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May 1945.
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00:00:06,214 --> 00:00:08,925
During the final days
of war in Europe,
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an American tank commander
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00:00:10,802 --> 00:00:13,263
leads an unlikely band
of U.S. and German soldiers...
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00:00:16,433 --> 00:00:20,228
to rescue French VIPs
held in an Austrian castle.
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00:00:21,813 --> 00:00:24,441
As he organizes
their defenses...
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00:00:24,441 --> 00:00:27,152
Lee's strategy
is to keep the SS guessing
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about the disposition of forces
inside the castle.
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They don't know he's only got
25 men and three officers.
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00:00:35,160 --> 00:00:38,496
But when
Waffen SS forces attack,
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he cannot be sure
where their loyalty will stand.
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00:00:45,295 --> 00:00:48,131
On June 6, 1944,
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Allied forces finally
land troops in Normandy
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to open the Western Front.
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But Nazi fanatics and diehards
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continue to fight
ruthlessly for survival.
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D-Day was a battle.
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The Allies still need
to win the war.
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May 4, 1945.
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Tyrol, Austria.
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German Army major Josef Gangl
and his driver
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near the town of Kufstein,
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occupied just the day before
by American troops.
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German resistance
has more or less collapsed.
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But it has not yet surrendered.
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German troops are withdrawing
to the Alpine region,
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where there is this myth
of this Alpine Fortress,
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the last stand of the Nazis.
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As they turn a corner,
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they come face to face
with four U.S. Sherman tanks.
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Out of the car.
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Alright. What do you want?
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On the surface,
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it may look like Gangl is one
of thousands of German soldiers
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surrendering to Western Allies.
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Whoa, whoa, whoa!
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But Gangl has come
to Kufstein on a mission.
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It may be risky.
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Days prior,
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the U.S. Army began to liberate
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the nearby
Dachau prison camp system.
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After witnessing the atrocities,
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many of the soldiers
were of the opinion
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that they simply weren't in the business
of taking prisoners anymore.
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But Gangl has joined
the Austrian Resistance
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to help defeat the Nazis
from within the Third Reich.
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Gangl is taken
to Lieutenant Jack Lee,
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commander of Company B,
23rd Tank Battalion,
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U.S. 12th Armored Division.
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Months of hard fighting
gives Lee confidence,
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on the edge of bravado.
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In a couple of days prior,
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a German colonel wanted to surrender
a large number of his men
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but wouldn't do so
to a lowly first lieutenant.
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So, Lieutenant Lee,
making use of the fact
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that the insignia for a first lieutenant
is a single silver bar
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and for a captain
is two silver bars,
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simply took a spare bar,
put it on his collar,
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and was a captain for a few minutes
to accept surrender.
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In English,
Gangl delivers his message.
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The German officer explains
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that he has knowledge
of important French prisoners
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held by the Nazis not far away.
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From the perspective
of a U.S. Army commander,
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you're wise if you decide,
I'm only going to trust my own guys.
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But you also have to be
open-minded enough
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to realize that
there may be a lot of people
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who need your help
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and that you're probably
going to do yourself
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more harm than good
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if you're shooting first
and asking questions later.
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Gangl presents a letter
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written by one of the VIPs.
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In it, they plead for rescue.
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Rumors had circulated
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about an Alpine fortress
holding such prisoners.
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The story could be true,
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or it could be a trap.
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It's a tough sell
for someone like Gangl
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to make the Americans understand
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that he is going to
join them in common cause
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and that he's really
not a supporter of Nazism.
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Lee climbs into his tank
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to radio
his commanding officer.
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HQ, this is Lee.
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He shares the intel
about the French hostages.
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Lee receives
permission to proceed
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as he judges appropriate.
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Alright,
we'll see it through. Over.
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It's indicative
of how fluid the situation is,
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there's not always going
to be time to check in.
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The battalion commander
is telling Lee
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that he needs
to exercise his judgment.
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Lee decides
to check out the story himself.
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He will reconnoiter
to where Gangl claims
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the VIP prisoners
are being held.
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Only one of Lee's gunners
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and the two Germans
accompany him.
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Lee decides
to travel with Gangl
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to determine the German major's
reliability...
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and to verify his connections
with the Austrian Resistance.
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This situation
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that you have there
on the ground in Austria
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is extraordinarily complex.
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German Chancellor Adolf Hitler
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committed suicide
five days prior,
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on April 30, 1945.
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The German military
is disintegrating.
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Some surrender to the Allies.
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Others retreat, or even desert.
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In my opinion,
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Gangl represents the state
of the German armed forces
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in May 1945.
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He understands the war is lost,
probably has also understood
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that he had served
the wrong cause.
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And now is time to try
to avoid even more damage
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to our home country,
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even if this means to cooperate
with a former enemy.
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But many still
support the cause of Nazism,
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particularly those
in the Waffen-SS--
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the military arm
of the Nazi party.
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There are a number
of Waffen-SS troops
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in northern Austria
by this time.
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Most of them are
still determined to fight on.
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They are fanatical.
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When we hear
"fanatic" or "fanatical" today,
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we think of crazy people
who fight on stupid-like.
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00:07:18,980 --> 00:07:23,192
But fanatic is actually
considered a positive term
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by the Nazis.
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If they say you are a fanatic Nazi,
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it's meant as a compliment.
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The Waffen-SS
will fight to the bitter end.
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A couple of days
before the war was over,
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the thinking then was
we are losing,
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but when we are losing,
our enemies shall not survive.
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Their fatalism creates
great risk for the Allies.
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Whether in the next village
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they will be met with open arms,
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or whether they will be met
with a hail of bullets.
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The four men
travel to their objective--
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Castle Itter.
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Their route will be
dictated by roadblocks.
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The Nazis controlled most
every aspect of German life,
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including the road net.
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We have a roadblock
at the entry points of a town.
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This was a way to maintain
control over populations,
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to cow them into submission.
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It was a way to maintain some
semblance of political control.
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With Gangl and his
driver's knowledge of the area,
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they bypass some roadblocks.
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Other times,
en route to the town of Worgl,
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Lee and Gangl encounter
Wehrmacht German Army troops,
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who prove loyal
to the German major.
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As Gangl navigates each turn,
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Lee must still wonder
whether it's an elaborate ruse.
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During a stop in Worgl,
Gangl offers Lee formal surrender
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of the garrison
based in the town.
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They then continue
to Itter village,
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situated just below
the castle itself.
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So, for Lee,
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the next introduction
must have been jarring.
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Though he's dressed
in civilian clothes,
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the man is introduced
as a Waffen-SS captain.
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SS officers did not
swear loyalty to Germany
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and its constitution
and its laws.
