Members of the German border police, untrained in counter-terrorism, were sent to try and manage a rescue. By this time, camera crews had gathered, and were broadcasting live images. The kidnappers were actually able to watch police prepare to attack and knew they were hiding on the roof. Eventually, the police had to leave.
The authorities then promised the kidnappers transportation to Cairo, Egypt. The kidnappers and the hostages were transported by two helicopters to a nearby airbase, and told they would be flown to the international airport. In reality, the authorities wanted to ambush them. Five untrained German snipers were picked, and asked to shoot.
There was a dummy jet on the runway, with armed German police dressed as flight crew inside. They were to overpower the terrorists who entered the plane, while the snipers were to kill the ones outside. Then, for no apparent reason, police aboard the airplane abandoned their mission, leaving the snipers on their own. When the kidnappers found the empty jet and knew they had been tricked, they ran towards the helicopters. The snipers opened fire. And everything went haywire.
In the picture: Members of the Israeli at the Munich Olympic stadium attend the memorial ceremony paying tribute to their countrymen.