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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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGRWL0n5x4
They were Eric, Hans, Heidi and Helga.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yj5HVqCC0
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!"417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZUnTPhLr7
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. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWESauk1Dc
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 armoured417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO0BUo4bwL
'no-man’s-land' running in between – nicknamed, with characteristic German candour, the ‘Death Strip’.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyipwQtMdl
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8OquGCOce
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYiRIXk4av
They dreamed of starting a new life where they could have much greater opportunities and to live without fear.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5K2J0Py1j
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8VO6MRFF6
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmYRvmIiKd
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pwnBUZ38J
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj2SalOBIb
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCHr89HTGE
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuOGlcmoks
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."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34RRfWf1aI
Escaped by smashing a scheduled passenger train through barriers at the Albrechtshof border station into the West Berlin district of Spandau. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6E4iMu2NI
Throughout the latter portion of 1961, he had been recruiting people to ride what he called ‘the last train to freedom’. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJP1ufbkfj
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. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvKjdwQXbn
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoaJXvRCU5
Hans..."Wow, what an incredible story!" 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAujvNABy3e
Eric..."Yes, and if he could do it, so can we."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MpeBLQ0Ei
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFWLuG0qkv
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3UxqzBfkA
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv6uivsKRy
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 the417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYMbuLGVLQ
searchlights.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxkri0PclA
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBgerpJO4h
Eric: "We did it! We finally finished our balloon!"417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdhxlUpTlB
Heidi: "It looks amazing! I love the patchwork design of the envelope. It's so colorful and unique."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfPeWO8kmi
Helga: "And the basket is sturdy and spacious. I think we can fit all of our belongings in it."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP4CDsVs3F
Hans: "The burner and the fuel tank are working perfectly. We should have enough propane to fly for a long time."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbrwaAimdH
Eric: "We have to test it first, though. We need to make sure it can fly and land safely."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfCv6bsSUs
Hans: "Yes, let's go to that field we found. It's secluded and dark. No one will see us there."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDH9pmtNQR
Eric: "OK, let's load everything into the truck and go."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfWlnrzvyU
Helga: "But we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to notice us or follow us."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYk8Wlz931
Eric: "Don't worry, we have a cover story. We are farmers delivering produce. We have hats and scarves to hide our faces."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDXSgNqlxj
Hans: "And we have sandbags to use as ballast. We can adjust our altitude and direction by adding or removing them."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjf7lQgsMS
Eric: "Alright, let's go then. We have waited long enough for this moment."417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6upXv3EtO
