Geheimakte

Geheimakte

Die rätselhaftesten Kriminalfälle Deutschlands

Transkript

Zurück zur Episode

Geheimakte 1972

von

Christoph Lemmer

August 2022

Episode 11 ENGLISH

Outbreak

Stimmen:

Stimmen: Ankie (Cordula Senfft)

Stimmen: Aktenstimme (Sebastian Riechel)

Stimmen: Kapitän. Claussen (Gerrit Kohr)

Stimmen: Copilot Maier (Roland Braun)

Stimmen: Purser (Marcus Lucas)

Stimmen: Constanze Marx (Lisa Augenthaler)

Stimmen: Maja Meincke (Nadine Werner)

Stimmen: Detektiv Niemann (Djamil Deininger)

Stimmen: LH-Logbuch (Christian Schwietzke)

Stimmen: FS-Dialog 1 (Florentine Kary)

Stimmen: FS-Dialog 2 (Mark Geisler)

Stimmen: Christoph

Flight LH 615. A Boeing 727, a medium-haul jet that was widely used at the time. Three jet engines, one on each wing and one at the rear of the tail. On October 29, 1972, the jet with flight number LH 615 took off at around 5 a.m. on a short flight from Damascus to Beirut. No passengers on board, they only board in Beirut. The regular crew only takes over in Beirut. According to the flight plan, the plane is scheduled to take off from Beirut at 5: 45 a.m. and initially fly to Ankara in Turkey. From there on to Munich and finally to Frankfurt. It turns out differently. Flight LH 615 represents the final chapter in the attack by Palestinian terrorists on the Israeli Olympic team. We have meticulously reconstructed what happened that day. And we are also investigating a scandalous suspicion voiced by Ankie Spitzer, the widow of the murdered André Spitzer.

Flight LH 615. A Boeing 727, a medium-haul jet that was widely used at the time. Three jet engines, one on each wing and one at the rear of the tail. On October 29, 1972, the jet with flight number LH 615 took off at around 5 a.m. on a short flight from Damascus to Beirut. No passengers on board, they only board in Beirut. The regular crew only takes over in Beirut. According to the flight plan, the plane is scheduled to take off from Beirut at 5: Ankie

Flight LH 615. A Boeing 727, a medium-haul jet that was widely used at the time. Three jet engines, one on each wing and one at the rear of the tail. On October 29, 1972, the jet with flight number LH 615 took off at around 5 a.m. on a short flight from Damascus to Beirut. No passengers on board, they only board in Beirut. The regular crew only takes over in Beirut. According to the flight plan, the plane is scheduled to take off from Beirut at 5: 92a_Ankie_ Germany Wanted Get Rid of Terrorists.mp30’07

Flight LH 615. A Boeing 727, a medium-haul jet that was widely used at the time. Three jet engines, one on each wing and one at the rear of the tail. On October 29, 1972, the jet with flight number LH 615 took off at around 5 a.m. on a short flight from Damascus to Beirut. No passengers on board, they only board in Beirut. The regular crew only takes over in Beirut. According to the flight plan, the plane is scheduled to take off from Beirut at 5: Christoph

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: There is some evidence that exactly this could be true.

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: Intro

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: 1972-THEMA IN MOLL, ALS BETT UNTER INTRO

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: VOICE

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: Geheimakte 1972 – das Olympia-Attentat in München.

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: TERRORIST TELEFONSTIMME

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: Hallo Tunis! Wir haben die israelische Mannschaft in unserer Gewalt.

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: MIKA

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: GA OA Mika No Politicians Sports CUT.mp30’6

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: VOICE

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: Die ganze Geschichte – investigativ recherchiert.

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: Bisher unveröffentlichtes Material.

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: ANKIE

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: GA OA Ankie Journalist Lemmer P2 CUT.mp3

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: FADE AUF 1972-THEMA DUR

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: VOICE

German authorities are involved in fabricating a hijacking to free imprisoned terrorists? Which are actually never prosecuted to this day? Even if the last proof is missing: Geheimakte 1972.

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: Freigepresst.

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: Story

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: Christoph

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: Welcome to the last episode of our Secret Files 1972 podcast. One and a half months have passed since the Palestinian terrorists attacked the Israeli Olympic team in Munich. All eleven Israeli athletes murdered, five of the eight terrorists die in a chaotic shootout with German police officers. Three terrorists survive and are in custody in the three Bavarian prisons in Munich-Stadelheim, Kaisheim and Straubing – where they spent their last night on the morning of October 29th.

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: We have meticulously compiled what happened that day from the files - including the logbook of the Lufthansa operations center, internal reports and protocols from the police, telexes between Lufthansa, the federal government and the Yugoslav government, logged radio messages from several aircraft and statements from crew members and passengers.

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: Akzent

Ein Antenne-Bayern-Podcast von Christoph Lemmer. ––– Episode 11: Kapitän Claussen

On October 29, 1972, at around 5: 10 am, I took over the Lufthansa plane LH 615 at Beirut airport. It had come from Damascus without passengers.

On October 29, 1972, at around 5: Christoph

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said:

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: Konstanze Marx

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: When the doors were already closed, one of the two first-class passengers caught my eye because he wasn't dressed very well and had such a funny look. I thought to myself that maybe he was invited to the flight by the other first class passenger.

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: Christoph

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: As usual in First Class, there will be welcome drinks this morning. The two Arabs are sitting in the front row. One of the two refuses the drink. The plane taxis to the runway. LH 615 takes off from Beirut with a delay of around 15 minutes. The plane is just airborne when the stewardess Maja Meincke notices something.

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: Maja Meincke

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: One of these Arabs stood up. It was the same one who refused the starting drink. He went to the toilet very purposefully. I now have about two years of flying experience and can roughly judge the behavior of the passengers. I believe that this passenger who entered the lavatory knew exactly what type of aircraft it was. Still jokingly, I said to my colleague that this could be some guy trying to hijack a plane .

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: Christoph

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: The stewardess also remembers that the two Arabs did not bring any hand luggage. Nevertheless, they had a bag to hand on the plane, says stewardess Konstanze Marx.

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: Konstanze Marx

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: We wondered how it was possible to bring explosives and weapons on board. The hijacker in first class had a leather bag in front of him, which he had obviously brought on board. He took the explosives out of this bag. Normally, the explosives should have been discovered during an inspection of the bag.

