Otto Skorzeny became famous for the daring release of the ousted Italian fascist leader Mussolini. Over the years of World War II, this master of sabotage work took part in dozens of military actions. The Fuhrer of Germany highly appreciated Skorzeny and personally entrusted him with the performance of special operations.
From the biography of Otto Skorzeny
The future SS Standartenfuhrer was born on June 12, 1908 in Vienna. He came from a family of hereditary military. Back in his student years, Skorzeny took part in duels more than once. On his account there were at least a dozen fights. In memory of these adventures, a scar remained on the duelist's cheek for life.
In 1931, Skorzeny joined the German Nazi Party and became a member of the assault squads. In this field, he showed leadership qualities. Skorzeny took an active part in the accession of Austria, preventing the killing of the displaced Austrian President Miklas. It was during such special events that Skorzeny honed his terrorist skills and was trained as a saboteur.
Skorzeny went to the Second World War as part of the 1st SS Panzer Division. He took part in the battles in the territory of the Soviet Union. After being wounded in 1942, Skorzeny returned to Germany, becoming the owner of the Iron Cross. So Germany appreciated the merits of the conqueror, who showed courage under enemy fire.
Otto Skorzeny's Secret Operations
Having recovered from a serious wound, Skorzeny takes the next step in his career: he becomes the head of a special unit that conducted reconnaissance and sabotage operations behind enemy lines. It was in this capacity that Skorzeny carried out an action to save Benito Mussolini, who was imprisoned. Hitler’s candidacy for participation in this impudent operation was approved by Hitler himself after studying several candidates.
Later, Skorzeny got involved in preparing a secret operation, during which it was planned to eliminate Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill during their meeting in Tehran in 1943. However, the rally failed: Soviet intelligence uncovered the insidious plans of the German command and neutralized the Nazi agents in Iran.
In 1944, Otto Skorzeny received a new assignment. He was supposed to eliminate the leaders of the Resistance in the Balkans. The main goal of the saboteur group was the partisan leader Josip Broz Tito, hiding in Bosnia. During the operation, the SS assault detachment entered into battle with partisans superior in strength. However, the cutthroats Skorzeny failed to capture Tito: the partisan leader managed to leave the shelter. This is one of the few operations on Skorzeny's track record that ended in failure.
On July 20, 1944, an attempt on Hitler took place. It was organized by the highest ranks of the Third Reich. Skorzeny at that moment was in the capital of Germany and took a direct part in the suppression of the rebellion. For more than a day he kept under control the headquarters of the reserve of ground forces, whose chief was one of the conspirators.
