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May 1945.
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During the final days
of war in Europe,
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an American tank commander
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leads an unlikely band
of U.S. and German soldiers...
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to rescue French VIPs
held in an Austrian castle.
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As he organizes
their defenses...
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MAN: 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
NARRATOR: But when
Waffen SS forces attack,
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00:00:38,621 --> 00:00:41,791
he cannot be sure
where their loyalty will stand.
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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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(yelling in German)
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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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PETER LIEB: 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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NARRATOR:
As they turn a corner,
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they come face to face
with four U.S. Sherman tanks.
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SOLDIER: Out of the car.
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Alright. What do you want?
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(speaking German)
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NARRATOR: 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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SOLDIER: Whoa, whoa, whoa!
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NARRATOR: 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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WILLIAM LENCHES:
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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NARRATOR: 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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LENCHES:
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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NARRATOR: 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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JOHN McMANUS: 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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NARRATOR:
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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McMANUS: 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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NARRATOR:
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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NARRATOR: 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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LENCHES: 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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NARRATOR: 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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McMANUS: 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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NARRATOR:
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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LIEB: 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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NARRATOR: 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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LIEB: 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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ROMAN TOPPEL: 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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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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NARRATOR: The Waffen-SS
will fight to the bitter end.
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TOPPEL: 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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NARRATOR: Their fatalism creates
great risk for the Allies.
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LIEB:
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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NARRATOR: 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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McMANUS: 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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NARRATOR: 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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(motor starts)
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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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(inaudible chatter)
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LENCHES: 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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NARRATOR: 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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NARRATOR: 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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NARRATOR: But German Army
Major Josef Gangl
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vouches for the SS captain.
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LENCHES:
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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NARRATOR:
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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LIEB: We can only speculate
what motivates Schrader's change in mind.
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00:11:01,452 --> 00:11:05,039
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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NARRATOR:
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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LENCHES:
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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NARRATOR: Lee finds himself
in a remarkable situation.
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Two German officers--
one from the SS--
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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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(inaudible chatter)
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I'm going to check
this guy's story out.
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NARRATOR: 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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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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a short bridge connects
the 13th-century castle
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00:12:05,391 --> 00:12:07,351
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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Mountains separated
by countless rivers,
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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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General Dwight D. Eisenhower
is a final stand in the Alps.
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As the American forces
move south,
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they are ordered
to cut off mountain passes
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to prevent the formation
of a Nazi redoubt.
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But as the Allies press from the north,
east, and south of Austria,
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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...
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00:13:13,626 --> 00:13:15,836
and realizes that
Gangl's story is true.
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00:13:18,047 --> 00:13:21,967
The French VIPs exist,
and they need help.
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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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and the sister
of Charles de Gaulle.
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00:13:30,851 --> 00:13:33,479
McMANUS: 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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NARRATOR:
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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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
NARRATOR: But faced
day-to-day uncertainty,
243
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
247
00:14:08,097 --> 00:14:09,932
might decide
it is in Germany's interest
248
00:14:09,932 --> 00:14:12,059
to execute the VIPs.
249
00:14:12,059 --> 00:14:13,811
LENCHES: The fear is
250
00:14:13,811 --> 00:14:15,771
that the SS were fully capable
of executing anybody
251
00:14:15,855 --> 00:14:18,524
that they didn't want around
to testify after the war.
252
00:14:19,233 --> 00:14:20,234
NARRATOR:
Though currently unguarded
253
00:14:20,234 --> 00:14:22,695
and in possession
of German weapons,
254
00:14:22,903 --> 00:14:26,448
the VIPs are trapped
and face imminent danger.
255
00:14:26,532 --> 00:14:30,286
While Lee wants to protect
his men from unnecessary risks
256
00:14:30,286 --> 00:14:32,955
in what could be
the last hours of the war,
257
00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,708
he understands the importance
of the French VIPs
258
00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:37,418
and that they may be critical
259
00:14:37,418 --> 00:14:40,129
to the stability
of free France after the war.
260
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,549
Lee tells the French prisoners
that he will be back with help
261
00:14:43,799 --> 00:14:45,050
as soon as possible.
262
00:14:54,476 --> 00:14:55,978
Lee and Gangl
return to Kufstein
263
00:14:55,978 --> 00:14:57,396
to gather reinforcements.
264
00:15:01,358 --> 00:15:02,818
Alright, boys, let's roll out!
265
00:15:04,445 --> 00:15:06,488
NARRATOR:
Just before 1900 hours,
266
00:15:07,197 --> 00:15:10,659
Lee leads seven Sherman tanks
and three squads of infantry
267
00:15:10,868 --> 00:15:13,162
from Kufstein
towards Castle Itter.
268
00:15:15,372 --> 00:15:17,791
They are joined by Major Gangl,
269
00:15:17,875 --> 00:15:20,002
who adds men
to strengthen their numbers.
270
00:15:22,922 --> 00:15:24,715
Jack Lee finds himself
in command
271
00:15:24,715 --> 00:15:27,384
of 14 American
and 10 German soldiers.
272
00:15:29,511 --> 00:15:30,930
McMANUS:
I know of no other time
273
00:15:30,930 --> 00:15:33,265
when you had German soldiers
directly serving
274
00:15:33,349 --> 00:15:35,601
and following the orders
275
00:15:35,601 --> 00:15:38,020
of an American junior officer
in World War II.
276
00:15:39,772 --> 00:15:41,607
NARRATOR:
As they proceed to Itter,
277
00:15:41,607 --> 00:15:44,234
Lee must returnthree
of his tanks to Kuftstein,
278
00:15:44,318 --> 00:15:47,780
when an old bridge gives way
and prevents further crossings.
279
00:15:48,405 --> 00:15:50,532
He also leaves two tanks behind
280
00:15:50,616 --> 00:15:52,242
to defend the town of Worgl
281
00:15:52,326 --> 00:15:55,120
and one to secure a bridge
they may need
282
00:15:55,204 --> 00:15:56,914
as an escape route.
