1 00:00:02,519 --> 00:00:05,320 May 1945. 2 00:00:05,322 --> 00:00:07,989 During the final days of war in Europe, 3 00:00:07,991 --> 00:00:09,725 an American tank commander 4 00:00:09,727 --> 00:00:12,227 leads an unlikely band of U.S. and German soldiers... 5 00:00:15,266 --> 00:00:18,267 to rescue French VIPs held in an Austrian castle. 6 00:00:20,403 --> 00:00:23,138 As he organizes their defenses... 7 00:00:23,140 --> 00:00:26,107 Lee's strategy is to keep the SS guessing 8 00:00:26,109 --> 00:00:29,010 about the disposition of forces inside the castle. 9 00:00:29,012 --> 00:00:32,280 They don't know he's only got 25 men and three officers. 10 00:00:33,751 --> 00:00:36,818 But when Waffen SS forces attack, 11 00:00:36,820 --> 00:00:39,488 he cannot be sure where their loyalty will stand. 12 00:00:43,427 --> 00:00:46,128 On June 6, 1944, 13 00:00:46,130 --> 00:00:49,297 Allied forces finally land troops in Normandy 14 00:00:49,299 --> 00:00:50,766 to open the Western Front. 15 00:00:56,707 --> 00:00:58,874 But Nazi fanatics and diehards 16 00:00:58,876 --> 00:01:01,343 continue to fight ruthlessly for survival. 17 00:01:05,382 --> 00:01:06,815 D-Day was a battle. 18 00:01:08,719 --> 00:01:11,386 The Allies still need to win the war. 19 00:01:19,530 --> 00:01:22,498 May 4, 1945. 20 00:01:22,500 --> 00:01:23,832 Tyrol, Austria. 21 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:31,074 Advertise your product or brand here contact www.SubtitleDB.org today 22 00:01:34,878 --> 00:01:37,879 German Army major Josef Gangl and his driver 23 00:01:37,881 --> 00:01:40,616 near the town of Kufstein, 24 00:01:40,618 --> 00:01:43,185 occupied just the day before by American troops. 25 00:01:45,089 --> 00:01:48,157 German resistance has more or less collapsed. 26 00:01:48,159 --> 00:01:52,261 But it has not yet surrendered. 27 00:01:52,263 --> 00:01:56,064 German troops are withdrawing to the Alpine region, 28 00:01:56,066 --> 00:01:59,034 where there is this myth of this Alpine Fortress, 29 00:01:59,036 --> 00:02:00,803 the last stand of the Nazis. 30 00:02:06,509 --> 00:02:08,911 As they turn a corner, 31 00:02:08,913 --> 00:02:11,747 they come face to face with four U.S. Sherman tanks. 32 00:02:17,521 --> 00:02:18,521 Out of the car. 33 00:02:24,794 --> 00:02:25,861 Alright. What do you want? 34 00:02:28,199 --> 00:02:29,798 On the surface, 35 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:33,068 it may look like Gangl is one of thousands of German soldiers 36 00:02:33,070 --> 00:02:35,136 surrendering to Western Allies. 37 00:02:35,138 --> 00:02:36,871 Whoa, whoa, whoa! 38 00:02:36,873 --> 00:02:38,807 But Gangl has come to Kufstein on a mission. 39 00:02:41,078 --> 00:02:42,377 It may be risky. 40 00:02:44,348 --> 00:02:45,747 Days prior, 41 00:02:45,749 --> 00:02:47,282 the U.S. Army began to liberate 42 00:02:47,284 --> 00:02:51,286 the nearby Dachau prison camp system. 43 00:02:51,288 --> 00:02:52,754 After witnessing the atrocities, 44 00:02:52,756 --> 00:02:54,590 many of the soldiers were of the opinion 45 00:02:54,592 --> 00:02:55,690 that they simply weren't in the business 46 00:02:55,692 --> 00:02:56,812 of taking prisoners anymore. 47 00:02:58,596 --> 00:03:01,296 But Gangl has joined the Austrian Resistance 48 00:03:01,298 --> 00:03:03,866 to help defeat the Nazis from within the Third Reich. 49 00:03:09,907 --> 00:03:13,174 Gangl is taken to Lieutenant Jack Lee, 50 00:03:13,176 --> 00:03:16,812 commander of Company B, 23rd Tank Battalion, 51 00:03:16,814 --> 00:03:19,314 U.S. 12th Armored Division. 52 00:03:19,316 --> 00:03:22,517 Months of hard fighting gives Lee confidence, 53 00:03:22,519 --> 00:03:24,987 on the edge of bravado. 54 00:03:24,989 --> 00:03:26,321 In a couple of days prior, 55 00:03:26,323 --> 00:03:27,789 a German colonel wanted to surrender 56 00:03:27,791 --> 00:03:29,791 a large number of his men 57 00:03:29,793 --> 00:03:32,694 but wouldn't do so to a lowly first lieutenant. 58 00:03:32,696 --> 00:03:34,429 So, Lieutenant Lee, 59 00:03:34,431 --> 00:03:35,463 making use of the fact 60 00:03:35,465 --> 00:03:36,932 that the insignia for a first lieutenant 61 00:03:36,934 --> 00:03:38,466 is a single silver bar 62 00:03:38,468 --> 00:03:40,602 and for a captain is two silver bars, 63 00:03:40,604 --> 00:03:43,405 simply took a spare bar, put it on his collar, 64 00:03:43,407 --> 00:03:44,673 and was a captain for a few minutes 65 00:03:44,675 --> 00:03:45,675 to accept surrender. 66 00:03:49,079 --> 00:03:52,447 In English, Gangl delivers his message. 67 00:03:52,449 --> 00:03:54,416 The German officer explains 68 00:03:54,418 --> 00:03:56,852 that he has knowledge of important French prisoners 69 00:03:56,854 --> 00:03:59,888 held by the Nazis not far away. 70 00:03:59,890 --> 00:04:01,023 From the perspective 71 00:04:01,025 --> 00:04:02,958 of a U.S. Army commander, 72 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:04,425 you're wise if you decide, 73 00:04:04,427 --> 00:04:06,728 I'm only going to trust my own guys. 74 00:04:06,730 --> 00:04:08,497 But you also have to be open-minded enough 75 00:04:08,499 --> 00:04:10,365 to realize that there may be a lot of people 76 00:04:10,367 --> 00:04:11,833 who need your help 77 00:04:11,835 --> 00:04:13,368 and that you're probably going to do yourself 78 00:04:13,370 --> 00:04:14,769 more harm than good 79 00:04:14,771 --> 00:04:16,811 if you're shooting first and asking questions later. 80 00:04:19,175 --> 00:04:20,475 Gangl presents a letter 81 00:04:20,477 --> 00:04:22,678 written by one of the VIPs. 82 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,446 In it, they plead for rescue. 83 00:04:28,518 --> 00:04:30,251 Rumors had circulated 84 00:04:30,253 --> 00:04:33,955 about an Alpine fortress holding such prisoners. 85 00:04:33,957 --> 00:04:35,857 The story could be true, 86 00:04:35,859 --> 00:04:38,260 or it could be a trap. 87 00:04:38,262 --> 00:04:40,462 It's a tough sell for someone like Gangl 88 00:04:40,464 --> 00:04:43,231 to make the Americans understand 89 00:04:43,233 --> 00:04:45,000 that he is going to join them in common cause 90 00:04:45,002 --> 00:04:47,970 and that he's really not a supporter of Nazism. 91 00:04:50,207 --> 00:04:51,773 Lee climbs into his tank 92 00:04:51,775 --> 00:04:54,509 to radio his commanding officer. 93 00:04:54,511 --> 00:04:56,311 HQ, this is Lee. 94 00:04:56,313 --> 00:04:58,847 He shares the intel about the French hostages. 95 00:05:03,020 --> 00:05:04,920 Lee receives permission to proceed 96 00:05:04,922 --> 00:05:07,355 as he judges appropriate. 97 00:05:07,357 --> 00:05:08,890 Alright, we'll see it through. Over. 98 00:05:13,997 --> 00:05:17,032 It's indicative of how fluid the situation is; 99 00:05:17,034 --> 00:05:19,735 There's not always going to be time to check in. 100 00:05:19,737 --> 00:05:21,570 The battalion commander is telling Lee 101 00:05:21,572 --> 00:05:23,438 that he needs to exercise his judgment. 