Criminal Podcast Episode Summary: "Under the Wall"

Podcast Information

• Title: Criminal
• Host/Author: Vox Media Podcast Network
• Description: Criminal explores stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or found themselves caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge, it was named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times.
• Episode: Under the Wall
• Release Date: October 11, 2024

Introduction to the Berlin Wall

Phoebe Judge sets the stage for a deep dive into the history and personal stories surrounding the Berlin Wall, a pivotal symbol of the Cold War era.

The Rise of the Berlin Wall

In October 1961, Joakim Rudolph, an engineering student in West Berlin, experiences the sudden erection of the Berlin Wall—a barrier erected by the East German government to prevent citizens from fleeing to West Berlin. The Wall's construction was a surprise to many, including the commanders who were unaware of the operation until the very evening it began.

Joakim Rudolph explains at [02:01]:

"The commanders who were in charge of this had no idea that they were about to do this until that evening when they open these envelopes, these secret envelopes, and they're given their instructions."

The Wall, initially consisting of barbed wire, soon evolved into a fortified barrier with concrete slabs, guard towers, and patrols, effectively splitting Berlin into East and West. Families were abruptly divided, and East Germans found themselves trapped with limited freedoms.

Life Under the East German Regime

Helena Merriman provides context on the oppressive nature of East Germany under Soviet influence. The state-controlled police force, the Stasi, employed pervasive surveillance and psychological tactics to suppress dissent.

At [06:14], Joakim Rudolph details the Stasi's invasive methods:

"Their job was very simple. Its job was to keep the party in power... they trained up hundreds of thousands of people to become informants."

The economic situation was dire, with rising food costs and decreasing wages, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and increased emigration attempts. By 1961, approximately 4 million East Germans had left in search of better opportunities in the West.

Joakim Rudolph's Decision to Escape

At [14:21], Rudolph recounts his personal awakening:

"He picks up a newspaper... seeing a list of everyone who had turned their radio aerials to the west. That was the moment for Joakim where he suddenly saw himself in a country where you can't listen to what you want... That was his breaking point."

Determined to escape the oppressive regime, Joakim and his friends plan and execute a daring escape through a tunnel built beneath the Berlin Wall.

Construction of the Escape Tunnel

The group identifies a potential site—a factory building that produces cocktail stirrers. Posing as a jazz band, they gain access to the cellar, where they begin digging.

At [18:07], Helena Merriman introduces the technical challenges:

"They need to dig up into it, but they didn't know the people who live there. They decided to go ahead with the plan anyway."

Joakim Rudolph describes the meticulous efforts to ensure the tunnel's stability and functionality:

"He rigs up a lighting system... connects 160 different bits of pipe to bring fresh air down to the front."

The tunnel, meticulously planned and ingeniously constructed, was dubbed Tunnel 29, named after the number of successful escapes it eventually facilitated.

First Escape Attempt and NBC Involvement

During the initial escape attempt on [23:00], the group organizes a mass escape facilitated by a hidden NBC camera crew funding the operation in exchange for real-time footage. This unprecedented collaboration aimed to bring global attention to the plight of East Germans under Soviet rule.

Joakim Rudolph explains the secrecy involved:

"They agreed to give them $7,500 if the diggers let them film the whole thing in real time. So it sort of the birth of reality TV."

However, an informant tipped off the Stasi, leading to a dramatic confrontation where Joakim and his team narrowly escaped detection, though many escapees were captured.

Successful Escape Through Tunnel 29

Undeterred by the initial failure, Joakim and his team refine their approach. On September 14, with enhanced secrecy and improved tunnel infrastructure, they orchestrate their second escape attempt.

At [29:11], Joakim Rudolph recounts the tense moments:

"She crawls out and she gets to the ladder. And halfway up the ladder she collapses. And one of the diggers catches her and manages to take her up the rest of the way."

This successful operation saw 29 people escape through Tunnel 29, earning it historical significance. The Stasi, unaware of the tunnel's existence, were later infuriated upon discovering the breach, highlighting the tunnel's effectiveness and the Stasi's limitations.

Impact and Aftermath

The televised success of Tunnel 29's escape significantly shifted public perception in the West, humanizing the Cold War tensions and highlighting individual bravery against oppressive regimes.

Joakim Rudolph reflects at [33:34]:

"Whenever they would see footage of it, it was often tanks sitting there. But here, suddenly you had this human story... made this issue feel personal and relevant."

The episode concludes with Joakim's personal life, where his involvement in the escape leads to meeting his future wife, Evie—another escapee—illustrating the profound personal impacts of such daring endeavors.

Conclusion

"Under the Wall" offers a gripping narrative of courage, ingenuity, and the human spirit's resilience against oppression. Through Joakim Rudolph's firsthand account, listeners gain an intimate understanding of life under the Berlin Wall and the lengths to which individuals would go to attain freedom.

Notable Quotes:

• Joakim Rudolph at [02:01]:

  "The commanders who were in charge of this had no idea that they were about to do this until that evening when they open these envelopes, these secret envelopes, and they're given their instructions."

• Joakim Rudolph at [06:14]:

  "Their job was very simple. Its job was to keep the party in power... they trained up hundreds of thousands of people to become informants."

• Joakim Rudolph at [14:21]:

  "That was his breaking point. That's when he decides to escape."

• Joakim Rudolph at [33:34]:

  "It was often tanks sitting there. But here, suddenly you had this human story... made this issue feel personal and relevant."

Additional Resources:

• Book: Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman
• BBC Podcast: Tunnel 29 featuring Helena Merriman
• Illustrations: Julian Alexander (@thisiscriminal.com)
• Membership: Criminal Plus for ad-free episodes and bonus content

Follow Criminal:

• Website: thisiscriminal.com
• Facebook & Twitter: @criminalshow
• Instagram: @criminalpodcast
• YouTube: Criminal Podcast

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the episode's narrative and key discussions.