283
00:15:58,999 --> 00:16:00,542
This leaves Lee's tank,
284
00:16:00,626 --> 00:16:02,836
nicknamed the Besotten Jenny,
285
00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,172
as the only Sherman
still bound for the castle.
286
00:16:10,678 --> 00:16:12,221
The Besotten Jenny
287
00:16:12,221 --> 00:16:14,807
is an M4 A3 Sherman tank,
288
00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:16,809
operated by a crew of five.
289
00:16:16,809 --> 00:16:19,353
It is armed with
a 76-millimeter main gun,
290
00:16:19,353 --> 00:16:22,106
capable of firing
20 rounds a minute...
291
00:16:23,565 --> 00:16:27,111
...and fitted with a .50-caliber and
two .30-caliber machine guns.
292
00:16:32,825 --> 00:16:36,203
As the rescue force
closes in on Itter village,
293
00:16:37,621 --> 00:16:40,708
they encounter
a Waffen-SS roadblock...
294
00:16:42,334 --> 00:16:44,086
and open fire to clear the way.
295
00:16:49,967 --> 00:16:53,429
LENCHES: The German troops immediately
scatter without firing a shot.
296
00:16:53,721 --> 00:16:55,389
They just melt off
into the woods.
297
00:16:55,389 --> 00:16:57,016
Pick up the pace.
298
00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:58,684
NARRATOR:
Having announced their presence
299
00:16:58,684 --> 00:17:00,811
to any enemy soldiers
in the area,
300
00:17:00,811 --> 00:17:04,189
Lee and his rescue force
hurry to Itter Castle.
301
00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:08,777
A 60-foot road leads
to the castle's gatehouse.
302
00:17:09,194 --> 00:17:10,195
LEE: OK, move it, move it.
303
00:17:16,201 --> 00:17:18,287
NARRATOR: Lee's driver
puts the tank in reverse.
304
00:17:19,872 --> 00:17:23,208
There's no way to turn around
once you're at the castle gate.
305
00:17:23,542 --> 00:17:26,003
And if you were
to drive up forward,
306
00:17:26,003 --> 00:17:28,172
he'd have the most vulnerable
portion of the tank--
307
00:17:28,172 --> 00:17:31,133
the engine compartment--
directly facing enemy fire.
308
00:17:31,592 --> 00:17:33,510
Alright, boys,
keep moving.
309
00:17:33,677 --> 00:17:36,388
NARRATOR: The tank's
rearview mirrors were broken,
310
00:17:36,472 --> 00:17:40,517
so Lee uses his voice
to guide the tank up the hill.
311
00:17:40,601 --> 00:17:42,352
LENCHES: It's an incredibly
tense maneuver
312
00:17:42,436 --> 00:17:45,939
because the consequences
of error are monumental.
313
00:17:47,733 --> 00:17:49,485
The tank would plunge
at least 25 feet
314
00:17:49,485 --> 00:17:51,195
down into the ravine.
315
00:17:55,824 --> 00:17:57,076
(inaudible command)
316
00:18:03,749 --> 00:18:05,626
NARRATOR: With the Sherman tank
safely parked,
317
00:18:06,251 --> 00:18:08,796
Lee is greeted
by the French VIPs,
318
00:18:09,755 --> 00:18:12,549
whose joyful relief
quickly fades.
319
00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:16,595
McMANUS: The initial reaction
of the French VIPs to the rescue force
320
00:18:16,595 --> 00:18:18,388
is disappointment.
321
00:18:18,472 --> 00:18:20,140
They're like,
boy, is this all that's coming?
322
00:18:20,349 --> 00:18:22,392
Infused as some of them were
with their own importance,
323
00:18:22,476 --> 00:18:23,685
they would have assumed,
324
00:18:23,769 --> 00:18:25,354
well, of course half
the United States Army
325
00:18:25,354 --> 00:18:26,814
is going to come after us.
326
00:18:26,814 --> 00:18:29,316
And of course, this was just
a little recon element
327
00:18:29,316 --> 00:18:31,819
that they did not find
particularly impressive.
328
00:18:32,152 --> 00:18:33,487
(speaking inaudibly)
329
00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:37,407
And plus, you've got Germans
in tow with weapons, still.
330
00:18:37,491 --> 00:18:39,743
So, you're probably not
too wild about that either. (laughs)
331
00:18:39,827 --> 00:18:43,580
NARRATOR: Lee is also met
by SS Captain Schrader.
332
00:18:43,872 --> 00:18:46,583
LENCHES: Schrader informs Lee
that he's witnessed SS troops
333
00:18:46,667 --> 00:18:50,504
moving anti-tank guns into
the woods around the castle.
334
00:18:50,671 --> 00:18:53,215
NARRATOR: This is most likely because of
the Besotten Jenny's run-in
335
00:18:53,423 --> 00:18:55,884
with the Waffen-SS roadblock.
336
00:18:57,052 --> 00:18:58,387
For their safety,
337
00:18:58,387 --> 00:19:02,141
Lee directs the VIPs
into the castle's cellars.
338
00:19:02,724 --> 00:19:04,685
The male VIPs argue
339
00:19:04,685 --> 00:19:07,062
that they wish to fight
in their own defense,
340
00:19:07,146 --> 00:19:08,564
but Lee counters
341
00:19:08,564 --> 00:19:10,065
that they would not be
much help to France
342
00:19:10,149 --> 00:19:12,192
if they get themselves killed.
343
00:19:13,277 --> 00:19:15,237
From the perspective
of these two French generals--
344
00:19:15,404 --> 00:19:17,239
both very senior,
distinguished generals,
345
00:19:17,239 --> 00:19:19,408
both of whom had extensive
combat experience...
346
00:19:19,908 --> 00:19:21,660
Now you're being asked
to take orders
347
00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:24,830
from some 27-year-old American?
348
00:19:24,830 --> 00:19:27,457
He ranks way below you.
349
00:19:27,541 --> 00:19:30,752
You would find that
somewhat insulting.
