The Battle for Castle Itter: A Strange and Unlikely Alliance
In the final chaotic days of World War II, as Nazi Germany crumbled and the Allies advanced deeper into German territory, an extraordinary and nearly unbelievable battle took place. At the heart of it was Castle Itter, a medieval fortress in Austria that had been repurposed as a high-profile prison for French political figures, military leaders, and celebrities. What unfolded here in early May 1945 would be the only known instance where German Wehrmacht soldiers and American troops fought side by side, united against a common enemy: the Waffen-SS.
The Stage is Set: A Fortress Turned Prison
Perched in the Austrian Alps, Castle Itter had long served as a defensive fortress, but during the war, it was transformed into a VIP prison, housing prominent French prisoners. Among the captives were Édouard Daladier and Paul Reynaud, former prime ministers, as well as Jean Borotra, a famous tennis star, and other high-ranking military officials.
The castle’s commander was SS-Totenkopfverbände officer Sebastian Wimmer, part of the SS division responsible for guarding concentration camps. However, by May 1945, the war was drawing to a close, and the Nazi command structure was in disarray following Hitler’s suicide on April 30. Sensing the end, Wimmer fled the castle on May 2, leaving the prisoners with minimal supervision and the SS camp in chaos.
A Desperate Gamble: Čučković’s Mission
Before Wimmer’s escape, a Croatian handyman named Zvonimir Čučković, who worked at the castle, was sent on an errand to the nearby town of Wörgl. However, instead of returning, Čučković made a daring decision: he sought out American forces. His journey led him to Innsbruck, 40 miles away, where he encountered the 409th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 103rd Division. Čučković delivered his urgent plea for help, and though the American troops couldn’t immediately authorize an attack, the wheels were set in motion.
Enter Major Josef Gangl: A Defector’s Fight for Freedom
As Wimmer fled Castle Itter, abandoning his post, the prisoners inside knew they had only a short time before SS reinforcements returned to exact brutal revenge. Sensing the imminent danger, the prisoners sent another message, this time through Andreas Krobot, a Czech cook who bicycled to Wörgl to seek aid. But the situation in Wörgl had changed.
Wörgl had fallen into the hands of SS forces, but there was hope. A German Wehrmacht officer named Major Josef Gangl, who had previously been tasked with defending the town, had defected. Disgusted by the atrocities of the SS and recognizing the futility of the Nazi cause, Gangl had joined the local Austrian resistance, determined to protect the town’s people from further harm.
When Krobot reached Gangl with news of Castle Itter’s plight, Gangl knew time was running out. He quickly made his way to Kufstein, where he found Captain John C. “Jack” Lee, an officer with the U.S. 12th Armored Division. Gangl offered his surrender, but more importantly, he proposed a plan to work together to defend the French prisoners trapped at the castle. Captain Lee, recognizing the urgency of the situation, accepted both the surrender and the plan.
A Dangerous Mission: The Ride to Castle Itter
With time running out, Captain Jack Lee and Major Josef Gangl wasted no time. They gathered a small but determined force made up of a mix of U.S. troops, defected Wehrmacht soldiers, and members of the Austrian resistance. The odd alliance was perhaps one of the most unique formations of World War II, a testament to the desperation and strange bedfellows war can create.
Together, they set off toward Castle Itter. The team consisted of 14 American soldiers, 10 German artillerymen, and a few local resistance members. Leading the charge was Lee, accompanied by a Sherman tank nicknamed "Besotten Jenny." While the group was small, they had grit, a shared enemy, and a mission to save the French prisoners.
A Roadblock of Resistance
The road to Castle Itter was anything but safe. Aware of the importance of the prison, Waffen-SS forces were preparing to retake the fortress and eliminate its high-profile prisoners. As Lee, Gangl, and their ragtag team approached, they encountered SS forces attempting to set up roadblocks. However, the combined U.S.-Wehrmacht force was able to break through and press on.
Arriving at the castle, Lee and Gangl found the prisoners already armed and prepared for the worst. Among them were prominent figures like Jean Borotra, the tennis champion, and Paul Reynaud, the former French prime minister. The prisoners had elected Kurt-Siegfried Schrader, a younger SS officer who had surrendered to them, to oversee their defenses until help arrived. It was a surreal scene: American soldiers, German Wehrmacht defectors, and French politicians preparing to fight side by side.
Defending the Castle: Besotten Jenny Stands Guard
As night fell on May 4, 1945, the defenders of Castle Itter made their preparations. Besotten Jenny was positioned at the main entrance, providing vital cover with its machine gun. The men inside the castle, including the prisoners, took up positions along the walls, ready to defend their lives.
