University student Helmut Wegner curses himself for his procrastination as he waits in the rain in the muddy woods for his "Fluchthelfer, " the escape helpers. Twelve weeks earlier, prior to August 13, 1961, he could have strolled easily across the border separating East Berlin from the section occupied by the three Western allies. Now, crossing the border is a dangerous endeavor. But Wegner is far from the only man who seeks to escape. "Outpost Berlin" chronicles the tales of both successful and failed escape attempts over the Berlin Wall since its erection in 1961. Each chapter begins with...

University student Helmut Wegner curses himself for his procrastination as he waits in the rain in the muddy woods for his "Fluchthelfer, " the escape helpers. Twelve weeks earlier, prior to August 13, 1961, he could have strolled easily across the border separating East Berlin from the section occupied by the three Western allies. Now, crossing the border is a dangerous endeavor. But Wegner is far from the only man who seeks to escape. "Outpost Berlin" chronicles the tales of both successful and failed escape attempts over the Berlin Wall since its erection in 1961. Each chapter begins with...