Entebbe hero dies
Colin Hardie, a former general manager of the Christchurch Star, lived through the hijacking of an Air France airbus which was freed, with the loss of lives, following an Israeli attack on the Ugandan Entebbe airport, has died at the age of 91.
Hardie documented the famous incident by surreptitiously documenting events by jotting down details on his arms.
He and his wife were on the Paris-bound jet en route from Athens. Terrosists diverted it to Benghazi in Libya and from there to Entebbe. The hijackers demanded the release of 40 Palestinians from Israeli jails and the release of 13 prisoners in Kenya, Germany, Switzerland and France.
With all passengers under threat of death if the terrorists demands were not met, the Israelis launched an attack on Entebbe during which three of the 106 hostages were killed. Mr Hardie survived to tell the story through the Canterbury Star using his arms as a notebook and by doing so putting himself at great risk.
Sorry I missed this. I have a treasured copy of the film and several of the book in my library.
What a brilliant manoeuvre to attempt to free the hostages.
I recall Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost his brother who was the commander of the exercise among others.
Great historical value for showing your courageous love for your fellow man and country.