Liberation of Andreas Baader, Political incident at Social Affairs Institute in Berlin, Germany
The Liberation of Andreas Baader was an armed raid on the Institute for Social Sciences in Berlin-Dahlem on May 14, 1970. Several people forced their way into the building, fired at guards, and helped Baader escape from his holding there.
The event marked the start of the Red Army Faction's armed campaign against the West German state. The action showed that radical groups were ready to use violence to achieve their political aims.
Students and activists across Germany interpreted this liberation as a call to direct action against perceived state authority and institutional control.
The site can be visited today, though the building is now known by different names and continues to serve as a research institute. Visitors should be aware it is a private research facility and access may be restricted.
The rescuers posed as researchers working on a book about juvenile offenders to deceive the institute's staff and gain access. This disguise as scholars allowed them to reach the secure area and carry out the operation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
