
1 chapter • 3 scenes
May 1945, Austrian Alps. As the Third Reich crumbles, American soldiers and defecting Wehrmacht troops must overcome centuries of enmity to defend Castle Itter's French prisoners from a vengeful SS battalion in history's strangest battle.




Cobblestone yard enclosed by castle walls, now transformed into a makeshift command post. American and German soldiers share foxholes dug into ancient stone, their combined sandbag fortifications erasing national boundaries.

Medieval fortress perched on Alpine cliffs, stone walls scarred by centuries yet standing. Narrow windows overlook mountain passes where enemy forces gather, while the great hall's vaulted ceiling echoes with multiple languages spoken by unlikely allies.
The complete arc from bitter suspicion to hard-won alliance as American and German soldiers overcome hatred to defend Castle Itter's prisoners against the SS.
Jack Lee arrives at Castle Itter with orders to trust defecting Germans, confronts his hatred through the crucible of battle, and emerges with hard-won respect as the alliance triumphs over the SS.
Jack Lee's convoy arrives at Castle Itter on May 4, 1945, where he must confront his deep hatred when ordered to cooperate with Josef Gangl's defecting Wehrmacht soldiers.

SS forces attack at dawn on May 5, shattering the fragile alliance into immediate crisis where Jack and Josef must depend on each other's expertise to survive.

As the SS assault fails and prisoners walk free, Jack picks up Josef's Knight's Cross and finally allows himself to grieve for all victims of ideology.
