Just imagine Mark Felton being in charge of History Channel...

"... didn't get along with the French leaders at all." I am *shocked*

"I want to storm a castle." "Okay fine, but movie laws dictate you need to have a motley crew."

The castle was "handed over to the SS in 1940". That seems a polite way to put it.

Strange, or perhaps more accurately humanitarian, things often happen in war. During Operation Market Garden the British and Polish paratroopers at Arnhem were cut off, surrounded and taking heavy casualties. They had set up an aid station in the basement of a hotel to care for the wounded, but artillery fire from the Germans set the upper floors of the hotel on fire. Due to the heavy volume of German fire evacuating the wounded from the burning building was not possible. The British commander sent a message under a flag of truce to the German commander explaining the situation and requesting a temporary cease fire so the helpless wounded could be rescued from the burning building. Not only did the German commander agree to the cease fire, but a large number of German soldiers laid down their weapons and crossed into the British lines unarmed to assist with the rescue of the wounded. (Reference Cornelius Ryan's "A Bridge Too Far".) War destroys many things, but it does not always destroy the basic goodness of human nature that most people possess. JMHO.

The French don't get along with the guy who has come at the risk of his life to save them. Why is that not a surprise?

At last. My favourite historian. My favourite event in history.

being dyslexic i read this as 'the battle of cat litter'

"Ghost Riders" is an amazing book that tells an amazing story. Everyone that fancies himself as a WWII historian should read it.

Major Josef Gangl died saving a life of former Prime Minister Renault

The French were underwhelmed by the size of the rescue force. The French did not get along with Lee. Why am I not surprised, so very.... French.

US soldiers white and african american team up with german army soldiers to fight the SS to rescue Degaulles sister...wow the makings of a movie

"available in all good book shops" spoken like a true chad

Boche Buster has got to be one of the best WW2 tank names I've heard.

I think Capt. John Lee Jr. said it best when late in his life a reporter asked him how he felt about the battle: "Well, it was just the damnedest thing."

American troops, and the german army Joining together at last

French, Czech, German, Austrians and Americans fighting together against the SS... Awesome story and the fact the americans have joined forces with over half of europe at some point in history is something most never think about

Love that french attitude...probably complaining the whole time.

"It's the end of the line of the final journey Enemies leaving the past And it's American troops and the German army Joining together at last"

Yes that right, capturing tennis champions. Real shows how much the Germans valued tennis

Leave it to the French to be disappointed by a rescue attempt. At least someone came, being underwhelmed and not getting along with the person who came to rescue you.

My great grandfather was a medic in the 409th Infantry Regiment for their entire trek across Western & Central Europe from November 1944 - May 1945. He was there at Innsbruck. Thank you so much for talking about the 103rd I.D. “Cactus Division”.

You could say they fought to the b**itter** end. Ok ok i'll leave

What about the SS hauptsturmfuhrer Schrader who was also at the castle, he was befriended by the French prisoners and stayed behind when the rest of the SS Left.

[Sabaton intensifies] It’s American troops and the German Army, coming together at last.

The world would be a better place if people cooperated with each other.

I’m so glad you covered this story, it’s truly one of the most peculiar story of the war.

Someone: Endgame was the coolest crossover in history! Me:

Excellent. Other KZfaq historians should take a lesson from Mark Felton. Short, concise, fascinating from beginning to end. No fluff, no nonsense; just to the point and accurate.

Who dislikes this videos? Like mark makes educational videos and talks about things that are obscure and it’s entertaining. I just don’t get what there is to dislike about his videos

I heard they are making *a damn fine good movie* about this _incident_ btw, still stuck through "development" but looking forward to it soon. 🤔

This should be turned into a movie

Mark needs his own show on tv, this is so much better content than history channel

An it's the end of the line of the final journey Enemies leaving the past And it's American troops and the German army Joining together at last

Never thought Mr. Felton would do so much American content on WW2, but I appreciate it and I’m here for it!

Neat story. Not just that the Wermacht forces helped, but that the US forces accepted it.

Was just going to say what Mr. Knoppik said. With so many historical and perhaps eccentric French personalities and such a diverse rescue force, it begs to be made into a movie.

How has this not been made into a movie?

Good guys come in many different colors and shapes, and from every country on earth. This really would make a fine film. The story is one of men making a stand against evil - always a great story.

Amazing story. I’ve always found it very sad that Gangl did not survive. He seems like he would have been a great asset to post war Germany.

This is my favorite battle of ww2. I don’t know how it hasn’t been made into a movie yet

Wait, wasn't there also an SS Officer who defected aswell?

Drew Castle Itter for my GCSE art work last year

This is one of the strangest battles of WW2

I'm only 23 and love all these videos about WW2 and learning about the war, I wish there was a career I could take regarding it nothing in my life I've learned more about including English and maths my friends think it's weird my hobby is studying WW2 but honestly it's amazing

Let me see if I have this correct. Men from America, Russia and Germany fought together and risked their lives for........horses. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

Gotta thank simple history for originally teaching me about this event.

Watching this wile on the train from innsbruck to Graz. It's passing through wörgl and Kufstein. Crazy to think how things were back then and what people were doing to each other.

American troops and the German Army, fighting together at last!

i hope you make a video about the thing you said in Czechoslovakia where the US Army, German Werchmant & Soviet Cossack join forces against Waffen SS

5th of May, V-days just around the corner, 1945, the furhers reign is at its end, Jenny at the gates, as the SS open fire, There’s no time to waste, the final battles begun!

