First hostage drama in Germany: The Munich bank robbery in 1971

First hostage drama in Germany: The Munich bank robbery in 1971

On August 4, 1971, there was a dramatic attack in Munich that would go down in the annals as the first hostage drama in German history. Shortly before closing time, at 3:55 p.m., two masked men, Dimitri Todorov and Hans Georg Rammelmayr, entered the Deutsche Bank branch on Prinzregentenstrasse, armed with submachine guns and wearing motorcycle helmets. The bank quickly turned into a place of terror when the perpetrators took six hostages, including the cashier Ludwig Kelnhofer.

The situation quickly developed into a race against time: the perpetrators demanded two million marks and a fast getaway vehicle, otherwise they would kill the hostages. An extraordinary turn of events that marked the first time targeted police blackmail in Germany. Instead of acting hectically, the police were faced with a confusing situation because there were neither specially trained personnel nor clear communication channels for such emergencies, as Welt.de reported.

The dramatic negotiations

Negotiations between police and perpetrators dragged on as the hostages tried to calm their nerves. Amid the tense atmosphere, some places even offered champagne to lighten the mood. But the drama began: that evening at 6:40 p.m. the state central bank provided the ransom and the police tried to bring the situation under control. Shortly before midnight the situation escalated as the robbers prepared to escape.

The chaotic circumstances led to police making a last-minute attempt to subdue the perpetrators as they left the bank. There was an exchange of fire in which a total of 120 to 150 shots were fired. This day ended tragically for bank employee Ingrid Reppel, who was rescued but later died from her injuries. While the police caught the second perpetrator, Dimitri Todorov, Hans-Georg Rammelmayr died.

Aftermath and lessons from the hostage drama

These unprecedented incidents not only led to a rethink in policing, but also to greater public awareness of the dangers of hostage-taking. Interestingly, the numbers of hostage-takings recorded by the police in Germany have remained constant since the 1990s, even if the Federal Criminal Police Office states that the number of hostage-takings will remain more or less stable until 2024, according to Statista shows.

In order to further examine the incident, the ZDF documentary “XY History”, which was broadcast on September 24, 2025, deals with this case and offers insights through interviews with contemporary witnesses, including Ludwig Kelnhofer and other relatives. A gripping testimony from the past that not only illuminates the events of that time, but also the difficult human emotions and fears associated with such a crisis.

The social and police lessons from this hostage crisis are still relevant and stimulate reflection on legal and personal responsibility. Such an event not only shapes those affected, but also the memory of an entire city and leaves scars that may never fully heal.