0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:01 > 0:00:04- This is Berlin, - where the Cold War began.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07- It was the West's weak point.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11- As Khrushchev said, - "It's the West's testicles.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- "To hurt, you only have to squeeze."
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- After the war, Berlin offered - people in the East a way...
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- ..to escape - to the free capitalist world.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- To stem the flow, East Germany - put in action an ambitious plan.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33- 40,000 people worked to build - an Iron Curtain round West Berlin...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- ..overnight.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40- The border was closed - in a feat of careful planning.
0:00:41 > 0:00:47- We had the task, the order, to have - the border closed by six o'clock.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- By six o'clock, everything was done.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58- Only one journalist from the West - witnessed the night's events.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- I saw a red torch waving, - carried by a border policeman.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- He said very politely, "I'm afraid - you can't go any further.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- "Die Grenze ist geschlossen."
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- The border is closed.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- The wall divided families in Berlin.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- It divided the world too.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29- But did building the Berlin Wall - help prevent another world war?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- 13 August 1961
0:01:48 > 0:01:49- As Berlin slept...
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- ..there was unexpected - activity in the city centre.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Up to that time, - no-one suspected anything.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- 12 August 1961, - Kellet-Long's home, East Berlin
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- Adam Kellet-Long, - a Reuters agency journalist...
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- ..was having trouble writing - his Saturday night report.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- I had to write - a story for the morning.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- For news agencies, you had to write - a day lead. What would I say?
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- Kellet-Long worked - in the city's Soviet sector.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- In the final days of World War II...
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- ..the Allies attacked - Hitler's capital...
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- ..attempting to destroy Nazism - once and for all.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- Berlin was demolished - by the Soviet Army...
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- ..in one of the most destructive - campaigns in European history.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- The city was completely - occupied by the Red Army.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- And then on July 1, 1945...
0:02:58 > 0:03:05- ..the British, French and American - troops marched into Berlin.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- Following the agreed plan...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- ..the city was divided - into four sectors...
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- ..by the USA, Britain, - France and the USSR.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- The whole country - was also divided in sectors.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- Walter Ulbricht, leader - of the German Communist Party...
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- ..was in charge - of the Soviet sector.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- After a period in exile, Ulbricht - was sent back to Berlin in 1945...
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- ..with a group of communists.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- In no time, he was the leader - of the Communist Party...
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- ..and the Soviet Sector.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- Although the French, British - and Americans worked together...
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- ..the Soviets and the German - Democratic Republic, the GDR...
0:04:04 > 0:04:05- ..stood apart.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- So West Berlin was isolated.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- I was the only journalist - from any non-communist country...
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- ..to be in East Berlin.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- At the time, very little - was happening in Berlin.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- I think they, the powers that be, - thought it couldn't do any harm...
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- ..to send a very green - trainee there...
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- ..because nothing would happen.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- It was a fine summer weekend.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- Berliners enjoyed - relaxing in the city.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- I lived in West Berlin - with my parents.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52- I went to work like everyone else. - I also had a boyfriend at the time.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- Monika Flindt was nineteen - and worked in a shop.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- That night, she was going - to a party in the east of the city.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- At 6.00pm, we took - the train to Kopernicker...
0:05:10 > 0:05:15- ..because the party - started at 7.00pm.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- For us in Lichtenrade, - West Berlin...
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- ..it took a fair bit - of time to get there.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- At 6.30pm, Kellet-Long - was in his flat.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- He received a message, claiming - that the East German authorities...
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- ..were planning something big.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41- There was a sudden urgently called - meeting of the Volkskammer...
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- ..the East German parliament.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50- People from the GDR had been - escaping to the West for years.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- The Volkskammer's politicians blamed - the West for encouraging them.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- It had to pass a resolution to deal - with the revanchist attempts...
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- ..by West Berlin to destroy - the GDR, et cetera.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13- On the way out, I ran into - a gentleman called Horst Sindermann.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Sindermann was - the GDR's head of propaganda.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- I said to him, "Herr Sindermann, - what does that mean?"
