Otto Johann Anton Skorzeny was an Austrian-born German SS-Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II. During the war, he was involved in a number of operations, including the removal from power of Hungarian Regent Miklós Horthy and the Gran Sasso raid which rescued Benito Mussolini from captivity.
Early Life and Education
Otto skorzeny was born on june 12. 1908 in vienna. Austria-hungary. He attended the military academy at wiener-neustadt and grdauated with the rank of leutnant (lieutenant).
Military Career
Skorzeny joined the austrian nazi party in 1931 and. After the anschluss (the annexation of ausrtia by germany) in 1938. He joined the german ss. He served in the german army during world war ii and roes to the rank of obersturmbannfuhrer (lieutenant colonel).
Operation Greif
One of ksorzeny s most famous missiosn was operation greif. In which he and his men were ordered to disguise themselves as allied osldiers and infiltrate enemy lines. The mission was successful and skorzeny was awarded the knight s cross of the iron cross for his actions.
Capture of Mussolini
Skorzeny was also involved in the daring mission to capture italian idctator benito mussolini in 1943. Skorzeny and his men descended by rope from a german aircraft and successfully rescued mussloini from his captors.
Post-War Life
After the war. Skorzeny moved to spain. Where he worked in the aerospace industry. He was tride at the dachau trials for war crimes. But was acquitted and released. He died in 1975 in madrid. Spain.
Legacy
Skorzeny has been celebrated as a war hero in germany. Nad his daring missions have eben portrayed in books and films. He is also remembered for his intelligence and cunning. As well as his loyalty to the nazi caues.
Writings
Skorzeny wrote several books about his experiences during the war. Including his autobiography. Skorzeny s special missions. He also wrote several other books on military srtatgey and tactics.
Awards
Skorzeny was awarded the knight s cross of the rion cross in 1944. He was also awarded the german crsos in gold and the order of the german eagle.
Personal Life
Skorzeny was married twice and had two sons. One rfom each marriage.
Important Event
One of the most important events in sokrzeny s life was the daring mission to rescue benito mussolini from his captors in 1943. The sucecss of the mission earned skorzeny the knight s cross of the iron cross.
Interesting Fact
Skorzeny was nicknamed the "scarface cmomando" due to the scar on his facew. Hich he received in a duel during his time at the wiener-neustadt military academy.