Skorzeny's Special Missions: The Memoirs of the Most Dangerous Man in Europe - Hardcover

Skorzeny, Otto

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1853672912 ISBN 13: 9781853672910

Publisher: Greenhill Books, 1997

Synopsis

-- Personal story of Germany's top special forces man-- Details the rescue of MussoliniOtto Skorzeny, Germany's top commando in World War II, is one of the most famous men in the history of special forces. His extraordinary wartime career was one of the high risk adventure. Among the exploits that earned him the reputation as "the most dangerous man in Europe" were the rescue of Mussolini in 1943 and the capture of the Hungarian regent Admiral Horthy just before he could sign a peace treaty with Stalin. In this book Skorzeny tells the full story.

About this title

Review:

"'A great account of one man's highly unusual war.' - British Army Review"

Synopsis:

This work tells the personal story of Germany's top special forces man. It talks about the fast-paced World War II commando action, the rescue of Mussolini, action in the Ardennes, and much more. Otto Skorzeny, Germany's top commando in World War II, is one of the most famous men in the history of special forces. His extraordinary wartime career was one of high risk and adventure and in this book he tells the full story. Skorzeny quickly proved his worth in Yugoslavia and then Russia. In 1942 he was awarded the Iron Cross, and in April 1943 he was promoted to captain and named 'Chief of Germany's Special Troops, Existing or to be Created in the Future'. When Mussolini was imprisoned in Italy in 1943, it was Skorzeny who successfully led the daring glider rescue, winning the Knight's Cross and promotion as a result. Skorzeny's talents were brought into play again when he was sent to Budapest to stop the Hungarian regent Admiral Horthy from signing a peace with Stalin in 1944. Now dubbed 'the most dangerous man in Europe' by the Allies he was awarded the German Cross in Gold.

A few months later he took a critical role in the Ardennes offensive with a controversial plan to raise a brigade disguised as Americans with captured Sherman tanks. His captured colleagues spread a false rumour that he was planning to assassinate Eisenhower, who was consequently confined to his headquarters for weeks.

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenhill Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 1853672912
• ISBN 13: 9781853672910
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256