It\u2019s estimated that more than 3 million East Germans fled the German Democratic Republic (DDR) during its existence. But the building of the Berlin Wall raised the difficulty level of doing so dramatically.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, after the Berlin Wall went up people continued to attempt to escape to the West via various means. Over the years of its existence, it\u2019s estimated that roughly 5,000 East Germans managed to escape successfully.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n Escaping from East Germany was quite dangerous. At least 138 died attempting to cross the Berlin Wall to reach West Berlin. And at least another 872 died trying to cross other parts of the Inner German Border.<\/p>\n Many methods of escape were tried. But one form had a most unlikely, if unknowing, helper.<\/p>\n It seems that Playboy<\/i> helped a number of East Germans to escape. Yes, that<\/u> Playboy<\/i> \u2013 the one founded by Hugh Hefner in the USA.<\/p>\n . . .<\/strong> <\/p>\n Apparently Playboy Clubs worldwide at one time issued membership cards that were different from the US key and\/or metal key card. And some of them were apparently quite well done and impressive.<\/p>\n In fact, the membership cards for the Munich Playboy Club at one point were particularly impressive. They were so well-crafted, in fact, that they reportedly very closely resembled a Diplomatic Passport<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n It also seemed that East German border guards gave diplomatic passports very little scrutiny, often waving through holders of same with barely a glance at their passports.<\/p>\n These facts became known to a number of people in East Germany. And somehow – probably with the help of West German or foreign contacts, who were allowed to enter East Berlin – a number of them obtained Munich Playboy Club membership cards.<\/p>\n You guessed it \u2013 a number of these individuals simply were waved through checkpoints by East German border guards after flashing their Munich Playboy Club membership card. While this might not have been the most dangerous way of escaping East Germany, IMO it certainly took Sehr gro\u00dfe Massivstahltestilen<\/i> – and probably an extra pair of skivvies for afterwards. (smile)<\/p>\n So, there you have it: a number of former East Germans owe their freedom, indirectly, to Hugh Hefner. (smile)<\/p>\n . . .<\/strong> <\/p>\n OK, enough oddball Cold War history for today. Enjoy the WOT and the weekend, everyone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"