Django posted:Can you recall if the news was broadcast on the same day Saturday, November 18 1978 ??
Yes, that Saturday evening news was out about the event but not enough details. Amount of casualties, who did it, etc. were sketchy. I remember a lady wondering if it was bandits who killed the Americans and would draw the ire of America. Much was unknown, but there was no attempt by the GoG to suppress the news as you claim.
I don't know how many helicopters GDF had, but it wasn't an entire fleet. From the seawall, Vlissengen Road area it was noted that they were taking off from the GDF compound and there was higher activity than usual. this is from memories as a child.