Sons and Soldiers

The Untold Story of the Jews Who Escaped the Nazis and Returned With the U.S. Army to Fight Hitler

By: Bruce Henderson

Narrated by: Brett Barry

Joining the ranks of Unbroken, Band of Brothers, and Boys in the Boat, the little-known saga of young German Jews, dubbed The Ritchie Boys, who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, came of age in America, and returned to Europe at enormous personal risk as members of the U.S. Army to play a key role in the Allied victory.

In 1942, the U.S. Army unleashed one of its greatest secret weapons in the battle to defeat Adolf Hitler: training nearly 2,000 German-born Jews in special interrogation techniques and making use of their mastery of the German language, history, and customs. Known as the Ritchie Boys, they were sent in small, elite teams to join every major combat unit in Europe, where they interrogated German POWs and gathered crucial intelligence that saved American lives and helped win the war.

Though they knew what the Nazis would do to them if they were captured, the Ritchie Boys eagerly joined the fight to defeat Hitler. As they did, many of them did not know the fates of their own families left behind in occupied Europe. Taking part in every major campaign in Europe, they collected key tactical intelligence on enemy strength, troop and armored movements, and defensive positions. A postwar Army report found that more than sixty percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe came from the Ritchie Boys.

Bruce Henderson draws on personal interviews with many surviving veterans and extensive archival research to bring this never-before-told chapter of the Second World War to light. Sons and Soldiers traces their stories from childhood and their escapes from Nazi Germany, through their feats and sacrifices during the war, to their desperate attempts to find their missing loved ones in war-torn Europe. Sons and Soldiers is an epic story of heroism, courage, and patriotism that will not soon be forgotten.

Great Story!!

I never write reviews but I enjoyed this one so much I listened to it twice back to back. Such a great story and the narration was well done too!

Missing part of history

For those history buffs, this is a must listen. This story is is unlike most. The courage of what these men did to get to America and then serving in the US Army is a story that should be know more.

An emotional and riveting book

a timely read and an emotion story. I highly recommend this book. hope it becomes a movie!

Gripping story that won't let me go

Even when I'm not reading this, I find myself thinking of it. I literally spent every spare free minute reading this book! Make sure and buy it NOW!

A moving & inspiring story

My poor husband had to listen to me go on & on every day about what was happening in this book 😂 I was clearly affected by it! The stories were fascinating, educational, sad, at times amusing, & very inspiring! I thoroughly enjoyed this book & would recommend it to anyone.