350
00:19:30,836 --> 00:19:33,755
You would've expected Lee
to defer to you
351
00:19:33,839 --> 00:19:36,175
and say, General, what do you
think we ought to do now?
352
00:19:36,550 --> 00:19:38,177
That's not his mindset.
353
00:19:39,803 --> 00:19:41,013
NARRATOR:
Lacking sufficient resources
354
00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:43,140
to evacuate the castle,
355
00:19:44,141 --> 00:19:46,351
Lee organizes
a defensive strategy
356
00:19:46,435 --> 00:19:49,271
for the American and German
troops under his command.
357
00:19:49,980 --> 00:19:52,941
LENCHES: Lee assigns
responsibility for 180 degrees--
358
00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:55,694
basically half
the field of fire--to each man.
359
00:19:56,069 --> 00:19:59,448
Schrader to the north
and Gangl to the south.
360
00:20:00,365 --> 00:20:03,535
NARRATOR: Lee also orders that
his tank, the Besotten Jenny,
361
00:20:03,619 --> 00:20:05,454
is manned at all times.
362
00:20:07,581 --> 00:20:09,541
With the defensive
positions set,
363
00:20:09,625 --> 00:20:12,252
Lee instructs them
to sleep in shifts
364
00:20:13,545 --> 00:20:15,756
and tries to get
some rest himself.
365
00:20:28,435 --> 00:20:31,271
At 0400 hours on May 5th...
366
00:20:34,775 --> 00:20:36,944
Lee is awoken
by the sound of gunfire.
367
00:20:40,447 --> 00:20:42,950
Castle Itter is under attack.
368
00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:51,375
NARRATOR: May 5, 1945.
369
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,585
Lieutenant Jack Lee
370
00:20:53,669 --> 00:20:56,088
commands a small group
of American and German soldiers
371
00:20:56,380 --> 00:20:58,632
trying to protect French VIPs
372
00:20:58,632 --> 00:21:00,592
held as hostages
at Castle Itter.
373
00:21:07,808 --> 00:21:11,186
Woken by the sound of gunfire
from the castle's gatehouse,
374
00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:12,145
Lee rushes out.
375
00:21:16,900 --> 00:21:18,443
As a machine gun
from a nearby ridge
376
00:21:18,527 --> 00:21:20,529
targets the castle,
377
00:21:20,529 --> 00:21:22,239
the crew member
stationed in Lee's tank,
378
00:21:22,239 --> 00:21:25,200
the Besotten Jenny,
returns fire.
379
00:21:43,885 --> 00:21:46,930
The attack comes
from the Waffen-SS...
380
00:21:47,014 --> 00:21:48,515
Fire!
381
00:21:48,515 --> 00:21:50,559
NARRATOR: Nazi loyalists
382
00:21:50,726 --> 00:21:53,312
determined to retake the castle
and the prisoners.
383
00:21:53,770 --> 00:21:55,314
When the firefight subsides,
384
00:21:55,689 --> 00:21:57,691
Lee's man reports
he saw four Germans
385
00:21:57,691 --> 00:22:00,444
inside the razor wire,
which rings the castle,
386
00:22:00,694 --> 00:22:02,654
with ropes and climbing gear.
387
00:22:03,405 --> 00:22:05,615
Under fire,
the advancing SS troops
388
00:22:05,699 --> 00:22:08,160
retreated into
the surrounding woods.
389
00:22:16,335 --> 00:22:18,587
Lee debriefs
with Major Josef Gangl
390
00:22:18,587 --> 00:22:19,963
and Captain
Kurt-Siegfried Schrader
391
00:22:20,047 --> 00:22:21,757
about the exchange.
392
00:22:22,716 --> 00:22:24,259
(gunfire)
393
00:22:25,427 --> 00:22:27,721
At the sound
of another machine-gun burst,
394
00:22:28,305 --> 00:22:31,183
the officers race down.
395
00:22:31,183 --> 00:22:33,477
The trio encounter
one of Major Gangl's men
396
00:22:33,477 --> 00:22:34,644
under heavy fire.
397
00:22:35,270 --> 00:22:37,939
Lee and Gangl
pull the soldier to safety...
398
00:22:41,109 --> 00:22:43,487
while Besotten Jenny's
.50-caliber machine gun
399
00:22:43,487 --> 00:22:45,864
opens up again in retaliation.
400
00:22:49,576 --> 00:22:52,454
Gangl translates
his soldier's account for Lee.
401
00:22:53,246 --> 00:22:56,249
More Waffen-SS soldiers had
gotten past the razor wire
402
00:22:56,333 --> 00:22:57,793
and approached the castle.
403
00:23:00,545 --> 00:23:02,047
The soldier
opened fire on them,
404
00:23:02,422 --> 00:23:05,592
and in turn,
was shot at in retaliation.
405
00:23:05,592 --> 00:23:08,553
They retreated again
into the forest.
406
00:23:08,762 --> 00:23:11,056
I got a .50-cal in that section.
No one's getting down there.
407
00:23:15,644 --> 00:23:18,688
NARRATOR: With the Sherman tank
guarding access to the castle,
408
00:23:18,772 --> 00:23:20,399
a frontal attack is futile,
409
00:23:20,690 --> 00:23:23,735
so the SS troops
need to find another way in.
410
00:23:23,819 --> 00:23:27,239
LIEB: What they do is probe
the castle in small groups
411
00:23:27,489 --> 00:23:29,074
and trying to find weak spots,
412
00:23:29,533 --> 00:23:32,619
and perhaps also trying to find out
the number of the defenders.
413
00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:39,960
- HQ?
- (static)
414
00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:41,294
HQ, this is Lee.
415
00:23:41,378 --> 00:23:42,712
(static)
416
00:23:44,965 --> 00:23:46,258
This is Lee. Over.
417
00:23:46,925 --> 00:23:49,928
NARRATOR:
The situation is dire.
418
00:23:49,928 --> 00:23:52,180
Lieutenant Lee is on his own.
