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<\/p>\nEscaping by sea from East Germany to the West was difficult. As previous articles on the subject have made cleaer: over 5,600 are estimated to have tried. Less than 1,000 succeeded; at least 174 are believed to have died in the attempt. The remainder were caught and imprisoned by East Germany.<\/p>\n
Today we have one last article about sea escapes from East Germany. I think everyone will enjoy this one. I certainly did.<\/p>\n
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Bernd Boettger was an East German engineer. He was also into water sports and music.<\/p>\n
Like many, he detested his life in East Germany and wanted to escape from his prison-state. So he resolved to do exactly that.<\/p>\n
His first attempt was by swimming in the Baltic. Unfortunately for Boettger, this first attempt in 1967 was unsuccessful. He was quickly caught and turned over to the Stasi.<\/p>\n
However, engineering skills were needed in East Germany. So Boettger was released relatively early from custody, after less than a year.<\/p>\n
As was the case with Axel Mitbauer<\/i><\/a>, in releasing Boettger the Stasi had erred. Boettger resolved to make a second attempt at crossing the Baltic to freedom \u2013 and to ensure that his second attempt was successful. <\/p>\n Being an engineer, Boettger considered the matter. He determined that his next attempt would involve traveling mostly underwater to avoid detection.<\/p>\n So Boettger decided to design an underwater powered sled that would take him to freedom.<\/p>\n He obtained a small 2-stroke gas engine formerly used in a powered bicycle. Boettger also obtained an automobile cooling fan, which he used as a propeller.<\/p>\n Since gasoline engines require fuel and air, Boettger fabricated fuel tanks and a snorkel for the engine. He fabricated an exhaust chamber to provide some buoyancy using the engine\u2019s exhaust. He also fabricated a frame that would allow him to hang on and be towed behind the craft.<\/p>\n He obtained a wetsuit from an aunt in West Germany. And since he would be underwater most of the time during his escape, he fabricated a snorkel for himself \u2013 as well as a 12 lb weight belt to help keep him submerged.<\/p>\n When finished, the craft weighed about 22 lbs. And Boettger estimated it would tow him at about 2 knots.<\/p>\n Boettger had no chance to test his device; his craft\u2019s operational test was perforce to be during his escape. If it didn\u2019t work, he\u2019d face years in prison \u2013 or worse.<\/p>\n After dark on 8 September 1968, Boettger slipped into the Baltic near Graal-M\u00fcritz, East Germay. His intended destination was Sweden. He safety-tied himself to his tug in case he lost his grip.<\/p>\n As Boettger had deduced, the optical signature of his craft and snorkels was too small to be easily detected. He made it out to see unobserved.<\/p>\n However, Boettger didn\u2019t count on ocean currents and tides diverting him; he didn\u2019t make it to Sweden. Fortunately for Boettger, those tides and currents swept him to the West \u2013 and towards Denmark. <\/p>\n After riding his homemade submarine for approximately 15 1\/2 miles, Boettger was picked up by the Danish lightship Gedser Rev<\/i>. Danish authorities subsequently transported him to the mainland. He had made it to the West, and was now free. <\/p>\n No word on whether the Bundesmarine<\/i> later made him an honorary Klein U-boot Kapitan<\/i> or not. (smile)<\/p>\n Sources<\/u>:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/cities\/2014\/oct\/17\/surfboards-and-submarines-the-secret-escape-of-east-germans-to-copenhagen<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n