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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jVAOG6pUG
They were Eric, Hans, Heidi and Helga.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYKTonzpP0
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!"554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWLEmPtS7w
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. 554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4p84qd1Xi
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 armoured554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKrx28r89t
'no-man’s-land' running in between – nicknamed, with characteristic German candour, the ‘Death Strip’.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST7jSnyj6n
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5fcaUcits
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB525nevW5Z
They dreamed of starting a new life where they could have much greater opportunities and to live without fear.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iRGs9P3Fq
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP68Lc4kleH
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeBVr8CSGS
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWt9TUk5kv
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO1LctpEIB
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB50xdXxwyx
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXrCiTmvcB
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."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl1JchVTLU
Escaped by smashing a scheduled passenger train through barriers at the Albrechtshof border station into the West Berlin district of Spandau. 554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnLbDH95pR
Throughout the latter portion of 1961, he had been recruiting people to ride what he called ‘the last train to freedom’. 554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKzhc5frqB
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. 554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwxAGnzmoS
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDFGYzYgMb
Hans..."Wow, what an incredible story!" 554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8EcDxikm0
Eric..."Yes, and if he could do it, so can we."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tYugwOQdB
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ljpgs7TAu
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2wpLve90c
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGftpYrRvKB
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 the554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdspUxLelgR
searchlights.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3UHTQmdwg
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.554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAHdaQYNIe
Eric: "We did it! We finally finished our balloon!"554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4lhFVLqpU
Heidi: "It looks amazing! I love the patchwork design of the envelope. It's so colorful and unique."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWQYY6MugG
Helga: "And the basket is sturdy and spacious. I think we can fit all of our belongings in it."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCzX6b1zMU
Hans: "The burner and the fuel tank are working perfectly. We should have enough propane to fly for a long time."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ45iH2u051
Eric: "We have to test it first, though. We need to make sure it can fly and land safely."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUF8bdGm0R
Hans: "Yes, let's go to that field we found. It's secluded and dark. No one will see us there."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUjLfq14iF
Eric: "OK, let's load everything into the truck and go."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpnCiP45zk
Helga: "But we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to notice us or follow us."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVfjWlupk4
Eric: "Don't worry, we have a cover story. We are farmers delivering produce. We have hats and scarves to hide our faces."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJit2Dijq4i
Hans: "And we have sandbags to use as ballast. We can adjust our altitude and direction by adding or removing them."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0upX1LFbEP
Eric: "Alright, let's go then. We have waited long enough for this moment."554Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwAEGnZGJ7
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