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