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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbODO9G2czL
They were Eric, Hans, Heidi and Helga.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5G9LiEjrE
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!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrOjNGtafM
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. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnVKKfllhL
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 armoured237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05jcnYilC8
'no-man’s-land' running in between – nicknamed, with characteristic German candour, the ‘Death Strip’.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF3rlA17IC
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv681Bz3IU5
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4LGkS51HJ
They dreamed of starting a new life where they could have much greater opportunities and to live without fear.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6sbgLG4uD
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa96vPJJjPj
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5AYiQyDnp
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xbReIixU3
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxDAHUM3LI
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CUL8b1B8o
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5PgAe33g3
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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfJP6S9HiD
Escaped by smashing a scheduled passenger train through barriers at the Albrechtshof border station into the West Berlin district of Spandau. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBDcmB9jbg
Throughout the latter portion of 1961, he had been recruiting people to ride what he called ‘the last train to freedom’. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjZFWi4A3N
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. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTUa6no5sw
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCYbDTeOH0
Hans..."Wow, what an incredible story!" 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADeTlR6gGu
Eric..."Yes, and if he could do it, so can we."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q1hmFpJ7a
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkd3ZKYW8P
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupOkgOoT4I
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw4GygTrjz
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 the237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIubcmhAL66
searchlights.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DvvrnBMaB
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSKSgVoTRs
Eric: "We did it! We finally finished our balloon!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhA8s1NzXJ
Heidi: "It looks amazing! I love the patchwork design of the envelope. It's so colorful and unique."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmsnu7yxNc
Helga: "And the basket is sturdy and spacious. I think we can fit all of our belongings in it."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S6RDlvPO3
Hans: "The burner and the fuel tank are working perfectly. We should have enough propane to fly for a long time."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VjGNWmTnY
Eric: "We have to test it first, though. We need to make sure it can fly and land safely."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvbehR9abk
Hans: "Yes, let's go to that field we found. It's secluded and dark. No one will see us there."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ioYjBZAQ
Eric: "OK, let's load everything into the truck and go."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82rxtftwnl
Helga: "But we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to notice us or follow us."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d1HngoDG9
Eric: "Don't worry, we have a cover story. We are farmers delivering produce. We have hats and scarves to hide our faces."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a6FX9T0Gn
Hans: "And we have sandbags to use as ballast. We can adjust our altitude and direction by adding or removing them."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkwSvYnf5B
Eric: "Alright, let's go then. We have waited long enough for this moment."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCq3xNuZpW
