Strangest Battle
When Americans and Nazis fought side by side
1st Edition
Published on 7. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
108 pages
978-3-565-22741-9 (ISBN)
Unfortunately, price unknown
No shipping information available
Description
"The Strangest Battle - When Americans and Nazis fought side by side" recounts the events of May 5, 1945, arguably the weirdest battle of World War II. At Castle Itter in Austria, the SS was holding high-profile French prisoners, including former prime ministers and tennis star Jean Borotra.
Historian James O'Connor details the unlikely alliance that formed to save them. An American tank crew led by Captain Jack Lee joined forces with anti-Nazi Wehrmacht soldiers led by Major Josef Gangl. Together, Americans, Germans, and the French prisoners defended the castle against an attack by the 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division.
"The Strangest Battle" explores honor amidst chaos. It is the only time in the war that Germans and Americans fought as allies, and the only time a Wehrmacht officer (Gangl) died saving an American. A story that proves truth is stranger than fiction.