This is flight captain Walter Claussen. He was leading the crew that day. With him in the cockpit a co-pilot and a flight engineer. Three stewardesses and a purser. There are also 13 passengers on board - eleven in economy, two Arab men in first class. The stewardess Konstanze Marx said: Christoph

Or the bag was already on board – possibly placed in the toilet in Damascus, the Syrian capital. Syria has been a supporter of the terrorists from the start. Some of the perpetrators had been trained in Syria, they had traveled from Syria to Munich via Libya. At that time, Syria was ruled by the dictator Hafiz al-Assad, the father of today's Syrian ruler Bashar. Since there were no passengers or service crew on the short flight to Beirut, an elaborate hiding place would not have been necessary - there was no one on the plane who could have entered the toilet. Copilot Gerd Maier says in his testimony:

Or the bag was already on board – possibly placed in the toilet in Damascus, the Syrian capital. Syria has been a supporter of the terrorists from the start. Some of the perpetrators had been trained in Syria, they had traveled from Syria to Munich via Libya. At that time, Syria was ruled by the dictator Hafiz al-Assad, the father of today's Syrian ruler Bashar. Since there were no passengers or service crew on the short flight to Beirut, an elaborate hiding place would not have been necessary - there was no one on the plane who could have entered the toilet. Copilot Gerd Maier says in his testimony: Copilot Maier

Or the bag was already on board – possibly placed in the toilet in Damascus, the Syrian capital. Syria has been a supporter of the terrorists from the start. Some of the perpetrators had been trained in Syria, they had traveled from Syria to Munich via Libya. At that time, Syria was ruled by the dictator Hafiz al-Assad, the father of today's Syrian ruler Bashar. Since there were no passengers or service crew on the short flight to Beirut, an elaborate hiding place would not have been necessary - there was no one on the plane who could have entered the toilet. Copilot Gerd Maier says in his testimony: From what we have found so far and what we have been able to find out, the weapons must have been in the plane on the flight from Damascus to Beirut. The controls in Beirut were as normal as ever and it shouldn't have happened that people got things in like that. They must have been on the plane before.

Or the bag was already on board – possibly placed in the toilet in Damascus, the Syrian capital. Syria has been a supporter of the terrorists from the start. Some of the perpetrators had been trained in Syria, they had traveled from Syria to Munich via Libya. At that time, Syria was ruled by the dictator Hafiz al-Assad, the father of today's Syrian ruler Bashar. Since there were no passengers or service crew on the short flight to Beirut, an elaborate hiding place would not have been necessary - there was no one on the plane who could have entered the toilet. Copilot Gerd Maier says in his testimony: Christoph

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: Hans Niemann. When questioned later, he says he was in Beirut on business, whatever that means. Private investigator Niemann about the first minutes of flight LH 615:

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: Privatdetektiv Niemann

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: A warm meal was served shortly after the scheduled start. Soon after, the food tray was cleared away. I still remember the captain's announcement that we were flying over the southern tip of Cyprus. A short time later I became aware of the passengers and stewardesses coming from the front part of the machine from the kitchen at a fast pace, holding their hands over their heads with a disturbed facial expression, into the rear cabin.

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: Christoph

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: At the front of First Class is the purser, the cabin manager named Jacques Abrahams, a Dutch citizen.

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: Purser

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: It was triggered by the two first-class passengers who had boarded last. Both suddenly had a gun in their hands.

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: Christoph

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: One of the two hijackers rushes backwards toward economy class.

By chance, what a coincidence, a private investigator also happens to be among the passengers in second class. His name: Privatdetektiv Niemann

The moment I got a clear view of the connecting door to the kitchen, I saw a man there, aiming a revolver at us, hip-locked. He shouted in English: 'The Palestinian command has taken over the machine!' He drove the people standing in the aisle to the back of the cabin with threatening gestures, telling them to sit down in the back and put their hands on their heads. He himself stayed in the connecting door and held us in check with his gun. A short time later there was a longer speech in Arabic over the loudspeaker system, which I did not understand. Then the same male voice issued a statement in English, beginning with the words: 'The Palestinian command has taken over the plane, the new captain is speaking!'

The moment I got a clear view of the connecting door to the kitchen, I saw a man there, aiming a revolver at us, hip-locked. He shouted in English: Christoph

Flight captain Claussen describes the beginning of the kidnapping from his point of view as follows:

Flight captain Claussen describes the beginning of the kidnapping from his point of view as follows: Flugkapitän Claussen

About 10 miles north of Cyprus someone armed with a handgun entered the cockpit. Prompted by a change in noise in the cockpit, I turned to see a man pointing a gun at me. At first the perpetrator said nothing. He immediately chased the flight engineer back into the cabin and told us that he would take care of what was to come. I believe he literally said in English: "I'm the new captain". He also said this to the passengers and over the radio to Nicosia Airport. He then gave a new flight number labeled "Munic Operation“.

About 10 miles north of Cyprus someone armed with a handgun entered the cockpit. Prompted by a change in noise in the cockpit, I turned to see a man pointing a gun at me. At first the perpetrator said nothing. He immediately chased the flight engineer back into the cabin and told us that he would take care of what was to come. I believe he literally said in English: Christoph

About 10 miles north of Cyprus someone armed with a handgun entered the cockpit. Prompted by a change in noise in the cockpit, I turned to see a man pointing a gun at me. At first the perpetrator said nothing. He immediately chased the flight engineer back into the cabin and told us that he would take care of what was to come. I believe he literally said in English: A new call sign. From then on, all air traffic control centers and authorities actually followed the terrorist captain's first announcement. They no longer addressed the machine as LH 615 over the radio, but as Munic Operation.

About 10 miles north of Cyprus someone armed with a handgun entered the cockpit. Prompted by a change in noise in the cockpit, I turned to see a man pointing a gun at me. At first the perpetrator said nothing. He immediately chased the flight engineer back into the cabin and told us that he would take care of what was to come. I believe he literally said in English: Flugkapitän Claussen

About 10 miles north of Cyprus someone armed with a handgun entered the cockpit. Prompted by a change in noise in the cockpit, I turned to see a man pointing a gun at me. At first the perpetrator said nothing. He immediately chased the flight engineer back into the cabin and told us that he would take care of what was to come. I believe he literally said in English: The firearm was a brownish pistol, probably a Belgian model. I would first like to enumerate what weapons the perpetrators carried with them and in some cases also demonstrated to me. In addition to the second suspect's pistol and revolver, they had explosive devices wrapped in cigarettes. All you had to do was take out some tobacco at the front and snap off the filter at the back, revealing a long, small explosive device. They had hand grenades hidden in an isolator. As far as I know, these are ceramic insulators, such as those used for high-voltage lines. The hand grenades were probably Czech models. The hand grenades were cylindrical, brownish in color and ringed. As far as I know, explosive devices, probably with wire and flashlight batteries, were attached to the doors. ... The main perpetrator, who called himself Commander, spoke English. However, his English wasn't very good.

