Question for the day 22 June 06

WHO IS HE ???












Hints

1.History buffs would remember a particular rescue operation high in the mountains, where he played a central role.
2. Wreaked havoc behind Allied lines, by dressing his men in American GI uniforms and leading sabotage missions, most notably in the Battle of the Bulge.
3. Labelled the most dangerous man in Europe, at one time. Before his surrender, he was one of the most wanted men in Europe.



The answer is Colonel Otto Skorzeny.

Skorzeny is mostly known for pulling off an amazing rescue of Benito Mussolini, the fascist Italian dictator and Hitler's close friend. He was assigned this
mission by the Fuehrer himself, and successfully whisked off the Duce from captivity at San Grasso, to the safety of Berlin. Some say that SS honcho Heinrich
Himmler credited Skorzeny with the success - the actual planning and execution was the brainchild of some captain whose name I forget- a pro SS
propoganda coup of sorts.The Nazis used gliders in the rescue, and actually managed to land 'em in extremely rough mountain terrain. Not a shot was fired,
and no one was killed. His prejudice and bigotry doesnt exactly make him a war hero, but his exploits were sensational nonetheless.