The US Army & German Wehrmacht VS Waffen SS - Battle for Castle Itter 1945 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

American and German forces team up to rescue prisoners from Itter Castle in a daring battle against the German SS.

Key Insights

• 🥡 The Battle for Castle Itter took place in May 1945, shortly after Hitler's suicide.
• 🥹 American and German forces collaborated to rescue prisoners held at Itter Castle, which had been converted into a high-profile prison.
• 🖐️ Major Gangl's opposition to the Nazis and his collaboration with the Austrian resistance played a crucial role in the battle.
• 🦾 The defenders of the castle fought off a Waffen-SS force using their strategic positions and armed themselves with various weapons.
• ❤️‍🩹 The battle finally ended when American reinforcements arrived with tanks, defeating the Waffen-SS force and liberating the castle.
• ❓ The Battle for Castle Itter is considered unique because it was an alliance between former enemies, Americans and Germans.
• 🤩 The prisoners at Itter Castle included French VIPs, such as former Prime Ministers and a tennis star.

Transcript

The Battle for Castle Itter - May 5th, 1945 The U.S. Army and German Wehrmacht vs. The German SS Austrian Alps On May 5th, 1945, a few days after Hitler's suicide, American soldiers under command of U.S. Army Captain John C. "Jack" Lee, Jr. teamed up with a number of Wehrmacht soldiers under German Major Josef "Sepp" Gangl, who was opposed to the N... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What led to the collaboration between American and German forces in the Battle for Castle Itter?

The collaboration was a result of Major Gangl's opposition to the Nazis, his collaboration with the Austrian resistance, and the castle's Czech cook seeking help.

Q: Who were the prisoners being held at Itter Castle?

The prisoners included former French Prime Ministers Paul Reynaud and Édouard Daladier, a tennis star, and other prominent French figures.

Q: How did the defenders of the castle hold off the Waffen-SS force?

The defenders, including American and German soldiers, as well as the French prisoners, used their positions in the castle and armed themselves to fire upon the attackers, inflicting casualties.

Q: How did the battle for Castle Itter end?

American reinforcements arrived with tanks, defeating the Waffen-SS force and liberating the castle. It is considered the only battle where Americans and Germans fought together as allies.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In May 1945, American soldiers and German Wehrmacht soldiers, led by Captain John C. "Jack" Lee, Jr. and Major Josef "Sepp" Gangl, collaborate to rescue prisoners from Itter Castle.

• The castle's Czech cook reaches out to the Austrian resistance, who then contacts Major Gangl for help.

• The American and German group closes in on the castle and defends it against an attacking Waffen-SS force until reinforcements arrive.