102 00:05:28,746 --> 00:05:32,114 Lee decides to check out the story himself. 103 00:05:32,116 --> 00:05:33,915 He will reconnoiter to where Gangl claims 104 00:05:33,917 --> 00:05:35,751 the VIP prisoners are being held. 105 00:05:37,654 --> 00:05:39,287 Only one of Lee's gunners 106 00:05:39,289 --> 00:05:42,491 and the two Germans accompany him. 107 00:05:42,493 --> 00:05:44,459 Lee decides to travel with Gangl 108 00:05:44,461 --> 00:05:46,695 to determine the German major's reliability... 109 00:05:49,333 --> 00:05:52,434 and to verify his connections with the Austrian Resistance. 110 00:05:54,404 --> 00:05:55,536 This situation 111 00:05:55,538 --> 00:05:57,606 that you have there on the ground in Austria 112 00:05:57,608 --> 00:05:59,207 is extraordinarily complex. 113 00:06:01,978 --> 00:06:03,779 German Chancellor Adolf Hitler 114 00:06:03,781 --> 00:06:06,014 committed suicide five days prior, 115 00:06:06,016 --> 00:06:07,749 on April 30, 1945. 116 00:06:10,454 --> 00:06:13,054 The German military is disintegrating. 117 00:06:13,056 --> 00:06:14,990 Some surrender to the Allies. 118 00:06:14,992 --> 00:06:16,324 Others retreat, 119 00:06:16,326 --> 00:06:17,326 or even desert. 120 00:06:20,096 --> 00:06:21,429 In my opinion, 121 00:06:21,431 --> 00:06:24,232 Gangl represents the state of the German armed forces 122 00:06:24,234 --> 00:06:26,301 in May 1945. 123 00:06:26,303 --> 00:06:28,570 He understands the war is lost, 124 00:06:28,572 --> 00:06:29,504 probably has also understood 125 00:06:29,506 --> 00:06:32,641 that he had served the wrong cause. 126 00:06:32,643 --> 00:06:36,377 And now is time to try to avoid even more damage 127 00:06:36,379 --> 00:06:38,380 to our home country, 128 00:06:38,382 --> 00:06:42,316 even if this means to cooperate with a former enemy. 129 00:06:42,318 --> 00:06:45,520 But many still support the cause of Nazism, 130 00:06:45,522 --> 00:06:48,323 particularly those in the Waffen-SS... 131 00:06:48,325 --> 00:06:51,059 The military arm of the Nazi party. 132 00:06:51,061 --> 00:06:53,394 There are a number of Waffen-SS troops 133 00:06:53,396 --> 00:06:55,997 in northern Austria by this time. 134 00:06:55,999 --> 00:06:58,867 Most of them are still determined to fight on. 135 00:06:58,869 --> 00:06:59,869 They are fanatical. 136 00:07:01,405 --> 00:07:04,206 When we hear 'fanatic' or 'fanatical' today, 137 00:07:04,208 --> 00:07:07,709 we think of crazy people who fight on stupid-like. 138 00:07:07,711 --> 00:07:12,280 But fanatic is actually considered a positive term 139 00:07:12,282 --> 00:07:14,149 by the Nazis. 140 00:07:14,151 --> 00:07:16,417 If they say you are a fanatic Nazi, 141 00:07:16,419 --> 00:07:17,952 it's meant as a compliment. 142 00:07:17,954 --> 00:07:21,355 The Waffen-SS will fight to the bitter end. 143 00:07:21,357 --> 00:07:23,391 A couple of days before the war was over, 144 00:07:23,393 --> 00:07:25,159 the thinking then was we are losing, 145 00:07:25,161 --> 00:07:27,629 but when we are losing, our enemies shall not survive. 146 00:07:29,433 --> 00:07:30,365 Their fatalism 147 00:07:30,367 --> 00:07:33,235 creates great risk for the Allies. 148 00:07:33,237 --> 00:07:35,236 Whether in the next village 149 00:07:35,238 --> 00:07:36,872 they will be met with open arms, 150 00:07:36,874 --> 00:07:39,641 or whether they will be met with a hail of bullets. 151 00:07:41,844 --> 00:07:44,045 The four men travel to their objective... 152 00:07:44,047 --> 00:07:45,047 Castle Itter. 153 00:07:48,385 --> 00:07:52,186 Their route will be dictated by roadblocks. 154 00:07:52,188 --> 00:07:53,521 The Nazis controlled 155 00:07:53,523 --> 00:07:55,723 most every aspect of German life, 156 00:07:55,725 --> 00:07:57,625 including the road net. 157 00:07:57,627 --> 00:08:00,061 We have a roadblock at the entry points of a town. 158 00:08:00,063 --> 00:08:02,863 This was a way to maintain control over populations, 159 00:08:02,865 --> 00:08:04,900 to cow them into submission. 160 00:08:04,902 --> 00:08:07,903 It was a way to maintain some semblance of political control. 161 00:08:11,208 --> 00:08:14,175 With Gangl and his driver's knowledge of the area, 162 00:08:14,177 --> 00:08:15,710 they bypass some roadblocks. 163 00:08:19,149 --> 00:08:22,217 Other times, en route to the town of Worgl, 164 00:08:22,219 --> 00:08:25,287 Lee and Gangl encounter Wehrmacht German Army troops, 165 00:08:25,289 --> 00:08:26,922 who prove loyal to the German major. 166 00:08:42,472 --> 00:08:45,373 As Gangl navigates each turn, 167 00:08:45,375 --> 00:08:47,642 Lee must still wonder whether it's an elaborate ruse. 168 00:08:54,551 --> 00:08:56,250 During a stop in Worgl, 169 00:08:56,252 --> 00:08:58,286 Gangl offers Lee formal surrender 170 00:08:58,288 --> 00:09:00,154 of the garrison based in the town. 171 00:09:04,894 --> 00:09:06,995 They then continue to Itter village, 172 00:09:06,997 --> 00:09:09,164 situated just below the castle itself. 173 00:09:14,537 --> 00:09:16,538 So, for Lee, 174 00:09:16,540 --> 00:09:18,406 the next introduction must have been jarring. 175 00:09:22,980 --> 00:09:25,213 Though he's dressed in civilian clothes, 176 00:09:25,215 --> 00:09:27,549 the man is introduced as a Waffen-SS captain. 177 00:09:29,953 --> 00:09:33,488 SS officers did not swear loyalty to Germany 178 00:09:33,490 --> 00:09:34,990 and its constitution and its laws. 179 00:09:34,992 --> 00:09:38,827 They swore a personal loyalty to Adolf Hitler himself. 180 00:09:38,829 --> 00:09:40,395 These were the fanatics. 181 00:09:40,397 --> 00:09:44,032 These were the people who ran the concentration camps. 182 00:09:44,034 --> 00:09:46,701 Lee may have trusted the Wehrmacht officer, 183 00:09:46,703 --> 00:09:49,671 only to fall into the clutches of the SS instead. 184 00:09:55,512 --> 00:09:58,480 May 4, 1945. 185 00:09:58,482 --> 00:10:00,915 In the final days of World War II, 186 00:10:00,917 --> 00:10:02,317 an American tank commander 187 00:10:02,319 --> 00:10:04,386 believes a German officer's story 188 00:10:04,388 --> 00:10:06,888 about French VIP prisoners in a nearby castle 189 00:10:06,890 --> 00:10:09,390 needing rescue. 190 00:10:09,392 --> 00:10:11,059 But while on reconnaissance, 191 00:10:11,061 --> 00:10:13,661 Lieutenant Jack Lee fears he has fallen into the hands 192 00:10:13,663 --> 00:10:17,899 of Waffen-SS Captain Kurt-Siegfried Schrader. 193 00:10:17,901 --> 00:10:18,967 Why should I believe you? 194 00:10:22,839 --> 00:10:24,873 But German Army Major Josef Gangl 195 00:10:24,875 --> 00:10:27,274 vouches for the SS captain. 196 00:10:27,276 --> 00:10:29,610 This creates a tense moment. 