FJR Vet living in Australia

[West-Front]

Harry was with Skorzeny When He Rescued Mussolini
By: Mark Tronson

Tweed Heads: Banora Point Baptist Church member Harry Henkel 82, was a member of the elite paratroopers who under Captain Otto Skorzeny rescued deposed Italian prime minister Benito Mussolini on 12 September 1943 from the Campo Imperatore Hotel at Gran Sasso.

Harry Henkel's story of that specific event is to be the subject of Mark Tronson's next book on Harry Henkel's war experiences as a boy parachutist when only 16 years of age. “Anzac Day for Harry Henkel is 'quiet space' in which he reflects privately,” Mark Tronson noted. Mark's first book on Harry Henkel titled, 'Boy Parachutist 1943-45' was published last year as an e-book, recounting Harry Henkel's mesmerizing Wehrmacht story.

Harry Henkel saw action in North Africa (behind the lines), Sicily (Catania paratroop drop), Monte Casino (defending the mountain top) and the Russian Front (final defense and escape). Harry was wounded twice, hospitalised and escaped death by the SS. As his mother was English, his fluency enabled him to become a US Army translator at Nuremburg before migrating to Australia in 1952.

'Boy Parachutist 1943-45' is available at
http://bushorchestra.com/HarryHenkel.htm

“Recently when Harry Henkel was hospitalised for a minor operation, the nursing staff read his astonishing story and he was granted 'legend status' much to his bewilderment,” Mark Tronson contended.

[Maleme]

What an interesting story! However, Harry Henkel as a Fallschirmjäger would surely never agree with being under the command of Skorzeny!

"...was a member of the elite paratroopers who under Captain Otto Skorzeny rescued deposed Italian prime minister Benito Mussolini on 12 September 1943 from the Campo Imperatore Hotel at Gran Sasso."

Skorzeny did not plan, nor neither lead the operation.... he was just a passenger along for the ride on a mission planned by General Kurt Student and executed and carried out by Major Harald Mors and the Fallschirmjäger under his command.

[West-Front]

See also Hans Post

He was selected for an elite Commando Unit Headed by Colonel Otto Skorzeny, a charismatic leader made famous by his daring rescue of Mussolini from anti Fascist forces in 1943. Hans Post: He was a pirate, he was an adventurer. He was a father to us, and I volunteer to him because this is what I wanted. We were all up to lieutenant all on first name. There was no Sir no nothing. We were treated like human beings not like numbers. He knew that he could rely on us under any circumstances. And he was basically a good man.

http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s990949.htm

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/ ... 71384.html

[Hans Gowert]

What an interesting story! However, Harry Henkel as a Fallschirmjäger would surely never agree with being under the command of Skorzeny!

"...was a member of the elite paratroopers who under Captain Otto Skorzeny rescued deposed Italian prime minister Benito Mussolini on 12 September 1943 from the Campo Imperatore Hotel at Gran Sasso."

Skorzeny did not plan, nor neither lead the operation.... he was just a passenger along for the ride on a mission planned by General Kurt Student and executed and carried out by Major Harald Mors and the Fallschirmjäger under his command.

too true,

skorzeny insisted to travel with the storch only to reap the glory

[rednas]

Again a German propaganda story that has been made real history. The personal story of mr Henkel is very interesting though.