The Aerial Berlin Wall Escape:
This was a daring plan involving a homemade hot air balloon. Four friends living in East Germany, attempt to float over the Wall of West Germany, and then to freedom during the Cold War era.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS6oeK3Wig
They were Eric, Hans, Heidi and Helga.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8CfRndYFW
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!"540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj2hUGZc7V
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. 540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZdPLHFPH6
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 armoured540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ123RYSMtg9
'no-man’s-land' running in between – nicknamed, with characteristic German candour, the ‘Death Strip’.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP78Z7qkuK
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 flow of citizens escaping West across its borders – using lethal force if necessary.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvUGRkBPDg
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoioMyKMJy9
They dreamed of starting a new life where they could have much greater opportunities and to live without fear.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiWfVTKwOM
Eric started to do research on hot air balloons. He learned about the different types of balloons, but he knew he needed the materials to build one, and the skills required to fly one.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7k1pC4Y1X
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7z8rL23Zw
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 balloon's altitude and direction by adjusting the temperature of the air inside the envelope.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFstWeAA8K
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8igma1iiL8
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfN520lQ7N
Deciding to use their own money and savings to buy the materials they needed. They also scavenged some items from junkyards and abandoned buildings. They hid their purchases and findings in their basements, attics, and closets.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz25SWJArF
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."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHstDGJvVR
Escaped by smashing a scheduled passenger train through barriers at the Albrechtshof border station into the West Berlin district of Spandau. 540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux0Au2fm19
Throughout the latter portion of 1961, he had been recruiting people to ride what he called ‘the last train to freedom’. 540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMoIGdSnJa
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. 540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhjvtP5RUf
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9zZL8KoT7
Hans..."Wow, what an incredible story!" 540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNaKNXFC0K
Eric..."Yes, and if he could do it, so can we."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijmDjwFGG6
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab9l5v8nKi
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjVwISqZJB
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNInCqudBR
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 the540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtry6kaVLrb
searchlights.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i30plVLx8
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY78wC6r3d
Eric: "We did it! We finally finished our balloon!"540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JltRu7eCa
Heidi: "It looks amazing! I love the patchwork design of the envelope. It's so colorful and unique."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJJpwPDWkw
Helga: "And the basket is sturdy and spacious. I think we can fit all of our belongings in it."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdyDc6QC3P
Hans: "The burner and the fuel tank are working perfectly. We should have enough propane to fly for a long time."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOarQtGi44e
Eric: "We have to test it first, though. We need to make sure it can fly and land safely."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttbbsMeKpK
Hans: "Yes, let's go to that field we found. It's secluded and dark. No one will see us there."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZTkoEgr2Y
Eric: "OK, let's load everything into the truck and go."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqh8GXmWmy
Helga: "But we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to notice us or follow us."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb3zFfO2tU
Eric: "Don't worry, we have a cover story. We are farmers delivering produce. We have hats and scarves to hide our faces."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiXjdbi1ut
Hans: "And we have sandbags to use as ballast. We can adjust our altitude and direction by adding or removing them."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpT5qJzWYF
Eric: "Alright, let's go then. We have waited long enough for this moment."540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d4kBJHtxx
