Anders Lassen
A Danish warrior of near-mythical daring, he became the only non-Commonwealth soldier to receive the Victoria Cross in World War II.
1920–1945 (age 25)·Danish military officer·Birthday: September 22·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Anders Lassen's story reads like a commando novel, yet every audacious detail is true. A young Dane seething under Nazi occupation, he escaped to England and volunteered for the most dangerous missions possible. He found his calling in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and later the Special Boat Service (SBS), elite units specializing in sabotage and reconnaissance. Lassen operated with a cold fury and a flair for the theatrical, leading raids along the coasts of occupied Europe and the Aegean islands. His methods were unorthodox, often preferring a knife or grenade to gunfire to maintain stealth. The pinnacle of his relentless campaign came in the final weeks of the war in Italy. At Lake Comacchio, facing impossible odds during a raid, he single-handedly stormed three enemy positions, saving his men but drawing fatal fire. The posthumous Victoria Cross honored not just one act, but a lifetime of fearless resistance that made him a legend among special forces.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Anders was born in 1920, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anders Was Born
The biggest hits of 1920
#1 Movie
Way Down East
Anders's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1920Born
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1925Started school
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1933Became a teenager
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1936Could drive
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1938Could vote
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1941Turned 21
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1945Died at 25
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
Key Achievements
- Awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for extreme gallantry during Operation Roast at Lake Comacchio, Italy, in April 1945.
- Received the Military Cross and two Bars for repeated bravery in separate actions, a rare distinction.
- Led numerous successful sabotage and raiding missions with the Special Boat Service in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.
- Played a key role in the capture of German-occupied islands in the Aegean, including Simi and Paros.
Did You Know?
Before the war, he worked as a sailor and hunter, skills that served him well in commando warfare.
He was known for his preference for using a knife and grenades in close-quarters combat to maintain silence.
A statue honoring him stands in Churchill Park, Copenhagen.
He is sometimes referred to as the 'Danish Lawrence of Arabia' for his irregular warfare exploits.
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