True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics True Spies Debriefs: James Stejskal in Berlin as The Wall fell
Nov 5, 2024
James Stejskal, an ex-special forces operative with a rich background in espionage, shares firsthand accounts of the dramatic events as the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989. He vividly describes the jubilant chaos and the global scramble for Stasi intelligence amid the historic shift. The discussion delves into the emotional impact of newfound freedom, the frenzied destruction of crucial files, and the implications for international intelligence operations. Stejskal's insights paint a gripping picture of a momentous time in history.
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Stejskal's time in Berlin
- James Stejskal had two stints in Berlin, one from 1977-1981 and another from 1984-1989.
- He returned to Berlin the day after the wall opened in 1989.
West Berlin Atmosphere
- West Berlin felt like a "prisoner of war camp" due to its isolated location within East Germany, requiring special permission to leave.
- The atmosphere was tense, with a constant awareness of the nearby communist country and the ever-present threat of World War III.
Reverse Divorce
- The fall of the Berlin Wall led to a complex reunification process between East and West Germany, likened to a "reverse divorce."
- Western intelligence agencies sought to obtain the Stasi's extensive files on spies in the West.