197 00:10:29,612 --> 00:10:30,945 Gangl recognizes him. 198 00:10:30,947 --> 00:10:34,182 They'd worked together before on Battle Group Giehl. 199 00:10:34,184 --> 00:10:35,950 Schrader informs Lee and Gangl 200 00:10:35,952 --> 00:10:37,618 that he has assumed responsibility 201 00:10:37,620 --> 00:10:40,321 for the French VIPs' protection. 202 00:10:40,323 --> 00:10:41,689 We can only speculate 203 00:10:41,691 --> 00:10:44,158 what motivates Schrader's change in mind. 204 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:45,960 Was it a true change of mind, 205 00:10:45,962 --> 00:10:47,228 or was it just opportunism, 206 00:10:47,230 --> 00:10:50,632 seeing the war is lost for Germany. 207 00:10:50,634 --> 00:10:52,667 They also learn from Schrader 208 00:10:52,669 --> 00:10:55,036 that the SS unit that had guarded the prisoners 209 00:10:55,038 --> 00:10:57,304 has fled overnight. 210 00:10:57,306 --> 00:10:58,672 The VIPs are safe for now, 211 00:10:58,674 --> 00:11:00,709 but everyone fears what's coming next. 212 00:11:02,846 --> 00:11:06,314 Lee finds himself in a remarkable situation. 213 00:11:06,316 --> 00:11:09,017 Two German officers... One from the SS... 214 00:11:09,019 --> 00:11:11,919 Have turned their backs on the Nazi cause 215 00:11:11,921 --> 00:11:14,622 to assist American forces to protect the French prisoners. 216 00:11:21,331 --> 00:11:24,532 I'm going to check this guy's story out. 217 00:11:24,534 --> 00:11:25,900 Still needing to confirm. 218 00:11:25,902 --> 00:11:28,136 Gangl and Schrader's stories, 219 00:11:28,138 --> 00:11:30,071 Lee insists they continue to the castle. 220 00:11:35,311 --> 00:11:37,812 Schloss Itter, as it is known in German, 221 00:11:37,814 --> 00:11:41,816 sits amidst Austria's Tyrol Mountains. 222 00:11:41,818 --> 00:11:43,685 Positioned over a ravine, 223 00:11:43,687 --> 00:11:46,353 a short bridge connects the 13th-century castle 224 00:11:46,355 --> 00:11:48,957 to a nearby mountain. 225 00:11:48,959 --> 00:11:51,559 Just south of the Austrian-German border, 226 00:11:51,561 --> 00:11:55,129 the Tyrol region is of legendary concern. 227 00:11:55,131 --> 00:11:57,364 Mountains separated by countless rivers, 228 00:11:57,366 --> 00:11:59,133 threaded by country roads, 229 00:11:59,135 --> 00:12:01,603 form natural defenses for retreating German troops. 230 00:12:04,241 --> 00:12:06,307 A recurrent fear of Allied supreme commander. 231 00:12:06,309 --> 00:12:08,309 General Dwight D. Eisenhower 232 00:12:08,311 --> 00:12:09,811 is a final stand in the Alps. 233 00:12:11,914 --> 00:12:13,948 As the American forces move south, 234 00:12:13,950 --> 00:12:15,984 they are ordered to cut off mountain passes 235 00:12:15,986 --> 00:12:17,986 to prevent the formation of a Nazi redoubt. 236 00:12:25,929 --> 00:12:27,195 But as the Allies press 237 00:12:27,197 --> 00:12:30,899 from the north, east, and south of Austria, 238 00:12:30,901 --> 00:12:32,834 the squeeze may inadvertently create 239 00:12:32,836 --> 00:12:34,368 the assembly of loyal Nazi troops. 240 00:12:34,370 --> 00:12:35,904 Eisenhower fears. 241 00:12:38,008 --> 00:12:39,307 Upon arriving at the castle... 242 00:12:43,813 --> 00:12:45,180 Lee encounters an armed group... 243 00:12:52,689 --> 00:12:54,856 and realizes that Gangl's story is true. 244 00:12:57,426 --> 00:12:59,494 The French VIPs exist, 245 00:12:59,496 --> 00:13:01,896 and they need help. 246 00:13:01,898 --> 00:13:02,897 The prisoners include 247 00:13:02,899 --> 00:13:05,333 two former French prime ministers, 248 00:13:05,335 --> 00:13:07,435 two French generals, 249 00:13:07,437 --> 00:13:09,838 and the sister of Charles de Gaulle. 250 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:11,305 These are very distinguished soldiers 251 00:13:11,307 --> 00:13:12,640 in some cases. 252 00:13:12,642 --> 00:13:14,775 They are distinguished political voices. 253 00:13:14,777 --> 00:13:16,377 In a way, they represent 254 00:13:16,379 --> 00:13:19,380 the sort of kernel of French political nationhood. 255 00:13:19,382 --> 00:13:22,183 So, there's a great value in them, in that sense. 256 00:13:22,185 --> 00:13:24,852 So-called 'honor prisoners' 257 00:13:24,854 --> 00:13:26,787 lived in relative luxury 258 00:13:26,789 --> 00:13:28,623 in hotels and castles throughout the war. 259 00:13:30,961 --> 00:13:33,661 The Nazis see them as a kind of bargain 260 00:13:33,663 --> 00:13:36,731 for future negotiations with the enemy. 261 00:13:36,733 --> 00:13:38,666 But faced day-to-day uncertainty, 262 00:13:38,668 --> 00:13:41,402 as their survival depended on Hitler's impulses. 263 00:13:41,404 --> 00:13:42,603 With his death 264 00:13:42,605 --> 00:13:44,572 and German command structure imploding, 265 00:13:44,574 --> 00:13:46,207 SS units in the region 266 00:13:46,209 --> 00:13:48,142 might decide it is in Germany's interest 267 00:13:48,144 --> 00:13:50,211 to execute the VIPs. 268 00:13:50,213 --> 00:13:51,679 The fear is 269 00:13:51,681 --> 00:13:53,348 that the SS were fully capable of executing anybody 270 00:13:53,350 --> 00:13:55,483 that they didn't want around to testify after the war. 271 00:13:57,020 --> 00:13:58,419 Though currently unguarded 272 00:13:58,421 --> 00:14:00,888 and in possession of German weapons, 273 00:14:00,890 --> 00:14:04,425 the VIPs are trapped and face imminent danger. 274 00:14:04,427 --> 00:14:07,962 While Lee wants to protect his men from unnecessary risks 275 00:14:07,964 --> 00:14:10,565 in what could be the last hours of the war, 276 00:14:10,567 --> 00:14:13,501 he understands the importance of the French VIPs 277 00:14:13,503 --> 00:14:15,036 and that they may be critical 278 00:14:15,038 --> 00:14:18,473 to the stability of free France after the war. 279 00:14:18,475 --> 00:14:21,209 Lee tells the French prisoners that he will be back with help 280 00:14:21,211 --> 00:14:22,211 as soon as possible. 281 00:14:31,521 --> 00:14:33,520 Lee and Gangl return to Kufstein 282 00:14:33,522 --> 00:14:34,722 to gather reinforcements. 283 00:14:38,094 --> 00:14:39,394 Alright, boys, let's roll out! 284 00:14:41,230 --> 00:14:44,065 Just before 1900 hours, 285 00:14:44,067 --> 00:14:47,735 Lee leads seven Sherman tanks and three squads of infantry 286 00:14:47,737 --> 00:14:49,404 from Kufstein towards Castle Itter. 287 00:14:52,075 --> 00:14:54,108 They are joined by Major Gangl, 288 00:14:54,110 --> 00:14:56,244 who adds men to strengthen their numbers. 289 00:14:59,548 --> 00:15:01,082 Jack Lee finds himself in command 290 00:15:01,084 --> 00:15:03,384 of 14 American and 10 German soldiers. 