Remembering the Noble Courage of Major Josef Sepp Gangl
Having long-pledged to “render unconditional obedience” to his commander-in-chief – Adolf Hitler – Bavarian-born major, Josef Sepp Gangl, was “quite ready and willing to fight and die” for his Führer…
During the six, brutal years he fought, Josef didn’t just follow his pledge to the letter but, by going above and beyond in almost every European theatre, he became one of the Wehrmacht’s most-highly decorated officers.
Yet, it was also amid the horrors of fighting, Josef was struck by a stark realization…
“There comes a point in a soldier’s life”, he realized, “when he has to put obedience to one side, and act upon what he knows is right.”
Josef’s defining turning point came in the dying days of Hitler’s Reich, when, while garrisoned in the Austrian city of Wörgl, he discovered the true and sinister purpose of a nearby medieval fortress…
Upon learning that “Schloss Itter” was operating as an "annex" of Dachau concentration camp that, in turn, was soon to be “liquidated” by the SS, Josef sprang into action to save its helpless inhabitants.
Knowing, however, his few remaining troops stood little if any chance of defeating the SS on their lonesome, he thus devised a plan of action that was unprecedented as it was daring…
Affixing a white flag of truce to his Kübelwagen, Josef made haste to American-held lines, where, on being intercepted by Captain John Lee Jr. of the 23rd Tank Battalion, he implored the New Yorker to help him liberate Castle Itter.
While “wary to trust a kraut”, Captain Lee couldn’t help but be “impressed” by Josef’s “straight-talking manner”; and so, decided to “gamble on the German...”
Forming an unlikely alliance, they combined their respective forces and, on reaching Castle Itter, remarkably unscathed, liberated its beleaguered French, Polish, and Russian captives.
No sooner had they freed them, though, the celebrated liberators found themselves in a desperate struggle for their own survival…
Attacked by nearly 200 elite SS Panzergrenadiers, on this day in 1945, the latter had Josef, Captain Lee, and their small band of brothers hopelessly outgunned and outnumbered; but, in no way were they going to lay down their arms and surrender…
Resisting with all the firepower they could muster, they not only held their ground until a US-led relief force arrived but, they even kept each and every one of their rescued prisoners alive.
Although Captain Lee was swiftly decorated for his “heroic gallantry”, sadly, the same cannot be said for his newfound “German buddy”…
Tragically, with Josef having sacrificed himself for another during the battle for Castle Itter, decades went by before his selfless heroism was recognized.
When his recognition was finally bestowed, the "noble Major" was hailed as “a man of honor, who led his men with unquestionable integrity…”
Indeed, “in striking contrast to those who followed their orders blindly, Major Josef Sepp Gangl had the courage to listen to the voice of humanity.”
Addendum 1: -
The man who attempted to “liquidate” Schloss Itter – SS-Oberführer Georg Bochmann.
Upon joining the SS in 1934, Bochmann volunteered for the newly-formed SS-Totenkopfverbände, or, “Death’s Head Units”, responsible for administering Hitler’s growing number of concentration camps.
Then tasked with creating and outfitting the 3rd Waffen-SS “Totenkopf” Panzer Division, the latter he fought with in France and the Soviet Union, before being evacuated, in late 1943, for wounds received during the fighting.
Returned to combat in January 1945, he was later appointed commander of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier "Götz von Berlichingen" Division, with whom, he launched his final operation of the war, when he led the 17th in the attack against Josef, Captain Lee Jr. and their small band of brothers.
When he and his panzergrenadiers suffered defeat, Bochmann fled into the surrounding mountains, where, after four days on the run, he was captured by American forces.
Despite remaining “unreservedly committed” to his “National Socialist convictions”, the unashamed colonel was exempted from the postwar “de-Nazification” process…
Living the rest of his life as a free man in West Germany, it was there, Bochmann died, aged 60, in 1973.
Addendum 2: -
Here, an MG42-wielding panzergrenadier of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier "Götz von Berlichingen" Division can be seen during the Battle of Normandy, in the summer of 1944.
Ultimately defeated by the US 101st Airborne Division in the Austrian town of Rottach-Egern, on May 6th, 1945, the Götz von Berlichingen was later found guilty of multiple war crimes.
Addendum 3: -
French General Maurice Gamelin, politician Michel Clemenceau, and former Prime Minister Paul Reynaud pose for a victory photograph with one of their American liberators.
Addendum 4: -
Among the French resistance fighters held as “high value” prisoners at Schloss Itter was this lady - Marie-Agnès de Gaulle – elder sister of Free French leader, General Charles de Gaulle.
