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| Testing the balloon |
The period following World War II was marked by the division of Germany into two states: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). This division, enforced by the Cold War's geopolitical realities, created a tangible symbol of ideological conflict—the Berlin Wall. While the Wall was the most infamous barrier, the entire border between East and West Germany was fortified. For many East Germans, these barriers were not just physical but represented a prison, confining them within a state where personal freedoms were severely restricted.
Over the years, many attempted to escape from East Germany to the West, using various methods ranging from tunnels to hidden compartments in cars. However, one of the most extraordinary and daring escapes took place in September 1979, when two families—families Strelzyk and Wetzel—escaped across the border using a homemade hot air balloon. This article examines the planning, execution, and aftermath of this incredible escape, highlighting the broader implications of such acts during the Cold War.
East Germany was established in 1949, and from the outset, its government, under the control of the Socialist Unity Party (SED), aligned itself closely with the Soviet Union. The state apparatus was characterized by strict surveillance, censorship, and a centrally planned economy. The government controlled almost every aspect of life, from employment to education and even the personal lives of its citizens.
Despite the state’s efforts to promote socialism as a superior system, many East Germans were dissatisfied. The allure of the West—broadcast through television and radio—offered a stark contrast to life in the GDR. The West symbolized freedom, prosperity, and opportunity, ideals that resonated deeply with those living under an oppressive regime.
The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, became the most visible and deadly symbol of the East-West divide. However, the Wall was only one part of a larger, heavily fortified border system that stretched for 1,393 kilometers (865 miles) along the entire length of the border between East and West Germany. Guards, landmines, and barbed wire made escape seem nearly impossible. Yet, the human desire for freedom led many to take unimaginable risks.
The idea for the balloon escape originated with Peter Strelzyk and his friend Günter Wetzel. Both men were skilled mechanics and engineers, which played a crucial role in the success of their plan. The idea of using a hot air balloon came after considering other, more conventional means of escape, all of which seemed too risky or unlikely to succeed.
Strelzyk and Wetzel knew that a balloon would allow them to bypass the heavily guarded border on the ground, but they also recognized the enormous challenges involved. They needed to construct a balloon large enough to carry two families—a total of eight people—over the border at night. Moreover, they had to do so without arousing suspicion from the authorities.
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| Strelzyk & Wetzel's balloon |
The two families began their preparations in 1978. They obtained materials such as taffeta, which they sewed together to create the balloon’s envelope. To minimize the risk of being caught, they acquired the fabric in small amounts from various shops over several months, often traveling to different towns to avoid drawing attention. Constructing the balloon took numerous attempts, as the first few prototypes failed during test flights.
The families also constructed a makeshift burner using a propane cylinder, which would heat the air to fill the balloon. The entire process required a combination of technical skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the physics involved in balloon flight. However, the greatest challenge was keeping their project a secret. If the Stasi, East Germany’s secret police, had discovered their plans, the consequences would have been dire.
By September 1979, the balloon was ready. On the night of September 15-16, the two families made their first attempt. They drove to a remote location near the border, where they inflated the balloon. However, the flight was short-lived, as they quickly realized that the balloon was too small to carry everyone. They crash-landed in a field, fortunately without injury, but their situation was precarious. If anyone had seen them, the authorities could have been alerted.
Undeterred, they returned home and began constructing a larger balloon. This time, they used more durable materials and improved the design based on the lessons learned from their first attempt. The families knew that they were running out of time—the Stasi would eventually discover the remnants of their first balloon.
On the night of September 16-17, 1979, they made their second attempt. This time, the balloon was large enough and powerful enough to carry them all. The night was cloudy and dark, which worked to their advantage, as it made it harder for border guards to spot them. After inflating the balloon, they climbed into the basket and began their ascent.
The flight was anything but smooth. The wind was strong, and the balloon rose to an altitude of about 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). At one point, the burner malfunctioned, causing the balloon to lose altitude rapidly. However, they managed to fix the problem and continued their flight.
After a tense journey of about 28 minutes, the balloon began to descend. They were unsure whether they had crossed the border or not, but they had no choice but to land. As they touched down in a forested area, they were relieved to see West German police officers approaching. They had successfully crossed the border into Bavaria, West Germany.
