Operation Eiche, or “Operation Oak”, was a daring German rescue mission orchestrated during World War II to liberate the deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from captivity. Successfully executed on September 12, 1943, the operation was a testament to the efficiency, audacity, and tactical brilliance of German special forces during the conflict.
Benito Mussolini, once a powerful and feared leader in Europe, saw his fortunes change by 1943. With the Allies advancing in southern Italy, the Italian Grand Council of Fascism passed a vote of no confidence against him in July. King Victor Emmanuel III arrested and imprisoned Mussolini, an event which marked the end of the Fascist government in Italy.
Upon hearing of his ally’s arrest, Adolf Hitler was both shocked and angered. Believing Mussolini to be essential for maintaining a fascist presence in Italy and as a counter to the rising influence of the Allies in the region, Hitler immediately ordered his rescue.
To undertake this audacious mission, Hitler called upon one of his most trusted and competent officers, SS-Obergruppenführer Otto Skorzeny. Skorzeny and his team were given the task of locating and extracting Mussolini from his place of confinement.
The first challenge was to determine where Mussolini was being held. Multiple locations across Italy were rumored to be his prison, but the German intelligence network finally confirmed his presence at the Campo Imperatore Hotel, located atop the Gran Sasso mountain in the Apennines. The location was chosen by the Italians due to its remote nature and the belief that it would be difficult for any rescue attempt to succeed.
The Campo Imperatore Hotel was not easily accessible. Located high up in the mountains, it was guarded by a garrison of Italian troops. The rugged terrain made a ground-based assault challenging. However, the Germans saw an opportunity in this very challenge.
On September 12, Skorzeny, along with paratroopers from the 2nd Fallschirmjäger Division, launched the operation.
A. Aerial Approach: Utilizing DFS 230 gliders, the Germans opted for an aerial assault. The gliders allowed the commando team to silently approach and land near the hotel.
B. Rapid Assault: The element of surprise was crucial. Upon landing, the German forces quickly neutralized the guards, encountering minimal resistance, thanks largely to the shock and speed of their arrival.
C. Securing Mussolini: Skorzeny and his team located Mussolini and secured him without any harm. Famously, upon meeting the deposed leader, Skorzeny greeted him with the words, “Duce, the Führer has sent me! You are free!”
The mission, executed swiftly and with precision, was a significant propaganda victory for the Third Reich. Mussolini was flown to Vienna and later to Munich, where he met with Hitler. While the rescue restored Mussolini to a position of power, it was largely symbolic. With the support of the Germans, Mussolini established the Italian Social Republic in northern Italy, but this puppet state lasted less than two years, facing constant pressure from both internal partisans and advancing Allied forces.
A. Tactical Brilliance: Operation Eiche showcased the prowess of German special forces. The audacity of the mission, combined with its meticulous planning and execution, made it one of the most impressive commando operations of the war.
B. The Rise of Skorzeny: Otto Skorzeny, already a notable figure within the SS, became a legendary figure after the operation. He went on to command other operations during the war and became known as one of Hitler’s most trusted operatives.
C. Mussolini’s Tragic End: Despite the successful rescue, Mussolini’s fate was sealed. His puppet state crumbled by 1945, and he was captured and executed by Italian partisans.
While Operation Eiche was a resounding tactical success, it was strategically of limited value. Mussolini’s new fascist state was short-lived, and the tide of the war was turning against the Axis powers. Yet, the operation remains a testament to the lengths the Third Reich would go to maintain its alliances and the exceptional capabilities of its special operations forces. In the annals of wartime commando operations, Operation Eiche stands out for its boldness, planning, and flawless execution.
