The successful GSG 9 rescue of 87 hostages in Mogadishu effectively ended the German Autumn crisis and demonstrated the viability of specialized counter-terrorism units.
Key Facts
- Hijack date
- 13 October 1977
- Rescue date
- 18 October 1977
- Passengers rescued
- 87 passengers
- Crew rescued
- 4 crew members
- Hijackers
- 4 PFLP militants
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737-230C (reg. D-ABCE), named Landshut
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Four militants of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine hijacked Lufthansa Flight 181 on 13 October 1977 as part of the German Autumn campaign. Their goal was to pressure the West German government into releasing eleven Red Army Faction leaders from prison and two Palestinians held in Turkey.
The hijackers diverted the Boeing 737 through multiple countries before landing in Mogadishu, Somalia. During the ordeal, the captain was shot and killed by the hijackers. In the early hours of 18 October 1977, the West German GSG 9 counter-terrorism unit, supported by Somali Armed Forces, stormed the aircraft and freed all 87 passengers and four surviving crew members.
The successful rescue operation broke the leverage held by the Red Army Faction and its allies, effectively collapsing the German Autumn crisis. The operation established GSG 9's international reputation as an elite counter-terrorism force and influenced the development of similar units in other nations.