Arrested with her husband, Alfred Cailliau, in 1943, Marie-Agnès and Alfred (seen in this photograph) were taken to the horrific confines of Fresnes prison in Paris.
Imprisoned there for more than a year, they were then deported to an “annex” of Buchenwald Concentration Camp, before ultimately being transported to Castle Itter.
Once there, SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler is said to have opened a line of communication with her brother, who, he hoped, would be receptive to exchanging Marie-Agnès and Alfred for German POWS.
Responding to Himmler’s proposal by telling him – “va te faire foutre !” – Marie-Agnès and Alfred thus had to wait for the arrival of Josef, Captain Lee, and their small band of brothers, in May 1945, to liberate them and their fellow prisoners.
Addendum 5: -
Among the sporting icons held as “high value” prisoners at Schloss Itter was this man – French tennis legend, Jean Borotra.
When Josef sacrificed his life to save Paul Reynaud’s, command and control within the castle began to crumble…
Not only was ammunition running low but, Captain Lee Jr. learned that then-Major John Theodore Kramers’ relief force was struggling to advance due to the unknown disposition of the attacking panzergrenadiers.
Realizing the severity of their situation, Jean thus volunteered himself to locate the relief force and, in turn, relay the safest route of approach to Castle Itter.
Scaling a near twenty-foot wall to reach the castle’s exterior, Jean stealthily ran the gauntlet of his SS pursuers to reach Major Kramer’s men, who, despite their urging that he remain in the rear, demanded a rifle so that he could join them in their relief mission.
Resuming his champion-winning tennis career at the war’s end, Jean played through until 1956, when he retired from the sport.
Later inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Jean was also honored with an Olympic Diploma of Merit and a Distinguished Service Award, before passing away, aged 95, in July 1994.
Addendum 6: -
The man who organized the relief of Schloss Itter – then-Major John Theodore Kramers.
Knowing that he lacked the manpower to launch a rescue mission, John conferred with fellow company and regimental commanders to build a hastily put-together relief force.
Spearheaded by soldiers of the 142nd Infantry Regiment, the latter made haste for Castle Itter, where, almost immediately upon arrival, they were joined by several Sherman tanks of the 753rd Tank Battalion…
Surrounding and promptly defeating the attacking SS Panzergrenadiers, Kramers and his comrades took more than 100 of them prisoner, before capturing the remaining 100 or so who fled into the surrounding mountains.
Concluding his military service as a highly distinguished Colonel, John enjoyed a successful post-war career as a highly respected stockbroker.
Retiring at the age of 86, the “humble hero” lived the rest of his days in Annville, Pennsylvania, where he passed away, aged 95, in December 2012.
Here, soldiers of the US 142nd Infantry can be seen during the battle to relieve Castle Itter, on this day, in 1945.
Addendum 7: -
Captain John Carey “Jack” Lee Jr. of the US 23rd Tank Battalion.
Described as “a tough and gritty soldier, with a penchant for booze and cigars”, Jack developed his “penchant” during the brutal fighting he saw in France…
From there, he led his company into the Austrian town of Kufstein, where, soon after they arrived, the sudden appearance of Josef in his Kübelwagen took them by surprise.
Upon agreeing to ally with Josef, Jack requisitioned 5 Sherman tanks; yet, was forced to abandon 4 of them when a bridge they encountered along the way to Schloss Itter proved too flimsy to cross.
Thus leaving him only with his own Sherman – “Besotten Jenny” – the latter went on to provide the crucial fire support the unlikely alliance needed to keep the SS at bay.
Although Jack lost both “Besotten Jenny” and his newfound “German buddy” during the battle for Castle Itter, all 14 of his tankmen survived.
Concluding his military service with a Silver Star and a Distinguished Service Cross to his name, sadly, Jack struggled throughout his post-war life.
Afflicted by the debilitating effects of PTSD, his “penchant for booze and cigars” turned into a devastating dependency, which, tragically, led to Jack’s early death, aged 54, in 1973.
Addendum 8: -
An M4A3E8 “Easy Eight” Sherman tank, similar to Captain Lee’s “Besotten Jenny”.
Addendum 9: -
A photograph illustrating the extensive damage wrought upon Schloss Itter by its SS attackers.
Addendum 10: -
A recent aerial photograph illustrating Schloss Itter and its surrounding mountains, fields, and forests.
Addendum 11: -
Josef (sitting second from right) as a young artilleryman of the prewar German Reichswehr.
