Episode 275 - The Red Army Faction Part 4: The Body as a Weapon
Sep 4, 2023
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Dive into the chaos of the German Autumn of 1977 as radical group members intersect with high-profile figures. Discover the turmoil of prisoners through hunger strikes, and unravel the tragic death of Ulrike Meinhof. Explore how the Red Army Faction's disorganized plans led to violent kidnappings, including that of businessman Hans Schleyer. Reflect on shifting ideologies within former members and witness the emotional toll of their extreme beliefs, all wrapped in engaging storytelling.
The Red Army Faction's decentralized structure led to internal conflicts and a lack of coherent political objectives, undermining its revolutionary goals.
High-profile violent acts during the German Autumn of 1977, such as murders and hijackings, significantly impacted public perception of the RAF in West Germany.
The psychological strain of isolation and subsequent hunger strikes among RAF prisoners revealed deep fractures within the group, affecting their ideological coherence.
Deep dives
Overview of the Red Army Faction
The Red Army Faction (RAF) emerged as a notorious group within the context of leftist militancy in Germany, characterized by its unorthodox approach to terrorism. Unlike other paramilitary organizations, the RAF operated more as a decentralized collective of ideologues, often lacking a clear command structure or unified goal. Their ideology revolved around opposition to state oppression rather than specific national agendas, aligning them more with chaotic activism than organized terrorism. This lack of clear leadership contributed to internal conflicts, as members often found themselves bickering and engaging in personal rivalries rather than focusing on coherent political objectives.
Key Arrests and Isolation's Impact
The key figures of the RAF, including Ulrika Meinhof and Andreas Baader, were arrested through a series of operations that highlighted both the incompetence and determination of law enforcement. Following their capture, the RAF members were placed in isolation, which severely impacted their mental health and ideological coherence. This separation led to a deep sense of hopelessness, as they were cut off from outside support and communications, forcing them to engage in self-reflection and criticism. While in confinement, they developed a complex system of coded communication to maintain their revolutionary consciousness, but this effectively heightened their paranoia and intra-group tensions.
The Munich Massacre and Ideological Repercussions
The Munich Massacre in 1972 acted as a catalyst for discussions within the RAF, as they grappled with the implications of political violence and the nature of their own actions. The group expressed mixed reactions regarding this incident, particularly through statements from Meinhof, who drew parallels between historical oppression and contemporary resistance. This incident also highlighted the ideological rifts in the group, as members debated the morality and effectiveness of their actions in relation to broader struggles against imperialism and state power. Their responses, including support for the PLO, sparked accusations of anti-Semitism, further complicating their public perception.
Hunger Strikes and Internal Strife
The RAF prisoners organized several hunger strikes to protest their treatment in prison, which eventually became symbolic acts of resistance against what they termed systemic oppression. Despite the individual motivations behind these strikes, their collective execution revealed diverse levels of commitment among the prisoners, leading to significant internal strife. Bader, for instance, would often undermine the strikes while secretly consuming food smuggled in by lawyers, inciting anger and resentment among his comrades. This betrayal intensified fractures within the group, where ideological purity was increasingly at odds with individual survival instincts, resulting in tragic consequences, including the death of Holger Meins.
The Downfall of the RAF
The decline of the Red Army Faction was precipitated by a combination of internal conflict, heightened state repression, and failed operations. Following the deaths of key figures like Meinhof and the execution of Bader, Ensling, and Rasp in prison, the RAF struggled to maintain its initial revolutionary fervor. Remaining members faced increasing isolation and disillusionment, prompting some to abandon armed struggle altogether. By the late 1970s, as external support dwindled and the group lost its cohesion, it effectively disbanded, signaling the end of a significant chapter in the history of left-wing extremism in Germany.
In the final episode of the series, we learn about the run-up to, and aftermath of, the Deutscher Herbst, or "German Autumn" of 1977. In two months in late 1977, the leadership of the first generation of the Red Army Faction would murder a high-profile German industrialist (and former SS officer), hijack a plane, and commit group suicide. And let's just say it made an impression in West Germany.
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Sources:
The Red Army Faction. A Documentary History. Volume I: Projectiles for the People.
Margrit Schiller. Remembering The Armed Struggle. My Time With the Red Army Faction.
Stefan Aust. The Baader Meinhof Complex
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