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They swore a personal loyalty
to Adolf Hitler himself.
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These were the fanatics.
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These were the people who ran
the concentration camps.
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Lee may have trusted
the Wehrmacht officer,
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only to fall into the clutches
of the SS instead.
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May 4, 1945.
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In the final days
of World War II,
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an American tank commander believes
a German officer's story
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about French VIP prisoners
in a nearby castle
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needing rescue.
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But while on reconnaissance,
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Lieutenant Jack Lee fears
he has fallen into the hands
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of Waffen-SS Captain
Kurt-Siegfried Schrader.
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Why should I believe you?
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But German Army
Major Josef Gangl
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vouches for the SS captain.
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This creates a tense moment.
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Gangl recognizes him.
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They'd worked together before
on Battle Group Giehl.
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Schrader informs Lee and Gangl
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that he has assumed
responsibility
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for the French VIPs'
protection.
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We can only speculate
what motivates Schrader's change in mind.
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Was it a true change of mind,
or was it just opportunism,
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seeing the war is lost
for Germany.
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They also learn from Schrader
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that the SS unit that had
guarded the prisoners
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has fled overnight.
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The VIPs are safe for now,
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00:11:16,634 --> 00:11:19,261
but everyone fears
what's coming next.
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Lee finds himself
in a remarkable situation.
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00:11:24,183 --> 00:11:27,353
Two German officers--
one from the SS--
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00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,147
have turned their backs
on the Nazi cause
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to assist American forces to
protect the French prisoners.
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I'm going to check
this guy's story out.
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00:11:43,202 --> 00:11:46,497
Still needing to confirm
Gangl and Schrader's stories,
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00:11:46,497 --> 00:11:48,958
Lee insists
they continue to the castle.
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00:11:54,088 --> 00:11:56,590
Schloss Itter,
as it is known in German,
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sits amidst
Austria's Tyrol Mountains.
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Positioned over a ravine,
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00:12:02,680 --> 00:12:05,307
a short bridge connects
the 13th-century castle
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to a nearby mountain.
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00:12:08,310 --> 00:12:10,646
Just south of
the Austrian-German border,
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the Tyrol region
is of legendary concern.
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00:12:14,442 --> 00:12:16,527
Mountains separated
by countless rivers,
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00:12:16,527 --> 00:12:18,529
threaded by country roads,
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form natural defenses
for retreating German troops.
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00:12:23,993 --> 00:12:25,911
A recurrent fear
of Allied supreme commander
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00:12:25,995 --> 00:12:29,248
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
is a final stand in the Alps.
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00:12:31,709 --> 00:12:33,586
As the American forces
move south,
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00:12:33,586 --> 00:12:35,337
they are ordered
to cut off mountain passes
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to prevent the formation
of a Nazi redoubt.
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00:12:46,098 --> 00:12:49,518
But as the Allies press from the north,
east, and south of Austria,
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00:12:50,895 --> 00:12:53,022
the squeeze may
inadvertently create
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the assembly of loyal Nazi troops
Eisenhower fears.
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00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:00,404
Upon arriving at the castle...
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00:13:04,033 --> 00:13:05,951
Lee encounters
an armed group...
223
00:13:13,626 --> 00:13:15,836
and realizes that
Gangl's story is true.
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The French VIPs exist,
and they need help.
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00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:26,180
The prisoners include two former
French prime ministers,
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00:13:26,180 --> 00:13:27,973
two French generals,
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00:13:28,432 --> 00:13:30,643
and the sister
of Charles de Gaulle.
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These are very distinguished
soldiers in some cases.
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00:13:33,479 --> 00:13:35,773
They are distinguished
political voices.
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00:13:35,773 --> 00:13:37,733
In a way, they represent
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00:13:37,817 --> 00:13:40,611
the sort of kernel
of French political nationhood.
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00:13:40,611 --> 00:13:43,405
So, there's a great value
in them, in that sense.
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00:13:44,406 --> 00:13:46,242
So-called "honor prisoners"
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00:13:46,242 --> 00:13:50,663
lived in relative luxury in hotels
and castles throughout the war.
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00:13:52,373 --> 00:13:55,334
The Nazis see them
as a kind of bargain
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00:13:55,334 --> 00:13:57,837
for future negotiations
with the enemy.
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00:13:57,837 --> 00:14:00,464
But faced
day-to-day uncertainty,
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00:14:00,548 --> 00:14:03,092
as their survival depended
on Hitler's impulses.
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00:14:03,092 --> 00:14:04,552
With his death
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00:14:04,927 --> 00:14:06,345
and German
command structure imploding,
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00:14:06,345 --> 00:14:08,013
SS units in the region
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00:14:08,097 --> 00:14:09,932
might decide
it is in Germany's interest
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00:14:09,932 --> 00:14:12,059
to execute the VIPs.
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00:14:12,059 --> 00:14:13,811
The fear is
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00:14:13,811 --> 00:14:15,771
that the SS were fully capable
of executing anybody
246
00:14:15,855 --> 00:14:18,524
that they didn't want around
to testify after the war.
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00:14:19,233 --> 00:14:20,234
Though currently unguarded
248
00:14:20,234 --> 00:14:22,695
and in possession
of German weapons,
249
00:14:22,903 --> 00:14:26,448
the VIPs are trapped
and face imminent danger.
250
00:14:26,532 --> 00:14:30,286
While Lee wants to protect
his men from unnecessary risks
251
00:14:30,286 --> 00:14:32,955
in what could be
the last hours of the war,
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00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,708
he understands the importance
of the French VIPs
253
00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:37,418
and that they may be critical
254
00:14:37,418 --> 00:14:40,129
to the stability
of free France after the war.
255
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,549
Lee tells the French prisoners
that he will be back with help
256
00:14:43,799 --> 00:14:45,050
as soon as possible.
257
00:14:54,476 --> 00:14:55,978
Lee and Gangl
return to Kufstein
258
00:14:55,978 --> 00:14:57,396
to gather reinforcements.
259
00:15:01,358 --> 00:15:02,818
Alright, boys, let's roll out!
260
00:15:04,445 --> 00:15:06,488
Just before 1900 hours,
261
00:15:07,197 --> 00:15:10,659
Lee leads seven Sherman tanks
and three squads of infantry
262
00:15:10,868 --> 00:15:13,162
from Kufstein
towards Castle Itter.
263
00:15:15,372 --> 00:15:17,791
They are joined by Major Gangl,
264
00:15:17,875 --> 00:15:20,002
who adds men
to strengthen their numbers.
265
00:15:22,922 --> 00:15:24,715
Jack Lee finds himself
in command
266
00:15:24,715 --> 00:15:27,384
of 14 American
and 10 German soldiers.