419
00:23:52,264 --> 00:23:54,266
He has no radio communication.
420
00:23:54,266 --> 00:23:56,893
He has no way of knowing
if a rescue force is coming.
421
00:24:02,190 --> 00:24:06,278
At this point, Lee's strategy
is to keep the SS guessing
422
00:24:06,403 --> 00:24:08,405
about the disposition of forces
inside the castle.
423
00:24:09,197 --> 00:24:12,784
They don't know he's only got
25 men and three officers.
424
00:24:12,868 --> 00:24:14,536
(gunfire)
425
00:24:15,579 --> 00:24:16,955
NARRATOR:
But a short time later,
426
00:24:16,955 --> 00:24:20,375
another round of gunfire
alerts Lee to a new problem.
427
00:24:20,459 --> 00:24:23,378
( tense music)
428
00:24:24,212 --> 00:24:25,380
(indistinct chatter)
429
00:24:29,134 --> 00:24:30,552
One of Major Gangl's men
430
00:24:30,552 --> 00:24:31,845
has fled the castle.
431
00:24:34,014 --> 00:24:37,767
The soldier secretly lowered
himself down the castle wall,
432
00:24:38,185 --> 00:24:40,937
then ran into the trees
of the gorge.
433
00:24:41,062 --> 00:24:43,106
You said I could
trust your men, Gangl.
434
00:24:43,190 --> 00:24:44,733
NARRATOR:
The soldier's escape
435
00:24:44,733 --> 00:24:48,320
is a grave threat to everyone
left inside Castle Itter.
436
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:49,529
LENCHES: Up until now,
437
00:24:49,696 --> 00:24:53,074
the SS have no idea
of who is defending the castle.
438
00:24:53,158 --> 00:24:55,494
This man would
likely tell the SS
439
00:24:55,494 --> 00:24:57,579
anything they wanted to know.
440
00:24:58,830 --> 00:24:59,915
LIEB: He can give away
441
00:24:59,915 --> 00:25:02,292
how many people
are defending this castle
442
00:25:02,292 --> 00:25:05,378
and where exactly
are their defense positions.
443
00:25:06,671 --> 00:25:09,382
NARRATOR: The escape
is not just about one soldier.
444
00:25:10,258 --> 00:25:13,887
It undermines the Americans' faith
in the other Germans as well.
445
00:25:15,639 --> 00:25:17,140
Lee's men observe
446
00:25:17,224 --> 00:25:19,351
that the other Germans
did not fire on him.
447
00:25:21,603 --> 00:25:23,772
LENCHES: Now, at this point
he doesn't know,
448
00:25:23,772 --> 00:25:25,440
is that simply because
449
00:25:25,565 --> 00:25:27,067
they didn't want to kill
a fellow German,
450
00:25:27,192 --> 00:25:30,111
or is there
something bigger afoot?
451
00:25:30,278 --> 00:25:32,113
LIEB: This single soldier
452
00:25:32,239 --> 00:25:34,950
represents a larger problem
for the defenders.
453
00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:37,410
Where is their loyalty?
454
00:25:37,494 --> 00:25:39,204
Is it with Gangl?
455
00:25:39,204 --> 00:25:41,873
Or is it with the besieging
Waffen-SS unit?
456
00:25:44,334 --> 00:25:45,835
NARRATOR:
It seems that Gangl and Lee
457
00:25:45,919 --> 00:25:48,463
came to some sort
of understanding,
458
00:25:48,547 --> 00:25:50,966
and the Germans
retain their weapons.
459
00:25:50,966 --> 00:25:53,009
But it is a good thing,
460
00:25:53,093 --> 00:25:55,053
because it soon becomes clear
461
00:25:55,053 --> 00:25:57,013
that Lee will need
every man he's got.
462
00:25:57,097 --> 00:26:00,475
( dramatic music)
463
00:26:03,770 --> 00:26:05,689
NARRATOR: May 1945.
464
00:26:06,940 --> 00:26:08,108
An American tank commander
465
00:26:08,108 --> 00:26:11,236
tries to defend the lives
of French VIPs
466
00:26:11,236 --> 00:26:13,238
taken hostage
and held by the Nazis
467
00:26:13,363 --> 00:26:15,365
at Castle Itter during the war.
468
00:26:17,534 --> 00:26:20,620
A Waffen-SS force prepares
to retake the castle.
469
00:26:21,955 --> 00:26:23,582
In an unusual twist of fate,
470
00:26:24,082 --> 00:26:27,377
former enemies now work
for a common cause.
471
00:26:27,794 --> 00:26:31,381
The castle is held by both
American and German troops.
472
00:26:32,173 --> 00:26:34,384
27-year-old Lieutenant Jack Lee
473
00:26:34,384 --> 00:26:37,887
is the American
tank commander in charge.
474
00:26:37,971 --> 00:26:39,973
In my opinion,
Lieutenant Lee, at this point,
475
00:26:39,973 --> 00:26:42,892
trusts Gangl and Schrader
implicitly.
476
00:26:43,101 --> 00:26:45,478
Gangl already had
well-established bona fides
477
00:26:45,562 --> 00:26:48,440
both from the resistance
and his actions so far.
478
00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,026
Schrader, besides being
vouched for by Gangl,
479
00:26:51,276 --> 00:26:53,361
also had his family
inside the castle.
480
00:26:56,114 --> 00:26:57,616
NARRATOR:
Lee joins German officers
481
00:26:57,616 --> 00:27:00,118
Major Gangl and Captain Schrader
high in the castle
482
00:27:00,118 --> 00:27:03,079
to observe Waffen-SS movements.
483
00:27:03,997 --> 00:27:05,624
Lee spots artillery pieces
484
00:27:05,624 --> 00:27:08,043
being moved into place
among the trees,
485
00:27:08,043 --> 00:27:11,296
only about 800 yards
from the castle--
486
00:27:11,296 --> 00:27:12,422
likely in response
487
00:27:12,422 --> 00:27:15,925
to information
from an escaped defender.
