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Mikimoto -> (5/17/2001 1:12:00 AM)
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Hello.
I own Otto Skorzeny memories "Secret missions". In it he exlains the liberation of Mussolini in detail. He proposed to land in a prairy in the mountain, next to the Grand Sasso hotel. Luftwaffe officers said it was a crazy idea and estimated the casualties of the landing at 80% of the force. He insisted.
Well, they mounted in 12 gliders. Skorzeny says it was an iron/rope tube with space for the pilot and 9 men (1 squad). Two collisioned in crater bombs in the airport. Another crashed in the landing. The rest conquered the Hotel and liberated Mussolini (In fact Skorzeny and 8 men surrendered the Italian garrison. A FJ batallion on trucks conquered the cable car station in the lowesr valley. To take Mussolini out of the Grand Sasso, the roads were not considered safe.
Skorzeny requested storks (Storch) and one was sended. This was averiated and a second storch landed in the mountain. Skorzeny insisted he wanted to travel with the Duce. The pilot, captain Gerlach said that three men in an Storch was crazy and a suicide. Skorzeny agreed but said he needed to watch the Duce arriving safe. The journey was risky and wild (too much vibrations). They arrived to the airport were three He111 were waiting to transport Mussolini to Venetia. From there to Berlin.
As said by the pilot (a veteran one), travel more than two man in a Storch, was equivalent to commit suicide. The only plane capable of landing in a hand span, like the storch, and to transport some men was a British plane that flighted special missions, transporting commandos and material to the occupied countries. Don't remember the name.
Hope this helps.
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