Operation Eiche

Operation Eiche, conducted in 1943 during World War II, was a daring rescue mission by German forces to free Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who had been captured by Italian partisans. Led by German paratroopers, the operation involved a swift aerial assault on the remote mountain hotel where Mussolini was held. The operation was successful, allowing Mussolini to escape and be taken to safety in Germany. This event highlighted the complexities of alliances and conflicts during the war, and Mussolini’s subsequent role was pivotal in Italian politics as he continued to serve under German influence.