488
00:27:16,009 --> 00:27:18,178
LENCHES: They know
that the defensive force
489
00:27:18,178 --> 00:27:20,013
has no heavy weapons to fire.
490
00:27:20,430 --> 00:27:23,767
And so they feel free to move
their heavy guns into place.
491
00:27:27,812 --> 00:27:30,440
One of the guns is an 88.
492
00:27:31,024 --> 00:27:33,943
The 88 is the most dreaded weapon
in the German arsenal.
493
00:27:34,361 --> 00:27:36,988
It's a high-velocity gun
with a heavy punch.
494
00:27:37,113 --> 00:27:39,616
Literally one round
can go through a Sherman tank
495
00:27:40,033 --> 00:27:42,160
like it's made of butter.
496
00:27:42,285 --> 00:27:44,245
It does the same thing
to stone walls.
497
00:27:48,625 --> 00:27:49,959
NARRATOR: They also watch
498
00:27:50,043 --> 00:27:52,837
as Waffen-SS troops arrive
and take up positions.
499
00:27:56,007 --> 00:27:57,592
LIEB: From all what we know,
500
00:27:57,676 --> 00:28:00,428
the number of German troops
attacking Castle Itter
501
00:28:00,553 --> 00:28:02,305
was about a company.
502
00:28:02,389 --> 00:28:04,849
So, about 150, 200 men maximum.
503
00:28:05,892 --> 00:28:07,811
They were relatively well-armed.
504
00:28:08,478 --> 00:28:11,147
They seemed to have been
in good supply of ammunition.
505
00:28:13,108 --> 00:28:15,985
NARRATOR: Castle Itter
is now surrounded.
506
00:28:16,695 --> 00:28:20,073
While the American and German
officers are concerned,
507
00:28:20,073 --> 00:28:24,160
Major Gangl discovers that
the French VIPs are not.
508
00:28:24,244 --> 00:28:25,453
Gangl encounters them
509
00:28:25,537 --> 00:28:28,248
getting some fresh air
in the courtyard,
510
00:28:28,248 --> 00:28:31,000
in spite of Lee's
clear instructions.
511
00:28:35,171 --> 00:28:37,424
The 88 suddenly opens up.
512
00:28:39,467 --> 00:28:40,969
A shot hits
an upper floor of the castle
513
00:28:40,969 --> 00:28:42,721
and rains down debris.
514
00:28:47,767 --> 00:28:49,644
Everyone scrambles for cover.
515
00:28:49,728 --> 00:28:52,021
(explosion)
516
00:28:52,105 --> 00:28:53,815
Let's go. Let's move!
517
00:28:58,778 --> 00:29:00,697
(speaking German)
518
00:29:00,697 --> 00:29:02,699
NARRATOR: At 1000 hours,
519
00:29:02,699 --> 00:29:04,659
Waffen-SS troops
begin a full-scale assault
520
00:29:04,784 --> 00:29:06,369
on the castle.
521
00:29:10,206 --> 00:29:12,959
Lee will soon learn if
the Germans inside the castle
522
00:29:12,959 --> 00:29:14,544
will fight to repel them.
523
00:29:28,099 --> 00:29:29,559
Very quickly,
524
00:29:29,559 --> 00:29:32,562
the Besotten Jenny,
the defenders' only tank,
525
00:29:32,562 --> 00:29:34,731
takes a direct hit.
526
00:29:35,732 --> 00:29:37,942
Lee's best hope for protecting
everyone inside Itter Castle
527
00:29:38,026 --> 00:29:40,236
goes up in flames.
528
00:29:42,906 --> 00:29:44,657
(gunfire)
529
00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:48,745
An American tanker
escapes the burning wreckage.
530
00:29:50,371 --> 00:29:53,082
He and two other
U.S. soldiers retreat...
531
00:29:55,543 --> 00:29:58,213
as the Sherman's
fuel tanks explode.
532
00:29:59,214 --> 00:30:01,758
It is a major setback.
533
00:30:02,050 --> 00:30:04,594
(yelling in German)
534
00:30:04,886 --> 00:30:06,387
The assault continues.
535
00:30:09,599 --> 00:30:11,392
LENCHES:
The forces inside the castle
536
00:30:11,476 --> 00:30:15,230
are reduced to simply small arms--
rifles, pistols, and grenades.
537
00:30:15,772 --> 00:30:18,191
They have
no heavy weapons whatsoever.
538
00:30:18,525 --> 00:30:19,859
NARRATOR:
The defenders have no way
539
00:30:20,068 --> 00:30:21,569
to take out the German 88...
540
00:30:22,987 --> 00:30:24,781
and it continues
to pound the castle.
541
00:30:30,495 --> 00:30:33,581
Some of the French VIPs
refuse to retreat to safety
542
00:30:33,706 --> 00:30:35,542
in order to join the battle.
543
00:30:38,127 --> 00:30:40,046
They had served
in the French army.
544
00:30:42,215 --> 00:30:43,466
Though for most,
545
00:30:43,550 --> 00:30:45,927
decades earlier
in the First World War.
546
00:30:51,641 --> 00:30:53,810
Hurry! OK! Let's go!
547
00:30:53,810 --> 00:30:55,854
NARRATOR: Some defenders
are positioned higher
548
00:30:55,854 --> 00:30:57,605
to preserve their view
of the attacking troops.
549
00:31:06,239 --> 00:31:08,324
The Waffen-SS attack
intensifies.
550
00:31:09,534 --> 00:31:12,495
( intense music)
551
00:31:23,214 --> 00:31:25,174
Lee notices that
one of the French VIPs
552
00:31:25,258 --> 00:31:26,551
has moved into
a vulnerable spot.
553
00:31:32,348 --> 00:31:34,767
But before Lee can react...
554
00:31:34,893 --> 00:31:36,936
Major Gangl does.
555
00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:41,774
(gunshot)
556
00:31:45,945 --> 00:31:47,739
NARRATOR: May 1945.
