B 341

Escape site of Heinz V.

Heinz V. had just about completed his doctorate degree at the Humboldt University in Berlin by summer 1961. He had joined the SED during his studies, but came into conflict with the official party line. After the Wall was built, he decided to flee. He belonged to the worker’s militia of the Academy of Sciences. On September 24, 1961, he was assigned to assist in the evacuation of the border houses. When the border guard briefly left the balcony door, Heinz V. seized the moment and jumped from the first floor of Bernauer Straße 6. He injured himself badly and spent many weeks in the hospital.