Most, but not all.
The train’s conductor and seven other german passengers had known nothing of Dieterling’s plans and immediately returned to the East on foot.
Hans..."Wow, what an incredible story!"
Eric..."Yes, and if he could do it, so can we." So, Hans, Eric, Heidi, and Helga worked on their balloon for several weeks, using every spare moment they had.
They sewed the envelope together, using different colors of fabric to create a patchwork design.
They built the basket from wicker and wood, and then bought a propane burner and a fuel tank from a black market dealer.
Attaching the ropes and cables to the envelope and the basket. The burner and the fuel tank were then installed. They had also made some sandbags to use as ballast.
Testing their balloon in a secluded field at night, making sure no one saw them. They were thrilled when they saw their balloon inflate and rise into the air.
So, practicing flying it for a few minutes, they then quickly deflated it and packed it away. Having decided to make their escape attempt on a clear and calm night, when the wind was blowing towards the West.
A spot had been chosen near the Wall, where they could launch their balloon without being noticed by the guards or the
searchlights.
Waiting for the right night, it was a godsend when it came, they loaded their balloon and their belongings into a truck and drove to the launch site.
Pretending to be farmers delivering produce, they wore hats and scarves to conceal their faces.
They arrived at the site and quickly unloaded their balloon.
Inflated it and climbed into the basket. Then cut the ropes that tied them to the ground and lifted off.
Eric: "We did it! We finally finished our balloon!"
Heidi: "It looks amazing! I love the patchwork design of the envelope. It's so colorful and unique."
Helga: "And the basket is sturdy and spacious. I think we can fit all of our belongings in it."
Hans: "The burner and the fuel tank are working perfectly. We should have enough propane to fly for a long time."
Eric: "OK, let's do it!"
Helga: "But we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to notice us or follow us."
Eric: "Don't worry, we have a cover story. We are farmers delivering some produce. We have hats and scarves to hide our faces."
Hans: "And we have sandbags to use as ballast. We can adjust our altitude and direction by adding or removing them."
Eric: "Alright, let's go then. We have waited long enough for this moment."
Hans: "Yes, let's go. Tonight is the night we escape from this hell.
Heidi: "It's beautiful! It's like a giant rainbow in the sky!"
Heidi: "Look down! There's the Wall! It looks so small from up here!"
Helga: "Goodbye, Wall! Goodbye, East Berlin! We'll never see you again!"
Eric: "Hello, West Berlin! Hello, freedom!"
Hans: "Look at the lights! Look at the buildings! They're so bright and colorful!"
Eric: "Look at all the people! They're waving at us! "Look for a place to land! We need to find a safe spot!"
Hans: "OK, I see a park over there. It looks big enough for us to land."
Heidi: "Let's go there then. Maybe we'll find some friendly people who will help us."
Helga: "I hope so. I hope we'll be welcomed here."
Eric: "I'm sure we will. We're finally free."
Kurt: "Did you see that? They have a balloon!"
Lena: "Yes, I saw it. It's Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga. They're trying to escape!"
Kurt: "Those traitors! Those cowards! How dare they betray our country and our leader!"
Lena: "We have to stop them! We have to report them to the Stasi!"
Kurt: "Yes, let's go to that phone booth over there and call them. They'll send some helicopters to catch them."
Lena: "And they'll reward us for our loyalty and patriotism."
Kurt: "Come on, let's go. We can't let them get away with this."
Lena: "Yes, let's go. We'll show them what happens to defectors."
.........
The couples felt a surge of joy and relief as they soared into the sky. Looking down, all could see the Wall below them, separating the two halves of Berlin. The couples hoped they would never see it again.
They flew over the Wall and into West Berlin, where seeing bright lights and colorful buildings. They waved at the people who looked up at them, cheering them on. Then searched for a safe place to land.
However, their escape was not as smooth as they had hoped. Two of their neighbors, Kurt and Lena, had seen them working on their balloon and had become suspicious.
They had followed them to the launch site and had witnessed their departure.
Kurt and Lena were loyal supporters of the communist regime and hated anyone who tried to defect. They decided to report Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga to the Stasi, the secret police.
They ran to a nearby phone booth and called the Stasi headquarters. And told them what they had seen and gave them the location of the launch site. They also described the balloon and its passengers.
The Stasi alerted the border guards and sent some helicopters to chase after the balloon. They also contacted their counterparts in West Berlin and asked them to cooperate in capturing the defectors.