267
00:15:29,511 --> 00:15:30,930
I know of no other time
268
00:15:30,930 --> 00:15:33,265
when you had German soldiers
directly serving
269
00:15:33,349 --> 00:15:35,601
and following the orders
270
00:15:35,601 --> 00:15:38,020
of an American junior officer
in World War II.
271
00:15:39,772 --> 00:15:41,607
As they proceed to Itter,
272
00:15:41,607 --> 00:15:44,234
Lee must returnthree
of his tanks to Kuftstein,
273
00:15:44,318 --> 00:15:47,780
when an old bridge gives way
and prevents further crossings.
274
00:15:48,405 --> 00:15:50,532
He also leaves two tanks behind
275
00:15:50,616 --> 00:15:52,242
to defend the town of Worgl
276
00:15:52,326 --> 00:15:55,120
and one to secure a bridge
they may need
277
00:15:55,204 --> 00:15:56,914
as an escape route.
278
00:15:58,999 --> 00:16:00,542
This leaves Lee's tank,
279
00:16:00,626 --> 00:16:02,836
nicknamed the Besotten Jenny,
280
00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,172
as the only Sherman
still bound for the castle.
281
00:16:10,678 --> 00:16:12,221
The Besotten Jenny
282
00:16:12,221 --> 00:16:14,807
is an M4 A3 Sherman tank,
283
00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:16,809
operated by a crew of five.
284
00:16:16,809 --> 00:16:19,353
It is armed with
a 76-millimeter main gun,
285
00:16:19,353 --> 00:16:22,106
capable of firing
20 rounds a minute...
286
00:16:23,565 --> 00:16:27,111
...and fitted with a .50-caliber and
two .30-caliber machine guns.
287
00:16:32,825 --> 00:16:36,203
As the rescue force
closes in on Itter village,
288
00:16:37,621 --> 00:16:40,708
they encounter
a Waffen-SS roadblock...
289
00:16:42,334 --> 00:16:44,086
and open fire to clear the way.
290
00:16:49,967 --> 00:16:53,429
The German troops immediately
scatter without firing a shot.
291
00:16:53,721 --> 00:16:55,389
They just melt off
into the woods.
292
00:16:55,389 --> 00:16:57,016
Pick up the pace.
293
00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:58,684
Having announced their presence
294
00:16:58,684 --> 00:17:00,811
to any enemy soldiers
in the area,
295
00:17:00,811 --> 00:17:04,189
Lee and his rescue force
hurry to Itter Castle.
296
00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:08,777
A 60-foot road leads
to the castle's gatehouse.
297
00:17:09,194 --> 00:17:10,195
OK, move it, move it.
298
00:17:16,201 --> 00:17:18,287
Lee's driver
puts the tank in reverse.
299
00:17:19,872 --> 00:17:23,208
There's no way to turn around
once you're at the castle gate.
300
00:17:23,542 --> 00:17:26,003
And if you were
to drive up forward,
301
00:17:26,003 --> 00:17:28,172
he'd have the most vulnerable
portion of the tank--
302
00:17:28,172 --> 00:17:31,133
the engine compartment--
directly facing enemy fire.
303
00:17:31,592 --> 00:17:33,510
Alright, boys,
keep moving.
304
00:17:33,677 --> 00:17:36,388
The tank's
rearview mirrors were broken,
305
00:17:36,472 --> 00:17:40,517
so Lee uses his voice
to guide the tank up the hill.
306
00:17:40,601 --> 00:17:42,352
It's an incredibly
tense maneuver
307
00:17:42,436 --> 00:17:45,939
because the consequences
of error are monumental.
308
00:17:47,733 --> 00:17:49,485
The tank would plunge
at least 25 feet
309
00:17:49,485 --> 00:17:51,195
down into the ravine.
310
00:18:03,749 --> 00:18:05,626
With the Sherman tank
safely parked,
311
00:18:06,251 --> 00:18:08,796
Lee is greeted
by the French VIPs,
312
00:18:09,755 --> 00:18:12,549
whose joyful relief
quickly fades.
313
00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:16,595
The initial reaction
of the French VIPs to the rescue force
314
00:18:16,595 --> 00:18:18,388
is disappointment.
315
00:18:18,472 --> 00:18:20,140
They're like,
boy, is this all that's coming?
316
00:18:20,349 --> 00:18:22,392
Infused as some of them were
with their own importance,
317
00:18:22,476 --> 00:18:23,685
they would have assumed,
318
00:18:23,769 --> 00:18:25,354
well, of course half
the United States Army
319
00:18:25,354 --> 00:18:26,814
is going to come after us.
320
00:18:26,814 --> 00:18:29,316
And of course, this was just
a little recon element
321
00:18:29,316 --> 00:18:31,819
that they did not find
particularly impressive.
322
00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:37,407
And plus, you've got Germans
in tow with weapons, still.
323
00:18:37,491 --> 00:18:39,743
So, you're probably not
too wild about that either.
324
00:18:39,827 --> 00:18:43,580
Lee is also met
by SS Captain Schrader.
325
00:18:43,872 --> 00:18:46,583
Schrader informs Lee
that he's witnessed SS troops
326
00:18:46,667 --> 00:18:50,504
moving anti-tank guns into
the woods around the castle.
327
00:18:50,671 --> 00:18:53,215
This is most likely because of
the Besotten Jenny's run-in
328
00:18:53,423 --> 00:18:55,884
with the Waffen-SS roadblock.
329
00:18:57,052 --> 00:18:58,387
For their safety,
330
00:18:58,387 --> 00:19:02,141
Lee directs the VIPs
into the castle's cellars.
331
00:19:02,724 --> 00:19:04,685
The male VIPs argue
332
00:19:04,685 --> 00:19:07,062
that they wish to fight
in their own defense,
333
00:19:07,146 --> 00:19:08,564
but Lee counters
334
00:19:08,564 --> 00:19:10,065
that they would not be
much help to France
335
00:19:10,149 --> 00:19:12,192
if they get themselves killed.
336
00:19:13,277 --> 00:19:15,237
From the perspective
of these two French generals--
337
00:19:15,404 --> 00:19:17,239
both very senior,
distinguished generals,
338
00:19:17,239 --> 00:19:19,408
both of whom had extensive
combat experience...
339
00:19:19,908 --> 00:19:21,660
Now you're being asked
to take orders
340
00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:24,830
from some 27-year-old American?
341
00:19:24,830 --> 00:19:27,457
He ranks way below you.
342
00:19:27,541 --> 00:19:30,752
You would find that
somewhat insulting.