Another amazing story. I had no idea that these French dignitaries were prisoners of the SS, but It didn't surprise me that they didn't get on with their US/German rescuers as their reputation for snobbery and arrogance is well known. Incidentally, as my daughter works with racehorses and has an interest in WWII (I wonder where she got that from), your book Ghost Riders has solved my problem on what to buy her for Christmas. I just ordered it from Amazon.

Until sabaton no documentary told me germans and allies fought together

Oh, finally! Been waiting for this one.

I've waited so long for this! thank you

Hey Mark. Just wanted to let you know Geographics just made a copy of your video just one month after this was uploaded. Incredibly similar title and the information almost seems fetched from your video. Your stuff is 10 times better than his pseudo content. Keep up the great work Mark.

So many untold stories of incidents away from the main battles. Keep them coming Mark.

I was conceived in May 1945, and born in Dec. 1945, so yes, I am a 'celebration war baby'.......lol My parents were in the RAF and WRAF, Dad flying Wellington bombers, and Mother in code and cyphers. But can only sort of remember things from about 1949, then 1950's on wards...........still rationing back then.....:) Apart from that, another great story told by Mark, and long may he continue with his commentaries on (sometimes unknown) stories, which are to the point, and not fluffed out with waffle like some 'documentaries' on WWII.

5TH OF MAY, V DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. 1945 THE FURHERS REIGN IS AT ITS END

These are always interesting to watch

Sabaton made it popular and Mark provides the details!

It'll be fun to compare this with Indy's coverage of the event on Sabaton History/WW2 in Real Time when we get that far

I’ve been waiting for you to cover this! Any other Sabaton fans here?

Never fails... 95% of the stories, I've yet to have even heard of. Better than the History Channel of the early 1990's.

This is one of my main history channels now and I've been watching for about a week. All I can ask is just keep uploading regularly like you have been. Amazing work, well done.

Available in all good book shops....In other words screw the ones who wouldn't carry my book.

Imagine taking a College course with Mark as the Prof

I have been waiting so long for this

damn, another sick video dude. Glad to have a more in depth understanding of this incident.

Yes! Was waiting for this one!

This guy deserves his own TV show on primetime! Great job yet again Mark! You the 🐐

This MUST be made into a movie. Also ghost riders. That too needs to be a movie!

Really enjoyed this Mark! I will have to check out the rest of your videos. Loved the visuals along the with your concise history break down.

Hey Mark. I was wondering if you could do a video on the Hawaii Territorial Guard as it is a mostly forgotten part of the state’s history. In fact my great grandfather was apart of the Maui Volunteers which was apart of the Territorial Guard. Anyway thanks for another amazing video man!

You my friend, are officially my favorite history KZfaq channel. No words can say the amount of effort and devotion you put into your work.👍🏽💯

Neat to see this. My Dad was a combat engineer in the 12th Armored Division.....of which the 23rd Tank Battalion was a unit of. Dad was at Kufstein when this went down. That battle is often considered one of the last battles of the war with Germany.

Ok this is badass

THANK GOD SOME MEN STAND AND DO WHATS RIGHT.

Can't stress enough how much I love seeing your new videos pop up on my feed!

HERE IT IS! THE STORY THAT NEEDS A MOVIE! Thx Doc :D

Although I already knew a lot about this incident this is a classic story for this channel. I'm surprised it took Mark this long to review it. Never heard of Operation Cowboy though. Can't wait to read that!

Finally, been waiting for this one!

Mark Felton Productions MAKING HISTORY GREAT....AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOO! You finally did it I remember suggesting this months ago

And it's American Troops and the German Army, joining together at last !

I've heard of this story before, but no where near as well narrated and explained as Mark Felton productions has. Thanks for the hard work put in to these videos.

This story would make a great movie.

Well done, I’ve never heard of this event before see your video. Thanks for keeping history alive.

What an absolutely excellent mini documentary on a significant historical situation encapsulating so many incredible aspects that I wonder how it was that until now I had never heard of this! The events at that castle, especially the Nazi's whom changed sides and fought alongside US troops against their former comrades is utterly fascinating! Thank you for creating this compelling recounting of these events, and for mentioning your book which will be an excellent read and which I shall order.

This is a fantastic story, I never heard of this before. Why hasn't a movie been made of this? It would be a tense drama with the captives fearing for their lives and the mix of German and US forces.

Can’t believe the POWs were not nice to the GIs. I woulda left them there right then.

Love these anecdotes you don't find in most history documentaries painting the big picture. Keep it up !

This has been the best vid I’ve seen of this battle. Well done and keep the excellent work going 👍

Great content as always Mark Felton!

Been waiting for this one.

One always has the feeling of the truth while watching a Mark Felton video.

This story is a favourite for youtube videos, but it's wonderful to see Felton bring new aspects to the story through his research. Perhaps we can get one on the Colditz town battle and liberation of the castle?

I love your videos and how frequently you’re able to turn them out.

I would be willing to bet that the French prisoner's "issues" with the help that arrived had something to do with the fact that the Americans were accompanied by Wermacht soldiers.

Fascinating. So many stories nearly forgotten. I hope younger watches are inspired as to what 20 years old can do when under pressure.