Hitler Rescues Mussolini (1943)
Italy surrendered in September 1943 as the Allies invaded the country. Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, was ousted and imprisoned by his own people in a remote mountain retreat. Outraged by this development, Hitler, Mussolini's ally, vowed to save him. On September 12, a fleet of glider aircraft unexpectedly crash-landed near Mussolini's makeshift prison, disgorging German commandos led by SS-commander Otto Skorzeny, swiftly overwhelmed the guards and rescued Mussolini. Watching from a window above, Mussolini greeted his rescuers with a grin, expressing faith in Hitler's loyalty. He said: "I knew my friend Adolf Hitler would not abandon me". Mussolini was evacuated and later united with Hitler. He was put in charge of an Italian Nazi puppet state, named the Italian Social Republic. When that stated collapsed at the end of WW2 in Europe Mussolini was caught by Italian Partisans and executed.
VIDEO
• German Propaganda Footage showing Rescue o...
German Propaganda Footage showing Rescue of Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini- 22 September 1943