343
00:19:30,836 --> 00:19:33,755
You would've expected Lee
to defer to you
344
00:19:33,839 --> 00:19:36,175
and say, General, what do you
think we ought to do now?
345
00:19:36,550 --> 00:19:38,177
That's not his mindset.
346
00:19:39,803 --> 00:19:41,013
Lacking sufficient resources
347
00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:43,140
to evacuate the castle,
348
00:19:44,141 --> 00:19:46,351
Lee organizes
a defensive strategy
349
00:19:46,435 --> 00:19:49,271
for the American and German
troops under his command.
350
00:19:49,980 --> 00:19:52,941
Lee assigns
responsibility for 180 degrees--
351
00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:55,694
basically half
the field of fire--to each man.
352
00:19:56,069 --> 00:19:59,448
Schrader to the north
and Gangl to the south.
353
00:20:00,365 --> 00:20:03,535
Lee also orders that
his tank, the Besotten Jenny,
354
00:20:03,619 --> 00:20:05,454
is manned at all times.
355
00:20:07,581 --> 00:20:09,541
With the defensive
positions set,
356
00:20:09,625 --> 00:20:12,252
Lee instructs them
to sleep in shifts
357
00:20:13,545 --> 00:20:15,756
and tries to get
some rest himself.
358
00:20:28,435 --> 00:20:31,271
At 0400 hours on May 5th...
359
00:20:34,775 --> 00:20:36,944
Lee is awoken
by the sound of gunfire.
360
00:20:40,447 --> 00:20:42,950
Castle Itter is under attack.
361
00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:51,375
May 5, 1945.
362
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,585
Lieutenant Jack Lee
363
00:20:53,669 --> 00:20:56,088
commands a small group
of American and German soldiers
364
00:20:56,380 --> 00:20:58,632
trying to protect French VIPs
365
00:20:58,632 --> 00:21:00,592
held as hostages
at Castle Itter.
366
00:21:07,808 --> 00:21:11,186
Woken by the sound of gunfire
from the castle's gatehouse,
367
00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:12,145
Lee rushes out.
368
00:21:16,900 --> 00:21:18,443
As a machine gun
from a nearby ridge
369
00:21:18,527 --> 00:21:20,529
targets the castle,
370
00:21:20,529 --> 00:21:22,239
the crew member
stationed in Lee's tank,
371
00:21:22,239 --> 00:21:25,200
the Besotten Jenny,
returns fire.
372
00:21:43,885 --> 00:21:46,930
The attack comes
from the Waffen-SS...
373
00:21:47,014 --> 00:21:48,515
Fire!
374
00:21:48,515 --> 00:21:50,559
Nazi loyalists
375
00:21:50,726 --> 00:21:53,312
determined to retake the castle
and the prisoners.
376
00:21:53,770 --> 00:21:55,314
When the firefight subsides,
377
00:21:55,689 --> 00:21:57,691
Lee's man reports
he saw four Germans
378
00:21:57,691 --> 00:22:00,444
inside the razor wire,
which rings the castle,
379
00:22:00,694 --> 00:22:02,654
with ropes and climbing gear.
380
00:22:03,405 --> 00:22:05,615
Under fire,
the advancing SS troops
381
00:22:05,699 --> 00:22:08,160
retreated into
the surrounding woods.
382
00:22:16,335 --> 00:22:18,587
Lee debriefs
with Major Josef Gangl
383
00:22:18,587 --> 00:22:19,963
and Captain
Kurt-Siegfried Schrader
384
00:22:20,047 --> 00:22:21,757
about the exchange.
385
00:22:25,427 --> 00:22:27,721
At the sound
of another machine-gun burst,
386
00:22:28,305 --> 00:22:31,183
the officers race down.
387
00:22:31,183 --> 00:22:33,477
The trio encounter
one of Major Gangl's men
388
00:22:33,477 --> 00:22:34,644
under heavy fire.
389
00:22:35,270 --> 00:22:37,939
Lee and Gangl
pull the soldier to safety...
390
00:22:41,109 --> 00:22:43,487
while Besotten Jenny's
.50-caliber machine gun
391
00:22:43,487 --> 00:22:45,864
opens up again in retaliation.
392
00:22:49,576 --> 00:22:52,454
Gangl translates
his soldier's account for Lee.
393
00:22:53,246 --> 00:22:56,249
More Waffen-SS soldiers had
gotten past the razor wire
394
00:22:56,333 --> 00:22:57,793
and approached the castle.
395
00:23:00,545 --> 00:23:02,047
The soldier
opened fire on them,
396
00:23:02,422 --> 00:23:05,592
and in turn,
was shot at in retaliation.
397
00:23:05,592 --> 00:23:08,553
They retreated again
into the forest.
398
00:23:08,762 --> 00:23:11,056
I got a .50-cal in that section.
No one's getting down there.
399
00:23:15,644 --> 00:23:18,688
With the Sherman tank
guarding access to the castle,
400
00:23:18,772 --> 00:23:20,399
a frontal attack is futile,
401
00:23:20,690 --> 00:23:23,735
so the SS troops
need to find another way in.
402
00:23:23,819 --> 00:23:27,239
What they do is probe
the castle in small groups
403
00:23:27,489 --> 00:23:29,074
and trying to find weak spots,
404
00:23:29,533 --> 00:23:32,619
and perhaps also trying to find out
the number of the defenders.
405
00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:39,960
HQ?
406
00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:41,294
HQ, this is Lee.
407
00:23:44,965 --> 00:23:46,258
This is Lee. Over.
408
00:23:46,925 --> 00:23:49,928
The situation is dire.
409
00:23:49,928 --> 00:23:52,180
Lieutenant Lee is on his own.
410
00:23:52,264 --> 00:23:54,266
He has no radio communication.
411
00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:56,893
He has no way of knowing
if a rescue force is coming.
412
00:24:02,190 --> 00:24:06,278
At this point, Lee's strategy
is to keep the SS guessing
413
00:24:06,403 --> 00:24:08,405
about the disposition of forces
inside the castle.
414
00:24:09,197 --> 00:24:12,784
They don't know he's only got
25 men and three officers.
415
00:24:15,579 --> 00:24:16,955
But a short time later,
416
00:24:16,955 --> 00:24:20,375
another round of gunfire
alerts Lee to a new problem.
417
00:24:29,134 --> 00:24:30,552
One of Major Gangl's men
418
00:24:30,552 --> 00:24:31,845
has fled the castle.
419
00:24:34,014 --> 00:24:37,767
The soldier secretly lowered
himself down the castle wall,
420
00:24:38,185 --> 00:24:40,937
then ran into the trees
of the gorge.
