History Daily: The Killing of Benno Ohnesorg

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of History Daily, host Lindsay Graham delves into the tragic and pivotal event of June 2, 1967—the killing of Benno Ohnesorg in West Berlin. Graham meticulously unpacks the incident, the ensuing trial, the widespread public outrage, and the long-hidden truths that emerged decades later, reshaping the historical narrative of modern Germany.

1. The Fateful Day: June 2, 1967

The episode opens with a vivid recounting of the events at the German Opera House in West Berlin. A young female student joins a crowd protesting the attendance of Iran’s Mohammad Reza Shah, whose government is infamous for its human rights abuses.

Lindsey Graham [00:26]: "Dusk on June 2, 1967, outside the German Opera House in West Berlin."

As tensions escalate, the protesters express their anger by hurling tomatoes and eggs at the visiting Shah and his wife. The situation spirals out of control when police officers, exhibiting sudden aggression, start pushing back the demonstrators with batons.

In the chaos, the young student becomes separated from her group and seeks refuge in an underground parking lot. It is here that the tragedy unfolds.

Lindsey Graham [01:19]: "She sees a young man lying on the ground. Blood pools around his head and standing over him, a police officer grips his pistol."

The victim is Benno Ohnesorg, a 26-year-old student attending his first protest. Ohnesorg is fatally shot, but his death initially remains shrouded in mystery and controversy.

2. The Trial of Karl Heinz Koras

Five months after Ohnesorg’s death, on November 21, 1967, Karl Heinz Koras, the policeman accused of the shooting, stands trial in a West Berlin courtroom.

Lindsey Graham [05:08]: "In a West Berlin courtroom five months after the death of Benno Ohnesorg, 39-year-old Karl Heinz Koras sits up straight."

Despite significant public outcry, the trial is fraught with issues. Koras claims he was attacked by protesters and fired a warning shot in self-defense.

Lindsey Graham [05:37]: "In his own testimony, Karl Heinz claimed to have been knocked down and beaten by 10 or 11 people at the protest."

However, the prosecution's case is severely weakened by missing evidence: the critical piece of Ohnesorg's skull containing the gunshot wound vanishes, the pistol magazine is never found, and Koras's uniform is inexplicably dry-cleaned before his arrest.

Lindsey Graham [06:08]: "All of this has led to rampant speculation in the press."

Ultimately, citing lack of evidence, the judge acquits Koras of murder, convicting him only of negligent homicide. The demotion from police intelligence to a local investigations department is seen by many as a mere formality, fueling further public distrust.

Lindsey Graham [06:35]: "Citing a lack of evidence, he issues a verdict of not guilty."

3. Public Outrage and the Birth of Militant Movements

The acquittal sparks widespread suspicion of a state cover-up. Many believe that the police deliberately misplaced evidence to protect Koras and, by extension, the establishment.

Lindsey Graham [07:16]: "Several suspect a state cover-up that Benno was murdered by the police and the authorities then deliberately misplaced the evidence."

Protests intensify, with rallies demanding justice for Ohnesorg. The young generation, disillusioned with the remnants of Germany’s authoritarian past, increasingly joins groups like the Socialist German Students Union (SDS), advocating for deeper societal reforms.

Lindsey Graham [07:42]: "But many students see the West Berlin police force as a dangerous relic of the country's past."

This unrest paves the way for the emergence of militant left-wing groups, notably the Red Army Faction (RAF) and the 2nd of June Movement, which name themselves after the date of Ohnesorg's killing. These groups adopt violent tactics, including bombings and kidnappings, viewing such actions as legitimate forms of resistance.

4. The Kidnapping of Peter Lawrence

On February 27, 1975, a dramatic incident unfolds as Peter Lawrence, a prominent politician poised to become West Berlin's first Conservative mayor in two decades, is kidnapped by the 2nd of June Movement.

Lindsey Graham [11:40]: "It's just before 9am on February 27, 1975, in West Berlin... Peter is poised to become West Berlin's first Conservative mayor in 20 years."

