• The Secret Rescue

  • An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines
  • By: Cate Lineberry
  • Narrated by: Erin Bennett
  • Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (94 ratings)

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The Secret Rescue  By  cover art

The Secret Rescue

By: Cate Lineberry
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
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Publisher's summary

The compelling untold story of a group of stranded U.S. Army nurses and medics fighting to escape Nazi-occupied Europe.

When 26 Army nurses and medics - part of the 807th Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron - boarded a cargo plane for transport in November 1943, they never anticipated the crash landing in Nazi-occupied Albania that would lead to their months-long struggle for survival. A drama that captured the attention of the American public, the group and its flight crew dodged bullets and battled blinding winter storms as they climbed mountains and fought to survive, aided by courageous villagers who risked death at Nazi hands to help them.

A mesmerizing tale of the courage and heroism of ordinary people, The Secret Rescue tells not only a new story of struggle and endurance, but also one of the daring rescue attempts by clandestine American and British organizations amid the tumultuous landscape of the war.

©2013 Cate Lineberry (P)2013 Hachette Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"Cate Lineberry has unearthed a little-known episode of World War II that has all the elements of a classic escape adventure. Carefully researched and compellingly told, The Secret Rescue is a suspenseful story of courage, audacity, and endurance behind enemy lines. I couldn't stop reading it." (Gary Krist)
" The Secret Rescue is narrative history at its best. Cate Lineberry uncovers a fascinating, long-forgotten drama that captured the world's attention during the darkest days of World War II and transforms it into a gripping story of courage under fire." (Daniel Stashower)

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What listeners say about The Secret Rescue

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well-told story of a WWII rescue

This book was obviously very well researched. I listened with my driving companion while traveling on a long car trip and we both enjoyed it very much. I was expecting more suspense, although suspense did build somewhat toward the end. I expected it to be more like "Unbroken," than it turned out to be, but it was still a story that begged to be told. It is hard to imagine how ordinary people can endure so much---It makes me think that Tom Brokaw was right about the greatest generation. WWII history buffs should not miss this book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Incomplete

The author specifies in the preamble of the book that there is an accompanying PDF, no PDF is available from Audible.

This is a well researched, thoughtful and interesting account of the hardships escaping a forced landing in Axis and opposing local militia faction controlled Albania by 13 female evacuation nurses, 13 male medics and a flight crew of 4; and, of their arduous overland journey to freedom during the Second World War.

Military historians might not be the audience; however, the insight into the inexperience and naiveté of these brave people illustrate how members of the military were pushed into situations that they were neither supplied or prepared properly for.

As this tale unwinds it is severely hampered by the lack of maps, illustration and photographs in that missing PDF.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Me
  • 06-18-14

Amazing story untold for so long

If you could sum up The Secret Rescue in three words, what would they be?

Amazing Military Medical

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Rescue?

The coming together of all the characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

The US being told they were alive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

EXTREME PRIDE for our early Med Corp personnel.

Any additional comments?

WOW I had no idea about this story. I'd like to see more of this genre. I kept going back to hear parts of the story I just listened to so I could continue to see that picture in my head. I actually have recommended it to other women.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Awesome story of survival and perseverance from personnel not normally expected to survive in such harsh conditions. Inspiring story and important historical account.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

interesting history

This information was very interesting. The author chronicled it very well in his book, sharing the experiences with interest. A very good book to listen to.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great tale of WWII Endurance

I had not even heard of this story of courage, Chutzpah, and endurance in really, really tough conditions exhibited by US Soldiers and Nurses who had to evacuate a downed plane in Nazi-occupied Albania. A lot of Americans forget that there was a lot of fighting in the Balkans during the Second World War. As a military vet and an RN, I found this book by Cate Linberry to be totally engrossing.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

secret rescue

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

this was written more for a young adult audience. it comes across very immature. also the author puts in one liners about things or what people said and it comes off very poorly and no one cares....

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

not much but the narrator talked liked she was dealing with a young audience also but it was most likely the material

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I am a distant relative of William Eldridge.

 Rosalyn Timberlake my great aunt on my father side was married to Bill Eldridge. I find the part about him, taking the rock humorous because majority of our family, loves rocks we collect them. I’m sure he meant no offense.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Time well spent

A very interesting insight into a
bit of history for me. I enjoy it immensely.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • J
  • 04-17-23

Very interesting story ruined by the narrator

I am not sure why narrators feel the need to take on accents. It is distracting, and most, like this one, aren’t great at them. Other than this, great story.

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