Border Crossing Heinrich-Heine-Straße

Goods and postal transport between the two halves of the city were inspected at the Heinrich-Heine-Strasse checkpoint, which is why it was one of the largest border crossings. West German citizens were also able to enter East Berlin from this crossing point. The area west of Heinrich-Heine-Strasse used today to sell cars was part of the border crossing until 1990.

On 18 April 1962, three men from East Berlin attempted to crash through the barriers of the checkpoint with a truck. The guards opened fire, shooting the driver, Klaus Brüske, who still managed to maneuver the vehicle onto West Berlin territory. He died at the site, while his two passengers suffered what were in part very serious injuries.

To prevent further escapes, an extra slalom barrier was added to the checkpoint. Nevertheless, two men from West Berlin and two women from East Berlin made a similar attempt on 26 December 1965. The women were discovered hidden in the car; border guards then shot and killed the 27-year-old driver, Heinz Schöneberger, who had attempted to escape on foot. The other West Berliner and the two women were arrested.