About 10 miles north of Cyprus someone armed with a handgun entered the cockpit. Prompted by a change in noise in the cockpit, I turned to see a man pointing a gun at me. At first the perpetrator said nothing. He immediately chased the flight engineer back into the cabin and told us that he would take care of what was to come. I believe he literally said in English: Christoph

The kidnappers say what they want over the radio: Land in Cyprus immediately and fill the tanks with kerosene to the hilt. Then onward flight to collect the three surviving terrorists of the Olympic massacre in Munich and finally fly on to an as yet undisclosed destination. The first condition is met immediately. LH 615, now renamed Operation Munic, lands in Nicosia, refuels and immediately takes off again. Destination: Munich. It took a while for this hijacking to get around amongst German officials. The head of Lufthansa flight operations in Munich-Riem, where the Munich airport is located at that time, logs every event throughout the day. For 8:30 a.m. local time in Munich, he notes the top entry:

The kidnappers say what they want over the radio: LH-Logbuch

The kidnappers say what they want over the radio: Hijacking noticed.

The kidnappers say what they want over the radio: Christoph

The kidnappers say what they want over the radio: Lufthansa made contact with the machine via shortwave radio at the headquarters in Frankfurt.

The kidnappers say what they want over the radio: LH-Logbuch

8: 50 a.m.: Call from Frankfurt, Mr. Stolz. He spoke to the captain and the hijackers via HF. Plane is on the way to Munich. Estimated time of landing 10:50 am. The three terrorists must be ready upon arrival.

8: Christoph

The police apparently only found out about the kidnapping from the radio news. This may be due to the fact that it is Sunday and some offices are not manned. The authorities also log what happens. The first entry in the police report is from 9: 08 am. Apparently the radio report was on the 9 o'clock news.

The police apparently only found out about the kidnapping from the radio news. This may be due to the fact that it is Sunday and some offices are not manned. The authorities also log what happens. The first entry in the police report is from 9: Aktenstimme

The police apparently only found out about the kidnapping from the radio news. This may be due to the fact that it is Sunday and some offices are not manned. The authorities also log what happens. The first entry in the police report is from 9: File notice.

The police apparently only found out about the kidnapping from the radio news. This may be due to the fact that it is Sunday and some offices are not manned. The authorities also log what happens. The first entry in the police report is from 9: According to a radio announcement, in the early hours of the morning, an LH plane was captured by Arab terrorists after taking off from Beirut. This measure is intended to free the three Arabs held captive in Germany who survived the attack on the Israeli Olympic team.

The police apparently only found out about the kidnapping from the radio news. This may be due to the fact that it is Sunday and some offices are not manned. The authorities also log what happens. The first entry in the police report is from 9: Christoph

The police investigators call Lufthansa in Munich-Riem and leave a request for a callback. A little later, the head of Lufthansa flight control, the man who coordinates at Lufthansa and also keeps the Lufthansa log, calls back. He confirms: The report on the radio is correct, a plane was actually kidnapped. It should fly to Munich. The Lufthansa flight control noted the hijackers' demand one more time:

The police investigators call Lufthansa in Munich-Riem and leave a request for a callback. A little later, the head of Lufthansa flight control, the man who coordinates at Lufthansa and also keeps the Lufthansa log, calls back. He confirms: LH-Logbuch

The police investigators call Lufthansa in Munich-Riem and leave a request for a callback. A little later, the head of Lufthansa flight control, the man who coordinates at Lufthansa and also keeps the Lufthansa log, calls back. He confirms: The three terrorists must be ready upon arrival.

The police investigators call Lufthansa in Munich-Riem and leave a request for a callback. A little later, the head of Lufthansa flight control, the man who coordinates at Lufthansa and also keeps the Lufthansa log, calls back. He confirms: Christoph

The police investigators call Lufthansa in Munich-Riem and leave a request for a callback. A little later, the head of Lufthansa flight control, the man who coordinates at Lufthansa and also keeps the Lufthansa log, calls back. He confirms: Which might be difficult. One of the terrorists is still in Kaisheim, 128 km from Munich Airport, the other in Straubing, 140 km away.

The police investigators call Lufthansa in Munich-Riem and leave a request for a callback. A little later, the head of Lufthansa flight control, the man who coordinates at Lufthansa and also keeps the Lufthansa log, calls back. He confirms: LH-Logbuch

10: 08 p.m.: LH 311 has contact with LH 615. LH 311 reports that the kidnappers are serious.

10: Christoph

10: LH 311 - this is another Lufthansa plane that is close enough to Munich for radio contact and has direct radio contact with Lufthansa control in Munich. At the same time, LH 311 radioed with the hijacked LH 615 and forwarded its radio messages to Munich. A common practice that planes radio each other and pass on messages very quickly in this way.

10: LH-Logbuch

10: 12 a.m.: LH 311 transmits again: Kidnappers are in attendance of pistols, hand grenades and explosive devices. If the three terrorists are not at the airport when they arrive in Munich, the plane will be blown up. Captain Klausen is alone in the cockpit with one of the kidnappers. LH 615 broadcasts on frequency 131.72 [sprechen: one three one seven two].

10: Christoph

10: And immediately after that, another plane radioed Lufthansa Munich, an Israeli ElAl machine. She is also within radio range of the hijacked LH 615. The Israeli aircraft has the registration number LY 219.

10: LH-Logbuch

LY219 El Al is transmitting on frequency one three one five: LH 615 is at flight level 200 and will stop at Zagreb for refueling.

LY219 El Al is transmitting on frequency one three one five: Christoph

Flight level 200 means: 20,000 feet or 6,000 meters altitude. And the other Lufthansa machine LH 311 adds:

Flight level 200 means: LH-Logbuch

Estimated time of landing in Zagreb 10: 35.

Estimated time of landing in Zagreb 10: Christoph

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony:

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony: Privatdetektiv Niemann

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony: The man was standing further under the connecting door, the revolver pointed at the passengers at waist level, and in the other hand holding a white object resembling a spray can. I suspect that this was an explosive device.

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony: Then he suddenly fiddled with his waistband and pulled out a longer rope. He stared fixatively at the stewardesses and passengers. He pointed at me and motioned for me to come over to him, which I did.

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony: He asks me in English where the knives are in the kitchen room. I explained to him in English that I didn't know this because I was a passenger and not a steward. He sent me back and asked a stewardess to come over, who then gave him a knife.

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony: When I stood in front of him myself, I could see that the aforementioned cord was a fuse. It was sand colored and had a rough texture. He cut the fuse with the knife and set detonators on it. This he gritted with his teeth. He then introduced them into the aforementioned explosive devices. In between, the guard asked an Arab passenger to collect the passports and hand them over to him, which he did.

In the meantime, the terrorists have secured everything up there in the hijacked plane. Private detective Niemann in his testimony: Christoph

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: At the very back, a flap can be slid down, which is equipped with a staircase and allows passengers to enter and exit the aircraft – without the need for an airport gangway.

