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The Battle of Itter Castle The STRANGEST Battle of WW2

The battle for Itter Castle is one of the strangest battles of World War 2!
In May 1945 as WW2 was in its last few days, an unlikely team of US Army, Wehrmacht and SS teamed up in an effort to defend an Austrian Castle full of French Prisoners of War from the SS!
The Battle for Itter Castle is one of only two occasions in WW2 where the US and German Armies teamed up to face a common foe. In this episode of WW2 Wayfinder I travel to Itter Castle to bring to life the story of the battle for Itter Castle as has never been seen before on KZread!
#ittercastle #ww2 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2history #usarmy #wehrmacht #history #thenandnow #normandy #austria #wörgl #kufstein #historydocumentary #historyfacts

Пікірлер: 132

  • @pursuitpix
    @pursuitpix Жыл бұрын

    So nice to see a video at the actual locations regarding this story!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! I think it’s the only account on KZread that is filmed on location and isn’t just a voice over. It’s a stunning place to visit!

  • @firstcitytraveler
    @firstcitytraveler Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video. Being at Castle Itter made this better than videos with stock footage of film and photos that are no where near the area. Great job and keep the videos coming.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! For me this story really did need to be documented on the spot where it happened as otherwise it really doesn’t show how difficult the terrain was there for both sides to fight through! I wouldn’t want to climb the slopes up to the castle on good day in modern gear without being in contact with an enemy force so no idea how Borotra made it down and back up there!!! Utterly incredible stuff! Thanks for watching!

  • @MrDarby388
    @MrDarby388 Жыл бұрын

    Great story. Such an enormous war that has so many stories yet to tell.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s incredible isn’t it! Especially in the final days of the war! Definitely a story that needs to be made into a movie!

  • @christophereadgbe2976
    @christophereadgbe29768 ай бұрын

    If anyone ever meets Tom Hanks, don't say hey I loved you in Toy Story or Saving Private Ryan, ask him if he's ever heard about Itter Castle. Then nod and just walk away.

  • @Baskerville22
    @Baskerville2210 ай бұрын

    Hearing of great past events from the actual places at which they occurred adds so much to the viewers' understanding, as well as their enjoyment of the learning experience

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    10 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I hope it gives a proper overview of the battle and a real sense of the scale involved in the fight for the castle!

  • @afewminutesofhistory
    @afewminutesofhistory Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video as always buddy! Easily one of the best channels on KZread!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks mate! Just glad YT released it!!!

  • @edrossman2654
    @edrossman26542 ай бұрын

    Fantastic job. The video was spot on. I’m retired US Army First Sergeant , seen combat, now a disabled vet. Always been a huge military history buff, now I have the free time to even read more and watch documentaries. I just finished reading the book , “The Last Stand “ ( it’s about the battle of Castle Itter). So I typed in Battle of Castle Itter and your video came up. Sir, you did such wonderful job telling this remarkable story and now I am subscriber. In reference to a “Movie”: what I have found on the internet, someone has had purchased the rights to the story since 2015. As of now, it is in preproduction. If anyone else gets any more info on the movie, please post and let us know. Thank you 🫡🇺🇸🇫🇷🇩🇪🇦🇹

  • @_KRose
    @_KRose11 ай бұрын

    Really is a shame that this story wasn't made into a movie. You'd think something like this would have 1960s star-studded epic written all over it.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    Absolutely! I think the closest maybe Where Eagles Dare as they’re both so far fetched! But it would have been amazing to see Clint Eastwood or Steve McQueen portray Captain Jack Lee!

  • @davidwillis4839

    @davidwillis4839

    9 ай бұрын

    Definitely movie material! Great story.

  • @Gitarzan66

    @Gitarzan66

    5 ай бұрын

    @GizmoRose According to IMDB there is one in preproduction with a soundtrack by Sabaton. No actors listed yet. It's called "The Last Battle"

  • @quirkygreece
    @quirkygreece7 ай бұрын

    I’ve seen many accounts of the battle for Castle Itter and this is right up there with the best. Well done Jon.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! It was a fascinating place to visit. Would loved to have seen inside the castle but was still great to be around it and see the surrounding countryside!

