Book excerpt: In the final hours of World War II in Europe, stately Itter Castle in Austria was defended by a handful of U.S. Army and German Wehrmacht troops who joined forces in an attempt to hold off a division of battle-hardened Waffen-SS intent on assassinating all the French VIP prisoners being held there. Included were two former Prime Ministers, two retired Commanders-in-Chief of the Army, the sister of Charles de Gaulle, a renowned labor leader, the head of the right-wing political party, and a former tennis champion. The small contingent of Allies were able to hold their ground until they were down to a precious few rounds of ammunition. They were preparing to sacrifice their lives in medieval-style hand-to-hand combat.