557
00:31:48,531 --> 00:31:50,867
During the final days
of the war in Europe...
558
00:31:52,702 --> 00:31:55,288
American and German soldiers
fight together
559
00:31:56,372 --> 00:31:57,832
to hold a castle
560
00:31:57,916 --> 00:32:00,418
and protect French prisoners
from Waffen-SS forces.
561
00:32:08,968 --> 00:32:11,763
German Wehrmacht
Major Josef Gangl
562
00:32:11,971 --> 00:32:14,098
rushes to pull one of
the French VIPs back
563
00:32:14,182 --> 00:32:15,516
from a vulnerable position.
564
00:32:18,144 --> 00:32:19,312
But in his haste...
565
00:32:19,479 --> 00:32:20,939
(gunfire)
566
00:32:21,064 --> 00:32:22,732
Gangl exposes himself
567
00:32:22,732 --> 00:32:24,943
to a bullet fired
from outside the castle.
568
00:32:29,739 --> 00:32:31,658
In the hope of peace,
569
00:32:31,866 --> 00:32:35,244
Gangl chose
to defy his own country,
570
00:32:35,370 --> 00:32:38,122
because he could no longer
support in its aims,
571
00:32:38,206 --> 00:32:40,208
and he pays the ultimate price.
572
00:32:41,584 --> 00:32:44,212
LIEB: It was not
an opportunistic choice
573
00:32:44,963 --> 00:32:46,714
to defend Castle Itter.
574
00:32:46,798 --> 00:32:48,967
He did it with conviction.
575
00:32:48,967 --> 00:32:51,386
(gunfire)
576
00:32:52,929 --> 00:32:53,972
NARRATOR: Lee cannot stop.
577
00:32:54,764 --> 00:32:56,849
As the incoming fire increases,
578
00:32:56,933 --> 00:32:59,352
he must secure the castle.
579
00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:05,692
Lee passes word to his men
in the gatehouse
580
00:33:05,692 --> 00:33:08,778
to hang on as long as possible
before falling back.
581
00:33:18,246 --> 00:33:20,081
As part of
the growing onslaught,
582
00:33:20,081 --> 00:33:23,543
Waffen-SS troops advance
from the east and west sides,
583
00:33:23,543 --> 00:33:26,212
as well as up the drop-off
to the castle's north.
584
00:33:31,342 --> 00:33:33,928
The defenders struggle
to cover all three directions.
585
00:33:41,436 --> 00:33:44,147
It is not clear how long
they will be able to hold out.
586
00:33:49,694 --> 00:33:51,195
Jean Borotra,
587
00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:54,032
one of the prisoners and
a former French tennis star,
588
00:33:54,032 --> 00:33:56,701
braves the incoming fire
to deliver a message.
589
00:33:58,953 --> 00:34:01,039
(speaking German)
590
00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:02,665
He bursts in to report to Lee
591
00:34:02,749 --> 00:34:04,667
that they're running low
on ammunition...
592
00:34:08,796 --> 00:34:11,174
with Waffen-SS forces
closing in.
593
00:34:11,466 --> 00:34:13,676
(gunfire and explosions)
594
00:34:17,055 --> 00:34:17,972
Just then...
595
00:34:18,056 --> 00:34:19,557
(phone ringing)
596
00:34:22,852 --> 00:34:25,354
...an unexpected sound
cuts through the gunfire.
597
00:34:25,646 --> 00:34:27,440
LENCHES:
What happens next is amazing.
598
00:34:28,024 --> 00:34:29,734
The telephone
in the castle rings.
599
00:34:31,277 --> 00:34:32,695
(ringing)
600
00:34:33,571 --> 00:34:34,781
Hello?
601
00:34:35,698 --> 00:34:37,033
- NARRATOR: Lee answers...
- This is Captain Lee.
602
00:34:37,283 --> 00:34:41,037
...and is relieved to hear the voice
of an American officer on the line.
603
00:34:41,370 --> 00:34:43,164
When he had reached
the town of Worgl,
604
00:34:43,414 --> 00:34:45,333
Gangl's
Austrian Resistance fighters
605
00:34:45,333 --> 00:34:46,751
had alerted the officer
606
00:34:46,751 --> 00:34:49,253
to the existence
of the castle telephone.
607
00:34:49,337 --> 00:34:52,048
He's calling to check on Lee's forces
and what they need.
608
00:34:52,298 --> 00:34:53,966
NARRATOR:
Lee only has time to report
609
00:34:54,050 --> 00:34:55,510
that the castle is under attack
610
00:34:55,510 --> 00:34:56,969
and they're low
on ammunition...
611
00:34:57,053 --> 00:34:58,554
(static)
612
00:34:59,430 --> 00:35:01,390
...before the line goes dead.
613
00:35:08,314 --> 00:35:10,525
Though reinforcements
may be coming,
614
00:35:10,691 --> 00:35:13,736
there's no guarantee
they will arrive in time.
615
00:35:14,570 --> 00:35:15,655
He did not get a chance
616
00:35:15,655 --> 00:35:17,448
to relay the strength
and position
617
00:35:17,532 --> 00:35:19,242
of the Waffen-SS troops,
618
00:35:19,367 --> 00:35:20,743
which could help
the relief force
619
00:35:20,827 --> 00:35:23,621
make it more quickly
to the castle.
620
00:35:24,038 --> 00:35:25,832
In addition to losing Gangl,
621
00:35:25,832 --> 00:35:28,084
two of the German soldiers
have been injured.
622
00:35:29,085 --> 00:35:31,170
Lee knows that
the castle could be overrun
623
00:35:31,254 --> 00:35:32,922
before help arrives,
624
00:35:33,339 --> 00:35:35,466
risking the lives
of everyone inside.
625
00:35:38,261 --> 00:35:40,388
Jean Borotra interrupts
with a crazy offer.
626
00:35:42,348 --> 00:35:43,641
During his captivity,
627
00:35:44,392 --> 00:35:46,936
Borotra had escaped
from the castle before,
628
00:35:46,936 --> 00:35:49,897
only to be recaptured
and returned to the prison.
