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Commando Extraordinary
KIRKUS REVIEW Insights into a special sort of warfare are explored here through the example of Hitler's spectacular commando, Otto Skorzeny, whose wartime appointment was mainly chance but whose skill was not. Convinced that the secret weapon is Man, he pitted the individual mind against the well-trained soldier mass-mind to achieve such improbable feats as rescuing Mussolini from an embattled mountain-resort prison -- by glider -- and kidnapping the uncooperative Horthy from Hungary in a carpet.
261 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 4, 2018
I read this book after my 3 year service in 82nd Airborne. Otto Skorzeny's exploits as a soldier were always a favorite topic to discuss because his actions not only changed the course of a battle, but the entire war itself. In this book the author breaks down Skorzeny's career in a fast-read. Skips a lot of personal details you can find in books co-authored by Skorzeny himself (see Skorzeny's Special Missions).
Otto Skorzeny was a diehard Nazi through and through. He was a big man, towering well over 6'. He received the notable scar on his face while 'fencing' when he was a teenager in school. He studied engineering and joined the Waffen SS officer corps. He served a steady career on the Eastern Front and was sent back to Germany after being wounded in battle. Around this time Mussolini had been captured and was about to be handed over to the Allies. This was something Hitler could not allow.
A group of officers were called to meet with the Fuhrer at the 'Wolf's Lair', Hitler's headquarters located in East Prussia. Skorzeny was among them not because of his military exploits, but more so due to his strong, unshakable Nazi beliefs. When Hitler entered the room he was introduced to each officer standing in formation. A short background of the officer's career was told to the Fuhrer, who then moved down the line one after the other. The Fuhrer asked each officer what they thought of their Italian Allies, and each officer explained how they believed Italy to be a steadfast ally worthy of Germany's aid. When Hitler asked Skorzeny this same question he replied, "That's quite a question. You see, I'm an Austrian." Hitler then ordered everyone out except Skorzeny and explained what he had in mind. The story behind Skorzeny's remark was that most Germans had a dim view of their Italian allies, especially Austrians. Hitler too, was an Austrian, so Skorzeny coming from the same background confirmed Hitler he had found the right man to perform the most daring commando raid of its time, only to be topped off decades later when Israel rescued over 100 hostages in Uganda.
The author follows Skorzeny as he makes plans to rescue Mussolini from the Gran Sasso, describing in detail the logistics and men he chose to aid him in his mission. It goes without saying how the author failed to mention how the German paratroopers did most of the work, instead focusing on Skorzeny and his band of Waffen SS troops who had joined the glider formation, but that was likely the work of Josef Goebbels, who sought another hero for Germans to look up to. The author also chronicles on missions Skorzeny planned, but never put into action. One audacious plan was to strike America with V-2 Buzz Bombs launched from a fleet of U-Boats. Another was to capture Yugoslavian Partisan leader Marshal Tito, which was put into operation and nearly pulled off. It was not until late 1944 when Skorzeny had another triumph when he kidnapped right under the nose of the Hungarian Army the Regent's son, Miklos Horthy. This was ordered by Hitler when the regent had the idea of surrendering Hungary, which would have jeopardized Germany's southeast flank against the Soviet Army's juggernaut.
The author goes into some of what happened to Skorzeny after the war, but not much like many other books. I was a bit disappointed in Skorzeny being so dedicated to Nazi idealism, and lost some admiration I had for him as a soldier. My being a soldier, I could admire a brave enemy who fought for what they believed in, but what they did to Jews, religious persons, intellectuals, homosexuals, lesbians, political rivals, the physical and mentally-challenged was inexcusable, and one would have thought an educated man like Skorzeny would have seen what the Nazis were like, and worked to rid the world of Hitler and his kind instead of fighting for him. Still, I have respect for this man's exploits and enjoy reading details and logistics about the Gran Sasso rescue. If you're a WWII military buff, then put this on your list to read.
Otto Skorzeny was a diehard Nazi through and through. He was a big man, towering well over 6'. He received the notable scar on his face while 'fencing' when he was a teenager in school. He studied engineering and joined the Waffen SS officer corps. He served a steady career on the Eastern Front and was sent back to Germany after being wounded in battle. Around this time Mussolini had been captured and was about to be handed over to the Allies. This was something Hitler could not allow.
