Remember Sacrow. It was an idyllic exclave near Potsdam. But Sacrow was very close to the border. Consequently, the entire area was declared border territory. To enter Sacrow, one needed a special pass. The military presence was strong. The only access road was blocked and monitored by guards. Residents showed guards their special stamp daily. Here stands the Lothar Hennig Stele.
This Lothar Hennig Stele commemorates a tragic event. It marks the spot where Lothar Hennig’s life ended. Lothar Hennig was born on June 30, 1954, in Potsdam. He grew up in Sacrow.
Lothar Hennig knew the border territory well. He knew tricks to get around the rules. His sister remembers him as fun-loving. She remembers him as a crazy guy who surprised people. He loved music and knew the western music scene. Lothar Hennig organized disco events. He played hits from the West. He led the cultural affairs office into believing he maintained a 60/40 music balance.
To avoid army service in 1973, his sister believes Lothar Hennig caused a work accident. He did not enjoy his apprenticeship at VEB. The work was unhealthy. His relationship with his brigade was tense. In May 1975, Lothar Hennig switched to PGH Auto Service in Potsdam.
Lothar Hennig had many friends. He got along with residents and border guards. These relationships made him interesting to the Stasi. Why he became a Stasi informer in April 1975 is unknown. Months later, his case officer noted his discipline. He noted his reliability. However, his reports were irrelevant. Lothar Hennig was unwilling to betray people unconditionally. One night, he met a wet man who asked how to get to West Berlin. Lothar Hennig did not report him. The Stasi agent lectured him.
On November 4, 1975, Lothar Hennig returned from a Stasi meeting in Potsdam. There was a fugitive alarm in Sacrow. The bus driver was Lothar Hennig’s cousin. He warned him to be careful. The town was full of extra border guards. They sought a Soviet soldier. Lothar Hennig went to a bar in Potsdam around 7 p.m. He was drunk when he returned to Sacrow by bus. His cousin let him off at Weinmeisterweg. It was near his street. Lothar Hennig looked around and ran to his parents’ house.
He did not resist state orders. Yet, he did not hear someone calling him to halt. It was late. The street lighting was dim. He was almost home.
The guard was on duty in Sacrow that foggy night. He watched for anything unusual. He was a border soldier and Stasi informer. The guard saw Lothar Hennig arrive late. Lothar Hennig looked around. Then he ran. The guard found this suspicious. The guard chased Lothar Hennig. He called him to stop. The guard claimed this later. He went into a squatting position. He fired a warning shot. It was to hit the ground behind Lothar Hennig. Another guard saw the bullet spark on the sidewalk. Either the deflected bullet hit Lothar Hennig’s back or a second bullet did. A forensic exam did not occur. The guards gave first aid. A doctor arrived an hour later.
Lothar Hennig died at 1:30 a.m. in the Drewitz Army Hospital. An autopsy reported he died from internal bleeding. His lung was shattered. On June 26, 1996, the shooter was tried in Potsdam. He was sentenced to probation for bodily injury leading to death. The court accepted he did not intend to kill Lothar Hennig. He regretted it and apologized to the family.
On November 5, 1975, State Security informed Lothar Hennig’s mother of his death. A Potsdam state attorney visited the family. He lied. Lothar Hennig died in an accident of his own doing.
Residents heard the shots and groans. The family expressed dismay. They knew details of the incident. A month later, Lothar Hennig was buried. His mother demanded answers from the Minister of Defense. He referred her to military justice. The death certificate hid the cause. It said bleeding of the aorta caused death. Lothar Hennig’s family left Sacrow.
The Communist Party and National Front met in Sacrow. They tried to justify Lothar Hennig’s death. Though his killing was a crime, no investigation occurred. The Stasi evaluated the local mood. Relations between residents and border troops ended. A resident called it a mess. The Stasi noted reserve among border guards. A sergeant said they shot an innocent. A captain said they shot their best man in Sacrow. He had given tips to prevent border breaches. The Stasi weighed that Lothar Hennig did not betray a fugitive.
Despite no escape attempt, rumors persisted. The rumors said Lothar Hennig tried to escape. They said his family had to leave Sacrow. This Lothar Hennig Stele serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the human cost of division. It reminds us of the importance of freedom and justice.
Pause a moment. Reflect on Lothar Hennig’s life. Reflect on the events that led to his death. Remember the past so that we do not repeat it.