Jörg S. decided to flee with his friends Erich E., Gerd Sch. and W. in July 1962. At the time Jörg S. was serving as a conscript at the Berlin Wall. This was supposed to assist them in their escape plan. On August 1, 1962, Jörg S. arranged to be assigned rear guard at the road barrier on Swinemünder Straße. At about 9.15 p.m., Erich E. and W. entered the border area. After Jörg S. pretended to check their papers, they headed for the building at Swinemünder Straße 23. A short time later, Jörg S. asked the squad leader G. to come to the building where civilians had been found. When Private G. entered the back courtyard, one of the fugitives knocked him down with a shovel. Then Jörg S., Erich E. and W. ran towards the Berlin Wall. When the squad leader recovered from the blow, he set off a border alarm by firing ten shots from his Kalashnikov. But the other border guards were unable to prevent the escape. Gerd Sch., who had been waiting at the road barrier, decided not to flee when he heard the shots. He was arrested in his hometown a few days later.