The escape of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families was widely publicized in the West. Their story became a symbol of the human desire for freedom and the lengths to which people would go to achieve it. The families were given asylum in West Germany, and their story was covered extensively by the media.
In the GDR, however, the escape was a source of embarrassment for the authorities. The Stasi launched an intensive investigation to determine how the escape had been planned and executed. They interrogated friends and neighbors of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families, trying to uncover anyone who might have assisted them. However, the families had kept their plans so secret that the Stasi found little evidence to work with.
The success of the balloon escape also inspired others to attempt similar escapes, although none were as successful or as dramatic. The GDR government responded by tightening border security even further, making future escapes even more difficult.
For the Strelzyk and Wetzel families, life in the West was a mix of relief and adjustment. They had left behind everything they knew, including family and friends, and had to start anew in an unfamiliar environment. However, they were grateful for the freedom they had gained and the opportunity to build a new life without fear of persecution.
The balloon escape was not just a remarkable feat of engineering and bravery; it was also a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression. In the broader context of the Cold War, such acts of defiance against totalitarian regimes had significant psychological and political impacts.
The escape demonstrated the lengths to which individuals were willing to go to achieve freedom, despite the overwhelming odds. It highlighted the failure of the GDR's repressive policies to contain the human spirit and underscored the futility of trying to imprison a population behind walls and barbed wire.
Moreover, the balloon escape had a ripple effect on both sides of the Iron Curtain. In the West, it was celebrated as a victory for freedom and a blow against communism. It provided a morale boost to those who believed in the eventual reunification of Germany and the triumph of democracy over authoritarianism.
In East Germany, however, the escape was a stark reminder of the regime's inability to maintain total control. It exposed vulnerabilities in the state's security apparatus and demonstrated that even in one of the most tightly controlled societies in the world, resistance was possible.
The balloon escape also contributed to the broader narrative of the Cold War, where individual acts of courage often had outsized symbolic importance. Like the Berlin Wall itself, these escapes became emblematic of the ideological struggle between East and West. They reinforced the West's portrayal of the Eastern Bloc as a prison from which people were desperate to escape and provided tangible evidence of the failure of the socialist experiment.
The East Germany balloon escape remains one of the most extraordinary stories of human courage and ingenuity during the Cold War. It exemplifies the indomitable spirit of individuals seeking freedom in the face of oppressive regimes. The story of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families' daring flight across the Iron Curtain continues to inspire and remind us of the enduring value of liberty.
The escape had far-reaching implications, not only for the families involved but also for the broader Cold War context. It was a symbol of resistance against tyranny, a testament to the power of human determination, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, the desire for freedom can lead to extraordinary acts of bravery.
The balloon escape of 1979 is more than just a historical event; it is a powerful narrative about the human quest for freedom, the triumph of ingenuity over oppression, and the enduring hope for a better future. As such, it holds a significant place in the history of the Cold War and continues to be remembered as one of the most remarkable escape stories of the 20th century.
Sources
Donovan, Dennis. “40 Years Ago Today; the Great East German Balloon Escape,” September 16, 2019. https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212467282.
Fulbrook, Mary. The People’s State: East German Society from Hitler to Honecker. Yale University Press, 2008.
Gaddis, John Lewis. The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Books, 2005.
Major, Patrick. Behind the Berlin Wall: East Germany and the Frontiers of Power. Oxford University Press, 2010.
Nathan. “A Hot Air Balloon Helped These Two Families Flee East Germany Back In 1979!” NewsD (blog), July 10, 2018. https://www.newsd.co/two-families-secretly-attempted-escape-east-germany-using-hot-air-balloon/6/.
Neumann, Klaus. Shifting Memories: The Nazi Past in the New Germany. University of Michigan Press, 2000.
Sarotte, M. E. The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall. Basic Books, 2014.
Stangl, Werner. “Escape from East Germany: The Balloon Escape.” In Cold War History Review, vol. 3, no. 1, 2003, pp. 34-48.
Taylor, Frederick. The Berlin Wall: A World Divided, 1961-1989. HarperCollins, 2006.
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