What the German Major Said When He Asked the Americans for Help

May 5, 1945. Austria. As the sun rose over the Tullian Alps, the war in Europe was nearing its end. Hitler was dead, and the German army was surrendering in waves. Yet, at Castle Schloß, a medieval fortress perched on a hill, an extraordinary scene unfolded—one that would become a remarkable chapter in the annals of World War II.

If you had looked through binoculars that day, you would have witnessed something unbelievable: American soldiers firing their machine guns alongside German soldiers, not as captives but as armed allies. They were shoulder to shoulder, fighting against a common enemy—the Waffen-SS, a fanatical division intent on slaughtering the valuable prisoners inside the castle.

The Context of Conflict

To understand why this peculiar alliance formed, we must first consider who was inside the castle. Schloß was not a typical prison; it was a luxury cage for high-profile French prisoners—men who had once wielded power in France. Among them were Édouard Daladier, Paul Reynaud, General Maxime Weygand, and even Jean Borotra, a celebrated tennis star. These men, who had once been enemies of the Nazis, now found themselves united by their shared predicament.

As May 1945 approached, the SS guards grew increasingly anxious. Their commander, Sebastian Vimemer, realized the war was lost. He understood that if the Americans found him, he would be arrested. But he also had orders from Himmler: no prisoner must leave alive. On May 4th, facing the advancing American lines, Vimemer made a fateful choice—he fled, abandoning his posts and leaving the French VIPs unguarded yet trapped.

The castle was surrounded by woods filled with the 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division, diehard Nazis executing anyone attempting to surrender. The French prisoners, now armed with weapons left behind by the fleeing guards, were not soldiers and needed help.

A Call for Help

A few miles away in the town of Veral, Major Joseph Gangal, a Wehrmacht officer, was grappling with his own challenges. A decorated soldier who had fought bravely on the Eastern Front, Gangal was secretly anti-Nazi and had been aiding the Austrian resistance. He knew the SS planned to blow up the town’s bridges and fight to the death. Gangal wanted to save both the town and his men, but he needed someone to surrender to.

When a messenger—a Czech cook—arrived on a bicycle through the SS lines, he brought urgent news: the French leaders were trapped, and the SS was coming to kill them. Gangal faced a dilemma. He couldn’t fight the SS alone; he didn’t have enough men. But he couldn’t let the SS murder the French VIPs. It would be a stain on Germany’s honor.

In a desperate move, Gangal grabbed a white flag, jumped into his Kubelwagen, and drove toward the American lines, not seeking a fight but looking for an ally.

The Meeting of Enemies

Eight miles away, Captain John “Jack” Lee of the US 12th Armored Division was resting with his men when he spotted the German car approaching with a white flag. Lee, a tough, cigar-chomping commander, initially reached for his pistol, but the German officer didn’t shoot. Instead, he saluted.

It was Major Gangal. As he explained the dire situation in broken English, Lee weighed the risks. A German officer asking for help could easily be a trap, but Lee was a gambler. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to take a chance. “All right, Fritz, let’s go get him,” he said, radioing his headquarters to request a rescue mission to Castle Schloß.

The Unconventional Convoy

With a small force—two tanks, seven infantrymen, and Gangal’s truckload of Wehrmacht soldiers—Lee set off toward the castle. It was an unusual convoy: an American tank leading a German truck into SS territory.

As they approached the castle, they encountered SS roadblocks. The Besotten Jenny blasted through them, and the German soldiers in the truck fired their Mauser rifles at the SS. They fought their way to the castle gates, where the French VIPs awaited their rescue, confused but hopeful.

The Battle Begins

The situation quickly escalated. The SS, numbering around 150 men from the 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division, arrived with heavy artillery. Captain Lee positioned his tank at the main gate and ordered his men to prepare for battle. The defenders—now a mix of American soldiers and German troops—were outnumbered and outgunned.

As the SS launched their assault, the air filled with gunfire. The French leaders, to their credit, did not cower. They grabbed rifles and joined the fight, determined to defend their lives. But the SS had bigger weapons, including an 88 mm anti-tank gun, which they aimed at the gate and the Besotten Jenny. The shell hit the tank, causing it to burst into flames, leaving the defenders with only rifles against an army.

A Heroic Sacrifice

Hours passed, and the defenders began to run low on ammunition. The SS were closing in, preparing for a final assault. In the chaos, Major Gangal, trying to protect a French Prime Minister, was struck by a sniper bullet and fell, sacrificing himself to save a fellow officer. His death marked a tragic turning point in the battle.

As the siege continued, it seemed that all hope was lost. But then, just as the SS prepared to storm the castle, the sound of engines filled the air. American reinforcements had arrived, led by the 142nd Infantry Regiment. They opened fire on the SS troops, forcing them to retreat.

The Aftermath

The battle ended with the successful rescue of the French VIPs. Captain Lee received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery, while Major Gangal was buried in Veral, remembered as a hero who fought against the Nazis.

This remarkable event stands as a testament to the complexities of human relationships during wartime. It was a rare instance where enemies became allies, united against a common foe.

Conclusion

The story of the battle for Castle Schloß is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest hours of human conflict, compassion and courage can prevail. It illustrates that humanity can survive, even when the world seems consumed by hatred. Major Gangal’s sacrifice and Captain Lee’s willingness to trust an enemy highlight the potential for kindness amidst chaos.

As the dust settled after the war, the memory of that strange alliance would linger, a testament to the fact that even in the worst of times, the bonds forged in the heat of battle can transcend the divisions that once seemed insurmountable. This battle, though small in the grand scope of the war, proved that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, light can shine through, reminding us of our shared humanity.