Schweinfurt Siege - GSG 9 l 2nd of February 1980

“Operation Sturmrot” has led to a large seizure of assets from the RAF, whilst this has prevented their logistical, planning and general capability, especially with the seizure of machineguns, at the same time it has provoked the RAF to carry out an act of vengeance against the Federal Government. GSG 9 is being called in for a rapid response against an RAF attack on a Federal Police station.

Time Stamps

 * 16:30 - 40 members of the Red Army Faction attacked a police station in the northern suburb of Schweinfurt, fortifying the small suburb.
 * 16:49 - Federal Police surrounds the area with armed officers, and the siege effectively begins.
 * 16:57 - Three GSG 9 groups respond to the event via helicopters.
 * 17:00 - The assault on the besieged suburb begins.
 * 17:21 - A large fire breaks out as a result of an RAF grenade.
 * 17:58 - The operation is concluded, with dozens of bodies on the ground.

Result
Total Death Count: 55 These are the contributing factors to the death of the 47 people: 42 of the dead are members of the Red Army Faction. 11 of the dead are members of the Bundesgrenzschutz and Landespolizei. 2 of the dead were civilians. Captured Members:
 * Firearms and gunfire have taken the life of 24 people.
 * Explosives and grenades have taken the life of 8 people.
 * The large fire contributed to the deaths of 23 people.
 * Torsten Struck - Lieutenant of the Red Army Faction
 * Thomas Gores - Lieutenant of the Red Army Faction

Aftermath
The global media responded in shock to the situation, whilst the domestic media in West Germany criticized the Federal Government, first suspecting that the fire was started by the GSG 9 to flush out members of the RAF from the buildings. The governemnt firmly denied this claim and stated that the fire was started by a hand grenade that ended up setting a car on fire that was outside of the Landespolizei Station. The fire claimed the lives of about 23 people confirmed, including members of the RAF, several Landespolizei officers that were taken hostage in the top floor of the pub, as well as two civilians in a neighboring building, that didn't leave the area.