Cate Lineberry

Recently, I have been tapping into previously untold stories about World War II. These stories have provided another glimpse into a horrific war. However, these stories have shown bravery, compassion, and a better side of humanity. The Secret Rescue: An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines by Cate Lineberry is one of those stories. I found the book in Bernadette’s collection of books. It was an interesting story. I can’t even begin to imagine what they went through. Read more… (mere)

On November 8, 1943, a plane filled with 13 US female Army nurses, 13 Army Medics and four flight crew was blown off course and crashed in German occupied Albania. From then until they were rescued and brought back to Italy by boat on January 9, they were constantly on the run from the Germans and at times some of the partisan groups who were conducting there own civil war at the time. With the assistance of Albanian partisans and villagers, they were fed and led across mountains often in heavy rain and snow by men who risked their own lives to help.

During one German raid on a village, three of the nurses became separated from the main group and spent another three months on the run by themselves. Again Albania men & women risked certain torture and death by helping these three get to sea where British & American special force personnel would get them back to Italy.

This story was not revealed at the time to ensure the safety of the Albanians and Allied personnel still in Albania at the time. After the war, the situation in Albania was not positive and eventually officials forgot about it. Recently one of the people published their recollections and the author of this book heard about it and did more research which led to this very readable volume. It definitely reads like an adventure novel so it is difficult to put down.… (mere)