Video Holo Summary

All Key Ideas

The Rescue Mission at Castle Itter

• Captain Jack Lee and his men in the 23rd Tank Battalion encounter German Major Josef Gangl, who reveals he is part of the Austrian resistance against the Nazis.
• The Austrian resistance is trying to prevent the SS from executing French politicians and VIPs held at Castle Itter as the war nears its end.
• Jack Lee rallies his men for a rescue mission to Castle Itter, forming an alliance with Gangl's men who are either resistance fighters or seeking to side with the Americans.
• The rescue force consists of one Sherman tank, a small number of American personnel, and German resistance soldiers, which raises concerns among the French prisoners.
• An unlikely alliance forms between the Americans, Wehrmacht, and SS Captain Kurt-Siegfried Schrader to defend the French VIPs against an impending SS assault.
• Defensive preparations include positioning the Sherman tank and anti-tank guns, and the forces are aware of the high stakes if the castle is attacked.
• Tensions rise when a member of the 'friendly Germans' deserts, potentially compromising the defense by revealing their numbers and positions to the SS.
• Over 100 SS troops arrive to besiege Castle Itter, leading to an intense battle with heavy artillery fire directed at the castle.

Key Events in the Battle

• Besotten Jenny was hit by an anti-tank round and the crew escaped just in time from the gatehouse.
• French VIPs, including ex-prime minister Paul Reynaud, disregarded orders and engaged in the battle.
• German major Gangl attempted to save Reynaud but was fatally shot by a sniper.
• Jean Borotra, an ex-tennis player, volunteered to get reinforcements and disguised himself as an Austrian peasant.
• Borotra successfully deceived SS soldiers while on his mission for help.
• The arrival of American troops, along with Borotra in an American uniform, forced the SS to retreat.
• Gangl was honored posthumously for his resistance efforts, while Jack Lee received the Distinguished Service Cross.
• SS Captain Schrader received a lesser punishment for his role in protecting the prisoners and aiding the defense.