I have prepared a presentation about the assasination of Deutsche Bank Chairman Alfred Herrhausen. MO of the attack is sophisticated and professional to the time it was executed. A casebook study for security professionals.
2. Deutsch Bank President Alfred
Herrhausen was killed by a bomb
attack on November 30th, 1989.
Herrhausen attack is a casebook study
for security personnel.
3. Herrhausen was killed by an explosion from a IED attached
bicycle when he was traveling to his business from his home
with a 3 car detail.
The copper plate attached to the front of the IED acted like a
bullet when the explosion occured and wounded Herrhausen.
Herrhausen bleed to death because of the injury done by the
copper plate to his leg.
6. Protection Details
3 car convoy
01
Lead
2 Bodyguards
02
Follow
2
Bodyguards
03
VIP vehicle
Armoured
Mercedes
04
7. Details of The Attack According to the
Police Reports.
At 08.20 AM Nov. 30 they left the residence with a 3-car
convoy.
From residence to highway convoy proceeded through a
single lane road surrounded with tree lines.
There was a school and a public park on the single road with a
speed limit of 30 km.
When they were passing through the park area on the single
lane road IED attached to the bicycle exploded.
8. Lead bodyguards noticed the
bicycle when they were checking
the route, but they ignored it as
the bicycle was left there for a
long time.
Lead team also noticed an
individual in a jogging outfit
with Sony headphones standing
close to the explosion zone but
they ignored him. It is a usual
outfit around the public park.
9. Lead team couldn’t detect;
There was also another individual with jogging outfit and sony
headphones hidden in the bushes. ( The first one was the
spotter and the second one activated the infrared beam)
Infrared receiver and reflector materials attached to the iron
pillars on the sidewalk.
A third individual standing further from the explosion point.
Getaway car parked prior to the explosion point with the
engines on.
Another vehicle which used to block the incoming traffic from
the opposite lane. ( Only another vehicle from opposite lane
could trigger the IED)
10.
11. After the Lead car passed from the explosion point and
Herrhausen’s vehicle approached, spotter alerted the hidden
teammate with the radio to activate the infrared beam. ( Sony
headphones were used for communication )
The attackers blocked the opposite lane with another car to
prevent the opposite lane traffic from triggering the IED ( Only
a vehicle from opposite incoming traffic can trigger the IED
other than Herrhausen’s vehicle )
IED exploded when Herrhausen’s car disrupted infrared beam.
All the attackers managed to escape from the scene of crime.
12.
13. Lessons
Learned
Leaving the residence at the same time on
each day. ROUTINE
Same route everyday. ROUTINE
They haven’t done the security risk
assessment of the route.
(Narrow lane and iron pillars on the
sidewalk. Prevents getaway incase of an
attack.)
Because of the school and public park there
is a section with a speed limit on the route . (
Speed limits, speed bumps are vantage points
for attackers)
Bicycle was left close to the bus stop and
pedestrian crossing. (In Germany people do
not leave their bicycles near this places)
Because of the public park, trees and bushes
create natural vantage points for the
attackers.
Bus stops and public parks . Vantage points
for hostile surveillance
14. Lessons
Learned
The bicycle was left on the sidewalk for
a long time altough it is prohibited to
leave it there. ( Should be noticed by
security detail )
6 weeks prior to the attack
perpetrators laid down the cable of the
infrared beam on the road under the
disguise of municipal workers. Genuine
municipal workers noticed and
removed the cable after that but they
didnt inform the law enforcement
about the incident. ( Lack of
communication btw. authorities )
When the perpetrators found out that
the cable was removed they installed it
again. ( Municipality workers should be
aware of uncommon incidents)
15. Lessons
Learned
Lack of a Surveillance Detection
Unit. SD Units are vital for VIP
protection. By executing random
Surveillance Detection
operations this attack could be
prevented.