The Waffen-SS did not wait long to test their resolve. Reconnaissance teams were sent to probe the defenses, engaging in brief skirmishes to gauge the strength of the defenders. However, the real test came in the morning of May 5th when the full assault began.
The Battle Begins: A Fight for Survival
As the Waffen-SS launched their attack, Besotten Jenny held strong, mowing down waves of SS troops. But the battle-hardened attackers had brought heavy firepower of their own. After an intense exchange of gunfire, the Sherman tank was hit by an 88 mm gun, which destroyed the tank, though the radio operator managed to escape unharmed.
Inside the castle, things were growing desperate. Ammunition was running low, and communications with the outside had been cut off. With no way to signal for help, the defenders needed a miracle. That miracle came in the form of Jean Borotra, who volunteered for an insane mission: to vault the castle walls and race through the enemy lines to get word to the American reinforcements.
Borotra’s Daring Escape: A Tennis Star's Bravery
Jean Borotra, known for his quick feet on the tennis court, now relied on those very skills for survival. In a move that would seem straight out of a war movie, Borotra leapt over the castle’s walls, sprinted through the chaotic firefight, and made his way to the American 142nd Infantry Regiment, which was stationed nearby.
Borotra’s message was simple: Castle Itter was under heavy attack, and the defenders were nearly out of ammunition. The 142nd, without hesitation, geared up for action. Meanwhile, Borotra requested a uniform and a rifle, ready to rejoin the battle at the castle.
The Final Stand: Reinforcements on the Horizon
While Jean Borotra delivered his crucial message to the 142nd Infantry Regiment, the defenders inside Castle Itter were running out of time. Ammunition was nearly depleted, and the Waffen-SS forces were pressing harder with each passing moment. With Besotten Jenny destroyed, their firepower was significantly reduced, and the defenders feared the worst as the SS troops intensified their assault.
Just as the situation grew most dire, the sound of engines was heard in the distance. The 142nd Infantry Regiment, led by the message delivered by Borotra, was racing toward the castle. Captain Lee and the remaining defenders braced for what they hoped would be their last stand, as the American reinforcements drew near.
A Hero's Last Act: Major Josef Gangl's Sacrifice
In the midst of the chaos, Major Josef Gangl, who had been instrumental in organizing the defense of the castle, performed his final heroic act. As the battle raged on, former French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud found himself in the line of fire. Without hesitation, Gangl rushed to drag Reynaud to safety. Tragically, in doing so, he was struck by a sniper’s bullet.
Gangl’s death was the only fatality among the defenders, but it left a profound mark. His bravery, his defection from the Nazis, and his commitment to protecting both the people of Wörgl and the prisoners of Castle Itter would be remembered for generations. Today, a street in Wörgl is named in his honor, forever commemorating his sacrifice.
Reinforcements Arrive: The Tide Turns
At last, the American 142nd Infantry Regiment reached Castle Itter at 16:00 on May 5, just in time to prevent the Waffen-SS from overrunning the defenders. As the reinforcements poured into the battlefield, the tide quickly turned. The SS forces, seeing their opportunity slip away, began to retreat, but not before many were captured or killed in the final skirmishes.
The defenders; an unlikely alliance of American troops, German Wehrmacht defectors, Austrian resistance fighters, and French prisoners; had held their ground long enough for help to arrive. The battle ended in victory, with over 100 Waffen-SS soldiers captured. The VIP prisoners, exhausted but alive, were saved.
Aftermath: A Unique and Unforgettable Victory
The Battle for Castle Itter, fought just days before Germany’s official surrender on May 7, 1945, stands out in history as one of the most bizarre and unique engagements of World War II. It was the only known instance in the war where American and German forces fought side by side against a common enemy. The French VIP prisoners, including politicians, military leaders, and a famous tennis star, had taken up arms to defend themselves, and even a former SS officer had switched sides to join in the defense.
Captain Jack Lee received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery and leadership during the battle, and the prisoners were safely returned to France on May 10, 1945. Jean Borotra, who had made the daring run to deliver the message to the 142nd, became a hero in his own right. His fearless sprint through enemy lines was as legendary as any of his tennis matches.
Though Josef Gangl had fallen during the battle, he was hailed as a hero in Austria, a symbol of the resistance against Nazi tyranny. His decision to join forces with the Americans and protect the people of Wörgl cemented his legacy as one of the most remarkable figures of the final days of World War II.
