The first unabridged English edition of the memoirs of the infamous Otto Skorzeny, and Austrian-born German SS-Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II. Otto Skorzeny's fame began with the successful raid to free Benito Mussolini from the Gran Sasso, Italy in 1943. His elite commandos surprised Italian guards in a daring daytime raid. Hitler presented Skorzeny with the Knight's Cross for this operation. This raid is explained in minute detail in this book, along with many of Skorzeny's previously unknown operations in all European and Russian theatres of World War II, in detailed accounts. Operation Griffin - the innovative use of German Kommandos dressed as American soldiers working behind enemy lines - during the Ardennes Offensive in 1944 is given in-depth coverage, as is Skorzeny's remembrances on the Malmedy massacre. Skorzeny also offers his insights into the mysterious Rudolf Hess mission to England in May 1941, and offers a behind the scenes look at German and Russian secret military intelligence, and the workings of Canaris and Gehlen.