German Autumn: RAF Violence and Airport Crisis
October 18th, 1977
October 18th, 1977

How Long Ago?
47 years, 4 months, 25 days ago
Location
West Germany
Category
Crime & Law
People
- Hanns Martin Schleyer
- Red Army Faction Members
Links & References
Tags
German Autumn: RAF Violence and Airport Crisis
The German Autumn culminated in a tragic situation involving the Red Army Faction's (RAF) violent activities. Hanns Martin Schleyer, a prominent German industrialist, was kidnapped and held for ransom. During the same period, a Lufthansa flight was hijacked by RAF members. The crisis escalated until Schleyer was murdered by his captors, while several RAF members reportedly committed suicide. This series of events shocked Germany and highlighted the brutal tactics of domestic terrorism.
Hanns Martin Schleyer was kidnapped on September 5.
Lufthansa Flight 181 was hijacked by RAF members.
Schleyer was murdered on October 18, 1977.
Several RAF members allegedly committed suicide.
What Happened?
The events of the German Autumn were marked by intense political radicalism and violence in West Germany. The Red Army Faction, a far-left militant organization, was responsible for a series of kidnappings and attacks aimed at overthrowing the government. Hanns Martin Schleyer, the president of the German employer's association, was kidnapped on September 5, 1977, as part of a larger scheme to secure the release of imprisoned RAF members. The RAF's actions were a desperate cry for attention and a means to instigate social revolution. Alongside Schleyer's kidnapping, the RAF also executed a high-profile hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 181, seizing the aircraft and endangering the lives of numerous passengers and crew.Negotiations surrounding Schleyer’s ransom fell apart, leading to the more violent resolution of this crisis. On October 18, 1977, after diplomatic efforts failed, Schleyer was murdered by his captors in a manner that demonstrated the RAF's ruthless commitment to their cause. The same day, RAF members involved in the Lufthansa hijacking were reported to have committed suicide in a Berlin location, further amplifying the horror of this situation. The public reacted with shock and outrage, leading to increased governmental measures against terrorism and a rise in support for more severe anti-terror laws. This painful chapter in German history was a stark reminder of the lengths to which political extremism could lead individuals and groups.
Why Does it Matter?
The events of the German Autumn serve as significant markers in the study of domestic terrorism and political radicalism in West Germany. The radical activities of the RAF prompted society and the government to re-evaluate security measures and counter-terrorism strategies. This period of violence resulted in a lasting legacy of vigilance towards left-wing extremism in Germany and shaped national conversations about civil liberties versus security in times of crisis.
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