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- He said, "I can't tell you."
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- Then he said, "If I were planning - to leave Berlin this weekend...
0:06:32 > 0:06:33- "..I wouldn't."
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- So Kellet-Long stayed - in Berlin for the weekend.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47- By Sunday night, there was still - no sign of any unusual event.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- But as he searched for a story...
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- ..secret meetings were held - all over East Germany.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- Police chiefs were summoned - to HQ in Keibelstrasse.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Hans Modrow was one of them.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- He was a young communist - party member.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11- I got a phone call.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- I was told that in the evening, - a car would come to pick me up.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- Where it would take me - was not made clear.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27- But the driver knew I was expected - at a meeting in Keibelstrasse.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- Dollnsee, north of Berlin
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- In the meantime...
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- ..Walter Ulbricht held a party - in Dollnsee, near Berlin.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Leading parliamentarians, - politicians...
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- ..and top military officials...
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- ..were invited - to Ulbricht's house near Berlin.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- The caviar and champagne...
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- ..showed that only important - figures had been invited.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07- Maybe West Berlin flourished, but it - was very different in East Berlin.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- The most amazing thing - was the incredible contrast...
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- ..between the two halves.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- West Berlin was - a thriving metropolis...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- ..glittering with Mercedes, - hotels and nightclubs.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- It was a show city in many ways.
0:08:25 > 0:08:31- You could drive through any number - of crossing points into East Berlin.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- It was another world.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- Drab, dark, old-fashioned, - buildings unpainted.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- I remember the time very well, - even though I was only a child.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- Butter was rationed, - meat was scarce.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- You had to queue for everything.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- Some people in the East - were envious of the West's wealth.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- Many people from the East - came to us in West Berlin.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- We had many refugees.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11- Thousands from the East crossed - the border to the West every day...
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- ..to go to work - or to meet friends...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- ..as Ingrid Taegner - from East Berlin remembers.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- Our family was spread across Berlin, - across the whole city.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- My father lived in West Berlin.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- We used to visit each other - all the time.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36- Nevertheless, it was illegal - to stay in the West.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- But for those willing - to take a risk...
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- ..Berlin was a means of escape.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- It was easy to cross from - one side of the city to the other.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- You only had to get - on the subway train.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- By 1961, 3.5 million - had already fled from the East...
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- ..about 20% of - the country's population.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- The flow was getting so big, - and the people going...
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- ..were the cream of the country, - the doctors, the teachers.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- It was fairly obvious - that this couldn't go on.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20- The numbers leaving were a challenge - and threat to the communist regime.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- Some of the East's best workers - and most talented people...
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- ..were attracted to the West.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- But Ulbricht had a plan.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- It was named Operation Rose.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- It needed a special person - to direct it...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- ..the ardent communist - Erich Honecker.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- Erich Honecker was used - to organizing people...
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- ..camps and rallies.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- He had the necessary experience - to run a large operation.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Hans Modrow knew Honecker well.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- Honecker was a little, how shall - I put it... unapproachable.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- It would take a while for him - to trust people.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- We had a lot of respect for him - for his stand against fascism.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- When some of us were - in the Hitler Youth Movement...
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- ..he was already - fighting against fascism.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33- On Saturday night, Honecker summoned - police chiefs to Keibelstrasse.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- The whole plan was supposed - to be completely secret.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- Until Sunday night August 12...
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- ..only a small circle - of people really knew about it.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- Kellet-Long's home, East Berlin
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- At 8.00pm, Kellet-Long - was still trying to find a story.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Most of the police chiefs - still didn't understand...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..why they'd been summoned - at such short notice.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- We were told we weren't - allowed to leave HQ.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- No phone calls, - no leaving the building.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- No-one had a clue - what would happen next.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- So the room was full of tension.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- Then, eight police chiefs - were called aside.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Honecker gave them - the instructions...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- ..that would change - European history.
