In the aftermath of Italy’s surrender to the Allies in September 1943, former Prime Minister Benito Mussolini found himself in a precarious situation. Detained by Italian authorities, he was placed under house arrest in the remote Hotel Campo Imperatore on Gran Sasso mountain. Mussolini’s capture was a significant blow to fascism, as Italy had been one of the Axis powers during World War II. The rescue operation, Operation Eiche, led by German officer Otto Skorzeny, aimed to liberate Mussolini and reinstate him as a figure of power in Italy, bolstering German influence in the region.

On the night of September 12, Skorzeny commanded a squad of elite paratroopers who skillfully executed a glider landing near the hotel. Using surprise and efficiency, they swiftly overpowered the guards and liberated Mussolini, who was flown away in a German aircraft. The operation was hailed as a triumph by Nazi Germany, demonstrating their tactical prowess and commitment to the Axis alliance. Following his rescue, Mussolini was installed as the head of the Italian Social Republic, a puppet regime in Northern Italy, enabling him to continue his influence until the war's end.

The daring operation not only illustrated the lengths to which Germany would go to retain its allies but also created further instability in Italy. Mussolini's return to power resulted in continued resistance from Allied forces and partisans in Italy, illustrating the complex dynamics of World War II’s later stages.