The US Army & German Wehrmacht VS Waffen SS - Battle for Castle Itter 1945

Simple History
11 Sept 201704:20
EducationalLearning
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TLDROn May 5th, 1945, in a unique event during World War II, American and German forces joined together to defend Castle Itter in the Austrian Alps against a Waffen-SS division. The castle, converted into a prison, held French VIPs including former Prime Ministers Paul Reynaud and Édouard Daladier. With the German guards fled, the prisoners armed themselves, but faced imminent threat from the SS. U.S. Army Captain John C. "Jack" Lee, Jr. and German Major Josef "Sepp" Gangl, alongside French prisoners and a defected SS officer, formed a joint defense. Despite initial failed rescue attempts and low ammunition, they managed to hold off the SS until American reinforcements arrived, marking a rare instance of American and German cooperation in the war.

Takeaways
  • 📅 On May 5th, 1945, an unusual alliance was formed between the U.S. Army and German Wehrmacht against the German SS in the Austrian Alps.
  • 🤝 U.S. Army Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr. and German Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl led a combined force that included French prisoners of war and a defected Waffen SS Officer.
  • 🏴 Major Gangl surrendered to Captain Lee with a white flag, proposing a mission to rescue prisoners from Itter Castle.
  • 🇸🇰 The initial attempt for help was by Yugoslav political prisoner Zvonimir Čučković, but it was unsuccessful due to heavy shelling and territorial encroachment.
  • 🏰 The objective was to rescue high-profile French VIPs, including ex-Prime Ministers, from Schloss Itter, a converted prison.
  • 🔫 The prisoners at Itter Castle had armed themselves after the German guards fled, anticipating a recapture attempt by the SS.
  • 🚀 Lee and Gangl's forces set up defensive positions and strategized to protect the castle from the impending SS force.
  • 🌙 An SS reconnaissance force tested the defenders' strength with an evening attack, leading to the destruction of a Sherman tank.
  • 🔥 The Waffen-SS launched a main attack on the castle, resulting in casualties among the defenders, including Major Gangl.
  • 🎾 Tennis star Jean Borotra volunteered to find and guide reinforcements, running past SS strong points and ambushes.
  • ⏰ At 4:00 P.M., American reinforcements arrived, swiftly defeating the Waffen-SS and marking a unique instance of American and German forces fighting together.
  • 🌟 This battle is considered the only one in history where Americans and Germans fought side by side as allies.
Q & A
  • On which date did the Battle for Castle Itter take place?

    -The Battle for Castle Itter took place on May 5th, 1945.

  • Who were the main opposing forces in the Battle for Castle Itter?

    -The main opposing forces were the U.S. Army and German Wehrmacht against the German SS.

  • What was the mission presented by Major Josef Gangl to Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr.?

    -The mission presented by Major Josef Gangl to Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr. was to rescue prisoners from Itter Castle.

  • Why did the initial rescue attempt by the American 103rd Infantry Division fail?

    -The initial rescue attempt failed due to heavy shelling and because it was recalled to avoid encroaching into the territory of the U.S. 36th Division.

  • What was special about the prisoners held at Schloss Itter?

    -The prisoners at Schloss Itter were high-profile French VIPs, including ex-Prime Ministers Paul Reynaud and Édouard Daladier, a tennis star, and former military figures.

  • How did the prisoners at Itter Castle arm themselves?

    -The prisoners armed themselves by breaking into the castle's weapons room after the German guards had fled.

  • What was the role of the Sherman tank during the battle?

    -The Sherman tank was ordered by Captain Lee to park at the front gate to cover the road and provide machine gun fire.

  • How did the Waffen-SS manage to breach the castle's defenses?

    -The Waffen-SS used an 88 anti-tank gun to destroy part of the castle and blew up the Sherman tank, which was a key defensive position.

  • Who was the tennis star that played a significant role in the battle?

    -Jean Borotra, the tennis star, offered to vault the castle wall and guide the reinforcements to the castle.

  • What was the outcome of the battle when the American reinforcements arrived?

    -The arrival of the American reinforcements with tanks quickly defeated the Waffen-SS force and resulted in taking many prisoners.

  • Why is the Battle for Castle Itter considered historically significant?

    -It is considered historically significant because it is believed to be the only battle where Americans and Germans fought together as allies.

  • What was the role of the Austrian resistance in the events leading to the battle?

    -The Austrian resistance played a crucial role in relaying the need for help to Major Josef Gangl, who then coordinated with the American forces to plan the rescue mission.