0:12:38 > 0:12:38- .
0:12:43 > 0:12:43- Subtitles
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- August 12, Kellet-Long's home, - East Berlin
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- Journalist Kellet-Long believed - that the East German authorities...
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- ..were about to make - a dramatic statement...
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- ..to stop the flow - of people to the West.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- He had been advised - not to leave Berlin...
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- ..by a leading figure - in the East's parliament.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- He had already published - one story...
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- ..saying that something - unusual was about to happen.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- On the Saturday morning, that day, I - did a story which basically said...
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- "..Berlin is holding - its breath this weekend...
0:13:24 > 0:13:29- "..waiting for drastic measures - to stem the flow of refugees...
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- "..from East to West."
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- But the East German authorities - wouldn't say any more.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- No further announcement was made.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- Desperate for any facts - to confirm his earlier article...
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- ..Kellet-Long went out - to buy the first edition...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- ..of the communist paper - Neues Deutschland.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- I got my copy. - I drove back to the office.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- I looked at this copy.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- I must say, to my horror...
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- ..it was a perfectly normal - edition of Neues Deutschland.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- There was nothing.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- So then I thought, "What - the hell am I going to do now?"
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- I've got the whole world - waiting for drastic events.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- I've got to write - a story for the morning.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- There was tension - on Berlin's streets that weekend.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- There had been - an obvious increase...
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- ..in military activity - for months in East Germany.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- Many soldiers were - deployed round Berlin...
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- ..as the Soviet Army was reinforced.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Everyone had noticed.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Everyone knew something - was about to happen.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- The Soviet Union wanted - the West's armies to leave Berlin.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- The USA was determined to stay, - come what may.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- But this island of western - democracy was in a weak position.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- This was the West's weak point.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- As Khrushchev said, - "It's the West's testicles.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- "To hurt, you only have to squeeze."
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- The American president, - John F Kennedy...
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- ...was drawn into the battle - for West Berlin's future...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..with the Soviet leader Khrushchev.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- It was a dangerous game.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- By this time, - the USSR and the USA...
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- ..had nuclear weapons.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- For Khrushchev, - Kennedy was a spoilt rich kid...
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- ..whose father had - bought him the presidency.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Khrushchev felt, - if he leaned enough on him...
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- ..Kennedy would do - anything he wanted.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57- Early in 1961...
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- ..Khrushchev asked the Allies again - to leave West Berlin.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- If they didn't, he would offer - East Germany more support.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- Kennedy ignored Khrushchev's - threats, but he feared the worst.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- After all, the Soviets had - tried to capture West Berlin...
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- ..from the Allies in 1948.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- They had closed all the roads - from western Europe to West Berlin.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- The Berlin blockade - was a Soviet attempt...
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- ..to get the western allies - to surrender the city.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- Stalin stopped all movement - in and out of the city...
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- ..so that even food - didn't reach the people.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- Gunter Piskol was 12 at the time.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56- I had very little to eat, - mostly dried potatoes...
0:16:57 > 0:17:03- ..dried egg and milk, items that - were easy to transport by plane.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- There was very little electricity...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- ..only two hours a day to each home.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- The Allies responded - with the Berlin Airlift.
0:17:15 > 0:17:21- The Americans and British decided - to supply West Berlin by air.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- Planes full of goods - landed there every 60 seconds.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- Every day, there was - a special aircraft...
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- ..where the pilot, two or three - kilometres before landing...
0:17:41 > 0:17:47- ..he threw out little parachutes, - with sweets, bonbons, chocolates.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- The food flown in saved West - Berlin and won people's hearts.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- It continued every day - for eleven months...
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- ..until the Soviets surrendered - and reopened the roads.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- This clearly showed that the Allies - would support West Berlin.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- Their presence became one - of the Cold War's main features.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- But the East still - coveted West Berlin.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16- The blockade had failed.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- But Ulbricht had - an even more ambitious plan.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- Keibelstrasse Police HQ, East Berlin
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- In the police HQ - in the centre of East Berlin...