  • @DSWL_
    @DSWL_Ай бұрын

    incredible sequence of events. thanks for s the video

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it! Quite an incredible story isn’t it!

  • @andrewmcnamara6305
    @andrewmcnamara63053 ай бұрын

    According to TV Tropes this would be an example of "Enemy Mine."

  • @ww2recon
    @ww2recon Жыл бұрын

    Wow Jon, unreal, what a story.....thank you for telling this amazing battle.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it! Just glad it got past the review!!!!

  • @ewamadej975
    @ewamadej975 Жыл бұрын

    "Wśród obrońców było przynajmniej dwóch Polaków lub osób pochodzenia polskiego, w tym kapral Edward „Stinky” Szymczyk, który był operatorem armaty czołgowej. Zespół Sabaton napisał utwór o tym wydarzeniu pod tytułem „The Last Battle” z albumu The Last Stand."

  • @BlastBeatSz

    @BlastBeatSz

    7 ай бұрын

    Sabaton is a good band

  • @TribeTaz
    @TribeTazАй бұрын

    Outstanding video. I agree, this story would have made a great movie

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Ай бұрын

    It really does need to be on the big screen doesn’t it! Hopefully someone in Hollywood will pick it up as it would be incredible to see it

  • @MGC1957
    @MGC1957 Жыл бұрын

    Well done Jon. What a story there. Thanks for the up close video.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    You’re most welcome!! It was a lot of fun to film and a stunning place to visit. And quite hard to imagine now just how bitter the fighting was for the castle on that day in May 1945!

  • @ByronUK
    @ByronUK Жыл бұрын

    Great story told really well. This has Hollywood potential written all over it :)

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! And yes you’re right this definitely needs to be made into a movie!

  • @michaeldean1289
    @michaeldean1289 Жыл бұрын

    Hi mate This has to be the best story of Castle Itter that I’ve seen! Great footage and nice editing. I hope that when the new movie, currently in production status, is released it will be good. ❤😊

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Was incredible to see it after watching other videos on the place. The terrain around the castle was hardcore so I tip my hat to both sides for slogging it out there.

  • @PavewayJDAM
    @PavewayJDAM2 ай бұрын

    This so needs to be a big budget movie.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    2 ай бұрын

    Couldn’t agree more! It would be epic to see this portrayed on the big screen!

  • @BlastBeatSz
    @BlastBeatSz7 ай бұрын

    Amazing content, I can't believe I just discovered your channel, but im so happy I did! Please keep up the fantastic content!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you and welcome to the channel!! Just back from a week filming in the Ardennes so lots of Battle of the Bulge episodes to come (just need to edit the hours of footage!). I also have a special on my favourite war movie coming out in January which I hope you’ll enjoy too!

  • @scottspy
    @scottspy4 ай бұрын

    I've always been fascinated by this story, it has a little bit of everything. Seems like the screenplay could write itself and someone like George Clooney would be perfect to make it into a film. I am really surprised it hasn't been made into a movie, surely Netflix has the budget. If not a movie, It would make a good 4 part limited series.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    4 ай бұрын

    Completely agree! Literally something in it for everyone and the real moral dilemmas of the bad guys realising everything they’ve been fighting for is a lie and to do the right thing etc is 100% the stuff of Hollywood gold! And love your idea of a series about it on Netflix, that would be amazing!

  • @jowsullivan9116
    @jowsullivan9116 Жыл бұрын

    I can't get enough of your channel!!!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so!

  • @kevgoeswandering8488
    @kevgoeswandering8488 Жыл бұрын

    Another fantastic historical piece, I am loving the content and channel, Thank you sir

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoy it! This one was a lot of fun to film and such an incredible story!

