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The Longest Hijacking in History

IMPERIAL・22 minutes read

A commando squad of militants kidnaps Hanns Martin Schleyer in Cologne, holding him hostage for 43 days in an attempt to release RAF members from prison. The German Autumn of the 1970s, marked by violence and terror, showcased Germany's cultural resilience and socio-political significance through a series of terrorist attacks and a successful counter-terrorism effort.

Insights

  • The Red Army Faction (RAF), an anti-capitalist militant group, orchestrated the kidnapping of Hanns Martin Schleyer in an attempt to secure the release of their imprisoned leader Andreas Baader, showcasing their willingness to resort to extreme measures for their cause.
  • The German Autumn of the 1970s, marked by violent incidents like the Schleyer kidnapping and Lufthansa hijacking, led to heightened state control, self-censorship, and societal fear, impacting German society and drawing parallels to historical periods of political instability like the decline of the Weimar Republic.

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Recent questions

  • What was the Red Army Faction?

    A militant anti-capitalist group in Germany.

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Summary

00:00

"RAF kidnaps Schleyer, hijacks Lufthansa Flight"

  • A commando squad of militants in Cologne intercepts Hanns Martin Schleyer by causing a collision with his vehicles using a baby carriage.
  • Five gunmen emerge, killing three police officers and the chauffeur, while Schleyer is taken hostage in a white VW bus.
  • Schleyer is held captive for 43 days in two locations, Erfstadt-Liblar and Brussels, by the Red Army Faction (RAF).
  • The RAF, an anti-capitalist militant group, had previously committed various attacks, including the murder of the West-German attorney general and a failed rocket attack.
  • Schleyer's kidnapping was an attempt to force the release of RAF members from prison, particularly their leader Andreas Baader.
  • The RAF escalated by involving a Palestinian militant group, PFLP, to hijack a German airliner from Mallorca.
  • The hijackers, posing as tourists, acquire weapons and explosives in Mallorca, following training in Baghdad.
  • On October 13, 1977, the hijackers board Lufthansa Flight 181, rerouting it to Rome and then Cyprus due to fuel constraints.
  • The West-German government mobilizes GSG9 to intercept the hijacked plane in Cyprus, but they miss the opportunity.
  • Negotiations in Cyprus fail, leading to the plane traveling to multiple destinations, with the ultimatum to release prisoners by a set deadline.

15:06

German Autumn: Hijacking, Rescue, and Red Army

  • Wischnewski convinces UAE Defense Minister Rashid al Maktum to allow a scouting operation on his territory with UAE forces participating.
  • Disguised as mechanics, the team delivers supplies to the aircraft, including a birthday cake for a stewardess.
  • Negotiations with the hijackers continue past the deadline, leading to the aircraft attempting to land at Oman's Masirah airport but being denied.
  • The plane loses track over Yemeni airspace, eventually landing in Aden with minimal fuel.
  • Chancellor Schmidt authorizes a more forceful approach after the plane lands in Aden.
  • A rescue operation is staged in Mogadishu after negotiations with the Somali president.
  • GSG9 commandos conduct a successful assault on the hijacked plane, neutralizing the hijackers.
  • The Red Army Faction's influence declines after the Mogadishu incident, eventually disbanding in 1998.
  • The German Autumn of the 1970s was marked by violence and terror, instilling fear and paranoia in the public.
  • The period's impact on German society led to increased state control, self-censorship, and comparisons to the decline of the Weimar Republic.

31:35

Germany's Response to 1977 Terror Attacks

  • The German media focused on the events of 1977, known as the German Autumn, which included a series of terrorist attacks. The German government has worked to bring closure by prosecuting the perpetrators, with some still at large. Monuments and memorials have been dedicated to the victims, and in 2017, an old Lufthansa aircraft was bought back to be exhibited at the Dornier Museum. The German Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of not letting terrorism prevail, especially during heightened threats in Europe. The German Autumn was characterized by 5 months of terror, a 43-day kidnapping, and a 5-day hijacking spanning 6 countries, ultimately resolved by German Counter-Terrorism forces, showcasing Germany's cultural resilience and socio-political significance.
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