Regierungsvierte in Berlin in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Ingo Krüger
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 3, 2025
1. Ingo Krüger white cross
* 31.01.1940
† 11.12.1961
Ingo Krüger, Sporttaucher, versuchte mit Hilfe einer Taucherausrüstung durch die Spree zu flüchten. Seit Anfang November hatte er die Flucht zu seiner Verlobten in West-Berlin vorbereitet. Krüger arbeitete im Gästehaus der DDR-Regierung. Er ertrank bei dem Versuch, die Spree am Schiffbauerdamm zu durchqueren.
Ingo Krüger
Born January 31, 1940
Died December 11, 1961
Ingo Krüger, a recreational diver, attempted to escape through the Spree River using diving equipment. Since the beginning of November, he had been preparing to escape to his fiancée in West Berlin. Krüger worked in the guest house of the GDR government. He drowned while attempting to cross the Spree at Schiffbauerdamm.
Erected 2021 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 December 11, 1961.
Location. 52° 31.056′
this page online
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: Philipp Held (here, next to this marker); Lutz Haberlandt (here, next to this marker); Dieter Wohlfahrt (here, next to this marker); Axel Hannemann (here, next to this marker); Den Toten des Volkaufstandes vom 17. Juni 1953 (here, next to this marker); Chris Gueffroy (here, next to this marker); Werner Probst (here, next to this marker); Dieter Beilig (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Also see . . . Ingo Krueger (Chronik der Mauer). Excerpt:
Since he was an experienced skin diver, it seemed a good idea to escape through one of the many border waters with the help of diving equipment. Apparently a lot of people had had a similar idea because the number of people joining diving clubs in East Berlin skyrocketed after August 13, 1961. Ingo Krüger began preparing his escape in early November and observation reports show that Stasi agents were watching his every move. His escape route was to begin in the city center and continue across the Spree River to the Reichstag building. A number of(Submitted on October 11, 2025.)his friends helped him to prepare and his fiancée was also in on the plan. At around 11 p.m. on December 10, 1961, Ingo Krüger took a taxi with two friends to the Spree bank at Schiffbauerdamm. He was already wearing his diving suit under his coat. A friend who monitored boat traffic on the Spree was waiting for them. She advised him to enter the river beneath the Friedrichstrasse train station to avoid the East German customs boats that assisted in guarding the border. This way the boat crew would not see him. Ingo Krüger put on his scuba and entered the water. His friends stayed on the embankment and tried to keep an eye on him in the water, but they soon noticed that something had gone wrong.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 3, 20252. Ingo Krüger white cross - wide view (rightmost cross)
Meanwhile Ingrid R. was waiting in vain on the other side of the West Berlin bank. She watched in horror as East German customs officials began searching the water with hooks and spotlights. They eventually pulled a body out of the water and onto the boat. Despite the poor visibility, Ingrid R. was certain that the body belonged to her fiancé and that his escape attempt had failed. She was still hoping that he had survived the ordeal, but according to Berlin border police reports, the 21-year-old fugitive was already dead when they retrieved him from the water near the Marschall Bridge…
Additional keywords. weiße Kreuze
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