Outlines
00:00
🏰 The Unlikely Alliance: Battle for Castle Itter

On May 5th, 1945, in the Austrian Alps, an unusual alliance formed between the U.S. Army, led by Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr., and German Wehrmacht soldiers under Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl, who was against the Nazis. They joined forces with French prisoners of war and a defected Waffen SS Officer to rescue high-profile French VIPs held in Itter Castle, which had been converted into a prison. The mission was initiated after Gangl's surrender and a failed attempt by Yugoslav prisoner Zvonimir Čučković to secure help from the American 103rd Infantry Division. The castle was under threat from a German Waffen-SS division intending to recapture it and execute the prisoners. Despite initial skepticism from the French VIPs, the American and German forces, along with the armed prisoners, defended the castle against the SS. The defenders faced a dire situation with low ammunition until Major John Kramers sent a relief force that ultimately defeated the Waffen-SS. This battle is notable as it was the only instance where Americans and Germans fought side by side during World War II.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Castle Itter
Castle Itter is a location in the Austrian Alps that served as a high-profile prison during World War II, holding French VIPs. It is central to the video's narrative as it is the site where the unique battle took place on May 5th, 1945, involving an unusual alliance between American and German forces against the German SS.
💡U.S. Army Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr.
Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr. was the commanding officer of the American soldiers who were involved in the defense of Castle Itter. His leadership and collaboration with German Wehrmacht soldiers were pivotal in the battle's outcome, illustrating the theme of unlikely alliances during wartime.
💡German Wehrmacht
The German Wehrmacht refers to the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. In the context of the video, Wehrmacht soldiers, led by Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl, who were opposed to the Nazis, fought alongside American forces to defend Castle Itter, highlighting the complexity of loyalties during World War II.
💡German SS
The German SS, or Schutzstaffel, was a major paramilitary organization under the Nazi Party, known for its role in the Holocaust and other war crimes. In the video, the SS is portrayed as the antagonist force, seeking to recapture Castle Itter and execute the French prisoners, which sets up the conflict for the battle.
💡French VIPs
The French VIPs were high-profile prisoners held at Castle Itter, including ex-Prime Ministers Paul Reynaud and Édouard Daladier. Their presence at the castle was significant as it was the objective of the rescue mission and the reason for the defense against the SS attack, making them central figures in the video's narrative.
💡Wehrmacht Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl
Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl was a German officer who was opposed to the Nazis and collaborated with the Austrian resistance. His role in surrendering to Captain Lee and presenting the mission to rescue the prisoners from Castle Itter is a key element in the video, showcasing his opposition to the Nazi regime and his contribution to the defense of the castle.
💡Austrian Resistance
The Austrian Resistance was a movement within Austria that opposed the Nazi regime. In the video, the Austrian Resistance plays a crucial role in facilitating the communication between the Czech cook at Castle Itter and Major Gangl, which leads to the formation of the defense alliance against the SS.
💡Waffen SS Officer Defector
The Waffen SS Officer who defected is a significant character in the video as he represents the internal conflict within the German forces during World War II. His defection and subsequent participation in the defense of Castle Itter against the SS highlights the theme of divided loyalties and the struggle against the Nazi regime.
💡88 Anti-Tank Gun
The 88 anti-tank gun was a highly effective German weapon used during World War II. In the video, it is used by the SS to destroy part of Castle Itter and to blow up the Sherman tank, which is a critical moment in the battle, illustrating the firepower and military technology employed during the conflict.
💡Sherman Tank
The Sherman tank was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. In the video, a Sherman tank is deployed by Captain Lee to cover the road at Castle Itter. Its destruction by the SS's 88 anti-tank gun is a turning point in the battle, emphasizing the importance of armored support in warfare.
💡Jean Borotra
Jean Borotra was a French tennis star who, in the video, offers to run past SS strong points to guide reinforcements to Castle Itter. His courageous act is a key moment in the video, demonstrating the heroism and desperation of the defenders as they run low on ammunition and face the imminent threat of an SS breach.
💡American Reinforcements
The arrival of American reinforcements with tanks at Castle Itter is a pivotal moment in the video, marking the turning point of the battle. Their intervention quickly defeats the Waffen-SS force and saves the defenders, emphasizing the importance of timely support in military operations and the relief it brings to the embattled allies.
Highlights

On May 5th, 1945, an unusual alliance formed between the U.S. Army and German Wehrmacht against the German SS in the Austrian Alps.

American soldiers were led by Captain John C. 'Jack' Lee, Jr., and Wehrmacht soldiers by Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl, both of whom were opposed to the Nazis.

French prisoners of war and a defected Waffen SS Officer joined the forces at Castle Itter.

Major Josef Gangl surrendered to Captain Lee with a white flag, initiating a mission to rescue prisoners from Itter Castle.

An initial rescue attempt by the American 103rd Infantry Division was recalled due to heavy shelling and territorial encroachment.

The castle, Schloss Itter, held high-profile French VIPs including ex-Prime Ministers Paul Reynaud and Édouard Daladier.

French prisoners armed themselves after the German guards fled, preparing to defend against a potential Waffen-SS recapture attempt.

The American and German forces, along with French prisoners, set up defensive positions within the castle to repel the SS attack.

An 88 anti-tank gun concealed by the SS was used to destroy parts of the castle and disable a Sherman tank.

Waffen-SS forces, numbering around 150, launched a full-scale attack on the castle from the treeline and west walls.

Defenders, including French prisoners, fought from high positions within the castle, inflicting casualties on the SS forces.

Major Josef Gangl was killed by a sniper while attempting to protect French Prime Minister Reynard.

As ammunition ran low, Captain Lee sought reinforcements, which were eventually dispatched.

Tennis star Jean Borotra bravely volunteered to guide reinforcements to the castle, running past SS strong points.

American reinforcements arrived at 4:00 P.M., bringing tanks that quickly defeated the Waffen-SS force.

This battle is believed to be the only instance in which Americans and Germans fought together as allies during World War II.

The Battle for Castle Itter showcases an extraordinary moment of cooperation between former enemies in a common cause.

Transcripts
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