Regierungsvierte in Berlin in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Dieter Wohlfahrt
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 3, 2025
1. Dieter Wohlfahrt white cross
* 27.05.1941
† 09.12.1961
Dieter Wohlfahrt erfuhr im Spanien-Urlaub vom Mauerbau, wurde so zum Fluchthelfer. Er war erstes nichtdeutsches Todesopfer (Österreicher).
Wohlfahrt wohnte als Student der TU in West-Berlin, Mutter und Schwester im Osten. Er wurde Opfer einer Falle des MfS, als er in das MP-Feuer von DDR-Grenzen geriet.
Wohlfahrt verblutete im Licht aufgestellter Scheinwerfer Britischer MP an der Zonengrenze zwischen Staaken und dem Bezirk Spandau.
Er wurde so zum zum ersten ..Peter Fechter" an der Mauer.
Dieter Wohlfahrt
Born May 27, 1941
Died December 9, 1961
Dieter Wohlfahrt learned of the construction of the Berlin Wall while on vacation in Spain and thus became an escape helper. He was the first non-German (Austrian) to be killed.
Wohlfahrt was a student at the Technical University of West Berlin, and his mother and sister lived in the East. He fell victim to a trap set up by the Stasi when he was caught in the fire of border police while crossing
this page online
Wohlfahrt bled to death in the light of spotlights set up by British MPs at the zone border between Staaken and the Spandau district.
He thus became the first "Peter Fechter" at the Wall.
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 9, 1961.
Location. 52° 31.056′ N, 13° 22.607′ 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: Lutz Haberlandt (here, next to this marker); Axel Hannemann (here, next to this marker); Philipp Held (here, next to this marker); Chris Gueffroy (here, next to this marker); Ingo Krüger (here, next to this marker); Den Toten des Volkaufstandes vom 17. Juni 1953 (here, next to this marker); Dieter Beilig (here, next to this marker); Peter Fechter (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 3, 2025
2. Dieter Wohlfahrt white cross - wide view (second from right)
Wohlfahrt grew up in the GDR in Hohen Neuendorf. After high school he studied from 1961 chemistry at Technische Universität Berlin. Through his father he had the Austrian citizenship. Because of his nationality he could move freely between the two parts of Berlin and used this opportunity to help students to escape. At first he helped them to escape through the sewers until blocking measures made this impossible. Then he started to cut holes in the border fence at secluded places.(Submitted on October 12, 2025.)
On 9 December 1961 he cut, along with others, a hole in a fence between Staaken and Spandau, to help the mother of an acquaintance to the appointed escape. However, the mother had betrayed the plans to the authorities of the GDR. The GDR border guards shot at Wohlfahrth and his companions. Wohlfahrt was hit by a bullet in his chest and remained in the border area for one hour without medical care before succumbing to his injuries.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