The helicopters soon spotted the balloon and started to pursue it. They fired warning shots and ordered it to land. Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga heard the shots and saw the helicopters behind them. And had panicked trying to evade them.
They increased the temperature of the air inside the envelope, making their balloon rise higher. And hoped they could outrun or outsmart their pursuers.
However, they soon realized that they had made a mistake. The higher they went, the colder it got. The air inside the envelope started to cool down, making their balloon lose buoyancy. They also ran out of fuel, leaving them with no way to control their altitude or direction.
They started to descend rapidly, heading towards an unknown area of West Berlin. And saw buildings and streets below them, but they did not know where to land or who to trust.
They prayed that they would survive their landing and that they would find friendly people who would help them.
Meanwhile, Kurt and Lena had followed the helicopters in their car. They wanted to see what would happen to Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga. Hoping they would be caught or killed by the authorities.
They drove across the border checkpoint, using fake papers that they had obtained from a Stasi agent. And claimed that they were visiting relatives in West Berlin.
They reached the area where the balloon was about to land. And seen it was coming down fast, heading towards a park. Kurt parked their car nearby and got out.
They ran towards the park, hoping to reach the balloon before anyone else did. They planned to capture Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga themselves and hand them over to the Stasi.
However, they did not notice that two West Berlin police guards had seen them running. The german officers became suspicious of their odd behavior and decided to follow them.
The guards reached the park just as Kurt and Lena arrived at the balloon's landing site. The officers saw Kurt and Lena grab Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga as they climbed out of
the basket. The guards heard Kurt and Lena shout insults at them and call them traitors.
The officers realized that Kurt and Lena were East German spies who had come to sabotage or kidnap Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga. Quickly, the officers yelled for them drop their weapons. Aiming their guns at Kurt and Lena, they ordered them to release the couples unharmed.
But, Kurt and Lena were not intimidated. They refused to comply, and pulled their Heckler & Koch P8 and fired round after round at the border german guards. The guards returned fire, dropping Kurt and Lena who both fell bleeding profusely, mortally
wounded.
Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga were shocked and terrified by the gunfight. And did not know who the officers were or why they had saved them.
The guards approached and told them to calm down. They explained that they were West Berlin police officers and had come to help them.
They told them their escape attempt had been heard over the radio and that they had been looking for them. The authorities told them that they were safe now and had nothing to fear.
Congratulating them on their courage and ingenuity. They told the young couples that they were free now and could start a new life in West Berlin.
The couples were helped to gather all of their belongings and then whisked away in a car. Arriving at a refugee center, they would receive medical attention and legal assistance.
They also contacted the West German authorities and informed them of the situation. They requested that Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga be granted asylum and citizenship.
The couples thanked the german officers for their kindness and generosity. And hugged them and said goodbye.
They entered the refugee center, where they were greeted by friendly staff and fellow refugees. Forms were filled out to received some food and clothes.
They felt a wave of relief and gratitude wash over them. Eric and Heidi Schmidt and Hans and Helga Addleman had finally made it. They had escaped from East Berlin and had achieved their dream of freedom.
They were all ready to begin their new life in West Berlin.
© Charles Kemp
They were Eric, Hans, Heidi and Helga.
Eric and Heidi Schmidt is a married couple that share a common dream with their dear friends, Hans and Helga Addleman.
They are all determined to escape the horror of East Berlin. "No matter what!" Erected on the 13th of August 1961, The Wall divided Berlin for 28 years during the Cold War and claimed the lives of, as official records currently state, 140 people, until its fall on the 9th November 1989.
What started as a ramshackle border fence, comprising mostly of barbed wire and concrete posts, would be continually expanded into a 157-kilometre long fortress consisting of two walls with an armoured
'no-man’s-land.'
Called, 'The Death Strip.'
Unlike the no-mans land of the First World War, the control zone of the Berlin Wall was entirely in the territory of one power.
– East Germany – a country determined to stop the endless flow of desperate citizens escaping West across its borders – using lethal force if necessary.
Those East Germans who attempted to cross The Wall were risking their lives to do so. And as the fortifications became higher and broader, so did the methods of escape employed to best the barrier become more daring and creative.
Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga were four friends living in East Berlin who were determined to escape to the West. They had grown tired of the oppressive regime and the lack of freedom.
They dreamed of starting a new life where they could have much greater opportunities and to live without fear.
Eric started to do research on hot air balloons.
He learned about the different types of balloons, but he knew he needed the raw materials to build one, and the skills required to fly one. He decided to visit a library in East Berlin, where he found some books on hot air balloons.