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Privatdetektiv Niemann

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: The stewardesses present and the steward explained that this door could only be opened from the cockpit and that the stair case was behind it.

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Christoph

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: At some point the terrorist is done and goes to the cockpit where his accomplice is sitting with Captain Claussen. Immediately afterwards an announcement on the plane.

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Privatdetektiv Niemann

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: The same male voice as initially made an announcement in English and Arabic that the rear door and gally door are booby charged. The passengers were warned not to operate the doors or remove the explosive charge. Both would result in the machine being blown up.

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Christoph

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Passengers must change seats and move to the front of the cabin in front of the galley. Then the situation on board relaxes a bit. From time to time, the boss of the two kidnappers drops in on the passengers, sits down and explains the situation. He speaks Arabic to the Arab passengers and English to Niemann. The German government has agreed and will fulfill his request. The three jailed members of the Palestinian commando at the Olympics would be released.

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Akzent

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Christoph

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: The Munich police have put together a crisis team. A task force made up of police leaders and public prosecutors meets with helpers at Riem Airport.

The terrorist inspected the plane from end to end. He also inquired about the tailgate – a peculiarity of the Boeing 727: Aktenstimme

10: 30 a.m.: All journal officers at the police headquarters, a total of 40 clerks, are on standby. Separate radio traffic is handled on channel 417.

10: Christoph

Emergency doctors and Arabic interpreters are summoned. And then something strange happens. Also at 10: 30 a.m., Criminal Inspector Schleindlsperger, one of the leading police investigators, recorded the following:

Emergency doctors and Arabic interpreters are summoned. And then something strange happens. Also at 10: Schleindlsperger

Emergency doctors and Arabic interpreters are summoned. And then something strange happens. Also at 10: Criminal inspector Spandl was instructed to have the deportation orders of the three terrorists in custody, which were kept at the office and prepared by the immigration office, brought to Riem with the clothing provided by an officer.

Emergency doctors and Arabic interpreters are summoned. And then something strange happens. Also at 10: Christoph

Even if the wording of this entry is not completely conclusive, one thing emerges from it: there are already prepared expulsion orders against the three terrorists. So is the suspicion that Ankie Spitzer and others are expressing correct? Was this hijacking planned beforehand? Germany making common cause with terrorists? Was the kidnapping of LH 615 fake? Was the purpose to get rid of the three imprisoned terrorists?

Even if the wording of this entry is not completely conclusive, one thing emerges from it: Akzent

I found this particular deportation order against the terrorist Badran by chance in the Munich State Archives. It's on a file locked until 2042. It is an official form on light green paper, issued by the City of Munich, Office for Public Order, Immigration Office. The order is permanent, it is expressly noted:

I found this particular deportation order against the terrorist Badran by chance in the Munich State Archives. It's on a file locked until 2042. It is an official form on light green paper, issued by the City of Munich, Office for Public Order, Immigration Office. The order is permanent, it is expressly noted: Aktenstimme

I found this particular deportation order against the terrorist Badran by chance in the Munich State Archives. It's on a file locked until 2042. It is an official form on light green paper, issued by the City of Munich, Office for Public Order, Immigration Office. The order is permanent, it is expressly noted: Ban on re-entering the federal territory.

I found this particular deportation order against the terrorist Badran by chance in the Munich State Archives. It's on a file locked until 2042. It is an official form on light green paper, issued by the City of Munich, Office for Public Order, Immigration Office. The order is permanent, it is expressly noted: Christoph

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows:

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: Aktenstimme

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: The presence of the person concerned poses a serious threat to the internal and external security of the Federal Republic. There is a significant security risk for people who, like Badran, commit crimes against humanity on the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and who threaten life and limb of the population with terrorist attacks.

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: Ohne Pause nächsten Absatz anschließen. Die Paragraphen zügig und gern etwas desinteressiert geleiert durchnudeln.

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: Expulsion pursuant to Section 10 subsection 1 numbers 1 and 11 Ausländergesetz and deportation pursuant to Section 13 Ausländergesetz

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: Und ab hier wieder normalinteressierte Sprechweise

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: had to be ordered because, in view of the impending dangers, they represent the only reliable means of successfully counteracting further attacks. The danger of going into hiding must be countered under all circumstances in the interest of the security of the population and the international fight against terrorist groups. For the same reasons, the application of Section 13 subsection 2 sentence 4 Ausländergesetz and the order for immediate enforcement as a measure required in the urgent public interest are justified.

The authority justifies the expulsion as follows: Christoph

Mind you: solely in the German public interest, because the deportation means at the same time that the terrorist could go into hiding abroad or possibly even spread new terror with the knowledge and will of other governments. And it was precisely this decree that was already complete on October 29, as Detective Inspector Schleindlsperger recorded. She was also immediately available, despite Sunday and the closed authorities. And it was one of the first acts of the police that day at 10:30 am to send a courier to have the expulsion orders against the three terrorists at hand. Of course, that's not the only oddity of the day. Ankie Spitzer knows even more detail.

Mind you: Ankie

Mind you: 91_Ankie_ TTelegram To German Ambassador Tripolis.mp30’28

Mind you: Christoph

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: General Fritz Wegner, who founded the legendary elite unit GSG 9, with which Germany wanted to better arm itself against terrorism after the total failure in the Olympic massacre. She met Wegner, says Ankie Spitzer, and he knew the background to the October 29 hijacking.

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Ankie

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: 92b_Ankie_ Terrorists Free For No Terror In Germany.mp30’41

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Christoph

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: But that's probably not all. We remember Abu Daud, the chief planner of the Olympic massacre against the Israeli athletes. Abu Daud later in his autobiography also described the deal about the hijacking of flight LH 615.

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Ankie

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: 90_Ankie_ Totally Fake Hijacking.mp30’25

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Christoph

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Which the federal government and German authorities always firmly deny. When Ankie Spitzer negotiated with State Secretary Brigitte Zypries from the Ministry of the Interior in 1999, she confronted her with this passage from Abu Daud's book and with the accusation that Germany had paid 9 million dollars to hijack a plane and supposedly let the three terrorists go free.

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Ankie

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: 86_Ankie_ Q Zypries Abouzt 9 Million Habash.mp30’35

And Ankie Spitzer names another source: Christoph

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence:

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence: Zypries

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence: I can't remember such a suggestion or a conversation about it....

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence: Christoph

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence: And ends her sentence with three dots, whatever they are supposed to mean.