421
00:24:41,062 --> 00:24:43,106
You said I could
trust your men, Gangl.
422
00:24:43,190 --> 00:24:44,733
The soldier's escape
423
00:24:44,733 --> 00:24:48,320
is a grave threat to everyone
left inside Castle Itter.
424
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,529
Up until now,
425
00:24:49,696 --> 00:24:53,074
the SS have no idea
of who is defending the castle.
426
00:24:53,158 --> 00:24:55,494
This man would
likely tell the SS
427
00:24:55,494 --> 00:24:57,579
anything they wanted to know.
428
00:24:58,830 --> 00:24:59,915
He can give away
429
00:24:59,915 --> 00:25:02,292
how many people
are defending this castle
430
00:25:02,292 --> 00:25:05,378
and where exactly
are their defense positions.
431
00:25:06,671 --> 00:25:09,382
The escape
is not just about one soldier.
432
00:25:10,258 --> 00:25:13,887
It undermines the Americans' faith
in the other Germans as well.
433
00:25:15,639 --> 00:25:17,140
Lee's men observe
434
00:25:17,224 --> 00:25:19,351
that the other Germans
did not fire on him.
435
00:25:21,603 --> 00:25:23,772
Now, at this point
he doesn't know,
436
00:25:23,772 --> 00:25:25,440
is that simply because
437
00:25:25,565 --> 00:25:27,067
they didn't want to kill
a fellow German,
438
00:25:27,192 --> 00:25:30,111
or is there
something bigger afoot?
439
00:25:30,278 --> 00:25:32,113
This single soldier
440
00:25:32,239 --> 00:25:34,950
represents a larger problem
for the defenders.
441
00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:37,410
Where is their loyalty?
442
00:25:37,494 --> 00:25:39,204
Is it with Gangl?
443
00:25:39,204 --> 00:25:41,873
Or is it with the besieging
Waffen-SS unit?
444
00:25:44,334 --> 00:25:45,835
It seems that Gangl and Lee
445
00:25:45,919 --> 00:25:48,463
came to some sort
of understanding,
446
00:25:48,547 --> 00:25:50,966
and the Germans
retain their weapons.
447
00:25:50,966 --> 00:25:53,009
But it is a good thing,
448
00:25:53,093 --> 00:25:55,053
because it soon becomes clear
449
00:25:55,053 --> 00:25:57,013
that Lee will need
every man he's got.
450
00:26:03,770 --> 00:26:05,689
May 1945.
451
00:26:06,940 --> 00:26:08,108
An American tank commander
452
00:26:08,108 --> 00:26:11,236
tries to defend the lives
of French VIPs
453
00:26:11,236 --> 00:26:13,238
taken hostage
and held by the Nazis
454
00:26:13,363 --> 00:26:15,365
at Castle Itter during the war.
455
00:26:17,534 --> 00:26:20,620
A Waffen-SS force prepares
to retake the castle.
456
00:26:21,955 --> 00:26:23,582
In an unusual twist of fate,
457
00:26:24,082 --> 00:26:27,377
former enemies now work
for a common cause.
458
00:26:27,794 --> 00:26:31,381
The castle is held by both
American and German troops.
459
00:26:32,173 --> 00:26:34,384
27-year-old Lieutenant Jack Lee
460
00:26:34,384 --> 00:26:37,887
is the American
tank commander in charge.
461
00:26:37,971 --> 00:26:39,973
In my opinion,
Lieutenant Lee, at this point,
462
00:26:39,973 --> 00:26:42,892
trusts Gangl and Schrader
implicitly.
463
00:26:43,101 --> 00:26:45,478
Gangl already had
well-established bona fides
464
00:26:45,562 --> 00:26:48,440
both from the resistance
and his actions so far.
465
00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,026
Schrader, besides being
vouched for by Gangl,
466
00:26:51,276 --> 00:26:53,361
also had his family
inside the castle.
467
00:26:56,114 --> 00:26:57,616
Lee joins German officers
468
00:26:57,616 --> 00:27:00,118
Major Gangl and Captain Schrader
high in the castle
469
00:27:00,118 --> 00:27:03,079
to observe Waffen-SS movements.
470
00:27:03,997 --> 00:27:05,624
Lee spots artillery pieces
471
00:27:05,624 --> 00:27:08,043
being moved into place
among the trees,
472
00:27:08,043 --> 00:27:11,296
only about 800 yards
from the castle--
473
00:27:11,296 --> 00:27:12,422
likely in response
474
00:27:12,422 --> 00:27:15,925
to information
from an escaped defender.
475
00:27:16,009 --> 00:27:18,178
They know
that the defensive force
476
00:27:18,178 --> 00:27:20,013
has no heavy weapons to fire.
477
00:27:20,430 --> 00:27:23,767
And so they feel free to move
their heavy guns into place.
478
00:27:27,812 --> 00:27:30,440
One of the guns is an 88.
479
00:27:31,024 --> 00:27:33,943
The 88 is the most dreaded weapon
in the German arsenal.
480
00:27:34,361 --> 00:27:36,988
It's a high-velocity gun
with a heavy punch.
481
00:27:37,113 --> 00:27:39,616
Literally one round
can go through a Sherman tank
482
00:27:40,033 --> 00:27:42,160
like it's made of butter.
483
00:27:42,285 --> 00:27:44,245
It does the same thing
to stone walls.
484
00:27:48,625 --> 00:27:49,959
They also watch
485
00:27:50,043 --> 00:27:52,837
as Waffen-SS troops arrive
and take up positions.
486
00:27:56,007 --> 00:27:57,592
From all what we know,
487
00:27:57,676 --> 00:28:00,428
the number of German troops
attacking Castle Itter
488
00:28:00,553 --> 00:28:02,305
was about a company.
489
00:28:02,389 --> 00:28:04,849
So, about 150, 200 men maximum.
490
00:28:05,892 --> 00:28:07,811
They were relatively well-armed.
491
00:28:08,478 --> 00:28:11,147
They seemed to have been
in good supply of ammunition.
492
00:28:13,108 --> 00:28:15,985
Castle Itter
is now surrounded.
493
00:28:16,695 --> 00:28:20,073
While the American and German
officers are concerned,
494
00:28:20,073 --> 00:28:24,160
Major Gangl discovers that
the French VIPs are not.
495
00:28:24,244 --> 00:28:25,453
Gangl encounters them
496
00:28:25,537 --> 00:28:28,248
getting some fresh air
in the courtyard,
497
00:28:28,248 --> 00:28:31,000
in spite of Lee's
clear instructions.
498
00:28:35,171 --> 00:28:37,424
The 88 suddenly opens up.
