In 1977, Lufthansa Flight 181 was hijacked by terrorists and flown to Mogadishu, Somalia. Once landed, members of the German special missions group, GSG-9, stormed the plane, killing three of the terrorists and wounding the fourth, while successfully avoiding any major harm to the hostages. This book details the backgrounds of both GSG-9 and the hijackers and offers a detailed analysis of the planning and execution of the mission, codenamed Operation Feuerzauber (Fire Magic), one of the most audacious special forces operations of modern times.

[pt. I.] Origins. PLO/PFLP ; Terrorism in Germany ; Munich and the response ; The hijack of LH181 ; PFLP cell -- [pt. II.] Initial Strategy. Rome ; Larnaca and Bahrain ; Dubai ; Passenger conditions ; Training for action ; Aden ; Flight to Mogadishu ; State of play -- [pt. III.] Plan. Initial reconnaissance ; The GSG 9 team ; Action plan -- [pt. IV.] The raid. Feuerzauber -- [pt. V.] Analysis. Tactical success -- [pt. VI.] Conclusion.