Amazing true story of US and German troops fighting together in 'last battle of WWII'

A new book details an amazing story of American and German soldiers fighting desperately, side-by-side, along with French politicians and even some of their wives, battling an elite SS unit sent to execute the politicians five days after Adolf Hitler had committed suicide.

The book, entitled "The Last Battle" gives a painstakingly-researched account that somehow hasn't made it on to the big screen, though it has all the elements of an incredible Hollywood epic while having the bonus of being a completely true story.

It began May 5, 1945, while a small detachment including three Sherman Tanks from the 23rd Tank Batallion of the US 12th Armored Division were assigned to guard an Austrian castle which housed French politicians who were prisoners of the Third Reich.

Units of the 17th Waffen-SS Panzer Grenadier Division arrived to recapture the castle and execute the French VIPs, which included two ex-Prime Ministers and two former Commanders-in-Chief of the French military.

The battle that resulted is the stuff of legends -- and any WWII buff is sure to enjoy the incredible story of GI's and Germans fighting side-by-side.

The French even stopped arguing long enough to jump into the fight to save their lives -- including Eduard Daladier, who was in his 70s at the time.

Read more about the book here.