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- ..a few police chiefs - were given instructions.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- That night, their task - was to isolate West Berlin...
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- ..by surrounding it - with a ring of steel.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- Dollnsee, north of Berlin
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- In a secret meeting - with party loyalists in Dollnsee...
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- ..Ulbricht announced his plan, - demanding their approval.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- He asked them - if they agreed or disagreed.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- They all agreed immediately.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- No-one dared oppose Ulbricht.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- But they all had - to stay in Dollnsee.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- No-one would leave until the work - of closing the border started.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28- As midnight approached...
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- ..Monika Flindt's party - was livening up.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- But the police at HQ - still didn't know what to expect...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- ..until the designated hour...
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- ..when Honecker gave the order - to put the plan in action.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- In Keibelstrasse, - the few who had received orders...
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- ..started to share - the information with the others.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- At midnight, the first secretary of - the district joined the meeting...
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- ..and announced...
0:20:04 > 0:20:10- "..The border with West Berlin - will be closed immediately."
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- By morning, West Berlin...
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- ..would be surrounded - by barbed wire and armed soldiers.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- Khrushchev had approved of the plan - only five weeks before.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- Every detail had been carefully - planned in the meantime.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- The police chiefs went to their - local stations across the city...
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- ..to inform their staff.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- Policeman Heinz Schafer - remembers hearing the news.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Shortly after twelve, - the commander came back...
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- ..and brought a stack - of maps with him.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Schafer had waited - four hours for the order.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- He only then understood - what he was expected to do.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00- SIREN
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- Our men were called out and - I was given the responsibility...
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- ..of organizing and equipping them - and providing vehicles and so on.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- Schafer and thousands of policemen - had to erect and defend...
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- ..the new border - between East and West Berlin.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29- Every company knew which section - they were assigned to...
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- ..and where they would stand.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Everybody received a map.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Then, we started to march.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Soviet tanks went - to their positions round Berlin.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- Ten thousand policemen - headed for the border.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- The street lights - round the Brandenburg Gate went off.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- In the dark, - police lorries appeared.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- But Kellet-Long - knew nothing of this.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- He was still looking for a story.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- There was nothing in the paper...
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- ..so he concluded that no major - announcement would be made.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- I was just leaving the office...
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- ..when the teleprinter - of the East German news agency...
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- ..suddenly churned into life.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- At the same moment, - the telephone went.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- A voice said in German...
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- "..Just don't go to bed tonight."
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- He had to find out - what was going on.
0:22:38 > 0:22:38- .
0:22:43 > 0:22:43- Subtitles
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Brandenburg Gate
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- The police took up positions...
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- ..along the border - between East and West Berlin.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Two soldiers formed a post.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- Sometimes they would stand - 20 metres apart...
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- ..sometimes 100 metres apart.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- More men were needed - to patrol the border.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16- Hans Modrow asked for support from - Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse...
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- ..or the Workers' Militia.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- The Communist Party was in charge...
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- ..of mobilizing - the Workers' Militia.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- Every single member - of the militia...
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- ..had to be informed quickly.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- Most members of the militia - were at home, sleeping.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- They were summoned - at the last moment...
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- ..so as few people as possible knew - about the plan to build the wall.
0:23:51 > 0:23:57- A designated person in a certain - district had the order.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- He would tell the next person...
0:24:01 > 0:24:06- ..and that person - would march to tell the next...
0:24:07 > 0:24:08- ..like a pyramid.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- The Workers Militia arrived, - not awake yet.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- They didn't understand - why they were there.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22- The order was to "defend the border - from the enemies of socialism."
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- It went like clockwork...
0:24:24 > 0:24:29- ..even though they only - had weeks to finalize arrangements.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- But Ulbricht - had planned this for years...
0:24:32 > 0:24:36- ..to cause a rift - between the West and East.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42- There were two electricity supplies - but only one water supply.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- The waterways - were still connected...