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence: Akzent

Of course I also asked Brigitte Zypries how she remembers it. She responded by email with just this one sentence: Christoph

Back to October 29, 1972. 10: 30 a.m. The police task force requests the already prepared expulsion orders for the three imprisoned terrorists. At this time they are still in the prisons in Kaisheim, Straubing and Stadelheim. The hijacked LH 615 is still on its way to Munich and is currently flying over Yugoslavia. Captain Claussen in his testimony:

Back to October 29, 1972. 10: Kapitän Claussen

Back to October 29, 1972. 10: Shortly before Zagreb, the perpetrator demanded to fly to Zagreb Airport. There he demanded against full tanks. The reason was later given to me. He just wanted to pick up his three friends in Munich and start again without refueling.

Back to October 29, 1972. 10: LH-Logbuch

10: 32: LH 311 reports: LH 615 is approaching Zagreb. Flight level four five. Runway zero seven planned. 10:38 a.m.: LH 311 reports: LH 615 is leaving an altitude of 2000 feet. Landing permission Zagreb has been granted.

10: Privatdetektiv Niemann

10: Then the announcement was made by the same man to buckle up and stop smoking. A short time later there was a landing. I am not able to say whether the statement that this is Zagreb is based on my own perception or information. The machine went to the furthest point on the runway and was refueled there. The refueling process was completed relatively quickly and after a short time there was a new start.

10: LH-Logbuch

10: 40 am: LY two one one El Al reports LH 615 requesting 10700 kg of fuel. Tank truck approaches the plane

10: Christoph

10: In Cologne, the CEO of Lufthansa, Herbert Cullmann, takes off in a small private jet of the then Lufthansa subsidiary Condor to Munich. His security chief and a reserve cockpit crew for the hijacked LH 615 fly with him. Cullmann plans to replace Captain Claussen's crew in Munich.

10: LH-Logbuch

Message from Munich air traffic control: LH 615 take-off time in Zagreb 11:19 am. Probable long time in Munich 12:00 pm.

Message from Munich air traffic control: Christoph

Message from Munich air traffic control: Shortly after taking off from Zagreb, LH 615 has direct radio contact with Lufthansa control in Munich for the first time. One of the two hijackers speaks into the microphone in the cockpit.

Message from Munich air traffic control: LH-Logbuch

11: 35 a.m.: Over radio one three one seven five direct contact with the kidnappers for the first time. They demand the immediate extradition of the three terrorists. From now on you will change the call sign LH 615 to Operation Munic. The hijackers also point out that no exchange of passengers is planned in Munich. After the three terrorists have been handed over, the passengers will fly to an Arab country.

11: Christoph

11: The kidnappers have very specific ideas about what the procedure in Munich should look like.

11: LH-Logbuch

In the further course of the conversation, the kidnappers demand that the three terrorists have to stand by themselves when they land at the runway, so that they can go on board immediately after landing. The kidnappers' question as to where their three comrades are is answered with the information that they are in the prisons of Munich, Kaisheim and Straubing. Captain Klausen was given permission to speak: He points out that the two exit doors are closed by the kidnappers. have been provided with explosive devices.

In the further course of the conversation, the kidnappers demand that the three terrorists have to stand by themselves when they land at the runway, so that they can go on board immediately after landing. The kidnappers' question as to where their three comrades are is answered with the information that they are in the prisons of Munich, Kaisheim and Straubing. Captain Klausen was given permission to speak: Christoph

In the further course of the conversation, the kidnappers demand that the three terrorists have to stand by themselves when they land at the runway, so that they can go on board immediately after landing. The kidnappers' question as to where their three comrades are is answered with the information that they are in the prisons of Munich, Kaisheim and Straubing. Captain Klausen was given permission to speak: Until then, the Munich police task force only takes note of what is happening in the air and what information Lufthansa is passing on. Police chief Schreiber only arrives shortly before 12 noon. He confers with his staff and appoints a chief negotiator who is to negotiate with the terrorists over the radio. He leaves open whether the hostages on board will be exchanged for the terrorists or whether the terrorists should simply board, as the kidnappers demand. Meanwhile, the hijacked LH 615 aka Operation Munic is circling over the air control room over Wasserburg in the Rosenheim district.

In the further course of the conversation, the kidnappers demand that the three terrorists have to stand by themselves when they land at the runway, so that they can go on board immediately after landing. The kidnappers' question as to where their three comrades are is answered with the information that they are in the prisons of Munich, Kaisheim and Straubing. Captain Klausen was given permission to speak: Kapitän Claussen

In the further course of the conversation, the kidnappers demand that the three terrorists have to stand by themselves when they land at the runway, so that they can go on board immediately after landing. The kidnappers' question as to where their three comrades are is answered with the information that they are in the prisons of Munich, Kaisheim and Straubing. Captain Klausen was given permission to speak: When we learned from Munich that the helicopters would probably not be able to land, he wanted to switch to Salzburg.

In the further course of the conversation, the kidnappers demand that the three terrorists have to stand by themselves when they land at the runway, so that they can go on board immediately after landing. The kidnappers' question as to where their three comrades are is answered with the information that they are in the prisons of Munich, Kaisheim and Straubing. Captain Klausen was given permission to speak: LH-Logbuch

10: 55 a.m.: The kidnappers decide to fly to Salzburg. At the same time, you ask whether the helicopters with the terrorists can land in Salzburg.

10: Christoph

10: In the Lufthansa logbook, the hijacked LH 615 is now only referred to as Flug Munic Operation - i.e. with the call sign that the hijackers gave the machine.

10: LH-Logbuch

10: 59 am: Munic Operation is informed that the German government must first contact the Austrian government to determine whether the helicopters can land in Salzburg and whether the Austrian government will give its approval for the hostage exchange in Salzburg.

10: Christoph

10: There is a discussion in the cockpit of the hijacked plane. Land in Salzburg?

10: Kapitän Claussen

10: I was able to talk him out of this due to various complications and suggested landing in Nuremberg. However, he then decided to fly back to Zagreb.

10: Konstanze Marx

10: Since we couldn't see the ground from the plane, I didn't know where we were at all. In my opinion, we flew for almost 6 hours and must have been over the Federal Republic. It was all very uncertain. A passenger who acted as an interpreter told us when he came out of the cockpit that we were about over Hamburg. Then I heard that there was talk of a machine that was not allowed to start. I didn't know what that meant.

10: Christoph

10: Then the kidnappers on board spread the word that Germany will probably meet their demands.

10: Konstanze Marx

10: During the flight, we must have been at Holding above or near Munich, we were told that one of the Munich attackers was already at Munich Airport and the other two attackers were also coming to the airport. The Arabs in the machine hugged and kissed.

10: AKTENSTIMME

12: 17 p.m.: Message from air traffic control: machine back to Zagreb, where they are waiting until the three prisoners can be taken.

12: LH-LogbucH

12: 19 p.m .: According to Munich air traffic control, the machine turns to Zagreb.