499
00:28:39,467 --> 00:28:40,969
A shot hits
an upper floor of the castle
500
00:28:40,969 --> 00:28:42,721
and rains down debris.
501
00:28:47,767 --> 00:28:49,644
Everyone scrambles for cover.
502
00:28:52,105 --> 00:28:53,815
Let's go. Let's move!
503
00:29:00,697 --> 00:29:02,699
At 1000 hours,
504
00:29:02,699 --> 00:29:04,659
Waffen-SS troops
begin a full-scale assault
505
00:29:04,784 --> 00:29:06,369
on the castle.
506
00:29:10,206 --> 00:29:12,959
Lee will soon learn if
the Germans inside the castle
507
00:29:12,959 --> 00:29:14,544
will fight to repel them.
508
00:29:28,099 --> 00:29:29,559
Very quickly,
509
00:29:29,559 --> 00:29:32,562
the Besotten Jenny,
the defenders' only tank,
510
00:29:32,562 --> 00:29:34,731
takes a direct hit.
511
00:29:35,732 --> 00:29:37,942
Lee's best hope for protecting
everyone inside Itter Castle
512
00:29:38,026 --> 00:29:40,236
goes up in flames.
513
00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:48,745
An American tanker
escapes the burning wreckage.
514
00:29:50,371 --> 00:29:53,082
He and two other
U.S. soldiers retreat...
515
00:29:55,543 --> 00:29:58,213
as the Sherman's
fuel tanks explode.
516
00:29:59,214 --> 00:30:01,758
It is a major setback.
517
00:30:04,886 --> 00:30:06,387
The assault continues.
518
00:30:09,599 --> 00:30:11,392
The forces inside the castle
519
00:30:11,476 --> 00:30:15,230
are reduced to simply small arms--
rifles, pistols, and grenades.
520
00:30:15,772 --> 00:30:18,191
They have
no heavy weapons whatsoever.
521
00:30:18,525 --> 00:30:19,859
The defenders have no way
522
00:30:20,068 --> 00:30:21,569
to take out the German 88...
523
00:30:22,987 --> 00:30:24,781
and it continues
to pound the castle.
524
00:30:30,495 --> 00:30:33,581
Some of the French VIPs
refuse to retreat to safety
525
00:30:33,706 --> 00:30:35,542
in order to join the battle.
526
00:30:38,127 --> 00:30:40,046
They had served
in the French army.
527
00:30:42,215 --> 00:30:43,466
Though for most,
528
00:30:43,550 --> 00:30:45,927
decades earlier
in the First World War.
529
00:30:51,641 --> 00:30:53,810
Hurry! OK! Let's go!
530
00:30:53,810 --> 00:30:55,854
Some defenders
are positioned higher
531
00:30:55,854 --> 00:30:57,605
to preserve their view
of the attacking troops.
532
00:31:06,239 --> 00:31:08,324
The Waffen-SS attack
intensifies.
533
00:31:23,214 --> 00:31:25,174
Lee notices that
one of the French VIPs
534
00:31:25,258 --> 00:31:26,551
has moved into
a vulnerable spot.
535
00:31:32,348 --> 00:31:34,767
But before Lee can react...
536
00:31:34,893 --> 00:31:36,936
Major Gangl does.
537
00:31:45,945 --> 00:31:47,739
May 1945.
538
00:31:48,531 --> 00:31:50,867
During the final days
of the war in Europe...
539
00:31:52,702 --> 00:31:55,288
American and German soldiers
fight together
540
00:31:56,372 --> 00:31:57,832
to hold a castle
541
00:31:57,916 --> 00:32:00,418
and protect French prisoners
from Waffen-SS forces.
542
00:32:08,968 --> 00:32:11,763
German Wehrmacht
Major Josef Gangl
543
00:32:11,971 --> 00:32:14,098
rushes to pull one of
the French VIPs back
544
00:32:14,182 --> 00:32:15,516
from a vulnerable position.
545
00:32:18,144 --> 00:32:19,312
But in his haste...
546
00:32:21,064 --> 00:32:22,732
Gangl exposes himself
547
00:32:22,732 --> 00:32:24,943
to a bullet fired
from outside the castle.
548
00:32:29,739 --> 00:32:31,658
In the hope of peace,
549
00:32:31,866 --> 00:32:35,244
Gangl chose
to defy his own country,
550
00:32:35,370 --> 00:32:38,122
because he could no longer
support in its aims,
551
00:32:38,206 --> 00:32:40,208
and he pays the ultimate price.
552
00:32:41,584 --> 00:32:44,212
It was not
an opportunistic choice
553
00:32:44,963 --> 00:32:46,714
to defend Castle Itter.
554
00:32:46,798 --> 00:32:48,967
He did it with conviction.
555
00:32:52,929 --> 00:32:53,972
Lee cannot stop.
556
00:32:54,764 --> 00:32:56,849
As the incoming fire increases,
557
00:32:56,933 --> 00:32:59,352
he must secure the castle.
558
00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:05,692
Lee passes word to his men
in the gatehouse
559
00:33:05,692 --> 00:33:08,778
to hang on as long as possible
before falling back.
560
00:33:18,246 --> 00:33:20,081
As part of
the growing onslaught,
561
00:33:20,081 --> 00:33:23,543
Waffen-SS troops advance
from the east and west sides,
562
00:33:23,543 --> 00:33:26,212
as well as up the drop-off
to the castle's north.
563
00:33:31,342 --> 00:33:33,928
The defenders struggle
to cover all three directions.
564
00:33:41,436 --> 00:33:44,147
It is not clear how long
they will be able to hold out.
565
00:33:49,694 --> 00:33:51,195
Jean Borotra,
566
00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:54,032
one of the prisoners and
a former French tennis star,
567
00:33:54,032 --> 00:33:56,701
braves the incoming fire
to deliver a message.
568
00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:02,665
He bursts in to report to Lee
569
00:34:02,749 --> 00:34:04,667
that they're running low
on ammunition...
570
00:34:08,796 --> 00:34:11,174
with Waffen-SS forces
closing in.
571
00:34:17,055 --> 00:34:17,972
Just then...
572
00:34:22,852 --> 00:34:25,354
...an unexpected sound
cuts through the gunfire.
573
00:34:25,646 --> 00:34:27,440
What happens next is amazing.
574
00:34:28,024 --> 00:34:29,734
The telephone
in the castle rings.
575
00:34:33,571 --> 00:34:34,781
Hello?
576
00:34:35,698 --> 00:34:37,033
Lee answers...
- This is Captain Lee.
577
00:34:37,283 --> 00:34:41,037
...and is relieved to hear the voice
of an American officer on the line.
