S Bahn

(the overhead railway in Berlin with a stop either side the Wall, one in the East, one the West, to be ridden with caution.) I never took the S Bahn you could end up on the other side if you missed your stop and unintentionally extended your ride. There were so many stories about the treatment you could get when the train was searched and you and the comrades met. Every coach was checked as they did their security round with very little chance to sit quietly and hope you wouldn’t be found. The Stasi were the bogey men the true inspirers of fear always aware of the lure of the west so enticingly near. Escapees tried so many ways lured by the call of democracy ready to risk everything for the chance of living free. They said the beatings were severe with not least the threatened hell of unlimited hours confinement in a dank and cheerless Stasi cell and then the double jeopardy of posted absent without leave with the additions punishments erring squaddies could receive. No I never rode the S Bahn that potential magnet to all to try and sneak on board and get to the Western side of the wall.