yesterday's enthusiast

peashooter85:

When Germans, Americans, French, and Slavs fought together during World War II

The Battle for Castle Itter,

On May 5th, 1945, only 5 days after Adolf Hitler’s suicide, a reconnaissance force under Capt. John “Jack” Lee was sent on a special mission to a town called Itter in Austria.  Itter was home to Itter Castle, built in the 13th century, it was a luxurious alpine prison for famous French POW’s including former French Prime Ministers, military generals, trade union leaders, resistance leaders, even a tennis star named Jean Borotra and Charles de Gaulle’s sister.  Also present at the castle were a number of Russian, Czech, Polish, and Yugoslavian prisoners who were used as maintenance workers.  The commander of the town was Major Josef Gangl, who took command when his superior shot himself after learning of the death of Hilter.  Gangl ordered most of his men to return home, sending a message to American forces that he was going to surrender the castle.  Him and 10 German soldiers stayed behind to defend the town from SS reprisals.  In the last months of the war, fanatical German SS units would often murder and execute those who surrendered, regardless if they were soldiers or civilians.

Capt. Lee arrived at Castle Itter shortly after being met by an SS recon force.  It was quite clear that the SS had learned of the surrender of Itter, sending a force of 150 SS soldiers to kill or execute everyone in the castle.  Immediately Capt. Lee set up defensive positions and radioed for reinforcements, however he was not able to raise anyone with his malfunctioning radio.  The ten German garrison troops agreed to stand and fight.  The French and Eastern European prisoners were ordered to hide, but most refused, taking up rifles from the castle’s armory and manning the defenses.  Even the wives and girlfriends of the French prisoners took up arms to fight and hold the line.  Major Gangl contacted the Austrian resistance, who sent two German soldiers who had surrendered a few days before, and a teenage Austrian resistance fighter to join the fight. Altogether, the castle was defended by a motley hodge podge group consisting of 14 American GI’s, 12 German Wehrmacht soldiers, a teenage Austrian resistance fighter, a number of French and Eastern European former prisoners, and a Sherman tank named “Begotten Jenny”.

On 11 o'clock in the morning, SS troops surrounded the castle, opening fire with machine guns, rifles, and an 88mm artillery piece.  The defenders held their ground, repulsing each and every assault.  In the midst of the battle tennis star Jean Borotra pole vaulted the castle walls, and ran as fast as he could, braving the gauntlet of enemy fire to deliver a message to Allied forces.  The battle continued.  By 4:00pm, after 5 hours of hard fighting, the defenders ran out of ammo.  Capt. Lee ordered the defenders to retreat to the castle keep, preparing to fight the SS in hallways and stairways with rifle butts and bayonets.  When the SS prepared their final assault, American reinforcements arrived and ended the battle.  Jean Borotra had survived and successfully made his way to the 142nd Infantry Division.  Around 100 German SS troops were captured.

The battle cost the lives of 7 American soldiers, 6 German soldiers, and a number of former prisoners. The tank “Begotten Jenny” was destroyed as well. Among the dead were Major Gangl, who was killed by a sniper while helping one of the former prisoners to safety. Today, he is considered an Austrian national hero.  Capt. John “Jack” Lee was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery and gallantry in defending Castle Itter.  Three days later, the war officially ended, and Europe was at peace.