European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 12, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Thewau.at15 escape is the Mother of invention by John a. Callcott United press International it was Christmas of 13g1 and Erwim Becker Vns digging ii Tunnel to worked alone Al Nih ind on his Slomach. There was t room own to had forgotten in last slept properly because by Day to drove a delivery Duck in East Berlin but la Linnet was nearly ready and in was time to Tell of hrs afoul the escape route running 98 feet under me Berlin Wall from the basement of the old apartment House to a cellar on the other Side to want to come As Well the old Man said to Rocker there arc nine of us. Six men and three women Bui you re Loo old. -,011 d fir1,or male 1 Becker Enid the Tunnel 3 too Small. Thu old Iran unde is lord. It nou j to Insari Lor of Irdi e. It escape Yon of to fold Docker Well dig our own lunch and Chi Iva to want our wives to walk out straight id not i Jve to Bucko look 28 people out and Iho old Man. Who was 61, i ired planning with his elderly friends and their Ai d children Iho you goal 4g by 1962, their Tunnel was ready Starling from tin old Man s Garden allotment close to Ilic Border Tho old Man was Loo weak to Rig himself but to blood watch and hid i he dirt in a Hen House they All got out and As he swore they came out standing Slraight. The Tunnel was 6 Leel High. Many thousands of others escaped in the years fight alter the Wall began going up on aug 13, 1961, and Many died shot by guards u in jumping from windows or drowning in swimming the River spree and Pettow canal which run Between East and West Berlin. In the past 25 years an incredible 38,657 people have made it across. But 25,428 or two thirds of them were in the first 14 weeks until dec. 31, 196. There have Boen 74 known deaths of which 57 were people Snow by the guards anole or 3, 39 have been caught attempting escape 554 o them East German guards and soldiers or customs officials Only a jew try it these Days maybe 10 or 20 a year mainly guards or customs of Mickals who have the Opportunity or As a Berlin saying goes people who come Over with the Angels which Means slightly mad. For West re Lamers it is the Wall of shame. For Hie communist government in East Berlin in used Lobo Tho anti fascist protective Barrier but Hoy now Call it a Modem thai is one Way Rel desc Hing an escape proof Seal hat is now 104 Miles Long. There Are 69 Miles of 13-toot-High Concrete Wall and 35 Miles of steel Wiro once Between 10 and 15 feet High. On the Aas Lern Side As you approach the Wall there is a 164-foot-wide Batten deals slip usually of Sand. There Are 78 Miles of concealed in wires and electronic alarms and where there Aren Aulo Masic alarm systems there Are Large areas 243 of them at the last count of West Berlin police where guard dogs run tree All this is finally manned by 14,000 soldiers and Border guards on con Slang patrol or in Tho current 295 watch Lowers. Which Are close enough together for guards in one to shool their next door Kol Figen or colleagues it they Fry to make a run Lor i Bui in escapes Aie rare these Days older bar honors do Nolfo be Iho legendary acts of courage and Plain heroism of the past and the tragedies and the younger people and the millions of Loreign Lou Nils and visitors Are reminded of it Al the Wall museum. The museum is packed Wilh exhibits of How people escaped under through and Over the Wall. Hanging from the Selling Are trip wires and Automa \