291 00:15:05,755 --> 00:15:07,088 I know of no other time 292 00:15:07,090 --> 00:15:09,757 when you had German soldiers directly serving 293 00:15:09,759 --> 00:15:11,626 and following the orders 294 00:15:11,628 --> 00:15:13,528 of an American junior officer in World War II. 295 00:15:15,832 --> 00:15:17,432 As they proceed to Itter, 296 00:15:17,434 --> 00:15:20,234 Lee must return three of his tanks to Kuftstein, 297 00:15:20,236 --> 00:15:21,869 when an old bridge gives way 298 00:15:21,871 --> 00:15:24,238 and prevents further crossings. 299 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:26,441 He also leaves two tanks behind 300 00:15:26,443 --> 00:15:28,176 to defend the town of Worgl 301 00:15:28,178 --> 00:15:29,911 and one to secure a bridge 302 00:15:29,913 --> 00:15:30,978 they may need 303 00:15:30,980 --> 00:15:31,980 as an escape route. 304 00:15:34,784 --> 00:15:36,183 This leaves Lee's tank, 305 00:15:36,185 --> 00:15:38,319 nicknamed the Besotten Jenny, 306 00:15:38,321 --> 00:15:40,355 as the only Sherman still bound for the castle. 307 00:15:46,128 --> 00:15:47,662 The Besotten Jenny 308 00:15:47,664 --> 00:15:50,064 is an M4 A3 Sherman tank, 309 00:15:50,066 --> 00:15:51,999 operated by a crew of five. 310 00:15:52,001 --> 00:15:53,000 It is armed with 311 00:15:53,002 --> 00:15:54,602 a 76-millimeter main gun, 312 00:15:54,604 --> 00:15:55,536 capable of firing 313 00:15:55,538 --> 00:15:57,604 20 rounds a minute... 314 00:15:58,541 --> 00:16:00,140 and fitted with a .50-caliber 315 00:16:00,142 --> 00:16:01,075 and two .30-caliber 316 00:16:01,077 --> 00:16:02,077 machine guns. 317 00:16:07,684 --> 00:16:12,353 As the rescue force closes in on Itter village, 318 00:16:12,355 --> 00:16:15,423 they encounter a Waffen-SS roadblock... 319 00:16:16,993 --> 00:16:18,726 and open fire to clear the way. 320 00:16:24,067 --> 00:16:25,500 The German troops immediately scatter 321 00:16:25,502 --> 00:16:28,136 without firing a shot. 322 00:16:28,138 --> 00:16:29,837 They just melt off into the woods. 323 00:16:29,839 --> 00:16:31,705 Pick up the pace. 324 00:16:31,707 --> 00:16:32,806 Having announced their presence 325 00:16:32,808 --> 00:16:34,976 to any enemy soldiers in the area, 326 00:16:34,978 --> 00:16:39,080 Lee and his rescue force hurry to Itter Castle. 327 00:16:39,082 --> 00:16:43,251 A 60-foot road leads to the castle's gatehouse. 328 00:16:43,253 --> 00:16:44,253 OK, move it, move it. 329 00:16:50,059 --> 00:16:52,060 Lee's driver puts the tank in reverse. 330 00:16:53,663 --> 00:16:55,596 There's no way to turn around 331 00:16:55,598 --> 00:16:57,331 once you're at the castle gate. 332 00:16:57,333 --> 00:16:59,534 And if you were to drive up forward, 333 00:16:59,536 --> 00:17:01,803 he'd have the most vulnerable portion of the tank... 334 00:17:01,805 --> 00:17:03,137 The engine compartment... 335 00:17:03,139 --> 00:17:04,972 Directly facing enemy fire. 336 00:17:04,974 --> 00:17:07,274 Alright, boys, keep moving. 337 00:17:07,276 --> 00:17:09,944 The tank's rearview mirrors were broken, 338 00:17:09,946 --> 00:17:14,281 so Lee uses his voice to guide the tank up the hill. 339 00:17:14,283 --> 00:17:16,017 It's an incredibly tense maneuver 340 00:17:16,019 --> 00:17:18,920 because the consequences of error are monumental. 341 00:17:21,057 --> 00:17:22,923 The tank would plunge at least 25 feet 342 00:17:22,925 --> 00:17:24,192 down into the ravine. 343 00:17:36,706 --> 00:17:39,173 With the Sherman tank safely parked, 344 00:17:39,175 --> 00:17:42,543 Lee is greeted by the French VIPs, 345 00:17:42,545 --> 00:17:45,980 whose joyful relief quickly fades. 346 00:17:45,982 --> 00:17:47,081 The initial reaction 347 00:17:47,083 --> 00:17:49,383 of the French VIPs to the rescue force 348 00:17:49,385 --> 00:17:50,918 is disappointment. 349 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:52,920 They're like, boy, is this all that's coming? 350 00:17:52,922 --> 00:17:55,122 Infused as some of them were with their own importance, 351 00:17:55,124 --> 00:17:56,324 they would have assumed, 352 00:17:56,326 --> 00:17:58,125 well, of course half the United States Army 353 00:17:58,127 --> 00:17:59,393 is going to come after us. 354 00:17:59,395 --> 00:18:01,662 And of course, this was just a little recon element 355 00:18:01,664 --> 00:18:04,031 that they did not find particularly impressive. 356 00:18:06,001 --> 00:18:09,604 And plus, you've got Germans in tow with weapons, still. 357 00:18:09,606 --> 00:18:12,206 So, you're probably not too wild about that either. 358 00:18:12,208 --> 00:18:15,743 Lee is also met by SS Captain Schrader. 359 00:18:15,745 --> 00:18:18,579 Schrader informs Lee that he's witnessed SS troops 360 00:18:18,581 --> 00:18:22,550 moving anti-tank guns into the woods around the castle. 361 00:18:22,552 --> 00:18:23,818 This is most likely 362 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:25,486 because of the Besotten Jenny's run-in 363 00:18:25,488 --> 00:18:28,723 with the Waffen-SS roadblock. 364 00:18:28,725 --> 00:18:30,090 For their safety, 365 00:18:30,092 --> 00:18:34,362 Lee directs the VIPs into the castle's cellars. 366 00:18:34,364 --> 00:18:36,096 The male VIPs argue 367 00:18:36,098 --> 00:18:38,699 that they wish to fight in their own defense, 368 00:18:38,701 --> 00:18:39,901 but Lee counters 369 00:18:39,903 --> 00:18:41,469 that they would not be much help to France 370 00:18:41,471 --> 00:18:44,605 if they get themselves killed. 371 00:18:44,607 --> 00:18:46,574 From the perspective of these two French generals... 372 00:18:46,576 --> 00:18:48,442 Both very senior, distinguished generals, 373 00:18:48,444 --> 00:18:51,145 both of whom had extensive combat experience... 374 00:18:51,147 --> 00:18:52,914 Now you're being asked to take orders 375 00:18:52,916 --> 00:18:56,317 from some 27-year-old American? 376 00:18:56,319 --> 00:18:58,452 He ranks way below you. 377 00:18:58,454 --> 00:19:01,856 You would find that somewhat insulting. 378 00:19:01,858 --> 00:19:04,692 You would've expected Lee to defer to you 379 00:19:04,694 --> 00:19:07,395 and say, General, what do you think we ought to do now? 380 00:19:07,397 --> 00:19:08,563 That's not his mindset. 381 00:19:10,566 --> 00:19:11,933 Lacking sufficient resources 382 00:19:11,935 --> 00:19:14,835 to evacuate the castle, 383 00:19:14,837 --> 00:19:16,937 Lee organizes a defensive strategy 384 00:19:16,939 --> 00:19:20,541 for the American and German troops under his command. 385 00:19:20,543 --> 00:19:23,444 Lee assigns responsibility for 180 degrees... 386 00:19:23,446 --> 00:19:26,480 Basically half the field of fire... to each man. 387 00:19:26,482 --> 00:19:30,551 Schrader to the north and Gangl to the south. 388 00:19:30,553 --> 00:19:31,986 Lee also orders 389 00:19:31,988 --> 00:19:33,888 that his tank, the Besotten Jenny, 390 00:19:33,890 --> 00:19:35,356 is manned at all times. 