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- ..as were the train lines.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Berlin still had a unified - transport system in 1961.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01- People would simply hop on a train - and go through to West Berlin.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- The authorities - were aware of this...
0:25:04 > 0:25:08- ..and tried - to prevent it from happening.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- In the early 1950s, - train tracks were laid down...
0:25:12 > 0:25:16- ..to go round West Berlin - rather than through the centre.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23- Tunnels that were closed since - the Second World War were reopened.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- New tunnels were built.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- But some trains were still - travelling through West Berlin.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- To totally close the border...
0:25:38 > 0:25:42- ..every escape route - had to be blocked.
0:25:42 > 0:25:47- Sealed envelopes were handed out, - to be opened at midnight.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- At midnight, - they read what had to be done.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56- Stop the underground - and over ground trains...
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- ..then the Transport Police - had to close stations.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- That is the German - organizational spirit...
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- ..they sort it out.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- And everything worked.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- When her party ended...
0:26:14 > 0:26:18- ..Monika Flindt - headed home to West Berlin.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- We travelled from Kopernicker - to Friedrichstrasse...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- ..and had to get off - the train there.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- Friedrichstrasse Station - East Berlin
0:26:33 > 0:26:38- They said, "The train stops here, - everyone get off."
0:26:38 > 0:26:42- We were met by police - with machine guns.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- They said that we had - to walk to West Berlin...
0:26:48 > 0:26:51- ..as they had shut the border.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56- When I saw the machine guns, - I got scared.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Monika Flindt had to walk - the rest of the way.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- In the meantime, - after receiving an anonymous call...
0:27:05 > 0:27:11- ..Kellet-Long in East Berlin - tried to find out what was going on.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- I drove down the main thoroughfare - of East Berlin...
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- ..down to the Brandenburg Gate.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20- Unter Den Linden was deserted.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- When I got to the gate, - I saw a red torch waving.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27- I stopped.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- The torch was carried - by a border policeman.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- He said very politely, "I'm - afraid you can't go any further.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- "Die Grenze ist geschlossen."
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- The border is closed.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46- Kellet-Long was the first British - man to hear the historical words.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- I did realize - they were very momentous words.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- It was the midst of the Cold War.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56- This was a major development - in world news.
0:27:57 > 0:28:03- My main concern was to get - that news out as quickly as I could.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- But his way home was closed.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- I headed swiftly back up - Unter Den Linden.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12- When I got to - the Marx-Engels-Platz...
0:28:13 > 0:28:17- ..a large convoy - of what looked to me...
0:28:17 > 0:28:22- ..because the street lighting - was very bad in East Berlin...
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- ..what looked to me - like troops in lorries...
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- ..with small field artillery.
0:28:33 > 0:28:38- The trucks drove to specific - locations where they unloaded.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- They unrolled the barbed wire.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47- The new border divided streets, - parks and bridges.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- There were 96 miles altogether.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- The border round Berlin...
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- ..required 300 tons of barbed wire.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03- They had bought barbed wire - from the West...
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- ..and imported it to the East.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13- They said the barbed wire - was for fencing in farm animals.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- Hours before the wall went up...
0:29:16 > 0:29:20- ..trucks with building materials...
0:29:20 > 0:29:25- ..drove in to Berlin - and took their places.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30- By 3.00am, men were - working along the border...
0:29:30 > 0:29:34- ..and the construction work - was forging ahead.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43- In the meantime, Monika Flindt - was still trying to get home.
0:29:45 > 0:29:51- We walked towards the border and - saw the barbed wire was in place.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- We would have to climb over it.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00- A policeman helped me - so I didn't ruin my stockings.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- They were so young and naive.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- They didn't know what was going on.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- Honecker followed - the night's events.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24- By daybreak, - the border was almost closed.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33- After getting home, - Kellet-Long spoke with his wife.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- When I came back, - I went into her bedroom.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- Her diary states - that I was white-lipped...
