Beyond The Call
The True Story of One World War II Pilot's Covert Mission to Rescue POWs on the Eastern Front
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4.7 • 75 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
This inspiring true story of veteran Air Force bomber pilot Robert Trimble, who laid his life on the line to rescue World War II POWs on the Eastern Front.
Near the end of World War II, thousands of Allied ex-prisoners of war were abandoned to wander the war-torn Eastern Front. With no food, shelter, or supplies, the POWs were an army of dying men. As the Red Army advanced across Poland, the Nazi prison camps were liberated. In defiance of humanity, the freed Allied prisoners were discarded without aid. The Soviets viewed POWs as cowards, and regarded all refugees as potential spies or partisans.
The United States repeatedly offered to help, but were refused. With relations between the Allies strained, a plan was conceived for an undercover rescue mission. In total secrecy, the OSS chose an obscure American air force detachment stationed at a Ukrainian airfield. The man they picked to undertake it was veteran 8th Air Force bomber pilot Captain Robert Trimble.
With little covert training, Trimble took the mission. He would survive by wit, courage, and determination. This is the compelling, true story of an American hero who risked everything to bring his fellow soldiers home to safety and freedom.
INCLUDES PHOTOS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This unusual WWII narrative takes the reader into the top-secret world of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the uncomfortable alliance between the United States and Soviet Union under Stalin. The book's core is the story of Captain Robert Trimble, as told by his son, Lee, who recorded his father's story and then researched its context. Cpt. Trimble was a decorated combat pilot lured into participating in a top secret OSS mission to bring home POWs who had been lost behind Soviet lines without food, medical assistance, official papers (or status among millions of refugees), and hunted by the Soviet Secret Police, the NKVD. Over several months behind Soviet lines, Cpt. Trimble witnessed some of the worst of war's horrors, but also contributed to one of the war's most satisfying missions, returning liberated people to freedom. His greatest accomplishment was the rescue of over 400 French female forced laborers who were trapped behind Soviet lines. It is an inspiring read and well-researched, to boot; Trimble's story shows that even in a great global war, one regular soldier can make a difference.
Customer Reviews
Beyond the Call
As a fellow kid from Penna I truly felt the emotional ties to the RR and the innocent early days of growing up there. Then jumping headlong into another world of unimaginable hatred between mankind.
A Fascinating True Story
I loved reading the story of how Robert Trimble served our country during World War II. I had no knowledge of the brutal treatment by the Russians of the liberated Jews, Poles, and especially the Russian POW's. This would make a great movie.
Beyond The Call
Very well done.