GSG9: German Response to Terrorism by Rolf Tophoven Bernard & Graefe 1985 2nd Edition
Title: GSG9: German Response to Terrorism
Author: Rolf Tophoven
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Bernard & Graefe 1985
Edition: 2nd Edition
ISBN-10 3763754466
Size: 8.5 X 10 * 124 pages
Synopsis: Foreward - They have had a world-wide reputation since that subtropical night on 18th October 1977 at the airport of the Somali capital. For when there is a question of fighting terrorists and politically motivated activists with special combat troops, the name of the GSG 9 of the Federal German Border Guard (BGS) springs immediately to the minds of military and technical experts. The abbreviation GSG 9 became a mark of merit after the rescue of the hostages in Mogadishu, especially for special forces abroad.
When, during the Olympic Games in Munich, 1972, a Palestinian terrorist squad suddenly overpowered the Israeli Olympic team, the drama of the hostages ended disastrously in a tactical debacle. Immediately after this, the formation of this special unit signified the start of the GSG 9's "long trek". Until the time of the spectacular operation when they freed the Lufthansa Boeing "Landshut", which had been hijacked and taken to Mogadishu, the troops with the green beret and the federal eagle had remained in their barracks at St. Augustin, near Bonn, almost totally hidden from the eyes of the national and international public. This situation changed abruptly on the return of the GSG 9 from their mission in Somalia, led by their commander at that time, Ulrich K. Wegener. The mysterious veil of secrecy about the unit was suddenly wrenched away as a result of the occurrences. The men of the GSG 9 were unwilling targets for the bright lights of the media. After the barrage of public attention paid to them, it was only with a great deal of difficulty that they managed to return to the "peace" of their everyay training and "fall into step again" with the way of life which is obligatory for such a special unit.
It is therefore not the aim of the present book to swim with the tide of sensational journalism about the GSG 9 and to create new legends. It attempts rather, working from a basis of authentic detail and inside information, to give a succinct but precise outline of the history of this anti-terror unit within the framework of the Federal Border Guard, from its birth to the present day.
The need for a portrait of this kind has become so much greater, because of the growth of a wish among the West German public to weave legends around the men of this special unit, connected with the sensational rescue of the hostages at Mogadishu. The book is concerned with preventing the danger of stylizing the members of this special unit as "super heroes" with a James Bond flair, for it would be irresponsible to label the Mogadishu commandos as such -no-one is more aware of this than the GSG 9, because the Somalia mission could have taken another turn. However, the fact that the specialists finally succeeded in their fight against national and international terrorism confirms their highly-qualified training and the perfection of their weapons and technical systems. Giddy enthusiasm for this elite force is also out of place when one considers the fact that the struggle against the phenomenon of terrorist violence has not yet reached its final stage.
The GSG 9 came face to face with this reality during their tenth birthday celebrations, when one of the special operations squads (SET) succeeded in rendering harmless and arresting Brigitte Mohnhaupt and Adelheid Schulz, two of the most wanted terrorists up to that time. At the same time, this operation was the first genuine mission of the elite unit on Federal German soil.
Firstly, the following portrait of the GSG 9 outlines the special unit's day to day activities. They are provided with the sober details of training, weaponry and technical equipment, as well as information about the composition of their unit. All this alternates with reports and analytical descriptions of scenes from their training programme. It is also essential not to lose sight of the individual men from whom the GSG 9 is composed. Their actions in the group, in the unit and within the framework of the Federal Border Guard have made a decisive contribution to the welding together of the unit and to the worldide respect it has achieved. As far as possible, the reader is to be given a view behind the scenes of the GSG 9. This volume of texts and photographs is intended to be a record of the potential of that anti-terror squad, which, conceived as a police unit, contributed in a decisive manner to the growth of the Federal Republic of Germany's reputation in the sphere of political security. On the other hand, spectacular "exposés" of tactical details should not be expected; security considerations alone are sufficient to prohibit this.
This book, however, should serve as a constant reminder to persons in political authority what an exceptional federal police force they have ready to aid and defend the liberty of man in the face of terrorist threats at any time and in any part of the Federal Republic, and even, should the call go out, on foreign territory.
I should like to offer special thanks to the founder and first commander of the GSG 9, my friend Brigadier-General Ulrich K. Wegener; and I am also greatly indebted to the present head of the special unit, Lt. Col. Uwe Dee, not forgetting his officers and last but not least, all the NCO's and men of the GSG 9, without whose co-operation and constant friendly support this book could never have appeared in its present form.
Rolf Tophoven
Overall Condition: Very good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover and the dust jacket is included. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear; see images.
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