The military (and its assorted special forces) are a great topic - from the astounding amount
of different weaponry, technology, training and personnel - to the daredevil like feats
performed by soldiers.
When it comes to special forces - these targeted groups are hardly an exception to the rule.
From hostages held against their will - to complicated captives imprisoned in war camps
- these seven unbelievable acts of courage saved the lives and futures of some very lucky
people.
You may have seen rescue operations in the movies - but we assure you, real life is ALWAYS
crazier than fiction.
Today, let's take a look at seven of the craziest special forces rescue missions of all time.
Number seven - Operation Jericho.
During 1944, French resistance fighters had to navigate life around the perpetual fear
of being captured by Nazi soldiers.
After the Nazi occupation of France, notorious prisons were setup with the purpose of caging
and torturing French prisoners.
During February of that year, British airstrikes on Amiens Prison were attempted in an effort
to free the hundreds of political prisoners and resistance fighters held inside.
Led by 9 Mosquito bombers - this incredibly violent event resulted in the deaths of over
100 prisoners - however, an additional 250 escaped with 70 of them evading recapture
entirely.
Although the raid's return was low, it remains a wild example of WWII brutality.
Number six - Operation Nimrod.
In April 1980, 6 Iranian separatists entered the Iranian embassy in London - taking twenty
six individuals inside hostage.
Demanding the release of political prisoners (including a safe and uninterrupted passage
out of Britain), the standoff reached an excruciating SIX days before one of the hostage takers
executed a hostage - tossing the body into the street outside.
Finally breaking the non-violent deal, the British Government transferred full authority
to the SAS, with SAS soldiers rappelling down the embassy's roof and adjacent balconies
just days later.
During the course of 17 minutes, all but one of the terrorists were killed - while everyone
(except for one hostage) was successfully saved.
Number five - Raid at Cabanatuan.
After the fall of the Philippines in 1942 during the Second World War, Japan developed
a habit of brutally imprisoning POWs - killing hundreds of thousands of unfortunate souls
at the cause of the Imperial Japanese Army's inhumane conditions and treatment.
Holding tens of thousands inside, American troops planned to rescue the prisoners from
one of the largest camps around, Cabanatuan.
The half-hour attack was helmed by over 400 American Rangers, Scouts and Filipino guerrillas
that travelled behind enemy lines, eventually rescuing over 500 prisoners of war and civilians
alike.
Although official numbers are somewhat grey, this harrowing rescue even inspired the 2005
movie 'The Great Raid'.
Number four - Air France Flight 8969.
Four members of the Armed Islamic Group planned on blowing up Air France Flight 8969 over
Paris - killing three hostages and hijacking the airliner on December 24, 1994.
The plane ran short on fuel - requiring an emergency landing in Marseille before carrying
forward to Paris.
However, the French sent counter-terrorist group GIGN in for reconnaissance and intel-gathering
before being forced into action.
After the hijackers opened fire on the French control tower, 30 GIGN soldiers stormed the
plane through both doors, killing most of the pirates within minutes.
The final hijacker barricaded himself in the cockpit, bleeding to death from his wounds
- while all the remaining hostages were saved.
Number three - Moscow Theatre Siege.
In October 2002, 40 armed Chechen militants, supporting the separatist movement in Chechnya,
took control of the Dubrovka Theatre located in Moscow - taking over 850 people inside
hostage.
Chosen by terrorists due to the difficult-to-rescue floor plan layout of the building, the hijackers
further complicated rescue attempts by strapping themselves with bombs, ready to sacrifice
themselves to stop any would-be-hero.
After the second day, two hostages were executed - sending the Russian government into full
force.
Special forces such as Alpha Team and Vega Groups pumped an undisclosed chemical inside
to knock everyone out, killing all 40 Chechens and 130 hostages - but saving the remaining
700.
Number two - Operation Chavin de Huantar.
Back in December 1996, the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Peru was seized by 14 rebels
of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, slipping past hundreds of people, armed guards
and officials attending the premises to celebrate the Emperor's birthday.
After four long months of standing off, Peruvian forces snuck cameras and strategic clothing
in to the prisoners as part of aide packages - while secret tunnels were dug underneath
the building - ready for an assault.
On April 22, 140 Peruvian commandos launched their choreographed assault on the tunnel
guards as others stormed the entrances and climbed the rear walls.
Although one hostage and two soldiers were lost to the battle, ALL of the rebels and
over one hundred hostages were rescued.
Number one - Operation Thunderbolt.
Arguably one of the most spectacularly audacious hostage rescues in all of history - Operation
Thunderbolt remains a bold staple of military excellence.
When Air France Flight 139 (and her 250 passengers) were hijacked by members of the Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine, they slowly allowed any non-Israeli hostages to go, only
keeping the 106 passengers and air crew that fit the bill.
After landing at Entebbe Airport in Uganda (a country that was sympathetic to the terrorists),
100 Israeli commandos flew 2,500 miles in disguises to the terminal building holding
the people inside.
After the commandos swarmed the building, seven hijackers, forty Uganda military employees
and one Israeli soldier were killed - but all 102 of the remaining hostages were successfully
released from captivity.
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