GIGN vs. GIA.

This is coolbert:

Watching the other night the Part Three episode from the BBC documentary series: "Age of Terror"

"In his epic new series, the Age of Terror, jourby nalist Peter Taylor traces the modern history and development of terrorism through four major acts of terror over more than 30 years."

"In each episode Peter Taylor investigates a notorious terror attack that was emblematic of a particular phase in the modern history of political violence."

[I recommend this television documentary series highly, without qualification!!]

This particular program, part three of a four part series, dealing with: "How Islamic extremists hijacked a plane in Algiers in 1994 on its way to Paris" details the hijacking of an Air France Airbus en route from Algeria to Paris. Hijacked by terrorists of the Algerian GIA. A particularly loathsome group of villains, very homicidal.

The GIA, hijacking the Airbus with the intention of EXPLODING THE JET AIRLINER WHILE IN THE AIR OVER THE VERY CENTER OF PARIS, THAT AREA OF THE CITY ORDINARILY REFERRED TO AS THE TROCADERO, THE EIFFEL TOWER, ETC.

A SUICIDE MISSION USING A FILLED-TO-CAPACITY PASSENGER AIRLINER AS A WEAPON OF WAR!

That aircraft eventually stormed successfully by the French anti-terrorist unit - - GIGN!

GIGN, the personnel of which appear to be military, but are actually para-military.

Units consisting of French gendarmes. The police. SWAT [special weapons and tactics] type units with a formidable capacity.

GIGN, having an internal and external [French] responsibility for:

* Anti-terrorist operations.
* Hostage-taking situations.
* Suppression of prison rebellions.

French gendarmes [policemen] but much more than that. Having a capability to include:

* Trained in a variety of small-arms weaponry.
* Parachute qualified. [HAHO AND HALO]
* Attack dog capacity.
* Martial arts [krav maga?].

GIGN, very highly motivated and trained individuals, GIGN characterized by their wearing of a helmet with face shield and the carrying of the .357 magnum revolver. European police and military normally preferring the use of the auto-loading pistol.




This particular gun battle occurring between the GIA terrorists [bad guys] and the GIGN [good guys] lasting twenty minutes!! Two of the terrorists killed more or less instantly, the remaining two villains fighting desperately in a protracted manner until finally terminated!

A passenger airliner - - filled to capacity - - makes a difficult target for an anti-terrorist unit to storm? Advantage here is totally in favor of the terrorists. GIGN is hesitant to fire in the confined environment, for fear of hitting an innocent bystander, and EVEN HAS DIFFICULTY IN DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN THE GOOD AND THE BAD!! The villain has no problem is firing in an indiscriminate manner, even relishing the opportunity to do so!!

GIGN in this case prevailing and with panache'! As you would expect from a Frenchman! Tres bien!

coolbert.