Balloon 2017

Plans to escape GDR to West Germany by balloon

In the summer of 1979 in Pößneck, Thuringia, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families devise a daring plan to flee the GDR using a self-made hot air balloon. They weigh the risks, the size of the craft, and whether eight people can realistically fit. The plan grows from a shared dream to a concrete escape strategy.

First pause: safety concerns derail the initial eight-person plan

Günter Wetzel argues that the balloon is too small for eight people and urges stopping the attempt for safety. Petra worries about the two young children and the dangers to the family. The idea is shelved for a short time, delaying the escape plan.

Strelzyks commit to a second attempt with their two sons

With the Wetzel plan on hold, Doris and Peter Strelzyk decide to try escaping again, this time with just their two sons. Frank is in love with Klara Baumann, and he writes her a farewell letter that foreshadows the danger ahead. The emotional stakes heighten the tension for the family.

The second escape plan takes shape and the caravan heads to the forest

The two families load the balloon and supplies into a trailer, travel into the forest, and prepare for takeoff under the cover of night. They attempt to vanish into the clouds to avoid border guards. The mood is tense, but hopeful.

First flight ends with a fire hazard: pipes freeze and descent ensues

During the ascent, the pipes from the gas bottles to the burner freeze and clog, forcing the balloon to descend just before the border. Doris, Peter, and their two sons survive the rough landing and move quickly to destroy all evidence. Frank manages to retrieve his letter to Klara before the commotion subsides.

Stasi opens a large investigation into the failed escape

The abandoned balloon is found, and Lieutenant Colonel Seidel launches a wide-ranging investigation. He interrogates border guards and pieces together clues to narrow the circle of suspects who could have planned the escape. The process marks a tense cat-and-mouse game with the Stasi.

Families live in fear as clues accumulate

Doris fears for her safety after losing medication in the forest, a detail the Stasi uses to identify recipients at the local pharmacy. The investigators publish photos of objects left at the landing site, increasing the pressure on the Strelzyks and their neighbors. The families must stay vigilant as the net tightens.

Escape attempt via East Berlin US Embassy fails

The Strelzyks travel to East Berlin hoping to secure help from the US Embassy, but the plan does not succeed. The failure motivates them to consider a second, more cautious attempt. The political cold war backdrop presses in on every decision.

Günter restarts balloon project with stealthy procurement

Peter convinces Günter to try again, but materials are bought in small quantities from different cities to avoid suspicion. Günter sits at the sewing machine each night, stitching together fabric to form a new balloon. The family keeps the project secret from neighbours who might notice the constant sewing noise.

Stasi closes in: sewing moved to the cellar

As authorities close in, Seidel intensifies the hunt and the Stasi break into the Strelzyks' homes. To avoid drawing attention, Günter relocates the sewing work to the family cellar, keeping the operation under cover. The sense of urgency rises as the second escape nears.

Second escape begins the same night; risky takeoff and partial fuel loss

Frank notices Erik Baumann must fetch medicine, and an aiding wind direction makes a second escape feasible for that night. The family leaves as the Stasi officers raid other houses, but the takeoff is imperfect and the gas runs out after about half an hour. They push forward on hope despite the odds.

Second flight crosses into West Germany and is confirmed as a border crossing

The balloon lands in a forest after a half-hour flight and Peter and Günter explore the area, eventually meeting a police patrol car. The officers tell them they are in Upper Franconia, confirming a successful crossing and triggering a mix of relief and disbelief for the families. The escape is now a matter of verification by the authorities.

Stasi briefing and interrogation linked to the escape

Lieutenant Colonel Seidel and his superior must report to Stasi chief Erich Mielke about the investigation. Erik Baumann is interrogated by the Stasi as part of the broader effort to unravel the escape network. The state apparatus weighs the political embarrassment against the evidence gathered.