Schloss Itter - a photo on Flickriver

Schloss Itter

Itter (Austria) '24
Schloss Itter

First mentioned 1241, rebuilt 1878

Schloss Itter is one of the more unique locations in Austria. This castle was where the Nazis stuffed the imprisoned leaders of France (both those from the Republic and the military dictatorship that overthrew them, which must have made for fun relations) during the final years of the war, the region being isolated from any possible Allied invasion route. By May 1945 Hitler is dead and all of Germany (apart from a narrow strip in Kiel) is under Allied occupation and the Americans were pushing deep into Austria. The Nazis (being Nazis) refused to accept defeat even when nothing else was possible and instead focused on murdering as many people as possible to demonstrate their fanatical commitment as an example for future generations. This posed pretty obvious dangers to the French prisoners as they no longer had any use as hostages and were obvious targets for vengeance squads.

When the SS commander at Itter shot himself the SS abandoned the castle and the prisoners were somewhat awkwardly liberated but decidedly not safe. One of them was able to reach the Americans while another made contact with the Austrian resistance, now flush with German deserters. This was the start of one of the most interesting battles in the war. The American armored units weren't authorized for a rescue, yet clearly needed to take some action amidst the confusion. So they teamed up with surrendering Wehrmacht soldiers(!) to lead a quick relief mission to protect the prisoners. The tank positioned itself at the front gate to protect them from SS counterattack, while the Germans and Americans (plus, perhaps unwisely, the VIPs themselves at their own insistence) successfully repelled repeated SS attempts to storm the castle. This is one of two battles during the war where German and American soldiers fought side to side. It's really weird and quite cool.

The castle itself is privately owned and, while some limited tours are permitted on occasion, it is generally not accessible to the public. The area surrounding the castle is filled with trees now, which makes even spotting the castle difficult except by air. Fortunately, I had a drone, so these are some of the few photos you will find of the castle.

Taken in: Austria / Tyrol / Itter (show map)

Taken on: July 5, 2024

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Sets appears in: • Europe • Austria more » • Castles & City Walls • Schöne Deutschland 2024 « less

Groups appears in: • Castles of Europe • WW II more » • Austria • This Is Europe • Tiny little slice of history • Tyrol-Austria / The heart of our beautiful world • German Castles • Le Alpi - The Alps - Les Alpes • Austria/Oberösterreich • landscape austria • Castles / Châteaux / Schlösser / Castillos / Castelli • Alpine Landscapes • Castles and Churches • Amazing Europe • Landscapes of the World • german landscapes • Castles • Images of World War Two • Forts-Fortresses-Kremlins-Schloss-Castles & Strongholds • The Second World War • Medieval castles, fortresses and castles • History Lovers • Wonderful Europe • Second World War • -AUSTRIA- • World wars • Drone Photography • Castles, Churches, Palaces and Cathedrals • Drone Photos • Drones - QuadCopter - Multirotors ... around the world • DJI world • DJI Worldwide • Shot On Drone • WORLD OF DRONES. • IDYLLIC LANDSCAPES OF THE WORLD.PAISAJES IDILICOS DEL MUNDO. • DJI Shots • (A) BEAUTIFUL HISTORY • DRONE LANDSCAPE • DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro • DJI Mini 3 PRO • Castles, Towers, Chateau, Auberge and Bastions (no 30/60 rule) • DJI MINI 3 PRO images • Best Landscape Shots « less

Camera: DJI FC3582, f/1.7, 1/1600 sec, 6.7mm, ISO 140 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	DJI FC3582
Lens:	6.7 mm f/1.7
Aperture:	f/1.7
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1600)
Focal Length:	6.7mm
ISO:	140
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Average
White Balance:	Auto
Light Source:	Cloudy
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 14.0.1 (Windows)
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