12: Christoph

12: Government agencies seem increasingly overwhelmed. In the minutes of the task force there is an entry that a senior public prosecutor requested police vehicles with special symbols by telephone so that some public prosecutors could be chauffeured to Riem Airport with flashing lights and tattoos. Otherwise, the task force only takes note of the information provided by Lufthansa. At the same time, a crisis team is meeting in Bonn with interior and transport ministers. Telexes go back and forth. The federal government is ready for an exchange - hostages for terrorists, but not for simply letting the terrorists board.

12: Aktenstimme

12: 30 p.m.: Arrival of prisoner Badran from prison Stadelheim. This is taken to the Lufthansa lunch room. 12:36: Helicopter departs from prison Kaisheim with prisoner Al Dnawy. 12:40 p.m.: Helicopter takes off from Landsberg/Lech with prisoner Abdulah Samer.

12: Christoph

12: An official must have made a mistake here, because Samer was not imprisoned in Landsberg, but in Straubing. Al Dnawy and Samer are flown to a police barracks in Munich, while Badran is already in the airport building.

12: LH-Logbuch

1: 17 p.m.: Trying to get Munic Operation on a three one seven five. Unsuccessful. 1:19 p.m.: No contact. 1:22 p.m.: No contact. 12:24: S G L call selective call Charlie Golf Fox Kilo – unsuccessful. 13:26: No contact13:28: No contact13:34: No contact13:38: No contact13:40: No contact13:44: No contact13:48: No contact13:51: No contact

1: Kurze Stille, Herzschlag

13: 52: CF 419 calls and reports that it can hear Zagreb on frequency one two four six.

13: Christoph

13: CF 419 is another jet again, this time a Condor airplane, which is in radio range from Zagreb and Munich and mediates.

13: LH-Logbuch

12: 56 PM CF 419 heard on one two four six that hijackers said the plane had fuel for a very long time and that they intended to wait overhead Zagreb until the three terrorists were ready to be picked up in Munich.

12: Christoph

12: Aboard LH 615 aka Munic Operation, the hijackers keep their hostages informed. Another loudspeaker announcement.

12: Privatdetektiv Niemann

12: He stated that, contrary to previous promises, the two remaining comrades were still not at the German airfield. A longer period of circling above the clouds then passed.

12: Aktenstimme

2: 50 p.m.: Arrival of Al Dnawy and Abdulah Samer. Both are flown by two helicopters from the police's barracks at Rosenheimer Strasse to Munich-Riem Airport. They will be picked up by an air traffic control vehicle and a police car and taken to the Condor jet parked in the immediate vicinity. The prisoners are handcuffed and sit in the back of the plane. 3:10 p.m.: Badran is also brought to the jet.3:12 p.m.: The undersigned boarded the plane with an interpreter and handed the three prisoners on remand the expulsion orders prepared by the Immigration Office against confirmation of receipt. The content of the expulsion orders will be translated accordingly.

2: Christoph

Everything must be in order. With written acknowledgment of receipt. The small Condor jet - that's the plane with which the Lufthansa CEO flew to Munich. The plan now looks like this: The three terrorists are to be brought to Zagreb with the Condor jet. There they should change to the hijacked Lufthansa jet. This should bring them to her freedom. The message is broadcast on the usual established channels to LH 615 aka Munic Operation, which is still circling overhead Zagreb. Then, according to private investigator Niemann, the head of the kidnappers came into the cabin...

Everything must be in order. With written acknowledgment of receipt. The small Condor jet - that's the plane with which the Lufthansa CEO flew to Munich. The plan now looks like this: Privatdetektiv Niemann

Everything must be in order. With written acknowledgment of receipt. The small Condor jet - that's the plane with which the Lufthansa CEO flew to Munich. The plan now looks like this: ...and in an obviously relieved and also happy way made the announcement that the German government had shown understanding and that the three comrades would now be taken on board in Zagreb. The news also caused great relief among the passengers, especially the Arab passengers, which almost bordered on slight euphoria among the Arab passengers.

Everything must be in order. With written acknowledgment of receipt. The small Condor jet - that's the plane with which the Lufthansa CEO flew to Munich. The plan now looks like this: Christoph

Everything must be in order. With written acknowledgment of receipt. The small Condor jet - that's the plane with which the Lufthansa CEO flew to Munich. The plan now looks like this: Which raises the question of who these eleven passengers taken hostage actually were. I'll come back to that at the very end. In Germany, the atmosphere was meanwhile a little more tense than on board the plane, especially at the crisis management team in Bonn and at the Munich police task force. Here are dialogues that went back and forth by telex between the German embassy in Yugoslavia, the police and the Bonn crisis management team.

Everything must be in order. With written acknowledgment of receipt. The small Condor jet - that's the plane with which the Lufthansa CEO flew to Munich. The plan now looks like this: FS-Dialog 1

FYI: We just spoke to the kidnappers. Do the three people here in Z A G want to get on. They didn't want to say what happened next.

FYI: FS-Dialog 2

FYI: What is the Yugoslav authorities' position on this transaction?

FYI: FS-Dialog 1

FYI: The Croatian security minister is on the line and is currently having a telephone conversation with the Belgrade crisis team. But in my personal opinion, nothing stands in the way of people changing trains here in Z A G. Are the people in Muc and is there a plane ready to go to Zag?

FYI: FS-Dialog 2

FYI: The three are here in Muc. An airplane is ready to take off. It is very important to us that the Paxe be released in exchange for the terrorists.

FYI: FS-Dialog 1

FYI: We had already asked the kidnappers, but we don't want to make any concessions without getting the people's possession. But I'll get right back to you.

FYI: FS-Dialog 2

FYI: okay, thanks.

FYI: Kurze Pause

FYI: FS-Dialog 1

FYI: I now need the telex urgently for telex to Belgrade for landing permission because the crisis team in Belgrade cannot be reached at least at the competent point by telephone. Then get back to you immediately. Bye bye.

FYI: Kurze Pause

FYI: FS-Dialog 2

FYI: Can you please find out if Luis Trenker is on board?

FYI: Christoph

FYI: Luis Trenker at that time was a famous alpine legend and TV star. He had nothing to do with this hijacking. It’s unclear why this question came up.

FYI: FS-Dialog 1

FYI: Please do not block telex. End.

FYI: Kurze Pause

FYI: FS-Dialog 1

FYI: Here is the written confirmation that the Yugoslav government allows the special aircraft to land in Zag and that the exchange may take place here.

FYI: FS-Dialog 2

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Why is it possibly said?

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: FS-Dialog 1

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Since the kidnappers seem to have other plans now. Permission came from Belgrade from the German ambassador who mediated there. name is not known to us. What does the special machine do?

