Volker the Berlin Wall Escape Helper (291)

Volker the Berlin Wall Escape Helper (291)

It’s 1966 in Berlin and the city has now been divided for 5 years by an almost impenetrable wall erected by the communist German Democratic Republic. Together with his friends, West German student Volker Heinz joins a group looking for ways to help would-be fugitives escape from East to West. Their search ends at Checkpoint Charlie, the most heavily secured border crossing of the Berlin Wall. By hiding the fugitives in the trunk of a diplomat's car, Volker Heinz helps East German citizens flee to the West. However, the Stasi picks up his trail, and Volker is arrested and interrogated. We hear in detail about his time in prison, including the interrogations and fellow cellmates. Following secret negotiations and a show trial where he is sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, Heinz is eventually swapped for two Soviet spies. In 2001 Heinz initiated the German-British foundation Temple Gift dedicated to the reconciliation of former foes Britain and Germany. In 2012 he was awarded the Federal Order of Merit in recognition of his courage. 0:00 Introduction and Volker Heinz's story 5:19 Volker's involvement in helping East German citizens escape 20:01 Reflections on the experience and diplomatic immunity 30:25 Volker's arrest, interrogation, and time in prison 57:12 Meeting Wolfgang Vogel and trial experiences 1:02:23 Volker's prison experiences and Stasi's recruitment attempts 1:05:54 Volker's release and return to West Germany 1:09:32 Volker's post-prison life and discovery of Stasi's tracking 1:14:21 Volker's book and its contribution to Cold War understanding 1:14:41 Sponsor: Amberley Publishing 1:15:11 Closing remarks and podcast's Facebook discussion group information Buy the book here and support CWC https://amzn.to/42V7FUK Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Episode extras including videos and photos https://coldwarconversations.com/episode291/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Avsnitt(447)

The Korean War in Britain (31)

The Korean War in Britain (31)

We speak with Doctor Grace Huxford, author of the Korean War in Britain – Citizenship, Selfhood and Forgetting.  The Korean War was known as the “forgotten war”, but it is key in understanding the ear...

12 Okt 201858min

Leaving your family to go off to a nuclear war (30)

Leaving your family to go off to a nuclear war (30)

Dave Arnold was the Chief Observer at a Royal Observer Corps nuclear monitoring post. I made a fascinating visit with Dave to the Rushton Spencer Royal Observer Corps nuclear monitoring post in Staff...

6 Okt 201858min

Cold War Living History Event - The Soviet Threat (29)

Cold War Living History Event - The Soviet Threat (29)

This episode takes place at a Living History event in and around the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker museum in deepest Cheshire in the UK. I can heartily recommend visiting the Hack Green Bunker and ...

29 Sep 201854min

Cold War USAF pilot Buz Carpenter talks Vietnam recon, Skunkworks and more

Cold War USAF pilot Buz Carpenter talks Vietnam recon, Skunkworks and more

USAF pilot Buz Carpenter talks about about flying reconnaissance over Vietnam, the Skunkworks where secret USAF projects were developed, his time commanding Ramstein airbase at the end of the Cold War...

21 Sep 201845min

Flying the Cold War Blackbird SR71 Spyplane (27)

Flying the Cold War Blackbird SR71 Spyplane (27)

Today we are talking about the SR71 Blackbird spy plane. Only 32 Blackbirds were ever made, and they were in service from 1964-1998. The great defensive ability of the plane was its high speed and alt...

15 Sep 201854min

My father was the leader of the Soviet Union - Part 2 (26)

My father was the leader of the Soviet Union - Part 2 (26)

This is part 2 of my conversation with Professor Sergei Khrushchev the son of Nikita Khrushchev who led the Soviet Union 1953 to 1964. Before we start I would again like to thank all those who are sup...

7 Sep 201832min

My father was the leader of the Soviet Union - Part 1 (25)

My father was the leader of the Soviet Union - Part 1 (25)

In part 1 of this interview we talk about Professor Khrushchev’s early years, his relationship with his father, his father’s rise to power, the 1956 Hungarian Uprising as well the first international ...

2 Sep 201839min

Cold War West German Nuclear Monitoring System (24)

Cold War West German Nuclear Monitoring System (24)

West Germany had a number of Nuclear Warning Bunkers dotted around the country similar to the Royal Observer Corps in the UK. Mirko Krumm describes the organisation West German Civil Defence and the p...

25 Aug 201838min

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