LHCMA Catalogue: Papers relating to <i>Fall of the Wall</i> television documentary about the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 Nov 1989, 1994

Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives

Copyright: The texts of the detailed catalogues are the copyright of King's College London and are made available for private research only.

Papers relating to Fall of the Wall television documentary about the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 Nov 1989, 1994.

FALLOFTHEWALL 1 1994 Oct 25

Programme scripts for two episodes of the television documentary titled Fall of the Wall, examining events leading up to the opening of the border between East and West Germany and the destruction of the Berlin Wall, listing sound and picture content. 40pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 2 [1994]

Press releases announcing the two television documentary episodes of Fall of the Wall, examining events leading up to the opening of the border between East and West Germany and the destruction of the Berlin Wall, titled 'A hole in the fence' and 'The fatal error'. 5pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/1 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Uwe Chemnitz, conscript in the East German riot policy, describing the police preparations for responding to the anti-government demonstrations in Leipzig, 1989. 15pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/2 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Michael Dulik, East German citizen, describing the atmosphere in Dresden when the train carrying East German refugees was passing through the city, Oct 1989. Also describes participating in the demonstration for government reform in Dresden, 8 Oct 1989, his arrest by the Staatssicherheitsdienst (Stasi), detention and maltreatment of demonstrators at Bautzen, East Germany, and their release; response in East Germany to reports of the use of force against Chinese student demonstrators in Tianamen Square, Beijing, China, Jun 1989, and the political reforms in Chile, Mar 1989. 13pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/3 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Werner Eberlein and Mrs Eberlein. Mr Eberlein, member of German Democratic Republic Politburo and government official in Magdeburg, 1989, describes his communist education and childhood in Germany and USSR during the 1930s; his exile in Siberia and the execution of his father; the economic situation in East Germany in the 1980s and the shortage of goods due to over-export; the character of Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Socialist Unity (Communist) Party, German Democratic Republic 1971-1989; the reaction of East Germans to the visit of Mikhail Gorbachev at the German Democratic Republic's Fortieth Anniversary celebrations, East Berlin 6 October 1989; demonstrations against the government in Magdeburg; and the opening of the East German border in Berlin, 9 Nov 1989. Mrs Eberlein, a school teacher describes her visit to Leningrad with her students. 42pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/4 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Pfarrer Christian Führer, dissident East German priest, Nicolaikirche, Leipzig, describing the demonstrations in Leipzig, Sep-Oct 1989. 11pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/5 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Andreas Gönsch, East German citizen describing the demonstration in Dresden following the passage through that city of the train carrying East German refugees from Prague, Czechoslovakia, 8 Oct 1989, the arrest, detention and ill treatment of demonstrators by East German security forces, Staatssicherheitsdienst (Stasi). 11pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/6 1994 Jun

Typescript transcript of translated interview 30 May 1994, with Otto Von Habsburg, President of International Pan European Union since 1971, member of European Parliament since 1979, explaining his role as host of the Pan-European Picnic at Sopron, Hungary on 19 Aug 1989, its initial aim and ultimate significance in the fall of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall. Mentions the involvement of Imre Poszgay, Hungarian Minister of State, and his daughter Walburga Von Habsburg. 27pp, page 24 missing

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/7 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Jens Illing, conscript in East German riot police in Leipzig during demonstration of 9 Oct 1989, describing the moral of the armed forces and their reluctance to use force against civilian demonstrators. 16pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/8 1994 Jun 6