391 00:19:37,826 --> 00:19:39,527 With the defensive positions set, 392 00:19:39,529 --> 00:19:43,664 Lee instructs them to sleep in shifts 393 00:19:43,666 --> 00:19:45,366 and tries to get some rest himself. 394 00:19:58,181 --> 00:20:01,348 At 0400 hours on May 5th... 395 00:20:04,353 --> 00:20:06,754 Lee is awoken by the sound of gunfire. 396 00:20:09,959 --> 00:20:11,959 Castle Itter is under attack. 397 00:20:16,765 --> 00:20:19,734 May 5, 1945. 398 00:20:19,736 --> 00:20:21,235 Lieutenant Jack Lee 399 00:20:21,237 --> 00:20:24,205 commands a small group of American and German soldiers 400 00:20:24,207 --> 00:20:26,373 trying to protect French VIPs 401 00:20:26,375 --> 00:20:28,042 held as hostages at Castle Itter. 402 00:20:35,051 --> 00:20:38,052 Woken by the sound of gunfire from the castle's gatehouse, 403 00:20:38,054 --> 00:20:39,253 Lee rushes out. 404 00:20:43,993 --> 00:20:46,126 As a machine gun from a nearby ridge 405 00:20:46,128 --> 00:20:47,795 targets the castle, 406 00:20:47,797 --> 00:20:49,396 the crew member stationed in Lee's tank, 407 00:20:49,398 --> 00:20:51,165 the Besotten Jenny, 408 00:20:51,167 --> 00:20:52,299 returns fire. 409 00:21:10,653 --> 00:21:13,587 The attack comes from the Waffen-SS... 410 00:21:13,589 --> 00:21:15,222 Fire! 411 00:21:15,224 --> 00:21:17,124 Nazi loyalists 412 00:21:17,126 --> 00:21:19,827 determined to retake the castle and the prisoners. 413 00:21:19,829 --> 00:21:21,696 When the firefight subsides, 414 00:21:21,698 --> 00:21:24,031 Lee's man reports he saw four Germans 415 00:21:24,033 --> 00:21:26,767 inside the razor wire, which rings the castle, 416 00:21:26,769 --> 00:21:29,370 with ropes and climbing gear. 417 00:21:29,372 --> 00:21:31,972 Under fire, the advancing SS troops 418 00:21:31,974 --> 00:21:33,641 retreated into the surrounding woods. 419 00:21:42,151 --> 00:21:44,318 Lee debriefs with Major Josef Gangl 420 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:45,886 and Captain Kurt-Siegfried Schrader 421 00:21:45,888 --> 00:21:48,522 about the exchange. 422 00:21:51,127 --> 00:21:53,794 At the sound of another machine-gun burst, 423 00:21:53,796 --> 00:21:56,530 the officers race down. 424 00:21:56,532 --> 00:21:58,932 The trio encounter one of Major Gangl's men 425 00:21:58,934 --> 00:22:00,667 under heavy fire. 426 00:22:00,669 --> 00:22:03,404 Lee and Gangl pull the soldier to safety... 427 00:22:06,342 --> 00:22:09,143 while Besotten Jenny's .50-caliber machine gun 428 00:22:09,145 --> 00:22:11,278 opens up again in retaliation. 429 00:22:14,584 --> 00:22:18,152 Gangl translates his soldier's account for Lee. 430 00:22:18,154 --> 00:22:21,288 More Waffen-SS soldiers had gotten past the razor wire 431 00:22:21,290 --> 00:22:22,330 and approached the castle. 432 00:22:25,294 --> 00:22:27,361 The soldier opened fire on them, 433 00:22:27,363 --> 00:22:30,431 and in turn, was shot at in retaliation. 434 00:22:30,433 --> 00:22:33,234 They retreated again into the forest. 435 00:22:33,236 --> 00:22:34,402 I got a .50-cal in that section. 436 00:22:34,404 --> 00:22:35,803 No one's getting down there. 437 00:22:39,976 --> 00:22:43,043 With the Sherman tank guarding access to the castle, 438 00:22:43,045 --> 00:22:45,246 a frontal attack is futile, 439 00:22:45,248 --> 00:22:48,182 so the SS troops need to find another way in. 440 00:22:48,184 --> 00:22:51,785 What they do is probe the castle in small groups 441 00:22:51,787 --> 00:22:53,854 and trying to find weak spots, 442 00:22:53,856 --> 00:22:55,322 and perhaps also trying to find out 443 00:22:55,324 --> 00:22:56,791 the number of the defenders. 444 00:23:00,997 --> 00:23:01,997 HQ? 445 00:23:03,933 --> 00:23:05,199 HQ, this is Lee. 446 00:23:08,570 --> 00:23:10,537 This is Lee. Over. 447 00:23:10,539 --> 00:23:13,941 The situation is dire. 448 00:23:13,943 --> 00:23:16,143 Lieutenant Lee is on his own. 449 00:23:16,145 --> 00:23:18,179 He has no radio communication. 450 00:23:18,181 --> 00:23:20,261 He has no way of knowing if a rescue force is coming. 451 00:23:25,354 --> 00:23:29,156 At this point, Lee's strategy is to keep the SS guessing 452 00:23:29,158 --> 00:23:32,192 about the disposition of forces inside the castle. 453 00:23:32,194 --> 00:23:36,029 They don't know he's only got 25 men and three officers. 454 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:40,033 But a short time later, 455 00:23:40,035 --> 00:23:43,570 another round of gunfire alerts Lee to a new problem. 456 00:23:51,848 --> 00:23:53,514 One of Major Gangl's men 457 00:23:53,516 --> 00:23:54,582 has fled the castle. 458 00:23:56,752 --> 00:24:00,721 The soldier secretly lowered himself down the castle wall, 459 00:24:00,723 --> 00:24:03,390 then ran into the trees of the gorge. 460 00:24:03,392 --> 00:24:05,392 You said I could trust your men, Gangl. 461 00:24:05,394 --> 00:24:07,061 The soldier's escape 462 00:24:07,063 --> 00:24:10,598 is a grave threat to everyone left inside Castle Itter. 463 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:11,799 Up until now, 464 00:24:11,801 --> 00:24:15,669 the SS have no idea of who is defending the castle. 465 00:24:15,671 --> 00:24:17,938 This man would likely tell the SS 466 00:24:17,940 --> 00:24:20,774 anything they wanted to know. 467 00:24:20,776 --> 00:24:21,909 He can give away 468 00:24:21,911 --> 00:24:24,345 how many people are defending this castle 469 00:24:24,347 --> 00:24:28,249 and where exactly are their defense positions. 470 00:24:28,251 --> 00:24:32,085 The escape is not just about one soldier. 471 00:24:32,087 --> 00:24:33,487 It undermines the Americans' faith 472 00:24:33,489 --> 00:24:36,390 in the other Germans as well. 473 00:24:36,392 --> 00:24:37,558 Lee's men observe 474 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:39,593 that the other Germans did not fire on him. 475 00:24:42,097 --> 00:24:44,398 Now, at this point he doesn't know, 476 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:45,632 is that simply because 477 00:24:45,634 --> 00:24:47,500 they didn't want to kill a fellow German, 478 00:24:47,502 --> 00:24:50,637 or is there something bigger afoot? 479 00:24:50,639 --> 00:24:52,572 This single soldier 480 00:24:52,574 --> 00:24:55,676 represents a larger problem for the defenders. 481 00:24:55,678 --> 00:24:57,711 Where is their loyalty? 482 00:24:57,713 --> 00:24:59,313 Is it with Gangl? 483 00:24:59,315 --> 00:25:01,682 Or is it with the besieging Waffen-SS unit? 484 00:25:04,386 --> 00:25:05,786 It seems that Gangl and Lee 485 00:25:05,788 --> 00:25:08,522 came to some sort of understanding, 486 00:25:08,524 --> 00:25:10,958 and the Germans retain their weapons. 487 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:12,826 But it is a good thing, 488 00:25:12,828 --> 00:25:14,862 because it soon becomes clear 489 00:25:14,864 --> 00:25:16,864 that Lee will need every man he's got. 490 00:25:21,671 --> 00:25:24,471 May 1945. 