He borrowed them and took them home, hiding them under his coat. He studied them carefully, taking notes and making sketches.
And then learned that he would need a large envelope made of nylon or polyester, a basket or gondola, a burner, a fuel tank, and some ropes and cables.
He also learned how to control the hot air balloon's altitude and direction by adjusting the temperature of the air down inside the envelope. He shared his findings with Hans and Helga, who agreed to help him with the project.
They also recruited Heidi, Eric's wife, who was also eager to escape. They knew they had to be very careful and secretive, as they could be arrested or shot if they were caught.
They also knew they had to work fast, as they did not know how long the Wall would stand.
Deciding to use their own money and savings to buy the materials they needed.
They had also scavenged some items from junkyards and abandoned buildings. They hid their various purchases and things in their basements, attics, and closets.
Eric... "Did you guys know that on December 5th,1961, at the german Albrechtshof border station. A twenty seven year man called Harry Dieterling was an engine driver who was bound and determined to escape."
He escaped by smashing a scheduled passenger train through barriers at the Albrechtshof border station into the West Berlin district of Spandau.
Throughout the latter portion of 1961, he had been recruiting people to ride what he called ‘the last train to freedom’. In total there were 32 people on board – 7 of whom were members of Dieterling’s family – pressed to the floor of the carriage as it careened toward the Berlin Wall.
When the train finally screeched to a halt, no one was injured and most inside were jubilant. Most, but not all.
The train’s conductor and seven other german passengers had known nothing of Dieterling’s plans and immediately returned to the East on foot.
Hans..."Wow, what an incredible story!"
Eric..."Yes, and if he could do it, so can we." So, Hans, Eric, Heidi, and Helga worked on their balloon for several weeks, using every spare moment they had.
They sewed the envelope together, using different colors of fabric to create a patchwork design.
They built the basket from wicker and wood, and then bought a propane burner and a fuel tank from a black market dealer.
Attaching the ropes and cables to the envelope and the basket. The burner and the fuel tank were then installed. They had also made some sandbags to use as ballast.
Testing their balloon in a secluded field at night, making sure no one saw them. They were thrilled when they saw their balloon inflate and rise into the air.
So, practicing flying it for a few minutes, they then quickly deflated it and packed it away. Having decided to make their escape attempt on a clear and calm night, when the wind was blowing towards the West.
A spot had been chosen near the Wall, where they could launch their balloon without being noticed by the guards or the
searchlights.
Waiting for the right night, it was a godsend when it came, they loaded their balloon and their belongings into a truck and drove to the launch site.
Pretending to be farmers delivering produce, they wore hats and scarves to conceal their faces.
They arrived at the site and quickly unloaded their balloon.
Inflated it and climbed into the basket. Then cut the ropes that tied them to the ground and lifted off.
Eric: "We did it! We finally finished our balloon!"
Heidi: "It looks amazing! I love the patchwork design of the envelope. It's so colorful and unique."
Helga: "And the basket is sturdy and spacious. I think we can fit all of our belongings in it."
Hans: "The burner and the fuel tank are working perfectly. We should have enough propane to fly for a long time."
Eric: "OK, let's do it!"
Helga: "But we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to notice us or follow us."
Eric: "Don't worry, we have a cover story. We are farmers delivering some produce. We have hats and scarves to hide our faces."
Hans: "And we have sandbags to use as ballast. We can adjust our altitude and direction by adding or removing them."
Eric: "Alright, let's go then. We have waited long enough for this moment."
Hans: "Yes, let's go. Tonight is the night we escape from this hell.
Heidi: "It's beautiful! It's like a giant rainbow in the sky!"
Heidi: "Look down! There's the Wall! It looks so small from up here!"
Helga: "Goodbye, Wall! Goodbye, East Berlin! We'll never see you again!"
Eric: "Hello, West Berlin! Hello, freedom!"
Hans: "Look at the lights! Look at the buildings! They're so bright and colorful!"
Eric: "Look at all the people! They're waving at us! "Look for a place to land! We need to find a safe spot!"
Hans: "OK, I see a park over there. It looks big enough for us to land."
Heidi: "Let's go there then. Maybe we'll find some friendly people who will help us."
Helga: "I hope so. I hope we'll be welcomed here."
Eric: "I'm sure we will. We're finally free."
Kurt: "Did you see that? They have a balloon!"
Lena: "Yes, I saw it. It's Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga. They're trying to escape!"
Kurt: "Those traitors! Those cowards! How dare they betray our country and our leader!"
