The Strangest Battle in History: The Battle of Castle Itter

When it comes to war, we often think of rigid sides: allies and enemies, each bound by their respective nations and causes. But what if I told you there was a battle where soldiers from the United States and Germany—yes, the same Germany that fought against the Allies—joined forces to take on, well, other Germans? It sounds like the plot of a satirical war movie, but it actually happened in the closing days of World War II. Welcome to the Battle of Castle Itter—arguably one of the strangest (and most overlooked) battles in history.

The Setup: A Castle with a Colorful History

Our story starts in the scenic village of Itter, Austria, home to a castle straight out of a medieval fantasy. Like most castles, Itter Castle had seen its share of rulers, wars, and transformations. Originally built in the 13th century as a fortress, it housed royalty, including princes, bishops, and counts, who probably spent their days sipping fine wine and throwing feasts.

However, the castle wasn’t always a lavish abode. It suffered significant damage in 1526 during the German Peasants’ War and later underwent a major makeover in the 1880s, trading its military roots for a more relaxed vibe. Over the years, it became a pianist's estate, then a luxury hotel, and finally—wait for it—a high-security prison.

But not just any prison. In 1938, after Austria’s annexation by Nazi Germany (the infamous Anschluss), Castle Itter was repurposed as a VIP jail for Ehrenhäftlinge, or "honorary prisoners." These weren’t your run-of-the-mill inmates; they were high-profile figures, including political leaders, celebrities, and even sports stars, who had fallen out of favor with the Nazi regime. Think of it as a posh prison for VIPs—minus the red carpet but with much better food than your average concentration camp.

As the Third Reich Crumbles

By May 1945, World War II was in its final, frantic days. With Germany's defeat imminent, chaos reigned. While most concentration camps had been liberated, Castle Itter’s 14 VIP prisoners—mostly prominent Frenchmen—remained stranded, surrounded by hostile SS troops. The Nazis weren’t just going to give up without a fight; they were on a rampage, and these prisoners were trapped in the crosshairs.

Initially, the guards at Itter Castle deserted, leaving the prisoners to their fate. Escaping was too risky, though; the region was crawling with SS units eager to hunt down any prisoners. With limited weapons left behind by the fleeing guards, the prisoners knew their odds weren’t good. They needed backup, and fast.

Enter the Handyman and the Chef

Desperate times call for desperate measures. The prisoners had two unlikely heroes in their ranks: a handyman and a chef. Zvonimir Čučković, a Yugoslav resistance fighter and part-time handyman, was sent on a mission to find help. After some hurdles (including dodging Nazis), Čučković managed to reach U.S. forces stationed nearby. Unfortunately, the American reinforcements were bombarded and forced to retreat.

Time for Plan B: enter Andreas Krobot, the castle’s Czech cook. Armed with nothing but a bicycle and a whole lot of courage, Krobot pedaled his way to the nearby town of Wörgl. However, instead of finding instant help, he was handed over to Major Josef Gangl, a German officer—seemingly an enemy.

But here’s the twist: Gangl wasn’t exactly following Hitler’s orders anymore. In fact, he and 20 of his Wehrmacht soldiers had defected, joining the Austrian resistance to fight against the SS. Upon hearing about the VIP prisoners, Gangl quickly joined forces with the Americans. This was the beginning of the unlikely German-American alliance that would face off against the SS.

The Most Unlikely Army

With Gangl’s men and a U.S. tank battalion led by Captain Jack Lee, the makeshift rescue team headed for Castle Itter. But when they arrived, it was a bit underwhelming: 14 U.S. soldiers, 10 former German soldiers, and one tank—against a heavily armed SS division. Not exactly the dream team the prisoners had hoped for.

Nevertheless, these reinforcements were their only shot at survival. Together, this ragtag group of German and American soldiers, along with the French prisoners, prepared for battle. It wasn’t long before they were hit by the full force of an SS attack.

The Battle for Itter Castle

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At dawn on May 5, 1945, the Waffen-SS launched an assault with around 150 soldiers. Despite being outnumbered, the defenders held their ground thanks to the castle’s defensive advantages. But things quickly took a turn for the worse. The SS destroyed the only American tank, severed communications, and cut off any hope of external reinforcements.

In the midst of the chaos, Major Gangl made a heroic last stand. After managing to contact the Austrian resistance one last time, he was fatally shot by a sniper while protecting the former French Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud. His sacrifice would be remembered as one of the key moments in this bizarre battle.

Just when things seemed dire, tennis legend Jean Borotra stepped up. Yes, you read that right—a tennis champion. Armed with the guts of a Wimbledon winner, Borotra volunteered to break through the siege on foot. Dodging bullets like he was playing the final set of a Grand Slam, he miraculously escaped and made contact with the nearby U.S. 142nd Infantry.

With Borotra’s help, the U.S. troops arrived in the nick of time. Reinforcements stormed Castle Itter, overwhelmed the SS, and rescued the defenders. In a turn of fate that seemed straight out of an action movie, the SS soldiers surrendered, and the battle was over.

A Strange Victory

Though brief, the Battle of Castle Itter was a history-defining moment. Captain Jack Lee was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery, while Major Gangl was posthumously honored as a hero. The battle symbolized an incredible unity between former enemies—German and American soldiers fighting together against a common threat.

After the war, some of the freed French prisoners went on to shape their country’s political landscape, making the battle even more significant in the grand scheme of history. But even without the long-term consequences, the courage displayed by this unlikely alliance is a story worth telling.

In a world at war, where national allegiances dictated nearly every action, the Battle of Castle Itter stood out as an exception—where humanity triumphed over hatred, and the unlikeliest of teams worked together for the greater good.