Typescript transcript of translated interview 22 May 1994, with Milos Jakes, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia 1987-1989, describing the character of Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Socialist Unity (Communist) Party, German Democratic Republic 1971-1989; German - Soviet relations; the role of sport in East German recognition; attitude of the Czech government to East German refugees in the West Germany Embassy, Prague; Honecker's solution to Prague refugee crisis; effect of opening of Hungarian border on 19 Aug 1989; the presence of Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USSR 1985-1991, at the German Democratic Republic's Fortieth Anniversary celebrations, East Berlin 6 October 1989; response of East Germans to Gorbachev. 64pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/9 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Dr Michael Jansen, member of the West German diplomatic core involved in 10 Sep 1989 announcement to East German refugees in Hungary of opening of the Austrian Hungarian border.19pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/10 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Catrin Ulbricht present at Dresden demonstration, Nov 1989, and Kathrin Köhler who was arrested during the demonstration in Dresden which occurred as the train carrying East German refugees was passing through the city, Oct 1989. 10pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/11 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Helmut Hackenberg, Leipzig Communist Party First Secretary, discussing the police response to the anti-government demonstrations in Leipzig, Oct 1989. 17pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/12 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Herrn Henschel, member of Leipzig police, discussing police strategy against anti-government demonstrators in Leipzig, Oct 1989. 9pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/13 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Harry Lux, East German, describing the surveillance of his family by the East German security, Staatssicherheitsdienst (Stasi); gatherings of East Germans at holiday camps in Hungary; offers of assistance to East Germans wishing to cross the Hungarian border; crossing the Hungarian border to Austria, at Sopron during the Pan European Picnic, and their welcome in Austria, 19 Aug 1989. 10pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/14 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Silvia Lux, East German teacher, describing the pressure exerted on her to join the Communist party, and the loss of her job when she continued to refuse; being under surveillance by East German security forces, Staatssicherheitsdienst (Stasi); investigation of her father-in-law for spying; thwarted attempt to flee from East Germany with her family; visit to Hungary and attempt to reach the West German embassy in Prague; traveling to Sopron on the Hungarian border with Austria during the Pan European Picnic; crossing the border into Austria and their welcome in Austria, 19 Aug 1989. 7pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/15 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Franz Stein, East German Community Party secretary describing the Party response to the demonstrations in Leipzig, assessment of unreliability of local police forces in controlling the demonstrations, and growth of mass opposition to the Party. 7pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/16 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Herrn Strassenburg, Leipzig police chief, describing Discussions with leaders of government and security forces, Staatssicherheitsdienst (Stasi), concerning the police response to the demonstrations in Leipzig, Sep-Oct 1989; and the decision not to use force against the demonstration, 9 Oct 1989. 13pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/17 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Hans-Dietrich Genscher, West German Foreign Minister during 1989, describing West German discussions with Hungarian leaders including Nemeth Hungarian Prime Minister, and Gyula Horn, Hungarian Foreign Minister, concerning Hungary's moves toward political reform and West German economic assistance; decisions concerning the transportation of East German refugees from the West German Embassy in Prague, by train to West Germany, Oct 1989; and the opening of the border between Hungary and Austria. Also comments on meeting with Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Foreign Minister, Bonn, May 1988. 9 pp (2 copies) Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/18 [1994]

Typescript transcript of translated interview with Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USSR 1985-1991 and first President 1990-1991, discussing changes in Soviet policy; development of perestroika under his leadership; meetings with Soviet bloc leaders in Moscow attending Konstantin Chernenko's funeral, 1985; response of members of the Warsaw Pact to perestroika; relations with Erich Honecker (General secretaries of the Socialist Unity (Communist) Party, German Democratic Republic 1971-1989); attendance of the East German Fortieth Anniversary celebrations, October 1989 and subsequent meetings with East German leaders. 10pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/19 1994 Jun 4

Typescript transcript of translated interview 24 May 1994, with Gyula Kovacs, Hungarian border control commander during 1989, describing the changes in the administration of Hungary's border with Austria. Mentions the function of the electronic border fence; decision to dismantle the fence, 2 May 1989; the visit of Gyula Horn, Hungarian Foreign Minister, and Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister, to Sopron, Hungary, 28 Jun 1989 to view the dismantling. Also describes special border arrangements for the Pan-European Picnic at Sopron, 19 Aug 1989, an event organised by Hungarian Democratic Forum to celebrate the opening of the border and included a ceremonial crossing which was upstaged by numbers of East Germans refugees crossing the west. 72pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/20 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Egon Krenz, General Secretary of the Socialist Unity (Communist) Party and responsible for internal security, and Chairman of the Council of State, German Democratic Republic (GDR), Oct-Dec 1989, discussing the law granting exit visas to East Germans. 54pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/21 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Gerhard Lauter, German Democratic Republic Interior Ministry official responsible for East Germans visa arrangements, discussing public announcement of granting of exit visas to East Germans, Nov 9 1989. 18 pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/22 1994 Jun 5

Typescript transcript of interview 24 May 1994, with Dr Laszlo Mayas, organiser of Pan European Picnic, describing the picnic arrangements at Sopron, Hungary, 19 Aug 1989 to mark the dismantling of the electronic fence along the Austrian - Hungarian border. Also describes the crossing of East Germans to Austria preempting the ceremonial border opening. 39pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/23 1994 Jun 8

Typescript transcript of translated interview 26 May 1994, with Miklós Németh, Hungarian Prime Minister 1988-1990, discussing the emergence of multi-party democracy in Hungary; his first meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USSR 1985-1991 and first President 1990-1991, Mar 1989; plans for the rehabilitation and reburial of Imre Nagy (former Hungarian prime minister executed by the Soviets in 1958); plan for dismantling Austrian – Hungarian border fence; Hungary's signing of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 28 July 1951, Mar 1989 and its implications for East German refugees; relationship with East German government; visit of US President George Bush to Hungary, Jul 1989; meeting with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl 25 Aug 1989; decision to open Hungarian borders and response of East German government; and the influence of Eduard Shevardnadze, USSR Foreign Minister, on Soviet foreign policy. 95pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/24 1994 Jun 2, 6

