Freeing Mussolini! : dismantling the Skorzeny myth in the Gran Sasso Raid

The untold inside story of the audacious Nazi plot to rescue il Duce from an Allied prison. The operation to free Mussolini, who was being held prisoner in a high mountain hotel on the summit of Gran Sasso, Italy, in September 1943, is without a doubt one of the most spectacular operations not only of the Second World War, but in all military history. German paratroopers, the Wehrmacht's elite, were responsible for organizing the rescue in record time, and executing a daring and perfectly synchronized operation between land and airborne detachments. Surprise and speed were the Fallschirmjäger's main weapons, surprising the Italian garrison guarding il Duce. For political reasons Otto Skorzeny, the clever SS officer, also participated in the operation, leading a dozen of his commandos. Propaganda and his connections with Himmler made him into the false hero of the mission, over-emphasizing his role in the whole search and rescue operation. Based on the testimony of several protagonists in this incredible operation, as well as analyzing major documents (letters, reports by General Kurt Student, etc.) and the abundant literature available on the subject, this book dismantles the "Skorzeny Myth" and reveals the truth of what really happened in a mission that even Churchill called "one of great daring." The Operation To Free Mussolini, Who Was Being Held Prisoner In A High Mountain Hotel On The Summit Of Gran Sasso, Italy In September 1943, Is Without A Doubt One Of The Most Spectacular Operations Not Only Of The Second World War, But In All Military History. German Paratroopers, The Wehrmacht's Elite, Were Responsible For Organising The Rescue In Record Time, And Executing A Daring And Perfectly Synchronised Operation Between Land And Airborne Detachments. Surprise And Speed Were The Fallschirmjäger's Main Weapons, Surprising The Italian Garrison Guarding Il Duce. For Political Reasons Otto Skorzeny, The Clever Ss Officer, Also Participated In The Operation, Leading A Dozen Of His Commandos. Propaganda And His Connections With Himmler Made Him Into The False Hero Of The Mission, Over-emphasising His Role In The Whole Search And Rescue Operation. Based On The Testimony Of Several Protagonists In This Incredible Operation, As Well As Analysing Major Documents (letters, Reports By General Kurt Student Etc.) And The Abundant Literature Available On The Subject, This Book Dismantles The 'skorzeny Myth' And Reveals The Truth Of What Really Happened In A Mission That Even Churchill Called 'one Of Great Daring'.-- The Operation Begins -- Preparing For The Mission : Freeing Mussolini! -- Skorzeny Joins The Operation -- First Company Heads For The Gran Sasso -- An Unexpected Manoeuvre -- The 'ground Phase' -- Landing At Campo Imperatore' -- Gran Sasso -- Mors Meets Mussolini -- Skorzeny Enters The Scene -- Surprise At The Gran Sasso? -- Skorzeny's Version Of Events -- My Dear Mors: I Don't Want Any Trouble With Himmler. Óscar Gónzalez López. First Published In 2015 By Galland Books As Liberad A Mussolini!--title Page Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 100-101). "The operation to free Mussolini, who was being held prisoner in a high mountain hotel on the summit of Gran Sasso, Italy in September 1943, is without a doubt one of the most spectacular operations not only of the Second World War, but in all military history. German paratroopers, the Wehrmacht's elite, were responsible for organising the rescue in record time, and executing a daring and perfectly synchronised operation between land and airborne detachments. Surprise and speed were the Fallschirmjäger's main weapons, surprising the Italian garrison guarding il Duce. For political reasons Otto Skorzeny, the clever SS officer, also participated in the operation, leading a dozen of his commandos. Propaganda and his connections with Himmler made him into the false hero of the mission, over-emphasising his role in the whole search and rescue operation. Based on the testimony of several protagonists in this incredible operation, as well as analysing major documents (letters, reports by General Kurt Student etc.) and the abundant literature available on the subject, this book dismantles the 'Skorzeny Myth' and reveals the truth of what really happened in a mission that even Churchill called 'one of great daring'."-- Provided by publisher Explores The 'Gran Sasso Raid' - the operation to free Italian dictator Benito Mussolini by German paratroopers, considered to be one of the most daring raids of the Second World War.