  • @jefsantamonica641
    @jefsantamonica641 Жыл бұрын

    Well Done! Thank you for this!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Always wanted to visit the place and properly document what happened there given how incredible the story is!

  • @jpmillman1
    @jpmillman14 ай бұрын

    Amazing story, would love to see a modern movie about it

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    4 ай бұрын

    Agreed! It would be epic to see it portrayed on the big screen! It’s defiantly so far fetched that it would work for a Hollywood production!

  • @JackTheSt_Ripper
    @JackTheSt_Ripper7 ай бұрын

    why this piece of history haven't been made into a series or a movie yet boggles my mind.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    7 ай бұрын

    It’s crazy isn’t it as it would be a great film! Thanks for watching.

  • @Tacitus_Kilgore1
    @Tacitus_Kilgore110 ай бұрын

    Discovered your channel about a week ago now and I must say, well done sir. Are you planning on doing more Canadian content? Information on the Scheldt battles are difficult to find but were of great importance. It's a shame that almost everything is from an American slant. Every one of the 1,000,000 plus Canadian men and women who served in WWII were all volunteers and played pivotal roles in many battles.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    10 ай бұрын

    Thank you and welcome to the channel! I have a lot more Canadian content planned for next year, I just have to juggle the trips to these incredible places with work etc but yes lots more Canadian content to follow!

  • @Tacitus_Kilgore1

    @Tacitus_Kilgore1

    10 ай бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder That is completely understandable. Thank you for your warm and gracious welcome. I am looking forward to all future episodes as I've almost gone through your library. Best wishes and thank you for honoring these men and women in a unique and informative way.🙏

  • @therealfronzilla
    @therealfronzilla8 ай бұрын

    I could swear there was a movie about this. Maybe I dreamed it 😅

  • @hibabe5038
    @hibabe503811 ай бұрын

    Your historical work is amazing and you tell an excellent true story .

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    Thank you! It’s incredible isn’t how these events unfolded just days before it was all over in Europe! Thanks for watching!

  • @darkvalebrewer93
    @darkvalebrewer93 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic telling of that battle dude, beautiful place

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Yes it stunning there, hard to believe what took place there all those years ago!

  • @marthaterhune9821
    @marthaterhune9821 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome. You are a great storyteller!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully shows a different side of the war that isn’t often covered! Thanks again for watching.

  • @cindyrussell7017
    @cindyrussell7017 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing video. I had not heard of this battle. Thank you

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! It’s quite the story isn’t it and one that should definitely be made into a movie! Thanks for watching!

  • @cindyrussell7017

    @cindyrussell7017

    Жыл бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder yes. It needs to be a movie. Put Where Eagles Dare to same.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    @@cindyrussell7017 absolutely!

  • @user-kp4ts4mc8l
    @user-kp4ts4mc8l11 ай бұрын

    Another excellent story. Well done

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    9 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @jmflyer55
    @jmflyer559 ай бұрын

    Another fantastic video! Thanks for sharing! New subscriber now.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    9 ай бұрын

    Thank you! And thank you for taking the time to watch, I really appreciate it. And hopefully one day Hollywood decided to turn this incredible story into a film!

  • @damijoseph
    @damijoseph Жыл бұрын

    Amazing video. Well done. 🎉

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!!

  • @petercarpenter2108
    @petercarpenter210811 ай бұрын

    Loving your channel 👍

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying it! Some interesting stuff lined up for the next few months 😉

  • @1psychofan
    @1psychofan Жыл бұрын

    Wow! I never heard this! Very great story-well told!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! It’s quite incredible isn’t it?! Hard to think that even after it was all over some were still so fanatical they’d launch an attack like that!

  • @1psychofan

    @1psychofan

    Жыл бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder right? Boggles the mind how some will fight to the absolute death to defend what, morally, is reprehensible!!! The depravity that humans can stoop to is shocking and the height to which we can soar is inspiring.

  • @richardwhalen4624
    @richardwhalen4624 Жыл бұрын

    Well done sir. You are a quality presenter of history!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so! I’m just grateful I can share my passion with so many likeminded people and hopefully bring these stories to life for future generations!

