40 years of "Operation Fire Magic" - starting shot for Rheinmetall special operations equipment

40 years ago, in the night from October 17th to 18th, 1977, the GSG 9 carried out "Operation Feuerzauber." The German police elite unit stormed the Lufthansa aircraft "Landshut" that had been hijacked by terrorists five days earlier at Mogadishu Airport. On October 16th, 1977, the day before the operation began, the terrorists had murdered the captain of the "Landshut," Jürgen Schumann, during a stop in Aden. During the successful commando operation at the Horn of Africa, the GSG 9, led by their commander Ulrich K. Wegener, freed all 86 hostages unharmed. Three of the four terrorists were killed, with one policeman and one member of the Lufthansa crew suffering minor injuries.

"Operation Feuerzauber" marked the beginning of the development of today's special operations equipment at Rheinmetall. Two British Special Air Service elite soldiers supported the operation and distracted the terrorists with "Stun Grenades" just before the GSG 9 storming teams penetrated. The use of these flash-bang grenades was considered a significant contribution to the success of the operation. Shortly after "Operation Feuerzauber," German special units approached the former pyrotechnics company Nico in Trittau – now Rheinmetall Weapon Ammunition – to develop such operational means. Subsequently, specific flash-bang grenades were created and have since been continuously improved.

Today, Rheinmetall is one of the leading suppliers of special operations equipment. The extensive product range includes single and multiple bang grenades, as well as improved flash-bang grenades with Bottom-Top-Venting (BTV) technology. They are known for their high safety and precision in effectiveness and reliability. Additionally, there is an extensive 40mm ammunition range, including irritant and marking shells. In development is a special ammunition that allows for distant opening of building openings such as doors or windows.

Rheinmetall continuously improves its product range to support German and international security forces in the fight against terrorism and violent crime. The product portfolio in the field of Public Security covers all relevant capability categories: reconnaissance and surveillance, command and control, cyber, effects, protection, and mobility.

Rheinmetall Defence online: http://rheinmetall-defence.com