MovieChat Forums > The Eagle Has Landed (1976) Discussion > Kurt Steiner

Kurt Steiner

posted 18 years ago by haabeth
8 replies | jump to latest

...I recently read a book, or biography,(publ 1981) based on interviews with one Norwegian veteran of the Foreign Legion.
In this biography Kurt Steiner is a central figure, and was serving as "foot-soldier" of the Legion, including fighting in Vietnam in the 40s/50s. The "Eagle Story" is referred to in the book, but no mention of the film. The whole book is smack full of details and facts, and there seems to be no reason to doubt that the reference to Steiner is real. There is also one photo of Steiner in the book, taken whilst holding a post somewhere in Vietnam...
People have perhaps heard about this before...thought it was fairly interesting anyway

[–] sigdor3 18 years ago

Have you heard of The Eagle Has Flown, at least that's what I think the name is. Anyway it's a sequel to The Eagle Has Landed and it talks about the real Devlin and Steiner from the author's personel experience. Very interesting.

[–] guidonthief 18 years ago

The books and movie are total fiction. I'm sure there are thousands of Kurt Steiners who served in the war--it's a fairly common German name--and that one or more found their way into the FFL after the war, but TEHL is total fiction. Check out other posts and threads for more details.

[–] haabeth 18 years ago

The book I referred to includes a mention of what this Kurt Steiner was supposedly doing before joining the legion. His position and rank in the German Army is mentioned, and also, briefly, an alledged attempt on Churchill's life.
I take it what your saying is that either the writer of this biography (or indeed the Legionaire who was interviewed) is lying - or that this 'particular' Kurt Steiner was lying?...I Still find the story fairly interesting though. True or not.

[–] OC47150 18 years ago

Steiner is a common German name. I'm thinking it's conincidence.

Anyone could volunteer for the German airborne, regardless of what division he served in.

There's been a few books written about former German soldiers who joined the French Foreign Legion at the end of WWII. One in particular that I know of is called the Devil's Brigade.

The soldiers, particularly the SS, had a choice: join the Legion or take your chances with the justice system in France. There were whole groups of ex-German soldiers who fought in Indo-China (Vietnam) with distinction.

[–] ianprl 18 years ago

I used google and yes, the name is common which clutters the search result.

According to my memory, there was a Kurt Steiner in about 1970 who was ex-Foreign Legion, and a Congo mercenary. He took on an assignment in the Sudan and was captured and tried by the Sudan government. There was a report about him in Time Magazine. I do not remember what his sentence was. I did not find any result for him via Google.

I don't believe there is any connection with the EHL character, prob'ly Jack Higgins just used the name cos it sounds rugged and soldierly.

[–] roberts-39 18 years ago

I thought Steiner might be a take off on Otto Skortzeny?

[–] ianprl 14 years ago

A fairly comprehensive entry is now available on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf_Steiner

and he was born in 1933, so good for Indo-China and Algeria conflicts, but not WW2.

roberts-39 (Thu Oct 5 2006 13:58:08) ,said "I thought Steiner might be a take off on Otto Skortzeny?"

Skorzeny was a very committed Nazi. He carried out some audacious missions, planning, organizing and then leading, and had access to the highest levels of German command including the Fuhrer himself if needed.

So there are some basic differences.

cheers.

[–] grendelkhan 10 years ago

Yeah, Rolf Steiner, not Kurt. He fought in Nigeria and the Sudan, though not the Congo. He was dismissed by Col Ojukwu (teh Biafran leader)in Nigeria, and didn't have a great rep among other mercenaries. He was also involved in the OAS (the anti-DeGaulle terrorist group, made up predominantly of ex-Legion and paratroopers), for which he served time in prison.

Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!