  • @TI4438
    @TI4438 Жыл бұрын

    Great vid on a hell of a story!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Amazing Hollywood hasn’t picked this up yet!

  • @TI4438

    @TI4438

    Жыл бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder I couldn't agree more.

  • @alanwilkinson9487
    @alanwilkinson948711 ай бұрын

    Rwally enjoyed that...thankyou...

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    No worries! Thank you for watching!

  • @kihot6201
    @kihot62018 ай бұрын

    Super history:)

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😃

  • @stevenrafters7817
    @stevenrafters7817 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing story i had heard before but not as thorough as this. Thanks for another excellent video

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Like you I’d seen other version but all done using random clips so I wanted to go and actually see the place! Thanks again for watching!

  • @jbrown7403
    @jbrown74037 ай бұрын

    The Last Battle by Stephen Harding is really good! Great to see your video after reading this fascinating story.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    7 ай бұрын

    I need to get a copy of his book as I’ve heard really good things about it!

  • @nexusgroupnxt
    @nexusgroupnxt Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video!! Im going to visit it one day. Have you been to wewelsburg?

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Not yet!

  • @jeepsblackpowderandlights4305
    @jeepsblackpowderandlights43056 ай бұрын

    im shocked there has been no movie made of this story

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    6 ай бұрын

    It would be great if Speilberg and Hanks picked this up as their next project as it's such an incredible story it needs to be adapted for the big screen!

  • @Gitarzan66
    @Gitarzan665 ай бұрын

    I was looking around to see if there are any movies about this. According to IMDB there is one in preproduction with a soundtrack by Sabaton. No actors listed yet. It's called "The Last Battle"

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    5 ай бұрын

    I’ve heard rumours about it to but I’m wondering if it’ll ever amount to anything. The song by Sabaton is great though and there other stuff is really cool too!

  • @frasercrane7587
    @frasercrane7587 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing story!!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Incredible isn't it! Definiley worthy of a film to be made about it! Thank you for watching!

  • @frasercrane7587

    @frasercrane7587

    Жыл бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder definitely a film.

  • @timstickler4877
    @timstickler487711 ай бұрын

    Hollywood needs to make a movie about this little known battle. Great story.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    I’d love it if they did! It would be a real hit given how incredible the actual events were! Thank you for watching!

  • @dodjerr53

    @dodjerr53

    4 ай бұрын

    Hollywood would rather make another episode of Batman than make a film actually worth watching

  • @marcoschwarz3763
    @marcoschwarz3763 Жыл бұрын

    I am obviously familiar with this story and it is good that you told it.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! It’s such an incredible one and proves that no matter what, good people can do the right thing! Also a stunning part of Austria so it was a great time filming there! Thanks again for watching!

  • @michaelegert1284
    @michaelegert128411 ай бұрын

    What a crazy story

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    It’s incredible isn’t it! If we didn’t know better I’d 100% believe it was a fictional story!

  • @lappin6482
    @lappin6482 Жыл бұрын

    what an amazing story 👏

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Incredible isn’t it! Thank you for watching.

  • @budwickman446
    @budwickman44611 ай бұрын

    That story is what great movies are made of !

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    It would be amazing wouldn’t it to see it on the big screen!

  • @Dexsting
    @Dexsting11 ай бұрын

    Why no movie from this amazing story@!