Lena: "We have to stop them! We have to report them to the Stasi!"
Kurt: "Yes, let's go to that phone booth over there and call them. They'll send some helicopters to catch them."
Lena: "And they'll reward us for our loyalty and patriotism."
Kurt: "Come on, let's go. We can't let them get away with this."
Lena: "Yes, let's go. We'll show them what happens to defectors."
.........
The couples felt a surge of joy and relief as they soared into the sky. Looking down, all could see the Wall below them, separating the two halves of Berlin. The couples hoped they would never see it again.
They flew over the Wall and into West Berlin, where seeing bright lights and colorful buildings. They waved at the people who looked up at them, cheering them on. Then searched for a safe place to land.
However, their escape was not as smooth as they had hoped. Two of their neighbors, Kurt and Lena, had seen them working on their balloon and had become suspicious.
They had followed them to the launch site and had witnessed their departure.
Kurt and Lena were loyal supporters of the communist regime and hated anyone who tried to defect. They decided to report Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga to the Stasi, the secret police.
They ran to a nearby phone booth and called the Stasi headquarters. And told them what they had seen and gave them the location of the launch site. They also described the balloon and its passengers.
The Stasi alerted the border guards and sent some helicopters to chase after the balloon. They also contacted their counterparts in West Berlin and asked them to cooperate in capturing the defectors.
The helicopters soon spotted the balloon and started to pursue it. They fired warning shots and ordered it to land. Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga heard the shots and saw the helicopters behind them. And had panicked trying to evade them.
They increased the temperature of the air inside the envelope, making their balloon rise higher. And hoped they could outrun or outsmart their pursuers.
However, they soon realized that they had made a mistake. The higher they went, the colder it got. The air inside the envelope started to cool down, making their balloon lose buoyancy. They also ran out of fuel, leaving them with no way to control their altitude or direction.
They started to descend rapidly, heading towards an unknown area of West Berlin. And saw buildings and streets below them, but they did not know where to land or who to trust.
They prayed that they would survive their landing and that they would find friendly people who would help them.
Meanwhile, Kurt and Lena had followed the helicopters in their car. They wanted to see what would happen to Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga. Hoping they would be caught or killed by the authorities.
They drove across the border checkpoint, using fake papers that they had obtained from a Stasi agent. And claimed that they were visiting relatives in West Berlin.
They reached the area where the balloon was about to land. And seen it was coming down fast, heading towards a park. Kurt parked their car nearby and got out.
They ran towards the park, hoping to reach the balloon before anyone else did. They planned to capture Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga themselves and hand them over to the Stasi.
However, they did not notice that two West Berlin police guards had seen them running. The german officers became suspicious of their odd behavior and decided to follow them.
The guards reached the park just as Kurt and Lena arrived at the balloon's landing site. The officers saw Kurt and Lena grab Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga as they climbed out of
the basket. The guards heard Kurt and Lena shout insults at them and call them traitors.
The officers realized that Kurt and Lena were East German spies who had come to sabotage or kidnap Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga. Quickly, the officers yelled for them drop their weapons. Aiming their guns at Kurt and Lena, they ordered them to release the couples unharmed.
But, Kurt and Lena were not intimidated. They refused to comply, and pulled their Heckler & Koch P8 and fired round after round at the border german guards. The guards returned fire, dropping Kurt and Lena who both fell bleeding profusely, mortally
wounded.
Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga were shocked and terrified by the gunfight. And did not know who the officers were or why they had saved them.
The guards approached and told them to calm down. They explained that they were West Berlin police officers and had come to help them.
They told them their escape attempt had been heard over the radio and that they had been looking for them. The authorities told them that they were safe now and had nothing to fear.
Congratulating them on their courage and ingenuity. They told the young couples that they were free now and could start a new life in West Berlin.
The couples were helped to gather all of their belongings and then whisked away in a car. Arriving at a refugee center, they would receive medical attention and legal assistance.
They also contacted the West German authorities and informed them of the situation. They requested that Eric, Hans, Heidi, and Helga be granted asylum and citizenship.
The couples thanked the german officers for their kindness and generosity. And hugged them and said goodbye.
They entered the refugee center, where they were greeted by friendly staff and fellow refugees. Forms were filled out to received some food and clothes.
They felt a wave of relief and gratitude wash over them. Eric and Heidi Schmidt and Hans and Helga Addleman had finally made it. They had escaped from East Berlin and had achieved their dream of freedom.
They were all ready to begin their new life in West Berlin.
© Charles Kemp