491 00:25:24,473 --> 00:25:25,606 An American tank commander 492 00:25:25,608 --> 00:25:28,842 tries to defend the lives of French VIPs 493 00:25:28,844 --> 00:25:30,811 taken hostage and held by the Nazis 494 00:25:30,813 --> 00:25:32,079 at Castle Itter during the war. 495 00:25:34,483 --> 00:25:37,084 A Waffen-SS force prepares to retake the castle. 496 00:25:39,088 --> 00:25:40,821 In an unusual twist of fate, 497 00:25:40,823 --> 00:25:44,758 former enemies now work for a common cause. 498 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:49,062 The castle is held by both American and German troops. 499 00:25:49,064 --> 00:25:51,432 27-year-old Lieutenant Jack Lee 500 00:25:51,434 --> 00:25:54,768 is the American tank commander in charge. 501 00:25:54,770 --> 00:25:55,769 In my opinion, 502 00:25:55,771 --> 00:25:56,870 Lieutenant Lee, at this point, 503 00:25:56,872 --> 00:25:59,706 trusts Gangl and Schrader implicitly. 504 00:25:59,708 --> 00:26:02,309 Gangl already had well-established bona fides 505 00:26:02,311 --> 00:26:04,945 both from the resistance and his actions so far. 506 00:26:04,947 --> 00:26:07,648 Schrader, besides being vouched for by Gangl, 507 00:26:07,650 --> 00:26:09,130 also had his family inside the castle. 508 00:26:12,521 --> 00:26:14,120 Lee joins German officers. 509 00:26:14,122 --> 00:26:15,522 Major Gangl and Captain Schrader 510 00:26:15,524 --> 00:26:16,390 high in the castle 511 00:26:16,392 --> 00:26:20,127 to observe Waffen-SS movements. 512 00:26:20,129 --> 00:26:21,828 Lee spots artillery pieces 513 00:26:21,830 --> 00:26:24,131 being moved into place among the trees, 514 00:26:24,133 --> 00:26:27,467 only about 800 yards from the castle... 515 00:26:27,469 --> 00:26:28,602 Likely in response 516 00:26:28,604 --> 00:26:31,805 to information from an escaped defender. 517 00:26:31,807 --> 00:26:34,141 They know that the defensive force 518 00:26:34,143 --> 00:26:36,477 has no heavy weapons to fire. 519 00:26:36,479 --> 00:26:38,946 And so they feel free to move their heavy guns into place. 520 00:26:43,419 --> 00:26:46,487 One of the guns is an 88. 521 00:26:46,489 --> 00:26:48,621 The 88 is the most dreaded weapon 522 00:26:48,623 --> 00:26:49,823 in the German arsenal. 523 00:26:49,825 --> 00:26:52,493 It's a high-velocity gun with a heavy punch. 524 00:26:52,495 --> 00:26:55,628 Literally one round can go through a Sherman tank 525 00:26:55,630 --> 00:26:57,698 like it's made of butter. 526 00:26:57,700 --> 00:26:59,180 It does the same thing to stone walls. 527 00:27:03,839 --> 00:27:05,105 They also watch 528 00:27:05,107 --> 00:27:07,341 as Waffen-SS troops arrive and take up positions. 529 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:12,412 From all what we know, 530 00:27:12,414 --> 00:27:15,582 the number of German troops attacking Castle Itter 531 00:27:15,584 --> 00:27:17,251 was about a company. 532 00:27:17,253 --> 00:27:20,587 So, about 150, 200 men maximum. 533 00:27:20,589 --> 00:27:23,123 They were relatively well-armed. 534 00:27:23,125 --> 00:27:25,359 They seemed to have been in good supply of ammunition. 535 00:27:27,596 --> 00:27:31,098 Castle Itter is now surrounded. 536 00:27:31,100 --> 00:27:34,401 While the American and German officers are concerned, 537 00:27:34,403 --> 00:27:38,539 Major Gangl discovers that the French VIPs are not. 538 00:27:38,541 --> 00:27:39,806 Gangl encounters them 539 00:27:39,808 --> 00:27:42,409 getting some fresh air in the courtyard, 540 00:27:42,411 --> 00:27:45,278 in spite of Lee's clear instructions. 541 00:27:49,051 --> 00:27:51,484 The 88 suddenly opens up. 542 00:27:53,188 --> 00:27:55,021 A shot hits an upper floor of the castle 543 00:27:55,023 --> 00:27:56,023 and rains down debris. 544 00:28:01,430 --> 00:28:03,530 Everyone scrambles for cover. 545 00:28:05,601 --> 00:28:06,900 Let's go. Let's move! 546 00:28:14,243 --> 00:28:16,042 At 1000 hours, 547 00:28:16,044 --> 00:28:18,245 Waffen-SS troops begin a full-scale assault 548 00:28:18,247 --> 00:28:19,247 on the castle. 549 00:28:23,251 --> 00:28:26,186 Lee will soon learn if the Germans inside the castle 550 00:28:26,188 --> 00:28:27,621 will fight to repel them. 551 00:28:40,769 --> 00:28:42,069 Very quickly, 552 00:28:42,071 --> 00:28:45,205 the Besotten Jenny, the defenders' only tank, 553 00:28:45,207 --> 00:28:48,008 takes a direct hit. 554 00:28:48,010 --> 00:28:50,844 Lee's best hope for protecting everyone inside Itter Castle 555 00:28:50,846 --> 00:28:52,212 goes up in flames. 556 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:00,754 An American tanker escapes the burning wreckage. 557 00:29:02,625 --> 00:29:05,492 He and two other U.S. soldiers retreat... 558 00:29:07,363 --> 00:29:11,231 as the Sherman's fuel tanks explode. 559 00:29:11,233 --> 00:29:13,767 It is a major setback. 560 00:29:16,505 --> 00:29:18,271 The assault continues. 561 00:29:21,477 --> 00:29:22,943 The forces inside the castle 562 00:29:22,945 --> 00:29:25,011 are reduced to simply small arms... 563 00:29:25,013 --> 00:29:27,581 Rifles, pistols, and grenades. 564 00:29:27,583 --> 00:29:30,017 They have no heavy weapons whatsoever. 565 00:29:30,019 --> 00:29:31,351 The defenders have no way 566 00:29:31,353 --> 00:29:34,354 to take out the German 88... 567 00:29:34,356 --> 00:29:35,923 and it continues to pound the castle. 568 00:29:41,530 --> 00:29:44,798 Some of the French VIPs refuse to retreat to safety 569 00:29:44,800 --> 00:29:45,933 in order to join the battle. 570 00:29:49,038 --> 00:29:50,571 They had served in the French army. 571 00:29:53,209 --> 00:29:54,307 Though for most, 572 00:29:54,309 --> 00:29:56,977 decades earlier in the First World War. 573 00:30:02,318 --> 00:30:04,518 Hurry! OK! Let's go! 574 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:06,520 Some defenders are positioned higher 575 00:30:06,522 --> 00:30:08,689 to preserve their view of the attacking troops. 576 00:30:16,431 --> 00:30:18,832 The Waffen-SS attack intensifies. 577 00:30:33,181 --> 00:30:35,181 Lee notices that one of the French VIPs 578 00:30:35,183 --> 00:30:37,084 has moved into a vulnerable spot. 579 00:30:42,124 --> 00:30:44,624 But before Lee can react... 580 00:30:44,626 --> 00:30:46,126 Major Gangl does. 581 00:30:52,934 --> 00:30:55,669 May 1945. 582 00:30:55,671 --> 00:30:58,238 During the final days of the war in Europe... 583 00:30:59,742 --> 00:31:03,543 American and German soldiers fight together 584 00:31:03,545 --> 00:31:04,844 to hold a castle 585 00:31:04,846 --> 00:31:07,681 and protect French prisoners from Waffen-SS forces. 586 00:31:15,757 --> 00:31:18,424 German Wehrmacht Major Josef Gangl 587 00:31:18,426 --> 00:31:20,761 rushes to pull one of the French VIPs back 588 00:31:20,763 --> 00:31:21,929 from a vulnerable position. 