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    One definitely needs to be made doesn’t it! It would be epic to see it on the big screen

  • @Dontwlookatthis
    @Dontwlookatthis Жыл бұрын

    Hi John, not commenting on this story, cause I haven't watched it yet but I wanted to tell you that I have been looking like crazy for a new KZread video of a replica Tiger Tank which is superb, not like the others where a Russian tank has just been dressed up to look like a Tiger and you can see the turret is too far forward, and that the drive for the tracks is at the rear. This is new and a guy figured out how to take the T series tank and reverse the engine and drive train and gear box so that the drive sprocket is at the front, the turret is moved more toward the center, giving plenty of room for the driver and radio operator hatches to not be bunched up too close to the turret or front glacis plate. I saw a short video of it driving and while overall it looks quite close to the real thing, it lacks a lot of detail. You are familiar with the Aluminum Tiger built entirely by some Russian enthusiasts which was supposed to be for the science fiction war movie The White Tiger. They ran into trouble and so it wasn't used, and now some rich guy bought it and improved on it so that there is allegedly no way to tell it from a real Tiger E other than thumping it and hearing the aluminum.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh wow! I’ll have a look for that. It would be good to see it utilised by Hollywood if ever required as the mock-up made for Saving Private Ryan looked so so, but too many issues such as the open drivers port - although the effect on the screen looked good I suppose! Next challenge would be for them to make a King Tiger!!!

  • @Dontwlookatthis

    @Dontwlookatthis

    Жыл бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder I just saw a trailer for a new movie that for me is a must see! I imagine the same is true for you! kzread.info/dash/bejne/loKL0pqEoZiwl6w.html

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    I saw this the other day and it’s looks great! Plus Michael Caine is a legend so will definitely be going to see this when it’s out! Thank you!

  • @Dontwlookatthis

    @Dontwlookatthis

    Жыл бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder Caine is one of the all time greats and has always done an outstanding job, from The Battle of Britain to Second Hand Lions and everything else Ive seen him in, (too many for me to remember the names of them all) his characters are able to compel the viewer to like him.

  • @michelvandyck8589
    @michelvandyck8589 Жыл бұрын

    Sure this isn't a Hollywood plot? What an amazing story.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Incredible isn’t it! I have heard it may be turned into a film which would be amazing if they did! Thank you for watching!

  • @Pandrnchicken
    @Pandrnchicken Жыл бұрын

    Is this the blocked one?

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes sir! Finally released by the YT guards!

  • @paulbrennan3996
    @paulbrennan399611 ай бұрын

    First 🥇 class story Never heard of it when an enemy joins forces for the good and right reasons knowing that a cause was hidious. Respect to the German officer for for helping and doing the right thing pleased he is remembered. Should be made into a 📽️🎥 film

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    11 ай бұрын

    It really is isn’t it! Hard to fathom those events took place especially that close to the end of the war. Major Gangl certainly seemed to be a decent man, just on the wrong side. Hopefully one day someone from Hollywood will commission the movie as it would be amazing to see on the big screen! Thank you for watching!

  • @paulbrennan3996

    @paulbrennan3996

    11 ай бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder I have always been interested in World 🌎 War 2 it was a bad time but fascinating also some German's in pockets in the Woods held out after the War was over probably a lot of people don't know that i didn't until a month ago keep up the good work 🙏🤝

  • @paulbrennan3996

    @paulbrennan3996

    11 ай бұрын

    @@WW2Wayfinder like you say pleased the German officer is remembered like Field marshall Rommel a good German officer's fighting on the wrong side 🙏🤝

  • @matthewwilkes8054
    @matthewwilkes80548 ай бұрын

    Shame they kept fighting....

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    8 ай бұрын

    It’s incredible isn’t it. That level of fanaticism that late in the war!

  • @adajohnson0410
    @adajohnson04106 ай бұрын

    5 of may ve day just around the corner 1945 solider of the third Reich

  • @dodjerr53
    @dodjerr534 ай бұрын

    Yeah this is a great story and could become a great move if only someone had the ability to make it. Instead of the garbage that comes out of Hollywood lately.

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    4 ай бұрын

    Absolutely! It’s definitely a story that needs to be told and would look amazing on the big screen!

  • @steveb5341
    @steveb5341 Жыл бұрын

    Superb vid mate! One I had not heard of before 👏🏻🪖

  • @WW2Wayfinder

    @WW2Wayfinder

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed it! It’s crazy that it receives such little attention in real terms given how crazy a situation it was!