As a footnote: I once read a book on the Doolittle Raid in which the author commented that James Doolittle’s family name was somewhat ironic because, on the contrary to “doing little,” the man was actually a powerhouse with a long list of accomplishments in various aviation-related fields, both theoretical and applied. He was, among other things, a test pilot and an aeronautical engineer, a record-setter and a prize winner, with many of these accomplishments pre-dating the outbreak of WWII in 1939 (at which time he was a reserve officer in the Air Corps, having resigned his regular commission in 1930; he returned to active duty in the Air Corps in 1940). WWII added more items to his C.V., the Doolittle Raid being the most famous example but by no means the only one.
The last battle
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Has anyone read this book or know anything about the actual battle?
Here is an interview from the Author Stephen Harding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un2aEXwh720 -
Should be a movie for sure.
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I just read a whole bunch more on this…
This story is incredible!
Wehrmacht Troops alongside American Tankers, American Black Soldiers, and Armed French Prisoners of the noble variety, held up in a castle against a horde of oncoming SS troops, determined to follow Himmler’s last orders and kill everyone last one of the castles defenders.
During the climax of the story, the combat becomes medieval with the German/American force falling back to the keep, whilst SS crack troops smash down the gate, and castle walls, using an 88mm.
Epic.
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For more details read this
http://www.historynet.com/the-battle-for-castle-itter.htm
The battle for castle Itter
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That was a fantastic read Garg, thank you.
And thank you Gliven for bringing it to our attention.I love castles and all things medieval; of course here on the border with Wales we have countless ones.
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Amazing Story! Like IL said, this should be a movie!
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Epic!
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Fascinating story and well-written article. I especially like the line “The destruction of Besotten Jenny signaled the start of a general attack.”
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I am surprised the battle for Castle Itter isn’t as well known as it should be, just because of how strange and awesome it was. I was looking at articles in flipboard on my phone about a week and a half ago, and " The Last Battle" came up. I’m considering getting the book. I would love to see this in a movie, or play out that scenario in a FPS like call of duty or RTS like Men of War.
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Gar &Others,
For more details read this
http://www.historynet.com/the-battle-for-castle-itter.htm
The battle for castle Itter––Thanks for the link. What a fascinating story,…and I agree,…it would make an incredible movie that I certainly would go to see, perhaps more than once. As I’ve been a subscriber to WW2 magazine for a long time I’d already read this, but was glad to re-read the entire article. I guess this is one of those times where “fact is stranger than fiction”.
“Tall Paul”
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Guys,
––I just went on Amazon and bought the e-book. I’ll be reading it soon! Under the reviews section it said that the book had already been optioned and a movie screenplay written. I truly hope this story makes it into theaters before too long.
“Tall Paul”
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The Last Battle I am familiar with was written by Cornelius Ryan who also wrote A Bridge Too Far and The Longest Day. I read the Last Battle twice it was a fantastic read. All of it is actual accounts of people from generals,civilians and soldiers who were somehow involved in the Battle for Berlin. Check it out guys you will love it.
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The Last Battle I am familiar with was written by Cornelius Ryan who also wrote A Bridge Too Far and The Longest Day. I read the Last Battle twice it was a fantastic read. All of it is actual accounts of people from generals,civilians and soldiers who were somehow involved in the Battle for Berlin. Check it out guys you will love it.
Me too…thought that’s what this topic was about. A great read…I like it better than The Longest Day and A Bridge Too Far in many ways (although I think ABTF is my favorite overall of the 3), and it was an appropriate conclusion to the European theater. Freaking scary thinking about being a German in Berlin at that time, though.
Garg’s link was also incredibly interesting, I’m not familiar with this battle. I know castles did play a small role in WW2, though.
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