629
00:35:50,439 --> 00:35:51,941
LENCHES: He suggests to Lee
630
00:35:51,941 --> 00:35:54,569
that he should dress as
an Austrian peasant, jump the wall,
631
00:35:54,569 --> 00:35:57,738
and try and run to town
to get aid.
632
00:35:57,989 --> 00:35:59,949
NARRATOR: If Borotra
can escape once more
633
00:35:59,949 --> 00:36:01,993
and locate the American forces,
634
00:36:01,993 --> 00:36:04,120
he can pass on Lee's warnings.
635
00:36:08,958 --> 00:36:11,419
Lee is not convinced
the plan can succeed,
636
00:36:11,419 --> 00:36:14,505
but has few choices
and even less time.
637
00:36:24,265 --> 00:36:25,558
As the fighting eases...
638
00:36:29,478 --> 00:36:32,398
Borotra is able to slip away
from the castle.
639
00:36:33,441 --> 00:36:35,026
To fulfill his mission,
640
00:36:35,026 --> 00:36:36,986
he will have make his way
past the Waffen-SS
641
00:36:36,986 --> 00:36:38,863
positioned outside the walls.
642
00:36:40,489 --> 00:36:42,950
Everyone's life
could depend on it.
643
00:36:48,581 --> 00:36:51,709
NARRATOR: May 5, 1945.
644
00:36:51,834 --> 00:36:54,462
In the Austrian Alps,
645
00:36:54,587 --> 00:36:56,797
Waffen-SS troops
attack Castle Itter...
646
00:36:58,925 --> 00:37:01,135
...the wartime prison
which housed French VIPs.
647
00:37:04,764 --> 00:37:06,724
The castle is held
by a motley mix
648
00:37:06,724 --> 00:37:09,227
of both American
and German soldiers
649
00:37:09,227 --> 00:37:12,230
fighting to protect the hostages
of the Third Reich.
650
00:37:14,732 --> 00:37:15,733
With the castle defenders
651
00:37:15,858 --> 00:37:19,362
at risk of being overwhelmed
by loyal Nazi forces...
652
00:37:23,241 --> 00:37:25,534
former French tennis star
Jean Borotra
653
00:37:25,618 --> 00:37:27,161
escapes the castle in disguise
654
00:37:27,245 --> 00:37:29,372
to alert
nearby American troops.
655
00:37:31,999 --> 00:37:33,417
But first,
656
00:37:33,501 --> 00:37:35,378
he must make it through
the Waffen-SS line
657
00:37:35,378 --> 00:37:36,796
advancing on the castle.
658
00:37:52,228 --> 00:37:54,772
Borotra must convince
the Nazi troops
659
00:37:54,772 --> 00:37:56,857
that he is just
an Austrian peasant.
660
00:37:57,275 --> 00:38:00,403
If they even suspect him of
being a military deserter,
661
00:38:00,403 --> 00:38:02,405
let alone an escaped prisoner,
662
00:38:02,405 --> 00:38:04,573
it could cost him his life.
663
00:38:06,909 --> 00:38:08,869
Tense moments pass.
664
00:38:15,209 --> 00:38:17,503
Borotra's performance
as a peasant
665
00:38:17,503 --> 00:38:18,921
must have been convincing,
666
00:38:19,005 --> 00:38:21,257
as they allow him to continue.
667
00:38:22,091 --> 00:38:25,052
Borotra heads off
in search of the Americans.
668
00:38:29,765 --> 00:38:31,350
Back at Castle Itter...
669
00:38:31,684 --> 00:38:33,519
(explosions)
670
00:38:33,936 --> 00:38:37,565
...Lieutenant Jack Lee continues
to lose ground to the SS troops
671
00:38:37,982 --> 00:38:40,234
and runs low on ammunition.
672
00:38:40,693 --> 00:38:42,403
He has no way to know
673
00:38:42,528 --> 00:38:44,905
if friendly reinforcements
can reach them in time.
674
00:38:45,489 --> 00:38:47,199
If the castle is overrun,
675
00:38:47,283 --> 00:38:50,077
they believe the French VIPs
are at risk of being executed
676
00:38:50,286 --> 00:38:51,829
by the Waffen-SS fanatics.
677
00:38:54,290 --> 00:38:56,208
TOPPEL:
Some hardcore SS officers say,
678
00:38:56,292 --> 00:38:57,543
OK, we are losing the war,
679
00:38:57,543 --> 00:39:00,421
but we will take
our enemies with us.
680
00:39:00,713 --> 00:39:02,673
They shall not survive us.
681
00:39:02,757 --> 00:39:05,259
(distant gunfire)
682
00:39:06,552 --> 00:39:07,970
NARRATOR:
Lee and the French generals
683
00:39:08,387 --> 00:39:11,390
agree to retreat to
the castle's inner stronghold,
684
00:39:11,474 --> 00:39:13,684
which Lee calls the keep.
685
00:39:13,809 --> 00:39:15,436
Down to the last magazine!
686
00:39:15,436 --> 00:39:16,645
Make it count.
687
00:39:18,981 --> 00:39:21,984
The keep is literally the last stand.
688
00:39:22,068 --> 00:39:24,528
There's no place
to retreat to from it.
689
00:39:24,612 --> 00:39:26,989
They have to gamble
that they can hold off the SS
690
00:39:27,114 --> 00:39:30,076
until relief forces arrive,
or the game is up.
691
00:39:32,036 --> 00:39:34,789
At this point, Lee and his men
are going to win or die.
692
00:39:40,503 --> 00:39:42,755
NARRATOR: Waffen-SS forces
sustain their attack
693
00:39:42,755 --> 00:39:44,173
and close in.
694
00:39:44,423 --> 00:39:46,884
The castle defenders
return fire,
695
00:39:47,676 --> 00:39:50,429
but they are being overwhelmed
by superior numbers.