Lawrence is abducted and held hostage with a ransom demand: the release of six imprisoned anarchists. The kidnappers seek to use Lawrence's position to further their agenda against the government, linking their actions back to the unresolved tensions from Ohnesorg's death.

The situation reaches a climax when, coinciding with the West Berlin elections, Lawrence is released unharmed after the government complies with the kidnappers' demands, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of Ohnesorg's assassination on German politics and society.

5. Decades-Later Revelations: Unveiling the Truth

Fast forward to May 23, 2009, forty years after Ohnesorg's death. Karl Heinz Koras, now retired, faces renewed scrutiny as his name resurfaces in newspaper headlines.

Lindsey Graham [17:29]: "Now 81, Karl Heinz Koras walks slowly to the store entrance. He's on his way to pick up more beer."

Historical documents reveal that Koras was not merely a rogue policeman but an undercover agent for the East German secret police, the Stasi. This revelation suggests that his actions on June 2, 1967, were influenced by his allegiance to socialist ideologies rather than the fascist tendencies previously assumed.

Lindsey Graham [18:09]: "Historians have now uncovered documents revealing that Karl Heinz was actually an undercover spy for the Communists."

This new perspective challenges longstanding beliefs about the nature of Ohnesorg's killing and the motivations behind it, indicating that the incident was less about persisting fascist elements and more about Cold War-era political machinations.

Koras's silence until his death in 2014 leaves the true circumstances of the shooting in ambiguity, ensuring that debates and questions about that fateful day continue to resonate in Germany's collective memory.

6. Legacy and Continuing Questions

The killing of Benno Ohnesorg remains a watershed moment in German history, symbolizing the clash between youth movements and a government perceived as outdated and oppressive. The subsequent rise of militant groups and the eventual revelation of Koras's true affiliations highlight the complex interplay of political ideologies during the Cold War era.

Lindsey Graham [19:05]: "The revelation that Benno's killer was inspired by socialism and not fascism upset all preconceptions about the case."

This episode underscores the enduring impact of Ohnesorg's death on Germany's path towards democracy and human rights, while also illustrating how historical truths can remain obscured for decades, only to resurface and redefine our understanding of the past.

Lindsey Graham [19:27]: "The revelation ensures that for years to come, questions will continue to be asked about what really happened and why a young student was gunned down in a Berlin protest."

Conclusion

History Daily provides a comprehensive exploration of Benno Ohnesorg's assassination, weaving together eyewitness accounts, trial proceedings, public reactions, and historical revelations. Through Lindsay Graham's narration, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how a single event can ignite widespread social movements and leave a lasting imprint on a nation's history.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lindsey Graham [00:26]: "Dusk on June 2, 1967, outside the German Opera House in West Berlin."

• Lindsey Graham [05:08]: "In a West Berlin courtroom five months after the death of Benno Ohnesorg, 39-year-old Karl Heinz Koras sits up straight."

• Lindsey Graham [06:35]: "Citing a lack of evidence, he issues a verdict of not guilty."

• Lindsey Graham [07:16]: "Several suspect a state cover-up that Benno was murdered by the police and the authorities then deliberately misplaced the evidence."

• Lindsey Graham [11:40]: "It's just before 9am on February 27, 1975, in West Berlin... Peter is poised to become West Berlin's first Conservative mayor in 20 years."

• Lindsey Graham [17:29]: "Now 81, Karl Heinz Koras walks slowly to the store entrance. He's on his way to pick up more beer."

• Lindsey Graham [18:09]: "Historians have now uncovered documents revealing that Karl Heinz was actually an undercover spy for the Communists."

• Lindsey Graham [19:05]: "The revelation that Benno's killer was inspired by socialism and not fascism upset all preconceptions about the case."

Credits

History Daily is brought to life by a dedicated team including Lindsey Graham (Host), Angus Gavin Nicard (Writer and Researcher), Joel Cowan (Editor), Emily Burke (Managing Producer), and executive producers William Simpson (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser).