Otto Skorzeny

“Biographical profile of Skorzeny”

“Skorzeny was a giant of a man with a chalk-line scar scribbled from the left temple to the corner of his mouth, above a massive chin.”

“You have performed a military feat which will become part of history. You have given me back my friend Mussolini!”

“Otto Skorzeny was probably the most effective special forces commander of World War II.”

“The most dangerous man in Europe.”

“I would never have surrendered, because of my pledge as a German officer. But when Hitler died, that pledge ended. By killing himself, Hitler saved thousands of lives. They relieved us of our oaths as soldiers.”

“Hitler decided that Mussolini must be freed from the Italian Partisans because Benito was his friend and had acted in good faith.”

“Duce, the Führer has sent me to set you free!”

“Although care must be taken not to kill or injure anyone while these persons are being taken into custody, resistance must be broken!”

“My knowledge of pain, learned with the sabre, taught me not to be afraid. And just as in dueling when you must concentrate on your enemy's cheek, so, too, in war. You cannot waste time on feinting and sidestepping. You must decide on your target and go in.”