NathanThe Plan Fractures
Günter Wetzel could not bear the slow progress being made and decided that enough was enough. He informed Strelzyk telling him that he wanted to drop the whole plan for another. But his dear friend could not be influenced and was even more determined now. Strelzyk found that when the propane tank was flipped it increases pressure for enough flame. So now the balloon works!
Getting Air
As of July 3, 1979, after midnight, Peter Strelzyk, his wife Doris, and their kids Frank and Andreas got on board the balloon without Wetzel and his family. The balloon soon reached 6,600 feet, high off the ground leading them towards their freedom. They ran into a cloud that caused condensation to occur, dragging the balloon down the balloon, causing them to take an emergency landing.
The Wrong Way
They took a bread bag which highlighted the name of the local bakery and the town they were in. They were still in East Germany. They now had to get past the border without being noticed. For 9 hours, they rushed away to form their balloon and further away from the borders. After leaving the site and balloon, the Strelzyk family walked about 9 miles to get to their abandoned car.
A Shocking Discovery
The fact that there was a crashed balloon made quite obvious that there would be people alarmed. The Stasi got to know about the balloon the next day. The balloon resulted in a high alert as expected. Strelzyk rightfully panicked. He got rid of all of his possession that could potentially link him to the abandoned balloon. He needed to speak to Wetzel. How would he react though?
Reuniting
After Strelzyk spoke to him, Wetzel was forced to confront the truth. He was aware that even if they were just looking for Strelzyk, the Stasi would wind up searching for him too. If he did not patch things up and get on board with Strezyk, there was a chance of grave torture and jail time for him now. They now needed to escape East Germany more than ever.
The Trap Is Closing
On August 14, 1979, a month following the time the Strelzyk family’s failed escape attempt there was a public Stasi published that the owners of the balloon they discovered were wanted. Wetzel and Strelzyk had to leave immediately. Thye had tweaked all their technique and the aerodynamics. Four miles of thread and 23 weeks of construction resulted in their 3rd balloon. Would they make it in time?