Former military dictator Manuel Noriega died on Monday, having spent the last three decades of his life shunted between courts and prison-cells in America, France and his native Panama.

The American government brought his brutal six-year regime to an end in December 1989, with the invasion of Panama (code-named Operation Just Cause) but capturing the man himself proved more difficult. It involved one of the strangest operations in military history. Revealing an unexpected secret weapon – a sense of humour – the military set aside their guns for Guns N' Roses.

The assault began on December 20. The Americans dropped more than 400 bombs in 13 hours, while Noriega fled across Panama City in a Hyundai, dashing from one hopeless hide-out to another, ducking into a school, a hospital and even a Dairy Queen fast food restaurant.