From an early age, Josef aspired to become an officer in the German Army; yet, owing to the Treaty of Versailles – limiting the size of the post-war Reichswehr – was denied the opportunity to pursue officer training.
Thus joining as an enlisted man, in November 1928, he was subsequently assigned to Artillerieregiment 7, from where, he was later transferred to Artillerieregiment 5.
When the Reichswehr then became the Wehrmacht Heer, in March 1935, Josef was sent to the newly-formed Artillerieregiment 25, where, soon after winning promotion to Oberfeldwebel (Staff Sergeant), he finally won a coveted place to study at the Kriegsschule for his commission.
Addendum 12: -
Josef as a newly commissioned officer of the German Wehrmacht Heer.
Commissioned after Germany’s “Blitzkrieg” on Poland, in September 1939, Josef was then based in the Saarland.
There, he and his artillery regiment were tasked with repelling a potential invasion by the French, who, as anticipated, launched a limited offensive that saw them advance some five miles on German soil.
Wounded during the fighting, Josef was evacuated to a military hospital, where he remained until Germany invaded France.
Then given command of a reconnaissance unit, he fought with the latter through to the French capitulation, in June 1940.
A year later, he was assigned to Heeresgruppe Süd, with whom, he pushed deep into the Soviet Union.
Awarded the Iron Cross for his service with Army Group South, Josef was then transferred to the Western Front, where, serving as a commander of a Nebelwerfer (mortar) Brigade, he battled in Normandy and Caen, the Ardennes and Saarbrücken.
Bestowed the German Cross in Gold for his “repeated bravery” in Saarbrücken, he was then entrusted with defending the Austrian city of Wörgl against the fast-approaching Americans…
Little did his superiors know, however, Josef had already joined the Austrian resistance.
Addendum 13: -
Here, a Nebelwerfer (mortar) brigade, similar to the one Josef belonged to, can be seen preparing to fire their 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 multiple rocket launcher during the Battle of Normandy.
By the time Josef arrived in the Austrian city of Wörgl, all his launchers had been destroyed, and he was down to fewer than 30 men.
Determined not to lose any more of his comrades, he promised them, before setting off to liberate Schloss Itter:
“Ich werde dich am Leben erhalten.”
True to his word, pledging to keep them alive, each and every one of them survived.
Addendum 14: -
Two Austrian resistance fighters showcasing recently captured German weaponry.
Formed as early as 1934, the Austrian resistance comprised numerous underground groups and organizations, which, although split ideologically, all shared a common enemy in Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist regime.
All told, more than 100,000 Austrians are said to have served with those groups and organizations, both in passive and active capacities:
While some, for example, became “silent heroes”, helping Jewish families escape arrest and deportation to the gas chambers, others, like the “cell” Josef joined in the city of Wörgl, became masters of sabotage and subversion.
Of those who fought, no fewer than 5,000 are believed to have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The fate of many more, however, remains unclarified.
Addendum 15: -
Former French Prime Minister, Edouard Daladier with Josef’s comrades of the Austrian resistance.
Liberated by Josef during the battle for Castle Itter, Daladier went on to express his great admiration for the “heroic Major…”
Indeed, speaking to a journalist shortly after his liberation, Daladier said:
“I admire the nobility of this man – this German – for whom, although the war was over, was willing to risk his life to save ours – French men and women – who, not so long ago, were his enemies."
Addendum 16: -
The man Josef sacrificed his own to save – Former Prime Minister of France, Paul Reynaud.
Although Josef ordered Prime Minister Reynaud and his fellow prisoners to seek shelter during the battle for Schloss Itter, both he and almost all of them were adamant that they’d play their part in its defense…
To that end, they armed themselves with weapons seized from Castle Itter’s armory, and, together, flocked to its walls in an attempt to thin the attacking SS panzergrenadiers.
In so doing, however, the Frenchman caught the attention of a German sharpshooter who, in turn, shot and killed Josef when he made a fearless dash to shield Reynaud from the sniper’s line of fire.
“Forever grateful” to Josef for his selfless sacrifice, Reynaud did everything within his post-war power to get the “noble German” recognized.
While, regrettably, the Premier didn’t live to see Josef’s posthumous recognition, his efforts, undoubtedly, proved crucial in ensuring that the “heroic Major” received the eventual honors he was bestowed.
Addendum 17: -
In 1948, the post-war French-occupation authorities in Tyrol unveiled this monument in blessed memory of “those who died for the freedom Austria”. Located on Eduard-Wallnöfer Square, in Innsbruck, Josef’s name is one of more than 100 that has been added to the “Befreiungsdenkmal” thus far.