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- ..and said, "They've closed - the border. It's a huge story."
0:30:44 > 0:30:49- His priority was to share - the story with the world.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- I wrote a snap, which - in those days was a top thing...
0:30:53 > 0:30:57- ..saying the East-West Berlin - border was closed earlier today.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- Kellet-Long's - suspicions were confirmed.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05- The East would make - an announcement that weekend...
0:31:06 > 0:31:12- ..but only after they had closed - the border with West Berlin.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18- Twelve hours - before the border closed...
0:31:18 > 0:31:22- ..fewer than 20 people - knew about Operation Rose.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28- That night, 40,000 police and East - German soldiers completed the task.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33- Our work was to make sure - the border closed by 6.00am.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- And by six o'clock, - we had succeeded in doing that.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- By six o'clock, everything was done.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- 13 August 1961
0:31:53 > 0:31:58- A shock was in store - for Berliners the following morning.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04- The rumble of the tanks - woke us quite early.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- The house was shaking.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13- We thought a new war had started.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22- It was 8.00am by the time Monika - Flindt arrived home in West Berlin.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32- My father was very angry. - "Where have you been?" he said.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37- "They've closed the border, - we had to walk back," I replied.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42- Dad said, "Don't talk nonsense." - I said, "No, it's the truth."
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- "One more word - and I will smack you!"
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- My only reaction was - to switch the radio on.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56- I looked out of the balcony.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03- I saw an East German soldier...
0:33:03 > 0:33:07- ..wearing a helmet - and carrying a gun.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- 'This isn't possible,' I thought.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- Then I looked towards - Wiener Bridge.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18- What I saw there...
0:33:18 > 0:33:22- ..were NVA soldiers, - or the army of the East.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- They had closed the road - over the bridge.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33- I was terrified of the guns. It - looked as if we were in a war zone.
0:33:33 > 0:33:33- .
0:33:37 > 0:33:37- Subtitles
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- As Berliners came - to terms with events...
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- ..the story made headlines - round the world.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55- Reuters in London sent Kellet-Long's - story to news agencies worldwide.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01- The armoured cars moved out through - the gateway onto this side of it.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- They were followed - by that line of troops.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- They're not police or soldiers, - but Kampfgruppen...
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- ..a sort of Workers' Militia.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- Willy Brandt, - the mayor of West Berlin...
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- ..flew back straightaway.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- Brandt was furious.
0:34:20 > 0:34:26- He considered electing himself - the leader of the whole city...
0:34:26 > 0:34:31- ..and inciting East Berliners to - rise up against their government...
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- ..to stop what was happening.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39- During the morning, more Berliners - came out on the streets.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- The tension was palpable.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46- The people are angry.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51- Groups of them gather near - the border of the eastern sector...
0:34:51 > 0:34:56- ..and quietly watch the East German - soldiers fixing the barbed wire.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- West Berliners came face to face - with the Workers' Militia.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05- They defended the border - as it was being completed.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- There is a picture - of the Brandenburg Gate...
0:35:10 > 0:35:15- ..with the Workers' Militia - carrying machine guns...
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- ..facing the West.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- They weren't there - to protect us from the West.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- No, on the contrary, - they kept an eye on the East...
0:35:27 > 0:35:31- ..to make sure the residents - didn't escape through the Gate.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- There was a good reason...
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- ..why the Workers' Militia - was chosen to patrol the wall.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43- We wanted to create the image...
0:35:43 > 0:35:47- ..that the workers - supported the police...
0:35:47 > 0:35:52- ..that they were loyal - to the socialist ideal...
0:35:52 > 0:35:56- ..and were safeguarding - the government of the East.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- This was only one measure - to ensure...
0:36:00 > 0:36:05- ..East Berliners wouldn't rebel - against closing the border.
0:36:09 > 0:36:15- Loudspeakers were set up - on the border...
0:36:15 > 0:36:18- ..and in front of my house.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- They referred to the wall...
