castle itter 1945

Castle Itter, Austria. May 5, 1945. The Second World War is rapidly collapsing. Nazi Germany is on the verge of surrender, Allied forces are advancing across Austria, and German units are abandoning their positions. But in the small Austrian village of Itter, one strange and desperate battle is about to unfold. Castle Itter, a medieval fortress converted into a prison, is holding several important French prisoners, including former French Prime Ministers and senior politicians. With German authority collapsing around them, the prisoners are left dangerously exposed. The castle's former commander, Sebastian Wimmer, has fled. The guards have abandoned their posts. But the prisoners are not completely alone. A small group of Austrian resistance fighters arrives, led by Josef Gangl, an Austrian Wehrmacht officer who has turned against the Nazi regime. Gangl contacts the American forces advancing through the area and asks for help. American Lieutenant John C. "Jack" Lee Jr. arrives with a small group of soldiers and a Sherman tank nicknamed Besotten Jenny. Together, the Americans, Austrian resistance fighters, and armed prisoners prepare the castle for defense. Then, on May 5, German Waffen-SS troops arrive. They vastly outnumber the defenders. The castle becomes a fortress once again. Machine guns are positioned around the walls, rifles are distributed, ammunition is gathered, and everyone prepares for the attack. For the defenders, there is nowhere to retreat. Outside the walls, the attackers are closing in. Inside, former enemies are now fighting side by side. The war is only days from ending, but at Castle Itter, the final battle has begun.