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Skorzeny's Special Missions: The Memoirs of "The Most Dangerous Man in Europe"

Skorzeny's Special Missions: The Memoirs of "The Most Dangerous Man in Europe"
By Otto Skorzeny

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Product Description

Otto Skorzeny, Germanys 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 Germanys 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 Knights Cross and promotion as a result. Skorzenys 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 rumor that he was planning to assassinate Eisenhower, who was consequently confined to his headquarters for weeks. Skorzenys memoirs vividly depict commando action and are a key addition to special forces literature.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #719036 in Books
  • Published on: 2006-04-14
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 230 pages

Customer Reviews

excellent4
Lucidly written account with more than acceptable level of detail. The feats this man pioneered and performed are fleshed out very well. The book will seem dry to less enthusiastic readers, and certainly less than accessible to those very new to the history of this time period. Otherwise and overall: very interesting memoir by an extraordinary soldier. Reminiscent of "The Eagle has Landed." --the film featuring Michael Caine. Highly reccomended though, it should be availiable for under 30 dollars--do not pay more for a paperback, let alone a used one.

Pretty good for an Autobiography3
A decent account of WWII seen through the eyes of the elite Spec Ops German commander. A few bits are lost here and there with the translastion from German to English but overall the feel of the book is kept pretty close to the original. The account begins with the early life of Skorzeny and is pretty light until he begins the accounts of his military career. He is very detailed and his antidotes are fairly amusing. He goes into great detail of the raid to free Mussolini, his challenges to raise a special force inside the German Army, his exploits in dealing with the Hungarian government, his plans during Ardennes offensive, and his captivity after the war. His exploits are very factually presented and although history tells of his gigantic ego he seems to have it in check throughout the book. He does not toot his own horn much but does give the credit where credit deserves: to his men and subcommanders. Those who are interested in the workings of a Spec Ops operational commander should read this book. It is not filled with an inkling of Nazi propaganda or rhetoric. It is an account of what a German Officer did during the war. It appears he did like Hitler but there also seems to be a slight undertone that the German High command messed up the war, although he does not specifically state that. It is interesting to read his accounts of dealing with the German High Command and Hitler himself and it does show a more strategic and tactical side of the war. Sadly the book ends with his escape from prison after the Nuremberg trials,and does not go into any of his underground activities and post war exploits (to include a stint working for Eva Peron in Argentina!) nor does it mention his involvement with "Der Spinne" or ODESSA. I was reluctant to read this book in fear that is might contain pro-nazi viewpoints and/or support for the Holocaust but was pleasently suprised that it was what it was, an autobiography. I would give it 4 stars but parts were difficult to understand (and had to be re-read even for a post-college level reader) and the translations lacking in rhythm in some areas. I recommend this for Spec Ops soldiers, WW II History buffs, and those interested in operational strategy. I do not recommend this for High School Students, casual College History students, or those wishing to read about World War II. This is a very specific account of very small bits of the War told through the skewed eyes of a German Officer who had his microscope solidly fixed on only one operational area: Special Warfare.