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Christoph

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: What is the special machine doing? This question must have been extremely urgent for the questioner, because he typed three question marks after it.

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: FS-Dialog 2

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: The special machine is here with the comrades on board ready to take off.

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: FS-Dialog 1

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Why doesn't it take off?

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: FS-Dialog 2

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Because the Ministry of Justice wants the official written declaration of consent from the Yugoslav government.

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: FS-Dialog 1

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Ok, we are trying that.

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: Christoph

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: And here is how the Lufthansa flight operation logs the drama of what is going on.

Who is responsible for giving this permission? Name and title please. And one question: LH-Logbuch

3: 16 p.m.: To LH 634: the plane with the three Arabs is ready for take-off in Munich and is waiting for the Minister of Justice’s approval to take off for Zagreb.3:24 p.m.: From LH 634: Time is up. Operation Munic will land in Zagreb.3:26 p.m. From LH 634: Operation Munic reports: We say good bye. The federal government is responsible for everything else.3:28 p.m.: To LH 634: The federal government insists that the exchange has been approved, that all passengers in Zagreb will be released. The permit obtained from Yugoslavia gives permission for landing, but not for exchange.3:35 p.m.: From LH 634: Notification that the threat is serious. Chief of Police Schreiber, Lord Mayor Kronawitter and Mr. Cullmann are listening and talking to Bonn.3:36 p.m.: Captain Klausen sent word via LH 634 that the minister should give take-off permission immediately. He leaves no doubt that the kidnappers will carry out their threat.

3: Christoph

3: The mood darkens again on board. The boss of the hijackers talks to the passengers again.

3: Privatdetektiv Niemann

3: It was clear from his statements that the three comrades had not yet left Munich, contrary to what had been agreed. With an unmistakably threatening undertone in his voice, he repeated again that it had always been his endeavor not to harm either the passengers or the crew. However, he could no longer guarantee the further course of events. He will not allow any tricks. Should anyone try to attack the machine or him, he would not hesitate to blow up the machine with all occupants, including the crew. The German government alone is responsible for this. He emphasized that up to now he had shown a great deal of patience, but that his patience would come to an end if the German government breached its word. It should be noted that we passengers and stewardesses knew nothing about the nature and content of the traffic between the cockpit and the outside world.

3: LH-Logbuch

3: 40 p.m.: To LH 634: The aircraft with the three Arabs will take off from Munich, but is not allowed to leave German airspace before the exchange hostages against terrorists has been secured.

3: Christoph

The pressure from the kidnappers begins to take hold. Other men board the small Condor jet in which the terrorists are waiting to take off: a chief criminal officer and a chief inspector from the Munich police, Lufthansa CEO Cullmann, the head of Lufthansa security, a flight captain who should replace captain Claussen in Zagreb if possible.

The pressure from the kidnappers begins to take hold. Other men board the small Condor jet in which the terrorists are waiting to take off: LH-Logbuch

3: 47 p.m.: To LH 634: The Condor plane takes off in Munich. One of the three Arabs will contact Operation Munic as soon as possible. The federal government still insists on the exchange in Zagreb.

3: Christoph

3: Which the kidnappers stubbornly refuse to accept. And yet the Condor plane took off with the terrorists on board. Of course, the authorities forbid her to leave German airspace before the federal government has agreed to the condition.

3: LH-Logbuch

4 p.m.: Condor is called by us. No contact.

4 p.m.: Christoph

Around the same time over Zagreb in the hijacked Lufthansa plane. Captain Claussen makes an announcement over the on-board loudspeakers, which private detective Niemann reproduces as follows:

Around the same time over Zagreb in the hijacked Lufthansa plane. Captain Claussen makes an announcement over the on-board loudspeakers, which private detective Niemann reproduces as follows: Privatdetektiv Niemann

He explained in German: We are now acting on our own initiative. We've bypassed our noble government somewhat. Daddy will do it. He added that everything would go well.

He explained in German: Christoph

When the tower in Munich calls the Condor machine, it no longer answers. Police President Schreiber calls on air traffic control to once again forbid the pilot from leaving German airspace. He doesn't answer. At 4: 22 p.m., air traffic control already locates the aircraft over Yugoslav airspace – the plane has already passed Austria. Chief of Police Schreiber must have trembled with anger. His comment is recorded that Lufthansa CEO Cellmann had to carry all responsibility on his own. It was probably Captain Claussen in the hijacked LH 615 who put the pressure on. He spoke frankly during his interrogation:

When the tower in Munich calls the Condor machine, it no longer answers. Police President Schreiber calls on air traffic control to once again forbid the pilot from leaving German airspace. He doesn't answer. At 4: Kapitän Claussen

When the tower in Munich calls the Condor machine, it no longer answers. Police President Schreiber calls on air traffic control to once again forbid the pilot from leaving German airspace. He doesn't answer. At 4: In my opinion, the captain of the Condor plane and the entire crew of the Condor jet knew perfectly well that our time was running out, that in the most critical phase we were practically approaching the bitter end. I explained to the Condor captain exactly how to behave. At the end of the critical phase, I directly demanded that the Condor jet take off in the direction of Zagreb. I ordered this directly. The Arabs had constantly threatened to blow up the machine if they ran out of fuel. I was finally informed that the Condor was rolling and had finally started. I waited for the moment when I could speak to her myself, to personally ask the captain again to get the maximum possible speed out of his machine.

When the tower in Munich calls the Condor machine, it no longer answers. Police President Schreiber calls on air traffic control to once again forbid the pilot from leaving German airspace. He doesn't answer. At 4: LH-Logbuch

4: 40 p.m.: Telex from the federal government to the Yugoslav government. In this letter, they are asked to declare their willingness to participate in the exchange of hostages and terrorists if this can be done without endangering third parties. If an exchange is not possible, the three terrorists must be brought back to Germany with the special aircraft.

4: Flugkapitän Claussen

4: I had contact with the Condor for the first time when it was via Klagenfurt. I made it clear to the captain once again with all urgency that he must make his approach to Zagreb at top speed, since we are out of fuel and that he cannot lose another minute. In the meantime, the Arabs spoke among themselves and I also spoke to the other captain.

4: Christoph

The situation on board became more and more precarious. Co-pilot Maier testified:

The situation on board became more and more precarious. Co-pilot Maier testified: Copilot Maier

The situation on board became more and more precarious. Co-pilot Maier testified: One of the kidnappers had the hand grenade in his hand all the time, his finger on the trigger. So there was no chance anymore.

The situation on board became more and more precarious. Co-pilot Maier testified: Kapitän Claussen

The situation on board became more and more precarious. Co-pilot Maier testified: I instructed the captain of the Condor jet that he should roll out with his machine to the end of the runway in Zagreb and let the three men get off there, and then he should immediately leave the runway himself with his machine and the other occupants and taxi to the apron.