589 00:31:24,733 --> 00:31:26,099 But in his haste... 590 00:31:27,803 --> 00:31:29,302 Gangl exposes himself 591 00:31:29,304 --> 00:31:31,404 to a bullet fired from outside the castle. 592 00:31:36,045 --> 00:31:37,844 In the hope of peace, 593 00:31:37,846 --> 00:31:41,014 Gangl chose to defy his own country, 594 00:31:41,016 --> 00:31:44,250 because he could no longer support in its aims, 595 00:31:44,252 --> 00:31:45,686 and he pays the ultimate price. 596 00:31:47,556 --> 00:31:50,890 It was not an opportunistic choice 597 00:31:50,892 --> 00:31:52,793 to defend Castle Itter. 598 00:31:52,795 --> 00:31:54,661 He did it with conviction. 599 00:31:58,634 --> 00:32:00,500 Lee cannot stop. 600 00:32:00,502 --> 00:32:02,836 As the incoming fire increases, 601 00:32:02,838 --> 00:32:04,171 he must secure the castle. 602 00:32:08,677 --> 00:32:10,978 Lee passes word to his men in the gatehouse 603 00:32:10,980 --> 00:32:13,614 to hang on as long as possible before falling back. 604 00:32:23,291 --> 00:32:25,158 As part of the growing onslaught, 605 00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:28,795 Waffen-SS troops advance from the east and west sides, 606 00:32:28,797 --> 00:32:31,331 as well as up the drop-off to the castle's north. 607 00:32:35,904 --> 00:32:38,739 The defenders struggle to cover all three directions. 608 00:32:45,914 --> 00:32:48,915 It is not clear how long they will be able to hold out. 609 00:32:54,089 --> 00:32:55,555 Jean Borotra, 610 00:32:55,557 --> 00:32:58,759 one of the prisoners and a former French tennis star, 611 00:32:58,761 --> 00:33:01,261 braves the incoming fire to deliver a message. 612 00:33:05,200 --> 00:33:06,666 He bursts in to report to Lee 613 00:33:06,668 --> 00:33:08,268 that they're running low on ammunition... 614 00:33:12,707 --> 00:33:14,341 with Waffen-SS forces closing in. 615 00:33:20,816 --> 00:33:21,816 Just then... 616 00:33:26,155 --> 00:33:29,155 an unexpected sound cuts through the gunfire. 617 00:33:29,157 --> 00:33:31,391 What happens next is amazing. 618 00:33:31,393 --> 00:33:32,959 The telephone in the castle rings. 619 00:33:36,865 --> 00:33:38,965 Hello? 620 00:33:38,967 --> 00:33:40,700 Lee answers, 621 00:33:40,702 --> 00:33:41,901 and is relieved to hear the voice 622 00:33:41,903 --> 00:33:44,504 of an American officer on the line. 623 00:33:44,506 --> 00:33:46,372 When he had reached the town of Worgl, 624 00:33:46,374 --> 00:33:48,508 Gangl's Austrian Resistance fighters 625 00:33:48,510 --> 00:33:49,776 had alerted the officer 626 00:33:49,778 --> 00:33:52,178 to the existence of the castle telephone. 627 00:33:52,180 --> 00:33:53,647 He's calling to check on Lee's forces 628 00:33:53,649 --> 00:33:55,215 and what they need. 629 00:33:55,217 --> 00:33:56,917 Lee only has time to report 630 00:33:56,919 --> 00:33:58,451 that the castle is under attack 631 00:33:58,453 --> 00:33:59,853 and they're low on ammunition... 632 00:34:02,056 --> 00:34:03,523 before the line goes dead. 633 00:34:10,865 --> 00:34:13,065 Though reinforcements may be coming, 634 00:34:13,067 --> 00:34:16,936 there's no guarantee they will arrive in time. 635 00:34:16,938 --> 00:34:18,070 He did not get a chance 636 00:34:18,072 --> 00:34:19,873 to relay the strength and position 637 00:34:19,875 --> 00:34:21,774 of the Waffen-SS troops, 638 00:34:21,776 --> 00:34:22,808 which could help the relief force 639 00:34:22,810 --> 00:34:26,146 make it more quickly to the castle. 640 00:34:26,148 --> 00:34:27,947 In addition to losing Gangl, 641 00:34:27,949 --> 00:34:31,184 two of the German soldiers have been injured. 642 00:34:31,186 --> 00:34:33,419 Lee knows that the castle could be overrun 643 00:34:33,421 --> 00:34:35,188 before help arrives, 644 00:34:35,190 --> 00:34:37,324 risking the lives of everyone inside. 645 00:34:39,961 --> 00:34:42,129 Jean Borotra interrupts with a crazy offer. 646 00:34:44,199 --> 00:34:45,899 During his captivity, 647 00:34:45,901 --> 00:34:48,367 Borotra had escaped from the castle before, 648 00:34:48,369 --> 00:34:52,004 only to be recaptured and returned to the prison. 649 00:34:52,006 --> 00:34:53,406 He suggests to Lee 650 00:34:53,408 --> 00:34:55,007 that he should dress as an Austrian peasant, 651 00:34:55,009 --> 00:34:56,108 jump the wall, 652 00:34:56,110 --> 00:34:59,312 and try and run to town to get aid. 653 00:34:59,314 --> 00:35:01,314 If Borotra can escape once more 654 00:35:01,316 --> 00:35:03,649 and locate the American forces, 655 00:35:03,651 --> 00:35:05,185 he can pass on Lee's warnings. 656 00:35:10,058 --> 00:35:12,792 Lee is not convinced the plan can succeed, 657 00:35:12,794 --> 00:35:15,195 but has few choices and even less time. 658 00:35:24,806 --> 00:35:26,039 As the fighting eases... 659 00:35:30,078 --> 00:35:33,913 Borotra is able to slip away from the castle. 660 00:35:33,915 --> 00:35:35,215 To fulfill his mission, 661 00:35:35,217 --> 00:35:37,317 he will have make his way past the Waffen-SS 662 00:35:37,319 --> 00:35:38,718 positioned outside the walls. 663 00:35:40,889 --> 00:35:42,789 Everyone's life could depend on it. 664 00:35:46,795 --> 00:35:50,063 May 5, 1945. 665 00:35:50,065 --> 00:35:52,498 In the Austrian Alps, 666 00:35:52,500 --> 00:35:54,868 Waffen-SS troops attack Castle Itter... 667 00:35:56,371 --> 00:35:58,404 the wartime prison which housed French VIPs. 668 00:36:02,544 --> 00:36:04,344 The castle is held by a motley mix 669 00:36:04,346 --> 00:36:06,947 of both American and German soldiers 670 00:36:06,949 --> 00:36:07,914 fighting to protect 671 00:36:07,916 --> 00:36:09,783 the hostages of the Third Reich. 672 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:13,220 With the castle defenders 673 00:36:13,222 --> 00:36:15,956 at risk of being overwhelmed by loyal Nazi forces... 674 00:36:20,161 --> 00:36:22,795 former French tennis star Jean Borotra 675 00:36:22,797 --> 00:36:24,497 escapes the castle in disguise 676 00:36:24,499 --> 00:36:26,166 to alert nearby American troops. 677 00:36:29,170 --> 00:36:30,470 But first, 678 00:36:30,472 --> 00:36:32,438 he must make it through the Waffen-SS line 679 00:36:32,440 --> 00:36:33,607 advancing on the castle. 680 00:36:48,857 --> 00:36:51,591 Borotra must convince the Nazi troops 681 00:36:51,593 --> 00:36:53,793 that he is just an Austrian peasant. 682 00:36:53,795 --> 00:36:56,996 If they even suspect him of being a military deserter, 683 00:36:56,998 --> 00:36:58,999 let alone an escaped prisoner, 684 00:36:59,001 --> 00:37:00,400 it could cost him his life. 685 00:37:02,938 --> 00:37:04,371 Tense moments pass. 686 00:37:11,246 --> 00:37:13,546 Borotra's performance as a peasant 687 00:37:13,548 --> 00:37:15,081 must have been convincing, 688 00:37:15,083 --> 00:37:17,817 as they allow him to continue. 