Wynn Stephen
Wynn Stephen - The Battle Of Itter Castle 1945 - Hardcover
Wynn Stephen - The Battle Of Itter Castle 1945 - Hardcover
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Binding: Hardcover
Description: The Battle of Itter Castle was undoubtedly one of the strangest events of the Second World War being one of only two occasions during the war in which Americans and Germans fought side by side. The castle was seized by the Nazis on 7 February 1943, on the direct orders of Heinrich Himmler and in just ten weeks was changed into a five - star prison for a number of high - ranking French dignitaries both civilian and military. In the final days of the war in May 1945, with the castle's German guards having deserted their posts and an attack by SS units imminent those inside the castle realised they needed help. Having sent out two men to try to make contact with American forces it was then a case of sit and wait not knowing if they had been successful in their task or had been captured and killed by the SS. Help eventually arrived in the shape of United States Army Captain John C. " Jack" Lee his tank and a handful of men along with German Wehrmacht officer Major Josef " Sepp" Gangl and some of his men. Although happy that their 'prayers had been answered and help had arrived the French dignitaries could not hide their disappointment at such a small force of rescuers. The subsequent battle started early on the morning of Saturday 5 May and continued until mid - afternoon when a larger American force arrived and defeated the remaining SS forces. The victory came at a price for Major Gangl who was the only one of the defenders to lose his life in the fighting.
Title: The Battle Of Itter Castle 1945
Author(s): Wynn Stephen
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Barcode: 9781399007078
Pages: 240 Pages, 32 Illustrations, Unspecified
Publication Date: 5/30/2024
Category: Battles & Campaigns
Description: The Battle of Itter Castle was undoubtedly one of the strangest events of the Second World War being one of only two occasions during the war in which Americans and Germans fought side by side. The castle was seized by the Nazis on 7 February 1943, on the direct orders of Heinrich Himmler and in just ten weeks was changed into a five - star prison for a number of high - ranking French dignitaries both civilian and military. In the final days of the war in May 1945, with the castle's German guards having deserted their posts and an attack by SS units imminent those inside the castle realised they needed help. Having sent out two men to try to make contact with American forces it was then a case of sit and wait not knowing if they had been successful in their task or had been captured and killed by the SS. Help eventually arrived in the shape of United States Army Captain John C. " Jack" Lee his tank and a handful of men along with German Wehrmacht officer Major Josef " Sepp" Gangl and some of his men. Although happy that their 'prayers had been answered and help had arrived the French dignitaries could not hide their disappointment at such a small force of rescuers. The subsequent battle started early on the morning of Saturday 5 May and continued until mid - afternoon when a larger American force arrived and defeated the remaining SS forces. The victory came at a price for Major Gangl who was the only one of the defenders to lose his life in the fighting.
Title: The Battle Of Itter Castle 1945
Author(s): Wynn Stephen
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Barcode: 9781399007078
Pages: 240 Pages, 32 Illustrations, Unspecified
Publication Date: 5/30/2024
Category: Battles & Campaigns
