Regierungsvierte in Berlin in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Günter Litfin
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 3, 2025
1. Günter Litfin white cross
* 19.01.1937
† 24.08.1961
Günter Litfin war der erste durch Schusswaffen-Gewalt ermordete Flüchtling an der Berliner Mauer (Humboldt Hafen am Lehrter Bahnhof, heutiger Hauptbahnhof).
Der Chef-Propagandist des DDR-Fernsehens, Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler, verunglimpfte den Toten als „homosexuellen Straftäter“, als „kriminelle Gestalt“ und „finsteres Element“.
Der Vater Litfins gehörte 1945 zu den Begründern des lokalen CDU Kreisverbandes in Weißensee, Litfin und sein Bruder traten 1957 der CDU in West-Berlin bei.
Born January 19, 1937
Died August 24, 1961
Günter Litfin was the first refugee murdered by gunfire at the Berlin Wall (Humboldt Harbor at Lehrter Bahnhof, today's main train station).
The chief propagandist of GDR television, Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler, vilified the deceased as a "homosexual offender," a "criminal figure," and a "dark element."
Litfin's father was one of the founders of the local CDU district chapter in Weissensee in 1945; Litfin and his brother joined the CDU
this page online
Erected by Berliner Bürgerverein 1970.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Berlin Wall series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1961.
Location. 52° 31.052′ N, 13° 22.61′ E. Memorial is in Berlin, in Mitte. It is in Regierungsvierte. It is at the intersection of Ebertstraße and Scheidemannstraße, on the right when traveling south on Ebertstraße. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Berlin 10117, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ida Siekmann (here, next to this marker); Olga Segler (here, next to this marker); Bernd Lünser (here, next to this marker); Heinz Sokolowski Memorial (here, next to this marker); Udo Düllick (here, next to this marker); Werner Probst (here, next to this marker); Den Toten des Volkaufstandes vom 17. Juni 1953 (here, next to this marker); Ingo Krüger (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Also see . . . Günter Litfin (Chronik der Mauer). Excerpt:
… he postponed his permanent move to West Berlin -- until it was too late. The construction of the Berlin Wall suddenly put an end to his plans for the future. Günter Litfin spent August 12, 1961, a Saturday,(Submitted on September 30, 2025.)with his mother and brother visiting relatives on the west side of the city. When they took the S-Bahn back to Weissensee late that evening, they had no idea that measures were being prepared to close the border. The shock was great the next morning when they heard on the radio that the sector border had been completely sealed off during the night. Günter Litfin, unable to accept the existence of the Wall, began looking into possible escape routes.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 3, 20252. Günter Litfin white cross - wide view (3rd from the left)
A large number of successful escapes were undertaken during the first few days after the Wall was built. Many East Berliners found holes or used an unobserved moment to cross the sector border, which was not yet completely guarded. No one could imagine at this point that the border guards would actually aim their weapons at someone fleeing. But on August 24, 1961 the fatal consequences of the newly established border regime were displayed for the first time. It was just after 4 p.m. when Günter Litfin began his attempt to reach West Berlin by fleeing between the Friedrichstrasse and Lehrter train stations. According to reports from the East Berlin police, he crossed Charité Hospital grounds and climbed over a wall bordering the bank of the Spree River when members of the transport police discovered him. From the railroad bridge where they were standing, they ordered the fugitive to freeze and fired a few warning shots. They opened fire when Günter Litfin jumped into the Humboldt Harbor. He was fatally wounded by a bullet in the back of his head just before he reached the West Berlin bank on the other side. East Berlin firemen pulled his body out of the water three hours later.
Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
