Rescue Mission Following the Hi-Jacking of the Lufthansa 737, “Landshut”

Abstract

At 15:15 hrs on 17 October 1977, the Lufthansa Medical Service in Frankfurt was notified about the hijacking of a 737 Boeing aircraft. At 15:30 hrs the Crisis Management Staff (CMS) asked me if I would accompany a stand-by crew on the rescue mission. The intention of the CMS was to come to an agreement with the hijackers to exchange the crew of the hijacked plane for a stand-by crew accompanied by an airline physician. I agreed. Medicines and medical equipment for the treatment of injured and sick passengers were packed by medical assistants. At 16:30 hrs highly confidential information was received from CMS—GSG 9 that the Border Patrol Special Commando led by Commander Wegner would accompany the rescue mission which would henceforth be termed “Special Mission”. The hijacked plane was to be followed and seized. It was likely that in the course of this operation an unpredictable number of burns, gunshot wounds and other serious injuries could occur. In a very short time, medical assistants packed further huge crates full of first-aid packs, Macrodex infusions, analgesics, and so forth. I asked Dr. Straub, a medical colleague, and Mr. Reiser, a nursing assistant, both employees of the Lufthansa Medical Service, to accompany me as volunteers, and they agreed. At 16:45 hrs the CMS approved the medical team and the medical equipment.