The history of the 4. In may 1945 occurred in the Brixental in the Tyrol, could also have come from a writer in Hollywood. But the story is true: members of a SS Skull and crossbones squadron in the dungeons of castle Itter’s French concentration camp inmates and threaten in the face of advancing US to shoot troops.
Among the prisoners, the former French Prime Minister Édouard Daladier and Paul Reynaud, and other so – called “honorary prisoners”. Not far from Schloss Itter, Josef Gangl listens to a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht, has joined with the few Survivors of his unit of the Austrian underground fighters – the planned massacre. Gangl recognizes the danger in which the prisoners are – but requires more men to risk a rescue attempt.
The legend takes its course…
And so he decided to make a radical step: Together with his best men, he’s looking for in the surrounding forests, according to a U.S. vanguard to ask them for help. In may 1945, not a safe endeavor for German soldiers. Finally, Gangl encounters a small combat unit under Captain John Lee.
At the end of the day, ten of US storm-soldiers and 14 soldiers of the armed forces with a Sherman tank, the castle, rescue the hostages before their execution. The whole night you have to defend the castle against attacking SS units. The next day, you will be supported by advancing US units. Gangl will not survive the night. In the attempt to save a prisoner, he is hit in the head.
Historical classification
The in Germany scarcely known use in the U.S. is a legend – not only because the circumstances were so strange, but also because they (as in the case of the so-called Christmas peace, in the at 24. December 1914 British and German soldiers celebrated spontaneously together on the Western front) shows that humanity can prevail in war, and enemies can reconcile, even on the battlefield.
This article was written by world of wonder magazine
*The post “Where fought the German and American soldiers jointly against Hitler?” published by world of wonders. Contact with the executives here.
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