Comment by drcode
1 day ago
I think it's such a crazy idea, even if a 5 year old tell a teacher about it or something, who's going to take the story seriously?
1 day ago
I think it's such a crazy idea, even if a 5 year old tell a teacher about it or something, who's going to take the story seriously?
After they found the remains of the balloon from the first escape attempt, the Stasi put out a reward for information, I think everyone would take the story seriously at that point. It was why they decided they had to go through with the second attempt, because they were convinced the Stasi was going to catch them soon. But they had to buy the materials for that balloon after the Stasi had found the remains of their previous attempt.
> But they had to buy the materials for that balloon after the Stasi had found the remains of their previous attempt
The repressive state apparatus was moving too slow. Maybe they hoped there won't be a second attempt after the first one failed, maybe it wasn't promptly reported to the appartchikhs and handled internally by the Stasi to avoid backlash.
I would assume they did not tell them anything at all, until the time was there. And after the first failed attempt, they were probably shocked enough for real to understand the situation and keep their mouths shut.
Children put in serious situations are capable of much more serious behavior, than children who have only known comfort and safety.