Trapped Behind Nazi Lines

June 1, 2016

Gr 5 Up-Fans of survival stories and wartime thrillers will be immediately engaged by this tale. When their plane crashed deep in Nazi-occupied Albania, the members of the 807th were in very serious peril. Their spectacular crash drew attention from friends and foes alike, and unfortunately, as a squadron of nurses and medics, the 807th had virtually no weapons. With the help of Albanian rebels, the Americans were secreted away from the crash, then separated by a bombing strike, and finally led over treacherous mountain paths to rendezvous with British and American spies at the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Covered in lice, sick with dysentery, and walking uphill through blizzards, the 807th overcame insurmountable odds to make their escape to Italy and live to tell this gripping tale. The true story draws on primary sources (the autobiographies of members of the squadron) to create a tense wild-goose chase, with the threat of Nazis lurking behind every treeline. Better yet, this is a real World War II story that has not, before now, yet been adapted for young readers. Readers who love Scholastic's historical "I Survived" books will find this true story of escape truly amazing. VERDICT A very readable addition to World War II history collections.-Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI

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