The Death Wall of East Berlin

FOREWARD This book contains the description of my life. It bears witness to important and influential events that have shaped the history of these times, which I, the author, have taken part in or been subject to. Many events over the past decades have directly or indirectly influenced the lives of my family as well as my own. That in itself is not enough reason to write a book - a book should also offer something to others. Above all, this work presents the characters of people I have met during my long life, but also, for those who are first getting to know me through this book, it gives an account of the circumstances that led me to experience this life as it is represented here. I am no historian, but I consider it to be historically necessary to clarify these circumstances and also to describe them, to prevent them from being forgotten in our society. The question asked of me: "Grandpa, are you a murderer?" finally gave me the incentive to take up the pen. Why did my granddaughter ask me that question? She read the Frankfurt General Newspaper. There was a report on my trial at the Federal Court. But even before that, it had been addressed by many people on several occasions. She was absolutely frightened, she said it is really terrible when people spread these kind of rumors about other people. But nevertheless, she still asked me: "Grandpa, are you a murderer?" What answer should I give her? What can I tell her? How can I tell her, that I am no murderer? Or am I? They did convict me, after all Why do some insist I am a murderer? The people want it that way. The people? Those who speak in the name of the people's justice, or who have spoken, probably need a scapegoat. But all those who take the trouble to read this, my record, are also the people. If some of them set the book aside, then perhaps these people have the same doubts that I and many others have had.So, how do I answer her? Don't worry, it was a false sentence, that won't be enough. The young people of today ask questions, they are critical. That is why an easy answer won't be sufficient. Is it enough to tell her: I prevented a border guard from shooting and killing your father, who was 11 years old at the time, and your uncle, 5 years old, and your grandma and grandpa? From killing them, because the guards had their orders from the state - orders in the name of the people. Can the people of today imagine what was happening at the wall in those times?