Battle of Castle Itter The Strangest Battle of WWII

The Battle of Castle Itter, fought on May 5, 1945, is one of the most unusual engagements of World War II.
Located in the Austrian Alps, the castle served as a prison for high-profile French political figures. After being notified of an imminent Waffen-SS attack,Capt Jack Lee Jr. volunteered to lead a group of 14 US Soldiers supported by one Sherman tank to defend the castle.
There he was joined by anti-Nazi German Major Josef Gangle, and ten German artillerymen.
As a group of 150 Waffen-SS soldiers attacked the castle, Capt. Lee ordered the French prisoners to safety, but they refused and fought alongside this unlikely group of defenders.
The SS repeatedly attacked throughout the night. The Sherman tank fired on the attackers but was eventually destroyed with an 88-mm gun. To get help before they were overrun, French tennis star Jean Borotra leapt over the castle walls and raced to notify a nearby relief force. They arrived in time and helped defeat the SS attackers and taking 100 prisoners.

Photo Attribution: Steve J. Morgan & Wikimedia Commons

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