When Germans, Americans and French fought on the same side

Captain Jack Lee and his men from the 23rd Tank Battalion teamed up with German Major Josef Gangl, who was part of the Austrian resistance. Their mission was to prevent the execution of French VIPs held at Castle Itter. This unusual alliance involved a Sherman tank, American personnel, and German resistance fighters, despite concerns from the French prisoners.

Defensive preparations were made against an impending SS assault. Tensions rose when a desertion threatened to compromise their position. Over 100 SS troops besieged Castle Itter, leading to an intense battle with heavy artillery fire. French VIPs, including ex-prime minister Paul Reynaud, defied orders to stay safe and joined the fight.

Major Gangl was fatally shot while trying to save Reynaud. Ex-tennis player Jean Borotra disguised himself to seek reinforcements. He successfully deceived SS soldiers by pretending to forage for food and even relieved himself on a nearby tree. Borotra brought back American troops, forcing the SS to retreat.

After the battle, Gangl was honored for his resistance efforts. Jack Lee received the Distinguished Service Cross, and SS Captain Schrader faced lesser punishment for aiding the defense.

To the absolute astonishment of the SS soldiers, Borotra committed to his disguise, calmly waved, pretended to forage for food, and then relieved himself on a nearby tree.

The Rescue Mission to Castle Itter

In early May 1945, Captain Jack Lee and his men from the 23rd Tank Battalion were stationed in Kufstein, Austria, when a Kübelwagen carrying two Germans with a white flag appeared. One of them, Major Josef Gangl, revealed he was part of the Austrian resistance and handed Lee a note explaining that French VIPs were being held at Castle Itter. The SS planned to execute them, and Gangl’s resistance group was determined to stop it.

Lee, sensing the gravity of the situation, rallied his men for a rescue mission. The force was small: just one Sherman tank, "Besotten Jenny," seven American soldiers, and about a dozen Wehrmacht and resistance fighters loyal to Gangl. They fought through SS roadblocks and crossed fragile bridges to reach the castle.

At Castle Itter, they were greeted by the French prisoners and SS Captain Schrader, who had surprisingly vowed to defend the French against the SS. The French VIPs, unimpressed by the small rescue force, refused to hide and instead took up arms to help defend the castle.

Lee and his men prepared for the inevitable SS assault. The Sherman tank was positioned at the gatehouse, and the defenders took up positions around the castle. The "friendly" Germans wore dark cloth strips on their arms to avoid confusion during the battle.

Tensions rose when one of Gangl’s men deserted, fleeing into the woods. Lee feared the deserter would reveal their numbers and weaknesses to the SS. Soon after, over 100 SS troops arrived, and the battle began with artillery fire slamming into the castle.

The Battle for Castle Itter

As the SS assault intensified, Besotten Jenny, the Sherman tank guarding the gatehouse, was hit by an anti-tank round. The crew barely escaped before the tank’s ammunition exploded, engulfing it in flames. Meanwhile, the French VIPs, ignoring Lee’s orders to take cover, joined the fight. Among them was Paul Reynaud, the former French Prime Minister, who recklessly exposed himself to enemy fire. Major Gangl, seeing the danger, rushed to protect Reynaud but was fatally shot by a sniper.

Amid the chaos, Jean Borotra, a former tennis champion, volunteered to vault over the castle wall and seek reinforcements. Disguised as an Austrian peasant, he fooled two SS soldiers by pretending to forage for food and even relieved himself on a tree before continuing his mission.

As the SS prepared for a final push, Borotra returned with American reinforcements and a Sherman tank, "Boche Buster." The SS, realizing their mission to kill the French VIPs was doomed, retreated into the forest.

After the battle, Gangl was honored as a national hero for his role in the Austrian resistance. Lee received the Distinguished Service Cross, while SS Captain Schrader, who had helped defend the prisoners, was imprisoned for two years.

Conclusion

Major Gangl is honored posthumously for his bravery, while Captain Lee is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, highlighting the complexities of wartime alliances.