Years of Lead were a political phenomenon related to the Cold War that was characterized by left - and right-wing terrorism and the putative strategy of tension , beginning in Italy and later spreading to the rest of Europe . In Italy terrorist groups include the Red Brigades and Ordine Nuovo , in Germany there was the Red Army Faction and in France there was '' Action directe '' . In Belgium , the '' années de plomb '' or " Bloody Eighties " , refers to the Brabant massacres which resulted in 28 deaths . The far-right movement Westland New Post ( WNP ) has been suspected in this campaign . Attacks by the Communist Combatant Cells , a short-lived group , killed two . Many of the right-wing groups involved have been linked to Operation Gladio . The liberation of James L. Dozier signaled the end of the Years of Lead
Brabant massacres
Brabant killers
Years of Lead