A group of officers were called to meet with the Fuhrer at the 'Wolf's Lair', Hitler's headquarters located in East Prussia. Skorzeny was among them not because of his military exploits, but more so due to his strong, unshakable Nazi beliefs. When Hitler entered the room he was introduced to each officer standing in formation. A short background of the officer's career was told to the Fuhrer, who then moved down the line one after the other. The Fuhrer asked each officer what they thought of their Italian Allies, and each officer explained how they believed Italy to be a steadfast ally worthy of Germany's aid. When Hitler asked Skorzeny this same question he replied, "That's quite a question. You see, I'm an Austrian." Hitler then ordered everyone out except Skorzeny and explained what he had in mind. The story behind Skorzeny's remark was that most Germans had a dim view of their Italian allies, especially Austrians. Hitler too, was an Austrian, so Skorzeny coming from the same background confirmed Hitler he had found the right man to perform the most daring commando raid of its time, only to be topped off decades later when Israel rescued over 100 hostages in Uganda.
The author follows Skorzeny as he makes plans to rescue Mussolini from the Gran Sasso, describing in detail the logistics and men he chose to aid him in his mission. It goes without saying how the author failed to mention how the German paratroopers did most of the work, instead focusing on Skorzeny and his band of Waffen SS troops who had joined the glider formation, but that was likely the work of Josef Goebbels, who sought another hero for Germans to look up to. The author also chronicles on missions Skorzeny planned, but never put into action. One audacious plan was to strike America with V-2 Buzz Bombs launched from a fleet of U-Boats. Another was to capture Yugoslavian Partisan leader Marshal Tito, which was put into operation and nearly pulled off. It was not until late 1944 when Skorzeny had another triumph when he kidnapped right under the nose of the Hungarian Army the Regent's son, Miklos Horthy. This was ordered by Hitler when the regent had the idea of surrendering Hungary, which would have jeopardized Germany's southeast flank against the Soviet Army's juggernaut.
The author goes into some of what happened to Skorzeny after the war, but not much like many other books. I was a bit disappointed in Skorzeny being so dedicated to Nazi idealism, and lost some admiration I had for him as a soldier. My being a soldier, I could admire a brave enemy who fought for what they believed in, but what they did to Jews, religious persons, intellectuals, homosexuals, lesbians, political rivals, the physical and mentally-challenged was inexcusable, and one would have thought an educated man like Skorzeny would have seen what the Nazis were like, and worked to rid the world of Hitler and his kind instead of fighting for him. Still, I have respect for this man's exploits and enjoy reading details and logistics about the Gran Sasso rescue. If you're a WWII military buff, then put this on your list to read.
July 20, 2016
A lively biography of Otto Skorzeny, a German special operations officer in WWII. His range of service settings is unique, as it included interactions with Hitler and many of his top officials and to combat operations on the Eastern and Western fronts. His most famed exploits include the rescue of Italy's Benito Mussolini from a mountaintop ski hotel to bring him to Germany, seizing the Hungarian Regent to keep his country in the war as Germany's partner, and masterminding the use of German troops in American uniform behind American lines during the Battle of the Bulge. And more. His mastery of the commando form of combat led to him being called "the most dangerous man in Europe, and to his continued confinement after he had been acquitted of all charges during the Nuremburg trials after the war.
Recommended to military history readers, who may enjoy Skorzeny's autobiography, "My Commando Operations" for further details.
Recommended to military history readers, who may enjoy Skorzeny's autobiography, "My Commando Operations" for further details.
February 20, 2017
The exploits of Otto Skorzney during World War II were amazing. I had heard about his rescue of Mussolini when Il Duce was imprisoned by war-weary Italians and King Victor Emmanuel, but not about his many other exploits, on behalf of the Germans. This man was an Indiana Jones, a soldier's soldier, working to execute orders with a minimum of lives lost under circumstances that required immense daring.
And this book is so well written that I was rooting for Otto, wanting him to succeed - which never happens to me. Maybe that's not remarkable and more a sign of my age - my father fought in WWII, so usually when I'm reading a book about that topic, I'm very conscious about what "side" I'm reading about, but this book made me just want Otto's raiders to get through.
The exploits are interesting, the narrative highly readable, the man himself appears amazing. Excellent subject, excellent book.
I should note a few additional datapoints, however: a 2014 Smithsonian series ("Secrets of the Third Reich") claimed that Skorzney's involvement in the Mussolini rescue was that of an observer who opportunistically thrust himself into the limelight, rather than the leader. Whether that's true or not, he certainly was able to spin a tale, and take advantage of that limelight. In addition, Skorzney, according to Wikipedia, in spite of undergoing the "Denazification" process, never made any effort to distance himself from even the most unpleasant of the Nazis or the Nazi cause. Delightful in the book - may we all have a similar coat of whitewash available to cover our sins - not necessarily so in real life.
