Band of Sisters: Madeleine Pauliac, the Women of the Blue Squadron, and Their Daring Rescue Missions in the Last Days of World War II

by Philippe Maynial, Richard Bernstein (translator)

Band of Sisters tells the dramatic story of Madeleine Pauliac, a French army doctor, and a group of Red Cross nurses—known as the Blue Squadron. At the request of Charles DeGualle, the group was sent to rescue French soldiers and civilians who had been captured, injured, or stranded during World War II. Written from letters, diary entries and interviews, the book recounts their rescue missions in Germany, Russia, and Poland in 1945, in the final days of the war and in the first months after the German defeat.

It’s a previously unknown story of heroism and daring by a remarkable group of women, none more brave and intrepid than Pauliac herself, who was the author’s aunt that he would never know.

Genres: History

200 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring account of the blue squadron. Led by Madeleine Pauliac- the blue squadron went in to multiple areas affected by WW2 to try and help has much as they could. This went into great detail of the horrific scenes they had to see and even when they weren't always welcomed they did what they could to help. I enjoy reading about WW2 and this gave some really good insight in what really happened.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

[Gary Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so wonderful when you come across a book in the Library you are not expecting and it ends up being an amazing read! Such a brave young lady, Madeleine, and the other ladies of the Blue Squadron. The story depicts in great detail the harsh conditions in Poland at the end of WWII and the courageous work these ladies did rescuing primarily French solders and civilians forced to do hard labour during the war. But there is also another side to the story that is just as poignant (no spoilers). Thank you Philippe for writing such a great book and Richard for the translation from the original French!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Band of Sisters grabbed my heart and mind every second I spent in the book, a true account of the Blue Squadron comprised of twelve exceptional women who provided medical and emotional care to French civilians and soldiers they encountered during World War II. One of the ladies was Madeleine Pauliac who worked became a doctor and specialized in emergency pediatrics, adept at difficult tracheostomies. Not only was she skilled with her hands, she was also compassionate and a critical member of the Blue Squadron during World War II as a lieutenant. She worked in the Resistance, saw needs and set about filling them without care about great personal risk Her heart also ached for the innocent amputee children. She created an orphanage for babies born of nun rape. What she saw and experienced is unimaginable. Thankfully, her nephew, writer Philippe Maynial, painstakingly researched her life from documents, letters, accounts and re-tracing her path in person. This book is the incredible result and includes amazing photographs which are personal, touching and lend historical context to this dreadful era. what happened to the other members of the squadron after the war is also included.

Though Madeleine's life was short, her list of accomplishments is long and she posthumously received the Légion d'Honneur medal. She was personally asked by de Gaulle to join the Red Cross ambulance drivers and nurses to conduct these rescue missions. The squadron members were very close due to shared tragedies. Consequences of war are vividly detailed as well such as Russians driving animals over crops, grievous physical and mental injuries to nuns, crossing destroyed bridges and tending to dying soldiers. Madeleine was truly a heroine in my eyes. She was fearless, beloved, selfless and saved lives. Her story is gripping, compelling and poignant. I have read countless books on World War II but this is told from such a unique perspective. If you are ready to be inspired by courageous female marvels, this book is unmissable. Details are not easy at times but so, so important.

My sincere thank you to Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal book.

[MackGetsLit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want something done? Send in the nurses.
WW2 is ending in Europe and the Iron Curtain is rapidly descending on Poland. The Blue Squadron, consisting of French Army doc Pauliac and her 11 Red Cross nurses are given orders to repatriate wounded French soldiers and civilians in Poland and bring them home. With the Red Cross emblem and status serving as cover they navigate through dangerous political and physical situations. Ambulances loaded and rolling across Europe en route to Warsaw they come upon several newly liberated concentration camps and mission orders change to help where they can along the way. They bear witness to the horrors of not only Hitler’s Army, but also Stalin’s as they are operating on borrowed time. The Iron Curtain is swiftly closing around them as they squeak out their final missions. Managing to execute over 200 rescue missions, save thousands of lives, and run the French hospital in Warsaw, Pauliac and her nurses become a glimmer of hope as the lights are fading for many in Poland, all in service to their beloved France.
Truly an inspiring story, these Sisters defied every force working against them. Fingers crossed this will be adapted into film to reach the masses with their heroic story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rowan & Littlefield Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a lot about the resistance - non-fiction and fiction - but this book was different. Based on true events, and ending in tragedy, the story in between is incredible. Madeleine Pauliac’s story brings to life some things that have never been taught in US history - first, the story of the resistance, let alone the Blue Squadron, the horrifying process of bringing bodies to the crematorium and the inexplicable result of the Soviets running rampant through Poland. This story is not about these small horrifying events, but it’s the events in total that tell the story after the war. This is an amazing story of someone dedicated to finding French nationals and returning them to France, all in the name of duty and love of country.

[Szandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC opportunity for netgalley and the publisher. As always, this is an honest, voluntary review.

I loved this book so much. World War 2 is a topic I always find time to read about. There are always additional stories I haven't yet heard about and this was one of those stories. I really admired reading about the efforts, the bravery of these women. This is a truly inspiring story about how even when the odds are against us, determination and never giving up can get us far. Really recommend to all who like reading about everyday heroes.

[Caroline Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is centered around Madeline with very little mention of the rest of Blue Squadron and is mostly about Madeline’s efforts in the Concentration camps after WWII ended. It was still interesting to read about efforts to save Concentration camp victims that I hadn’t known about.
I recieved a copy from NetGalley.

[Kate O'Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad that the author took the time to write out the story of his aunt, but I wish there had been more to it. The story is immensely interesting and a different side of the aftermath of WWII than we normally see, but the writing is so disjointed that it is hard to enjoy. It is almost like an outline that could serve for someone else to take and write a novel with or make a movie.

[Carol Brusegar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amazing account of Lt. Dr. Madeleine Pauliac and the Women of the Blue Squadron in the final days of WWII. Rescuing French soldiers and others from Poland in the final days before the Iron Curtain closed down access. Written by her nephew who painstakingly dug out this previously unreported piece of history.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Interesting little known story. The writing, or maybe it was the translation, made this challenging to read at times as the stories were repetitive. Also, grown women are referred to as “girls.”

[Dani Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Both fascinating and devastating... A look into a side of WWII I had very very little knowledge about. Incredible women with incredible missions and an incredible amount of lives saved and changed forever.

[Peggy Melvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok..a little slow filed with pages not interesting to me....

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

If half of what is in this book is true it would be remarkable.