0:36:22 > 0:36:26- ..as the "anti-fascist - protection rampart"...
0:36:26 > 0:36:31- ..and that now finally - socialism could be built in peace...
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- ..without interference - from the West.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- A special edition of - Neues Deutschland was published.
0:36:45 > 0:36:51- Propaganda leaflets were - distributed amongst the crowds.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- Specially trained people - placated the crowds...
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- ..explaining - the reason for the wall...
0:36:59 > 0:37:04- ..and to dissuade the more radical - faction from resorting to violence.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- They had hardly any incidents...
0:37:06 > 0:37:11- ..no mass resistance, - large strikes or demonstrations...
0:37:11 > 0:37:16- ..against the measures - implemented by the GDR leadership.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21- But the crowds in the West were - more prepared to show their anger.
0:37:22 > 0:37:28- Even the police over there were - shocked to see us standing there...
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- ..and not letting anyone in.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36- The crowds started to throw stones - at us and scream insults.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38- In the East...
0:37:38 > 0:37:44- ..dreams of a new life in the West - were disappearing altogether.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- We were thinking - how can we help the people.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52- I said, - "I have wire cutters in my car."
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- I ran back and got them...
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- ..and then we cut the fence.
0:38:07 > 0:38:13- Even on that dramatic day, - the 13th of August...
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- ..800 people managed to escape...
0:38:16 > 0:38:22- ..slipping through the wire and past - troops that were all over Berlin.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- They realized what we have done...
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- ..the police - came running with rifles.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30- But they didn't shoot.
0:38:31 > 0:38:36- Even though thousands of - armed guards patrolled the border...
0:38:36 > 0:38:40- ..no-one was shot that day, - trying to escape.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- At first, the Workers' Militia - had not been given any ammunition.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48- They had been armed...
0:38:49 > 0:38:53- ..but there was an element - of show about this.
0:38:53 > 0:38:59- It reduced the risk - of shots being fired...
0:38:59 > 0:39:03- ..as the two sides - came face to face.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- The West wasn't aware - of these precautions.
0:39:08 > 0:39:14- The presence of Soviet soldiers - in Berlin appeared threatening.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18- Willy Brandt decided - not to take action on his own.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- He reconsidered, - and took stock of the situation.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29- He decided to ask Western leaders - what they proposed to do.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36- He went to the Kommandatura, - the Allies' military headquarters.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- It was time for American, - British and French generals...
0:39:41 > 0:39:44- ..to decide how to respond.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49- There were a quarter of a million - Soviet troops in East Germany...
0:39:49 > 0:39:53- ..and thousands - of East German soldiers.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- That's what western generals - were up against.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01- The Allies were opposed - to military action.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- They eventually put soldiers - on the border.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- But this was only a show.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Brandt was furious.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- Brandt said, "The cowards - are not going to do anything.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- "But at least they're sending - soldiers to patrol the border."
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- Brandt believed - the East was bluffing...
0:40:25 > 0:40:29- ..and that the Allies - had been deceived.
0:40:29 > 0:40:35- The Soviets didn't expect - a full-blown war.
0:40:35 > 0:40:41- But they wanted to show - they had enough troops...
0:40:42 > 0:40:47- ..to deter the West from - initiating any military measures.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52- Any decision - about military intervention...
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- ..had to come from the top.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Everyone turned - to the President of the USA.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05- While the Workers' Militia - and police patrolled the border...
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- ..Berliners didn't know - what would happen next.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17- I now realize that we came close - to war on several occasions.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- It was a very dangerous time.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24- People still remembered - the Second World War.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- They were extremely worried - about the atomic bomb.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36- Europe's future was - in the hands of the United States.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41- Kennedy was on his boat off - the coast of Massachusetts that day.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46- It was late afternoon in Berlin - by the time he heard the news...
0:41:46 > 0:41:50- ..sixteen hours after the order - to build the border was given.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55- His reaction was - that a wall was a terrible thing...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- ..but it was better than war.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04- He considered his options - and reached a difficult decision.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- His decision was to hold back.
0:42:08 > 0:42:14- The Americans preferred the conflict - to be solved by the wall...
0:42:14 > 0:42:19- ..rather than having a war - between the East and the West.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- But the people in the East - lived in hope.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- On the 13th of August, I met - my father on Harzer Street...
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- ..and we talked over the fence.
0:42:32 > 0:42:38- Father said, "The Americans will - solve this soon. This cannot last."
0:42:38 > 0:42:40- But they hoped in vain.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46- It was obvious that the western - Allies in Berlin would do nothing.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51- There was a feeling of utter despair - that nothing would happen.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55- It was heartbreaking for us - in the East...
0:42:56 > 0:43:00- ..when it became obvious - that the rest of the world...
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- ..had already forgotten us.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10- A few days later, the barbed wire - was replaced by a wall.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- Dividing the city - was a permanent solution.
0:43:17 > 0:43:22- The purpose of my life - was defending the border.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34- The wall was perfect, - both technically and politically.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36- There was no way to get rid of it.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42- Border guards were ordered to - shoot anyone attempting to escape.
0:43:44 > 0:43:50- Around 150 people were killed - trying to cross the wall.
0:43:50 > 0:43:54- Thousands of lives - were shattered by it.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58- My mother was all by herself - in the West.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- But I was denied my visa - to West Berlin...
0:44:02 > 0:44:05- ..which was only - a few subway stops away.
0:44:06 > 0:44:11- I received my visa after she died.
0:44:11 > 0:44:17- She died in a nursing home, - surrounded by strangers.
0:44:17 > 0:44:22- The world came to accept the wall - as a fixture on Europe's landscape.
0:44:24 > 0:44:29- It was a better way of solving - Berlin's problem than war.
0:44:29 > 0:44:34- It was a very important moment - in post-war European history.
0:44:34 > 0:44:38- It could have been - a much more important moment...
0:44:38 > 0:44:40- ..if there'd been - a western reaction.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43- It could have been - a cataclysmic moment.
0:44:44 > 0:44:48- The wall stopped the flow - of people from leaving East Germany.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50- In that respect, it was a success.
0:44:53 > 0:44:58- For 28 years, - Berlin was divided in two.
0:44:58 > 0:45:03- But cracks in the communist regime - couldn't be concealed.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08- Economic and political crises - in the Soviet Bloc...
0:45:09 > 0:45:13- ..resulted - in many peaceful revolutions.
0:45:13 > 0:45:18- Communist governments across mid - and eastern Europe were toppled...
0:45:19 > 0:45:22- ..including East Germany.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27- Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall.
0:45:27 > 0:45:28- CHEERS
0:45:32 > 0:45:36- The chant went up, "Mauer weg". - Down with the wall.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42- In 1989, the wall came down at last.
0:45:46 > 0:45:51- Heinz Schafer, who had - a key role in building the wall...
0:45:51 > 0:45:55- ..played a part in its end.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57- I went to the border posts...
0:45:58 > 0:46:01- ..and told the soldiers - to open the border.
0:46:03 > 0:46:08- I told them to disarm their guns, - put them away, and to come over.
0:46:08 > 0:46:13- It was not easy for us. - It was not easy.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18- I wanted to keep - our own government in the East.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25- I drove over immediately - with my husband...
0:46:25 > 0:46:29- ..to see for myself - that the wall had truly fallen.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34- I wept tears of joy.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37- I felt I was almost in a dream...
0:46:37 > 0:46:41- ..when I walked across the border - and to the subway.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44- It was amazing.
0:46:45 > 0:46:50- This really was a new beginning.
0:46:52 > 0:46:58- The Berlin Wall was torn down - as suddenly as it was built.
0:46:58 > 0:47:04- It was a symbol of the rift - between two world superpowers.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06- The wall has gone.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10- But memories - of the Cold War linger on.
0:47:41 > 0:47:42- S4C Subtitles by Gwead