578
00:34:41,370 --> 00:34:43,164
When he had reached
the town of Worgl,
579
00:34:43,414 --> 00:34:45,333
Gangl's
Austrian Resistance fighters
580
00:34:45,333 --> 00:34:46,751
had alerted the officer
581
00:34:46,751 --> 00:34:49,253
to the existence
of the castle telephone.
582
00:34:49,337 --> 00:34:52,048
He's calling to check on Lee's forces
and what they need.
583
00:34:52,298 --> 00:34:53,966
Lee only has time to report
584
00:34:54,050 --> 00:34:55,510
that the castle is under attack
585
00:34:55,510 --> 00:34:56,969
and they're low
on ammunition...
586
00:34:59,430 --> 00:35:01,390
...before the line goes dead.
587
00:35:08,314 --> 00:35:10,525
Though reinforcements
may be coming,
588
00:35:10,691 --> 00:35:13,736
there's no guarantee
they will arrive in time.
589
00:35:14,570 --> 00:35:15,655
He did not get a chance
590
00:35:15,655 --> 00:35:17,448
to relay the strength
and position
591
00:35:17,532 --> 00:35:19,242
of the Waffen-SS troops,
592
00:35:19,367 --> 00:35:20,743
which could help
the relief force
593
00:35:20,827 --> 00:35:23,621
make it more quickly
to the castle.
594
00:35:24,038 --> 00:35:25,832
In addition to losing Gangl,
595
00:35:25,832 --> 00:35:28,084
two of the German soldiers
have been injured.
596
00:35:29,085 --> 00:35:31,170
Lee knows that
the castle could be overrun
597
00:35:31,254 --> 00:35:32,922
before help arrives,
598
00:35:33,339 --> 00:35:35,466
risking the lives
of everyone inside.
599
00:35:38,261 --> 00:35:40,388
Jean Borotra interrupts
with a crazy offer.
600
00:35:42,348 --> 00:35:43,641
During his captivity,
601
00:35:44,392 --> 00:35:46,936
Borotra had escaped
from the castle before,
602
00:35:46,936 --> 00:35:49,897
only to be recaptured
and returned to the prison.
603
00:35:50,439 --> 00:35:51,941
He suggests to Lee
604
00:35:51,941 --> 00:35:54,569
that he should dress as
an Austrian peasant, jump the wall,
605
00:35:54,569 --> 00:35:57,738
and try and run to town
to get aid.
606
00:35:57,989 --> 00:35:59,949
If Borotra
can escape once more
607
00:35:59,949 --> 00:36:01,993
and locate the American forces,
608
00:36:01,993 --> 00:36:04,120
he can pass on Lee's warnings.
609
00:36:08,958 --> 00:36:11,419
Lee is not convinced
the plan can succeed,
610
00:36:11,419 --> 00:36:14,505
but has few choices
and even less time.
611
00:36:24,265 --> 00:36:25,558
As the fighting eases...
612
00:36:29,478 --> 00:36:32,398
Borotra is able to slip away
from the castle.
613
00:36:33,441 --> 00:36:35,026
To fulfill his mission,
614
00:36:35,026 --> 00:36:36,986
he will have make his way
past the Waffen-SS
615
00:36:36,986 --> 00:36:38,863
positioned outside the walls.
616
00:36:40,489 --> 00:36:42,950
Everyone's life
could depend on it.
617
00:36:48,581 --> 00:36:51,709
May 5, 1945.
618
00:36:51,834 --> 00:36:54,462
In the Austrian Alps,
619
00:36:54,587 --> 00:36:56,797
Waffen-SS troops
attack Castle Itter...
620
00:36:58,925 --> 00:37:01,135
...the wartime prison
which housed French VIPs.
621
00:37:04,764 --> 00:37:06,724
The castle is held
by a motley mix
622
00:37:06,724 --> 00:37:09,227
of both American
and German soldiers
623
00:37:09,227 --> 00:37:12,230
fighting to protect the hostages
of the Third Reich.
624
00:37:14,732 --> 00:37:15,733
With the castle defenders
625
00:37:15,858 --> 00:37:19,362
at risk of being overwhelmed
by loyal Nazi forces...
626
00:37:23,241 --> 00:37:25,534
former French tennis star
Jean Borotra
627
00:37:25,618 --> 00:37:27,161
escapes the castle in disguise
628
00:37:27,245 --> 00:37:29,372
to alert
nearby American troops.
629
00:37:31,999 --> 00:37:33,417
But first,
630
00:37:33,501 --> 00:37:35,378
he must make it through
the Waffen-SS line
631
00:37:35,378 --> 00:37:36,796
advancing on the castle.
632
00:37:52,228 --> 00:37:54,772
Borotra must convince
the Nazi troops
633
00:37:54,772 --> 00:37:56,857
that he is just
an Austrian peasant.
634
00:37:57,275 --> 00:38:00,403
If they even suspect him of
being a military deserter,
635
00:38:00,403 --> 00:38:02,405
let alone an escaped prisoner,
636
00:38:02,405 --> 00:38:04,573
it could cost him his life.
637
00:38:06,909 --> 00:38:08,869
Tense moments pass.
638
00:38:15,209 --> 00:38:17,503
Borotra's performance
as a peasant
639
00:38:17,503 --> 00:38:18,921
must have been convincing,
640
00:38:19,005 --> 00:38:21,257
as they allow him to continue.
641
00:38:22,091 --> 00:38:25,052
Borotra heads off
in search of the Americans.
642
00:38:29,765 --> 00:38:31,350
Back at Castle Itter...
643
00:38:33,936 --> 00:38:37,565
...Lieutenant Jack Lee continues
to lose ground to the SS troops
644
00:38:37,982 --> 00:38:40,234
and runs low on ammunition.
645
00:38:40,693 --> 00:38:42,403
He has no way to know
646
00:38:42,528 --> 00:38:44,905
if friendly reinforcements
can reach them in time.
647
00:38:45,489 --> 00:38:47,199
If the castle is overrun,
648
00:38:47,283 --> 00:38:50,077
they believe the French VIPs
are at risk of being executed
649
00:38:50,286 --> 00:38:51,829
by the Waffen-SS fanatics.
650
00:38:54,290 --> 00:38:56,208
Some hardcore SS officers say,
651
00:38:56,292 --> 00:38:57,543
OK, we are losing the war,
652
00:38:57,543 --> 00:39:00,421
but we will take
our enemies with us.
653
00:39:00,713 --> 00:39:02,673
They shall not survive us.
654
00:39:06,552 --> 00:39:07,970
Lee and the French generals
655
00:39:08,387 --> 00:39:11,390
agree to retreat to
the castle's inner stronghold,
656
00:39:11,474 --> 00:39:13,684
which Lee calls the keep.