The situation on board became more and more precarious. Co-pilot Maier testified: LH-Logbuch

4: 56 p.m.: message from air traffic control: Condor landed in Zagreb at 4:40 p.m. Operation Munic approaching Zagreb.

4: Kapitän Claussen

4: We landed right behind the Condor plane, so I had to do an overshoot to make sure everything was as we said it would be. After the overshoot, I landed immediately and the three Palestinians who were standing at the end of the runway climbed over to us.

4: LH-Logbuch

4: 13 p.m.: Message from air traffic control: Operation Munic landed in Zagreb at 5:8 p.m.

4: Konstanze Marx

4: After landing, my colleague Abrahams opened the outer door of the plane. Three men came on board, who were the three Munich assassins. When entering the machine, the men were frisked by our kidnappers. I cannot judge whether the Munich attackers and our kidnappers knew each other.

4: Privatdetektiv Niemann

4: After defusing the explosive charge on the rear door, the three men entered the machine via the rear stairs. The rear exit was immediately secured again by the guard with an explosive charge. The three people from Munich stayed for some time and he stayed in the main cabin, where a joyful greeting was given to the Arab passengers who were sitting there. Abdulah was the first of the three Munich comrades to make his way through the gally into the cockpit. He laughed, seemed relieved and happy and answered yes when I asked if he felt better than before. He was absolutely open-minded and willingly responded to all questions from the passengers, especially about his prison stay in Germany. After that, Badran came into the Gally. He ostentatiously brandished the signal pistol belonging to the plane equipment. He had the cartridge case for the signal pistol hanging around his neck.

4: He also went forward into the cockpit. We got to see the third Munich relatively briefly. He walked quickly down the gally, face a little more serious and withdrawn, and disappeared into the cockpit.

4: Christoph

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier:

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Copilot Maier

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: We still had fuel for a maximum flight time of 10 minutes. After landing, we stood on the ground and switched off two engines. Then we had another 3/4 hour fuel for the electrical equipment. We let the third engine idle. After the demands had been met that the tanker would come, one of the engines had already begun to shake. So it would have been a maximum of 2 minutes. Then it would have been over. The threat was that the plane would blow up the moment the electricity went down.

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Christoph

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Yugoslavia only allows refueling at the last moment. LH 615 aka Munic Operation immediately taxis to the runway and takes off. At first, the kidnappers did not want to reveal where they were heading vor.

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Privatdetektiv Niemann

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: When the boss was asked where to go next and what the further course of events would be like, he explained that it wouldn't be long at all. However, he deliberately avoided any indication of the location and limited himself to the statement that the flight destination was in an Arab country. He then went on to admit that it is one of the largest airfields in the Arab world.

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: He could guarantee a risk-free landing there and the integrity of the crew and passengers. We would have the opportunity to stay in one of the best hotels completely free of charge. He now urged the stewardesses to serve food and drink.

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Christoph

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: And then finally the explosive devices were removed from the doors.

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Privatdetektiv Niemann

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: When I realized that the explosive charges were still attached to the doors after about 20 minutes of flight time, I asked the boss to defuse them on the grounds that the stewardesses were terribly afraid. When nothing happened, he approached him again, again on the grounds that the passengers were very afraid because of the explosive charge and pointing out that the German government had ultimately kept their promise. I then went on to say that with the turbulence that was just beginning, an accident could not be ruled out. Shortly thereafter, the guard also began to defuse and dismantle the explosive charge. He carried the individual components into the 2nd class cabin.

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: Akzent

And then the whole process stalls again. The authorities in Zagreb refuse to refuel the machine. Radio messages and telexes go back and forth again. Co-pilot Maier: LH-Logbuch

8: 10 p.m.: Condor is still in Zagreb. In any case, the machine will return to Munich.8:47 p.m.: Condor reports on frequency one three one seven five via Klagenfurt.9:21 p.m.: Condor landed

8: Privatdetektiv Niemann

8: Shortly before the later landing, it leaked out that we would land in Tripoli/Libya. Shortly after landing, a Libyan police officer or soldier entered the plane with several civilians. From the way they greeted the civilians, they seemed to know the kidnappers personally, but also the three people from Munich. After a joyful greeting, they then had lengthy conversations with the boss. When I asked him whether these gentlemen were government officials or his friends, he replied that they were his friends, saying that they were not government officials. It seemed clear to me that this gentleman was a receptionist for his underground organization.

8: LH-Logbuch

9: 25 p.m.: Communication from air traffic control: Operation Munic landed in Tripoli at 9:25 p.m

9: Christoph

9: When the three terrorists are on board, Libyan uniformed officers inspect the plane next. When they are finished, employees of the German embassy enter the machine. They take passengers and crew with them. They spend the night in a hotel in Tripoli. The next day, Captain Claussen flies the plane back to Germany.

9: Akzent

9: Christoph

9: Here the story ends. None of the killers of the Israeli athletes was ever charged or brought to justice. Two of the men released on October 29 are still alive - one living in Damascus, the other in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The one in the Bekaa, that's Al Dnawy, whose real name is Mohamed el Safadi. He has children and grandchildren. The public German ARD television paid him a high fee for an appearance in a film documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Olympic massacre. The production company officially calls $ 2000. For this, Safadi agreed to speak exclusively with ARD and not to give any other interviews. For the film, he said he still sees his involvement in the killing of Israeli athletes as a heroic act, not a crime.

9: Outro

9: Wenn Dir dieser Podcast gefällt - ich freue mich, wenn du ihn abonnierst... und über Deine Bewertung.

9: STINGER

9: VOICE

9: Geheimakte 1972 – das Olympia-Attentat in München. Ein ANTENNE BAYERN Podcast.

9: Closer

Über diesen Podcast

Der True Crime-Podcast der ANTENNE BAYERN GROUP.
Spannende Kriminalfälle, die als aufgeklärt gelten, aber noch immer viele Fragen aufwerfen.
Investigative Recherchen zu Themen, die ganz Deutschland bewegen.

Unsere Reporter recherchieren unnachgiebig, verfolgen neue Spuren und fangen da an, wo andere bereits aufgegeben haben.

Geheimakte - ein Podcast der ANTENNE BAYERN GROUP, ausgezeichnet mit dem deutschen Radiopreis.

____________________

The True Crime podcast of ANTENNE BAYERN GROUP.

Thrilling criminal cases that are considered solved, but still raise many questions.
Investigative research on topics that move the whole of Germany.
Our reporters relentlessly investigate, pursue new leads and start where others have already given up.

Geheimakte - an ANTENNE BAYERN GROUP-Podcast, awarded the German Radio Prize.

von und mit ANTENNE BAYERN

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