689 00:37:17,819 --> 00:37:21,387 Borotra heads off in search of the Americans. 690 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:27,427 Back at Castle Itter... 691 00:37:29,564 --> 00:37:33,766 Lieutenant Jack Lee continues to lose ground to the SS troops 692 00:37:33,768 --> 00:37:36,402 and runs low on ammunition. 693 00:37:36,404 --> 00:37:37,737 He has no way to know 694 00:37:37,739 --> 00:37:40,907 if friendly reinforcements can reach them in time. 695 00:37:40,909 --> 00:37:42,742 If the castle is overrun, 696 00:37:42,744 --> 00:37:45,611 they believe the French VIPs are at risk of being executed 697 00:37:45,613 --> 00:37:47,147 by the Waffen-SS fanatics. 698 00:37:49,451 --> 00:37:51,384 Some hardcore SS officers say, 699 00:37:51,386 --> 00:37:53,186 OK, we are losing the war, 700 00:37:53,188 --> 00:37:55,655 but we will take our enemies with us. 701 00:37:55,657 --> 00:37:57,691 They shall not survive us. 702 00:38:01,396 --> 00:38:03,296 Lee and the French generals 703 00:38:03,298 --> 00:38:06,232 agree to retreat to the castle's inner stronghold, 704 00:38:06,234 --> 00:38:08,435 which Lee calls the keep. 705 00:38:08,437 --> 00:38:10,303 Down to the last magazine! 706 00:38:10,305 --> 00:38:11,404 Make it count. 707 00:38:13,342 --> 00:38:16,409 The keep is literally the last stand. 708 00:38:16,411 --> 00:38:19,145 There's no place to retreat to from it. 709 00:38:19,147 --> 00:38:21,781 They have to gamble that they can hold off the SS 710 00:38:21,783 --> 00:38:23,516 until relief forces arrive, 711 00:38:23,518 --> 00:38:24,518 or the game is up. 712 00:38:26,488 --> 00:38:28,888 At this point, Lee and his men are going to win or die. 713 00:38:34,396 --> 00:38:36,496 Waffen-SS forces sustain their attack 714 00:38:36,498 --> 00:38:38,931 and close in. 715 00:38:38,933 --> 00:38:41,867 The castle defenders return fire, 716 00:38:41,869 --> 00:38:44,770 but they are being overwhelmed by superior numbers. 717 00:39:02,090 --> 00:39:04,791 SS troops reach the castle gate 718 00:39:04,793 --> 00:39:06,592 and prepare to blast their way inside 719 00:39:06,594 --> 00:39:08,895 with a Panzerfaust rocket, 720 00:39:08,897 --> 00:39:13,266 an easy-to-use weapon which blows up tanks. 721 00:39:31,552 --> 00:39:35,421 The Waffen-SS suddenly hear tank noise from the rear, 722 00:39:35,423 --> 00:39:37,157 from the village. 723 00:39:37,159 --> 00:39:39,225 Without an armored unit of their own, 724 00:39:39,227 --> 00:39:43,096 the Waffen-SS are no match for the arriving U.S. tanks. 725 00:39:43,098 --> 00:39:47,233 They quickly realized, the Americans are coming. 726 00:39:47,235 --> 00:39:50,537 The Waffen-SS disappeared as quickly as possible. 727 00:39:54,075 --> 00:39:55,508 To Lee's relief, 728 00:39:55,510 --> 00:39:58,844 reinforcements have arrived just in time. 729 00:40:26,074 --> 00:40:28,341 Lee and the others holed up in Castle Itter 730 00:40:28,343 --> 00:40:29,409 have been saved. 731 00:40:36,017 --> 00:40:38,617 Lieutenant Lee, by this point, is exhausted. 732 00:40:38,619 --> 00:40:41,754 And when the commander of the 142nd comes up to him, 733 00:40:41,756 --> 00:40:44,124 he says, 'Take 'em, Colonel, they're all yours.' 734 00:40:46,561 --> 00:40:48,227 The battle for Castle Itter 735 00:40:48,229 --> 00:40:49,896 would be amongst the last ground combat 736 00:40:49,898 --> 00:40:51,397 of World War II in Europe. 737 00:40:54,035 --> 00:40:55,568 Only two days later, 738 00:40:55,570 --> 00:40:57,904 May 7, 1945, 739 00:40:57,906 --> 00:41:01,974 Germany surrenders unconditionally to the Allies. 740 00:41:01,976 --> 00:41:03,776 The fact the last battle fought 741 00:41:03,778 --> 00:41:05,645 in the European theatre of operations 742 00:41:05,647 --> 00:41:08,314 was not to conquer territory 743 00:41:08,316 --> 00:41:11,217 but to defend innocent prisoners 744 00:41:11,219 --> 00:41:13,853 must have been an incredibly uplifting moment 745 00:41:13,855 --> 00:41:16,055 for all those involved. 746 00:41:16,057 --> 00:41:18,157 The Americans evacuate the French VIPs 747 00:41:18,159 --> 00:41:20,393 to Innsbruck, Austria. 748 00:41:20,395 --> 00:41:23,596 Within days, they arrive home in France. 749 00:41:23,598 --> 00:41:25,698 Several would return to politics after the war. 750 00:41:27,969 --> 00:41:30,270 SS-Waffen Captain Kurt-Siegfried Schrader 751 00:41:30,272 --> 00:41:31,871 receives a letter, 752 00:41:31,873 --> 00:41:34,907 undersigned by the former prisoners, 753 00:41:34,909 --> 00:41:38,044 stating he ensured the safety of the French detainees 754 00:41:38,046 --> 00:41:40,680 and stayed with them during the German attacks. 755 00:41:40,682 --> 00:41:42,415 Schrader serves as a prisoner of war 756 00:41:42,417 --> 00:41:43,583 for only two years, 757 00:41:43,585 --> 00:41:46,285 before being released. 758 00:41:46,287 --> 00:41:50,023 In the end, when we judge the personality, 759 00:41:50,025 --> 00:41:52,025 we must always bear in mind 760 00:41:52,027 --> 00:41:56,195 there were many SS officers who didn't act like Schrader, 761 00:41:56,197 --> 00:41:59,032 who didn't change their mind. 762 00:41:59,034 --> 00:42:02,501 You can say Schrader showed more responsibility 763 00:42:02,503 --> 00:42:03,870 than most of his peers. 764 00:42:05,973 --> 00:42:08,107 Austria honors Major Josef Gangl 765 00:42:08,109 --> 00:42:10,376 for his work with the resistance 766 00:42:10,378 --> 00:42:12,145 and for his actions at Castle Itter. 767 00:42:14,015 --> 00:42:15,314 Lieutenant Jack Lee 768 00:42:15,316 --> 00:42:17,316 would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross 769 00:42:17,318 --> 00:42:19,519 for his initiative, boldness, and courage 770 00:42:19,521 --> 00:42:22,421 in defense of Castle Itter. 771 00:42:22,423 --> 00:42:23,923 Lieutenant Lee himself 772 00:42:23,925 --> 00:42:26,925 summed it up years later when he was asked. 773 00:42:26,927 --> 00:42:30,530 He just said, 'It was just the damnedest thing.' 774 00:42:30,532 --> 00:42:31,897 It had been a long road 775 00:42:31,899 --> 00:42:33,866 since the beaches of Normandy. 776 00:42:33,868 --> 00:42:37,103 Peace, eleven months in the making. 777 00:42:37,105 --> 00:42:38,571 D-Day is only the beginning, 778 00:42:38,573 --> 00:42:40,372 and it's a really important beginning 779 00:42:40,374 --> 00:42:44,310 of almost a year of really intense fighting 780 00:42:44,312 --> 00:42:46,412 by a Western Allied coalition, 781 00:42:46,414 --> 00:42:48,648 all of whom need one another badly 782 00:42:48,650 --> 00:42:51,551 and all of whom sacrificed terribly, 783 00:42:51,553 --> 00:42:53,953 for this to come to a final victory. 783 00:42:54,305 --> 00:43:00,311 Craving big poker? 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