657
00:39:13,809 --> 00:39:15,436
Down to the last magazine!
658
00:39:15,436 --> 00:39:16,645
Make it count.
659
00:39:18,981 --> 00:39:21,984
The keep is literally the last stand.
660
00:39:22,068 --> 00:39:24,528
There's no place
to retreat to from it.
661
00:39:24,612 --> 00:39:26,989
They have to gamble
that they can hold off the SS
662
00:39:27,114 --> 00:39:30,076
until relief forces arrive,
or the game is up.
663
00:39:32,036 --> 00:39:34,789
At this point, Lee and his men
are going to win or die.
664
00:39:40,503 --> 00:39:42,755
Waffen-SS forces
sustain their attack
665
00:39:42,755 --> 00:39:44,173
and close in.
666
00:39:44,423 --> 00:39:46,884
The castle defenders
return fire,
667
00:39:47,676 --> 00:39:50,429
but they are being overwhelmed
by superior numbers.
668
00:40:08,697 --> 00:40:11,242
SS troops reach the castle gate
669
00:40:11,242 --> 00:40:13,119
and prepare to
blast their way inside
670
00:40:13,119 --> 00:40:15,454
with a Panzerfaust rocket,
671
00:40:15,538 --> 00:40:18,916
an easy-to-use weapon
which blows up tanks.
672
00:40:37,768 --> 00:40:40,771
The Waffen-SS suddenly
hear tank noise from the rear,
673
00:40:40,855 --> 00:40:42,314
from the village.
674
00:40:43,107 --> 00:40:44,650
Without an armored unit of their own,
675
00:40:44,650 --> 00:40:48,988
the Waffen-SS are no match
for the arriving U.S. tanks.
676
00:40:48,988 --> 00:40:53,200
They quickly realized,
the Americans are coming.
677
00:40:53,325 --> 00:40:56,120
The Waffen-SS disappeared
as quickly as possible.
678
00:41:00,458 --> 00:41:02,209
To Lee's relief,
679
00:41:02,293 --> 00:41:04,879
reinforcements have arrived
just in time.
680
00:41:33,240 --> 00:41:35,451
Lee and the others
holed up in Castle Itter
681
00:41:35,451 --> 00:41:37,369
have been saved.
682
00:41:43,042 --> 00:41:45,836
Lieutenant Lee,
by this point, is exhausted.
683
00:41:46,045 --> 00:41:48,881
And when the commander
of the 142nd comes up to him,
684
00:41:48,881 --> 00:41:52,009
he says, "Take 'em, Colonel,
they're all yours."
685
00:41:53,969 --> 00:41:55,554
The battle for Castle Itter
686
00:41:55,638 --> 00:41:57,306
would be amongst
the last ground combat
687
00:41:57,306 --> 00:41:59,808
of World War II in Europe.
688
00:42:01,977 --> 00:42:05,648
Only two days later,
May 7, 1945,
689
00:42:06,190 --> 00:42:08,943
Germany surrenders
unconditionally to the Allies.
690
00:42:10,444 --> 00:42:13,447
-
- The fact the last battle fought in the European theatre of operations
691
00:42:13,531 --> 00:42:16,283
was not to conquer territory
692
00:42:16,492 --> 00:42:19,119
but to defend
innocent prisoners
693
00:42:19,203 --> 00:42:21,830
must have been
an incredibly uplifting moment
694
00:42:21,914 --> 00:42:23,624
for all those involved.
695
00:42:24,250 --> 00:42:26,335
The Americans
evacuate the French VIPs
696
00:42:26,752 --> 00:42:27,962
to Innsbruck, Austria.
697
00:42:28,337 --> 00:42:31,382
Within days,
they arrive home in France.
698
00:42:32,132 --> 00:42:35,052
Several would return
to politics after the war.
699
00:42:36,303 --> 00:42:38,514
SS-Waffen Captain
Kurt-Siegfried Schrader
700
00:42:38,514 --> 00:42:40,140
receives a letter,
701
00:42:40,558 --> 00:42:43,477
undersigned by the former prisoners,
702
00:42:43,561 --> 00:42:46,855
stating he ensured the safety
of the French detainees
703
00:42:46,939 --> 00:42:49,149
and stayed with them
during the German attacks.
704
00:42:49,608 --> 00:42:50,985
Schrader serves
as a prisoner of war
705
00:42:50,985 --> 00:42:52,194
for only two years,
706
00:42:52,319 --> 00:42:54,238
before being released.
707
00:42:55,489 --> 00:42:59,076
In the end,
when we judge the personality,
708
00:42:59,076 --> 00:43:00,911
we must always bear in mind
709
00:43:01,328 --> 00:43:04,873
there were many SS officers
who didn't act like Schrader,
710
00:43:04,957 --> 00:43:07,585
who didn't change their mind.
711
00:43:08,252 --> 00:43:11,338
You can say Schrader
showed more responsibility
712
00:43:11,755 --> 00:43:13,591
than most of his peers.
713
00:43:15,384 --> 00:43:17,636
Austria honors
Major Josef Gangl
714
00:43:17,720 --> 00:43:19,722
for his work
with the resistance
715
00:43:19,722 --> 00:43:21,765
and for his actions
at Castle Itter.
716
00:43:23,434 --> 00:43:24,727
Lieutenant Jack Lee
717
00:43:24,727 --> 00:43:26,812
would be awarded
the Distinguished Service Cross
718
00:43:26,812 --> 00:43:29,106
for his initiative,
boldness, and courage
719
00:43:29,106 --> 00:43:31,025
in defense of Castle Itter.
720
00:43:32,735 --> 00:43:33,902
Lieutenant Lee himself
721
00:43:33,986 --> 00:43:36,530
summed it up years later
when he was asked.
722
00:43:36,614 --> 00:43:39,658
He just said, "It was just
the damnedest thing."
723
00:43:40,284 --> 00:43:43,746
It had been a long road
since the beaches of Normandy.
724
00:43:44,204 --> 00:43:47,124
Peace, eleven months
in the making.
725
00:43:47,416 --> 00:43:50,002
D-Day is only the beginning,
and it's a really important beginning
726
00:43:50,628 --> 00:43:54,423
of almost a year of
really intense fighting
727
00:43:54,548 --> 00:43:56,592
by a Western Allied coalition,
728
00:43:56,592 --> 00:43:58,927
all of whom need one another badly
729
00:43:59,178 --> 00:44:01,639
and all of whom sacrificed terribly,
730
00:44:02,056 --> 00:44:04,516
for this to come to a final victory.
57402
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