Author(s): Eric Chaline

Military

Look behind the curtain and meet the engineers, resistance fighters, spies, physicists and more who committed incredible acts of heroism amidst the chaos and danger of WWII. From the priest who hid thousands of POWs and Jews in the Vatican, to the Antipodean servicewoman who led a formidable Resistance group, prepare to be awed and captivated. World War II had many influential figures, whose incredible acts of bravery, skill and intelligence helped to turn the tide of the war. But few of them receive the recognition their actions deserve. In Secret Heroes of World War II, we meet the engineers, scientists, agents, even holy men, who were key to shaping the Allied war effort. Discover the unbelievable stories of: Nancy Wake, the ‘outspoken, unstoppable Antipodean’, who became the most decorated Allied servicewoman of the war. She organised and led one of the most formidable Resistance groups in central France and was infamous to the Gestapo due to their inability to capture her. Hugh O’Flaherty, the priest who hid thousands of Allied POWs and Jews in the Vatican, while narrowly avoiding German assassination attempts. Pioneers including Alan Turing and J. Robert Oppenheimer, whose intellects were key to devastating advancements in strategy and weaponry. The motives of those featured in this book vary, as do their methods. Some were prepared to deceive, betray, and even kill in order to achieve their goals, while others bravely offered nonviolent resistance. Although a number of these heroes survived the war, many met a brutally violent end.  Full of photographs, backstories, anecdotes and detailed accounts of incredible people, Heroes of World War II is a captivating compendium of wartime heroism.  A fascinating compendium of the acts of human heroism that went on behind the curtain of WWII. From engineers to resistance fighters, spies to physicists, Secret Heroes of World War II contains stories of incredible figures who have gone largely unrecognised. Readers will be captivated by the Allied servicewoman Nancy Wake who led a formidable Resistance group, priest Hugh O’Flaherty who hid thousands of POWs and Jews in the Vatican, and the stories of 70 more unsung heroes of WWII.