Rescuing Mussolini - Gran SASSO 1943 The rescue of imprisoned Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from atop the Gran Sasso plateau was one of the most dramatic special forces operations in military history. The Germans, led by SS Haupsturmfuhrer Otto Skorzeny, launched a daring Glider-borne assault, which surprised the Italian guards and secured Mussolini without a shot being fired. Full description