Typescript transcript of interview with Mark Palmer, US Ambassador to Hungary 1986 – 1990 describing the visit of George H W Bush, US President, 1989-1992, to Hungary, Jul 1989; the US attitude to Hungarian reforms; and his own support for the Hungarian opposition parties. 13pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/25 1994 Jun 3

Typescript transcript of translated interview 24 May 1994, with Imre Poszgay, Hungarian Minister of State during 1988-1989 and reform leader, describing the Hungarian reform movement; the rehabilitation and reburial in1989 of Imre Nagy (1896-1958), Hungarian Prime Minister 1953-1955 and again in 1956 during the anti-Soviet uprising, executed in 1958; their relationship with the Soviet Union; decision to open the Austrian Hungarian border; East German refugees in Hungary; involvement with the Pan European Picnic, 19 Aug 1989; meeting of Hungarian and West German leaders in Bonn 1989; Hungary's relationship with German Democratic Republic government and the response of the latter to the announcement of opening of Hungarian border. 68pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/26 1994 Jun 5

Typescript transcript of translated interview 26 May 1994, with Istvan Roka, Hungarian border official, describing events of 19 Aug 1989 at the Austrian Hungarian border, the first crossing of East German refugees during the Pan European picnic at Sopron, Hungary. 26pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/27 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Silvio Rösler, member of East German riot police 1988 - 1989, describing police preparations for responding to the anti-government demonstration in Leipzig planned for 9 Oct 1989. 14pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/28 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Wolfgang Rähder and Mrs Rähder, mother and stepfather of Jens Illing, conscript in East German riot police (see item 3/7), and residents of Leipzig, describing their motivation in participating in the demonstrations in Leipzig against the East German government; their son's warning concerning the planned use of force against demonstration planned for 9 Oct 1989; and the speech of Kurt Masur, East German musician to the demonstrators. 12pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/29 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview 22 May 1994, with Stefan Rybar, resident of Prague during 1989, describing the road blocks around the West German embassy in Prague, Oct 1989, and assisting two East Germans to enter the embassy compound, 1989. 15pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/30 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Günter Schabowzski, member of the German Democratic Republic Politburo and East Berlin Party Secretary, describing events leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, including the Fortieth Anniversary celebrations on German Democratic Republic Oct 1989 and the announcement of the granting of exit visas to East Germans, 9 Nov 1989. 39pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/31 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Siegfried Schefke, German Democratic Republic Politburo member, commenting on his support for political reform and describing his role in making film documentaries of East German life which were smuggled to West Germany for broadcast, including film of the Leipzig demonstration 9 Oct 1989. 11pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/32 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Gerhard Schürer, East German politburo member and head of State Plan Commission, describing the economic situation in East Germany and its development during the 1970s and 1980s. Also comments on the relationship between Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Socialist Unity (Communist) Party, German Democratic Republic 1971-1989 and Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USSR 1985-1991 and first President 1990-1991, Honecker's resignation and East German relations with Hungary. 44pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/33 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Rolf Sickert, railway worker, describing demonstration in Dresden whilst trains from Prague carrying East German refugees to West Germany passes through station, Oct 1989. 4pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/34 1994 Jun 1

Typescript transcript of translated interview, 22 May 1994, with Miroslav Stepan, Prague Communist Party Secretary, discussing the Czechoslovakian reform program in 1989; the gathering of East German refugees in the West German embassy in Prague, 1989; relationship with the East German government; arrangements for transporting the East Germans to West Germany, Oct 1989. 35 pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/35 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Helmut Stöss, Staatssicherheitsdienst (Stasi) (East German State Security) officer on duty at Bornholmer Street border crossing in Berlin, describing the opening of the border between East and West Berlin on 9 Nov 1989. 16pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/36 1994 Jun 5

Typescript transcript of interview 26 May 1994, with Janos Szaluntai, Hungarian border guard, describing activities and location of the guards at the Austrian - Hungarian border during the Pan European Picnic, Sopron, Hungary, 19 Aug 1989. 6pp

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/37 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Horst Teltschik, foreign policy advisor to West German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, during 1989, describing the economic conditions in Hungary and Poland; discussions concerning West German economic assistance for Hungary and meetings with Hungarian government officials 1987-1989. Also comments on meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, USSR 1985-1991 and first President 1990-1991, in 1988 and 1990. 14pp Language: German

FALLOFTHEWALL 3/38 [1994]

Typescript transcript of interview with Dorothee Wilms, West German Minister for inter German relations during 1989, describing the visit of Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Socialist Unity (Communist) Party, German Democratic Republic 1971-1989, to West Germany. 12pp Language: German

Last modified: Monday, 08-Aug-2005 13:19:51 BST