September 5: On This Day in World History … briefly
The Munich massacre was an attack during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, in which the Palestinian terrorist group Black September took eleven Israeli Olympic team members hostage and killed them along with a West German police officer.
1972: Blackest September at Munich Olympics
Eleven Israeli athletes died when eight hooded ‘Black September’ Palestinian terrorists struck at the Munich Olympics, breaking into Olympic Village and attacking the unsuspecting sleeping athletes.
Two athletes died in a hail of bullets while 18 escaped and the remaining nine were taken hostage. The Games were stopped and 12 000 police surrounded the Village. Terrorists demanded the release of 200 Palestinians held in Israel and safe passage out of Germany.
German leaders agreed and the gang and their hostages were taken to Munich airport. In a tragic blunder, police sharpshooters opened fire and all nine athletes were killed in the ensuing battle, as well as four terrorists and one policeman. Three of the gang were captured and one escaped. The Games continued, but under a dark cloud.
Most notable historic snippets or facts extracted from the book ‘On This Day’ first published in 1992 by Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, London, as well as additional supplementary information extracted from Wikipedia.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
