Flight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family's Daring Escape from East Germany

Summary

Commemorate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with the inspiring true story of Peter’s harrowing escape from East Berlin to West Berlin via hot–air balloon.

Peter was born on the east side of Germany, the side that wasn’t free. He watches news programs rather than cartoon and wears scratchy uniforms instead of blue jeans. His family endures long lines and early curfews.

But Peter knows it won’t always be this way. Peter and his family have a secret. Late at night in their attic, they are piecing together a hot-air balloon—and a plan.

Can Peter and his family fly their way to freedom?

This is the true story of one child, Peter Wetzel, and his family, as they risk their lives for the hope of freedom in a daring escape from East Germany via a handmade hot–air balloon in 1979.