East Germany Balloon Escape

Date: September 16, 1979 • Location: Naila, Germany

Eight people escaped from East Germany to West Germany in a home-made hot air balloon.

On 16 September 1979, eight people from two families escaped from East Germany by crossing the border into West Germany at night in a homemade hot air balloon. The unique feat was the result of over a year and a half of preparations involving three different balloons, various modifications, and a first, unsuccessful attempt. The failed attempt alerted the East German authorities to the plot, but the police were unable to identify the escapees before their second, successful flight two months later.