696
00:40:08,697 --> 00:40:11,242
SS troops reach the castle gate
697
00:40:11,242 --> 00:40:13,119
and prepare to
blast their way inside
698
00:40:13,119 --> 00:40:15,454
with a Panzerfaust rocket,
699
00:40:15,538 --> 00:40:18,916
an easy-to-use weapon
which blows up tanks.
700
00:40:34,890 --> 00:40:36,892
(tanker approaching)
701
00:40:37,768 --> 00:40:40,771
The Waffen-SS suddenly
hear tank noise from the rear,
702
00:40:40,855 --> 00:40:42,314
from the village.
703
00:40:43,107 --> 00:40:44,650
NARRATOR: Without
an armored unit of their own,
704
00:40:44,650 --> 00:40:48,988
the Waffen-SS are no match
for the arriving U.S. tanks.
705
00:40:48,988 --> 00:40:53,200
They quickly realized,
the Americans are coming.
706
00:40:53,325 --> 00:40:56,120
The Waffen-SS disappeared
as quickly as possible.
707
00:41:00,458 --> 00:41:02,209
NARRATOR: To Lee's relief,
708
00:41:02,293 --> 00:41:04,879
reinforcements have arrived
just in time.
709
00:41:04,879 --> 00:41:08,340
(tanks rumbling)
710
00:41:17,725 --> 00:41:20,728
( triumphant music)
711
00:41:33,240 --> 00:41:35,451
Lee and the others
holed up in Castle Itter
712
00:41:35,451 --> 00:41:37,369
have been saved.
713
00:41:43,042 --> 00:41:45,836
LENCHES: Lieutenant Lee,
by this point, is exhausted.
714
00:41:46,045 --> 00:41:48,881
And when the commander
of the 142nd comes up to him,
715
00:41:48,881 --> 00:41:52,009
he says, "Take 'em, Colonel,
they're all yours."
716
00:41:53,969 --> 00:41:55,554
NARRATOR:
The battle for Castle Itter
717
00:41:55,638 --> 00:41:57,306
would be amongst
the last ground combat
718
00:41:57,306 --> 00:41:59,808
of World War II in Europe.
719
00:42:01,977 --> 00:42:05,648
Only two days later,
May 7, 1945,
720
00:42:06,190 --> 00:42:08,943
Germany surrenders
unconditionally to the Allies.
721
00:42:10,444 --> 00:42:13,447
- LENCHES:
- The fact the last battle fought in the European theatre of operations
722
00:42:13,531 --> 00:42:16,283
was not to conquer territory
723
00:42:16,492 --> 00:42:19,119
but to defend
innocent prisoners
724
00:42:19,203 --> 00:42:21,830
must have been
an incredibly uplifting moment
725
00:42:21,914 --> 00:42:23,624
for all those involved.
726
00:42:24,250 --> 00:42:26,335
NARRATOR: The Americans
evacuate the French VIPs
727
00:42:26,752 --> 00:42:27,962
to Innsbruck, Austria.
728
00:42:28,337 --> 00:42:31,382
Within days,
they arrive home in France.
729
00:42:32,132 --> 00:42:35,052
Several would return
to politics after the war.
730
00:42:36,303 --> 00:42:38,514
SS-Waffen Captain
Kurt-Siegfried Schrader
731
00:42:38,514 --> 00:42:40,140
receives a letter,
732
00:42:40,558 --> 00:42:43,477
undersigned by the former prisoners,
733
00:42:43,561 --> 00:42:46,855
stating he ensured the safety
of the French detainees
734
00:42:46,939 --> 00:42:49,149
and stayed with them
during the German attacks.
735
00:42:49,608 --> 00:42:50,985
Schrader serves
as a prisoner of war
736
00:42:50,985 --> 00:42:52,194
for only two years,
737
00:42:52,319 --> 00:42:54,238
before being released.
738
00:42:55,489 --> 00:42:59,076
LIEB: In the end,
when we judge the personality,
739
00:42:59,076 --> 00:43:00,911
we must always bear in mind
740
00:43:01,328 --> 00:43:04,873
there were many SS officers
who didn't act like Schrader,
741
00:43:04,957 --> 00:43:07,585
who didn't change their mind.
742
00:43:08,252 --> 00:43:11,338
You can say Schrader
showed more responsibility
743
00:43:11,755 --> 00:43:13,591
than most of his peers.
744
00:43:15,384 --> 00:43:17,636
NARRATOR: Austria honors
Major Josef Gangl
745
00:43:17,720 --> 00:43:19,722
for his work
with the resistance
746
00:43:19,722 --> 00:43:21,765
and for his actions
at Castle Itter.
747
00:43:23,434 --> 00:43:24,727
Lieutenant Jack Lee
748
00:43:24,727 --> 00:43:26,812
would be awarded
the Distinguished Service Cross
749
00:43:26,812 --> 00:43:29,106
for his initiative,
boldness, and courage
750
00:43:29,106 --> 00:43:31,025
in defense of Castle Itter.
751
00:43:32,735 --> 00:43:33,902
LENCHES: Lieutenant Lee himself
752
00:43:33,986 --> 00:43:36,530
summed it up years later
when he was asked.
753
00:43:36,614 --> 00:43:39,658
He just said, "It was just
the damnedest thing."
754
00:43:40,284 --> 00:43:43,746
NARRATOR: It had been a long road
since the beaches of Normandy.
755
00:43:44,204 --> 00:43:47,124
Peace, eleven months
in the making.
756
00:43:47,416 --> 00:43:50,002
McMANUS: D-Day is only the beginning,
and it's a really important beginning
757
00:43:50,628 --> 00:43:54,423
of almost a year of
really intense fighting
758
00:43:54,548 --> 00:43:56,592
by a Western Allied coalition,
759
00:43:56,592 --> 00:43:58,927
all of whom need one another badly
760
00:43:59,178 --> 00:44:01,639
and all of whom sacrificed terribly,
761
00:44:02,056 --> 00:44:04,516
for this to come to a final victory.
762
00:44:05,267 --> 00:44:07,97863366
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