And this book is so well written that I was rooting for Otto, wanting him to succeed - which never happens to me. Maybe that's not remarkable and more a sign of my age - my father fought in WWII, so usually when I'm reading a book about that topic, I'm very conscious about what "side" I'm reading about, but this book made me just want Otto's raiders to get through.
The exploits are interesting, the narrative highly readable, the man himself appears amazing. Excellent subject, excellent book.
I should note a few additional datapoints, however: a 2014 Smithsonian series ("Secrets of the Third Reich") claimed that Skorzney's involvement in the Mussolini rescue was that of an observer who opportunistically thrust himself into the limelight, rather than the leader. Whether that's true or not, he certainly was able to spin a tale, and take advantage of that limelight. In addition, Skorzney, according to Wikipedia, in spite of undergoing the "Denazification" process, never made any effort to distance himself from even the most unpleasant of the Nazis or the Nazi cause. Delightful in the book - may we all have a similar coat of whitewash available to cover our sins - not necessarily so in real life.
January 29, 2020
A fascinating read about a fascinating individual... which had me going to the web a few times to check if some of the events truly happened! Maybe not exactly as written in the book, which came from interviews with Skorzeny himself, but still exciting either way. The book also finishes with an interesting contemporary snapshot of irregular force usage in the 1950s and a chapter dedicated to the SAS (which I felt odd, but the author mentions - at the time - there weren't any books about them yet, so it was interesting to read these 'first' (?) impressions).
November 12, 2018
This account is consistent with what Skorzeny wrote in his own memoirs (Special Missions). Foley's roll-up of the development of the SAS and the applicability of special operations forces in wars subsequent to WW2 seemed to be a last minute add-on. But it was full of good quotes about the interminable tensions between conventional and unconventional warriors.
July 10, 2020
Great read, almost a "truth stranger than fiction" situation. If anything, a case study of the power of thinking outside the box and creative problem solving.
August 25, 2021
Yksityiskohtainen ja ihannoiva kuvaus toisen maailmansodan kuuluisasta erikoisjoukkojen komentajasta, Otto Skorzenystä.
July 30, 2022
Leading is easy, following blinding shows real courage
August 3, 2011
This was a great book. It was maybe the first one that I have read from the perspective of a German who fought in WW2 and it makes me want to read more of the sort.
Skorzeny was a man born in the wrong time. Had he been born today I think he would have found his way onto a Special Forces team and been right at home. Instead, he helped create the tactics that Special Forces teams around the world use today.
The Allies referred to him as "the most dangerous man in Europe" during and after the war. They did everything they could to find a way to lock him up and throw away the key after the war. He was on trial for war crimes multiple times and every time was found innocent.
Skorzeny was a man born in the wrong time. Had he been born today I think he would have found his way onto a Special Forces team and been right at home. Instead, he helped create the tactics that Special Forces teams around the world use today.
The Allies referred to him as "the most dangerous man in Europe" during and after the war. They did everything they could to find a way to lock him up and throw away the key after the war. He was on trial for war crimes multiple times and every time was found innocent.
August 28, 2010
Ballantine books was a great source for WW2 books, particularly those from other
countries. This is a good read, and relatively brief tale of Otto Skorzeny, the subtitle
The Remarkable Exploits. In my edition there is a note to teachers and parents by an English
teacher, it begins:
This is the intimate biography of probably the most ingenious, original
and unmilitary soldier in WW2.
Not a bad intro!
countries. This is a good read, and relatively brief tale of Otto Skorzeny, the subtitle
The Remarkable Exploits. In my edition there is a note to teachers and parents by an English
teacher, it begins:
This is the intimate biography of probably the most ingenious, original
and unmilitary soldier in WW2.
Not a bad intro!
June 30, 2013
A must-read for anyone interested in special forces, unconventional warfare, or just incredible war stories. Skorzeny may have been the Devil's commando, but he was an absolutely extraordinary commando all the same.
July 8, 2021
Otto Skorzeny was one of the biggest action heroes of WW2. The things he gets up to in this book are literally beyond belief.
July 30, 2023
The extraordinary true story of Otto Skorzeny a German commando during WW2 who was given the toughest assignments and almost always succeeded.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews