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BEHIND NAZI LINES: My Father's Heroic Quest to Save 149 World War II POWs
In 1944, hundreds of Allied soldiers were trapped in POW camps in occupied France. The odds of their survival were long. The odds of escaping, even longer. But one-man had the courage to fight the odds . . .
An elite British S.A.S. operative on an assassination mission gone wrong. A Jewish New Yorker injured in a Nazi ambush. An eighteen-year-old Gary Cooper lookalike from Mobile, Alabama. These men and hundreds of other soldiers found themselves in the prisoner-of-war camps off the Atlantic coast of occupied France, fighting brutal conditions and unsympathetic captors. But, miraculously, local villagers were able to smuggle out a message from the camp, one that reached the Allies and sparked a remarkable quest by an unlikely—and truly inspiring—hero.
Andy Hodges had been excluded from military service due to a lingering shoulder injury from his college-football days. Devastated but determined, Andy refused to sit at home while his fellow Americans risked their lives, so he joined the Red Cross, volunteering for the toughest assignments on the most dangerous battlefields. In the fall of 1944, Andy was tapped for what sounded like a suicide a desperate attempt to aid the Allied POWs in occupied France—alone and unarmed, matching his wits against the Nazi war machine.
Despite the likelihood of failure, Andy did far more than deliver much-needed supplies. By the end of the year, he had negotiated the release of an unprecedented 149 prisoners—leaving no one behind. This is the true story of one man’s selflessness, ingenuity, and victory in the face of impossible adversity.
An elite British S.A.S. operative on an assassination mission gone wrong. A Jewish New Yorker injured in a Nazi ambush. An eighteen-year-old Gary Cooper lookalike from Mobile, Alabama. These men and hundreds of other soldiers found themselves in the prisoner-of-war camps off the Atlantic coast of occupied France, fighting brutal conditions and unsympathetic captors. But, miraculously, local villagers were able to smuggle out a message from the camp, one that reached the Allies and sparked a remarkable quest by an unlikely—and truly inspiring—hero.
Andy Hodges had been excluded from military service due to a lingering shoulder injury from his college-football days. Devastated but determined, Andy refused to sit at home while his fellow Americans risked their lives, so he joined the Red Cross, volunteering for the toughest assignments on the most dangerous battlefields. In the fall of 1944, Andy was tapped for what sounded like a suicide a desperate attempt to aid the Allied POWs in occupied France—alone and unarmed, matching his wits against the Nazi war machine.
Despite the likelihood of failure, Andy did far more than deliver much-needed supplies. By the end of the year, he had negotiated the release of an unprecedented 149 prisoners—leaving no one behind. This is the true story of one man’s selflessness, ingenuity, and victory in the face of impossible adversity.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2015
18 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 4, 2022
That was a fast run. Behind Nazi Lines is speed reading. Short chapters, flawless writing and editing, and well-spaced content keep the pages turning. Lately, I see a lot more of this. Was Gabo An Irishman? moved along at a similar pace.
Yeah, this was essentially, a war book, but very refreshing in that the focus was on saving lives. Not taking them.
At first, I thought this book was about 75 percent fact and the rest fiction. The acknowledgments, index, and notes say otherwise. They are worth reading.
Several of the book's characters held a reunion in Alabama in 2002. Just in time to get interviews with several of the former POWs before they left us for good. There is also a 47-minute documentary -- For One English Officer -- with those interviews. I saw it on YouTube after reading the book. As usual, the book gives you more, but both work well together, too. I read the book in four sittings.
Apparently, prisoner exchanges were not a common practice, or idea, before American Red Cross representative Andrew Gerow Hodges got it going in France in 1944. He was behind three other exchanges before the war ended.
I found this gem almost by accident, or instinct, turning into the books aisle at Walmart. I had some preconceived ideas about it, and almost didn't read it, but decided not to totally waste my $9.24. It was no waste at all. I learned some things both in content, and book production. I might ask about similar production if and when my works in progress become full-fledged books.
My journalism days taught me the value of word efficiency and Behind Nazi Lines re-emphasized it. I'm in my 60s and believe my college days are behind me, but if it were possible to take a writing or publishing course from co-author Denise George I would seriously look at it.
Yeah, this was essentially, a war book, but very refreshing in that the focus was on saving lives. Not taking them.
At first, I thought this book was about 75 percent fact and the rest fiction. The acknowledgments, index, and notes say otherwise. They are worth reading.
Several of the book's characters held a reunion in Alabama in 2002. Just in time to get interviews with several of the former POWs before they left us for good. There is also a 47-minute documentary -- For One English Officer -- with those interviews. I saw it on YouTube after reading the book. As usual, the book gives you more, but both work well together, too. I read the book in four sittings.
Apparently, prisoner exchanges were not a common practice, or idea, before American Red Cross representative Andrew Gerow Hodges got it going in France in 1944. He was behind three other exchanges before the war ended.
I found this gem almost by accident, or instinct, turning into the books aisle at Walmart. I had some preconceived ideas about it, and almost didn't read it, but decided not to totally waste my $9.24. It was no waste at all. I learned some things both in content, and book production. I might ask about similar production if and when my works in progress become full-fledged books.
My journalism days taught me the value of word efficiency and Behind Nazi Lines re-emphasized it. I'm in my 60s and believe my college days are behind me, but if it were possible to take a writing or publishing course from co-author Denise George I would seriously look at it.
January 2, 2020
The layout and writing style was a bit choppy but the overall story was great.
December 20, 2017
Attention all readers! This book was ok.
Behind Nazi Lines by Andrew Gerow Hodges was a good accurate book, based on a true story of an American Red Cross worker who freed 149 World War II POWs with pure negotiation. I thought this book was mediocre and lacking in a variety of events in the book. Although, this book is a very interesting book as it has provided many insights on how things were back in the time period of World War II, and showed a true story about how one man saved many. Andy Hodges is the main character in this story, but not the only one as the story tends to switch viewpoints between him and Michael Foot. Michael Foot is British special forces soldier who's POV is used to show how he and many other Allied soldiers got to the German prisoner of war camps. The book did not have many variations of events, as many times the book was just talking about how Andy Hodges would negotiate with the Germans and others to help free the POWs. Any other times that the book switched point of view it was showing how those troops in the POW camps got there. The entire book was based around the German POW camps and how soldiers were freed from them by Andy Hodges.
The main focuses of the story were very good as they were focused on the determination of soldiers, loyalty or brotherhood, and courage/bravery. The reading seemed to be easy and had a good flow to it until later on when it got harder to read because the events felt very repetitive. The vocabulary was easy to understand the entire book and often the soldiers talked as if they were telling this story. In conclusion, I liked the book because it was a very good story about World War II, but I thought it could be better due to the repetitiveness of the events in the book.
Behind Nazi Lines by Andrew Gerow Hodges was a good accurate book, based on a true story of an American Red Cross worker who freed 149 World War II POWs with pure negotiation. I thought this book was mediocre and lacking in a variety of events in the book. Although, this book is a very interesting book as it has provided many insights on how things were back in the time period of World War II, and showed a true story about how one man saved many. Andy Hodges is the main character in this story, but not the only one as the story tends to switch viewpoints between him and Michael Foot. Michael Foot is British special forces soldier who's POV is used to show how he and many other Allied soldiers got to the German prisoner of war camps. The book did not have many variations of events, as many times the book was just talking about how Andy Hodges would negotiate with the Germans and others to help free the POWs. Any other times that the book switched point of view it was showing how those troops in the POW camps got there. The entire book was based around the German POW camps and how soldiers were freed from them by Andy Hodges.
The main focuses of the story were very good as they were focused on the determination of soldiers, loyalty or brotherhood, and courage/bravery. The reading seemed to be easy and had a good flow to it until later on when it got harder to read because the events felt very repetitive. The vocabulary was easy to understand the entire book and often the soldiers talked as if they were telling this story. In conclusion, I liked the book because it was a very good story about World War II, but I thought it could be better due to the repetitiveness of the events in the book.
December 7, 2018
Classified as 4F due to a football injury, Andrew Hodges could not enlist during World War II. His sense of duty led him to join the American Red Cross as a field director in France. There he arranged and took part in several prisoner exchanges. This is the story of those exchanges which were another facet of the war.
July 27, 2025
At first, I wasn’t sure I would like this book. Started a little slow and was hard to follow. However, it got some traction and then I couldn’t stop reading it. Very interesting topic and a story I’ve never heard of.
July 11, 2018
I'd never heard this story before, so that's what gave it 4 stars, but holy cow, the over usage of exclamation marks was absurd. I think the story line is well told and one must read the 14....14 (!) Appendixes for a true picture and the notes, but those overdone exclamation points! (haha)
Overall a quick read, simply written and easily broken up into sections/chapters. Thank you to Gerow Hodges for getting these men out.
Overall a quick read, simply written and easily broken up into sections/chapters. Thank you to Gerow Hodges for getting these men out.
March 31, 2016
Really interesting story written by the son of the hero of the story. Not the best written book, but an interesting recount of an important moment in history.
November 24, 2019
I loved this book! It’s quite possibly the most positive book about World War II I’ve ever read! And the best part is that it’s all true!
February 14, 2020
I found the writing a bit awkward and amatuerish, but the story is compelling.
April 11, 2023
Andy Hodges was excluded from military service due to an injury sustained playing sports. He was frustrated with that, because he wanted to contribute to the war effort like everyone else his age. He decided to join the Red Cross, where he volunteered for all kinds of dangerous missions that others did not want to undertake. Thanks to his determination and bravery, he was able to deliver desperately needed supplies to prisoners of war in occupied France. Eventually, he was able to negotiate the release of 149 prisoners of war, leaving none behind.
This was a deeply moving story for a lot of reasons. The fact that someone just simply cared about their countrymen enough to figure out a way to join the war effort and make a huge difference in the lives of men who were suffering and imprisoned by enemy forces was moving to me. I cannot imagine being a prisoner of war. I have read pretty extensively about the conditions for prisoners of war in the European and Pacific theatres, and I know that it was certainly no cake walk. I cannot imagine how grateful they were for food and medical supplies, and then to have their release obtained...it would have been overwhelming to me. Stories like this are great for reminding us that some of humankind are amazing individuals. I can see why the author of this book was proud of his father. It was a really good read.
This was a deeply moving story for a lot of reasons. The fact that someone just simply cared about their countrymen enough to figure out a way to join the war effort and make a huge difference in the lives of men who were suffering and imprisoned by enemy forces was moving to me. I cannot imagine being a prisoner of war. I have read pretty extensively about the conditions for prisoners of war in the European and Pacific theatres, and I know that it was certainly no cake walk. I cannot imagine how grateful they were for food and medical supplies, and then to have their release obtained...it would have been overwhelming to me. Stories like this are great for reminding us that some of humankind are amazing individuals. I can see why the author of this book was proud of his father. It was a really good read.
July 29, 2024
In today's world, it's hard to conceive of the valor shown by the Greatest Generation, including its WWII service members, which is on full display in this book. It's also challenging to relive the atrocities of a war prosecuted by a ruthless dictator. How such evil rises to power seems a complex equation, one that has repeated itself in recent years. In hindsight, the setting for these conflicts and this book seems senseless, but the pawns in this chess game cast light on the human spirit and prove that good can exist even when evil reigns.
Weaving events from seven decades ago into a compelling story using only eyewitness testimonies, journals, and other memorabilia was not easy. Although the end was never in doubt, I still enjoyed the book's message and the character shown by one Andrew Gerow Hodges - a noble man with a remarkable story.
Weaving events from seven decades ago into a compelling story using only eyewitness testimonies, journals, and other memorabilia was not easy. Although the end was never in doubt, I still enjoyed the book's message and the character shown by one Andrew Gerow Hodges - a noble man with a remarkable story.
February 12, 2020
I have read a lot of WWII books, both fiction and non-fiction, but this was a whole new side of the war that I was not familiar with. I learned a lot about how the Red Cross negotiated for the trade of POW's. I never realized how much work and how terrifying it must have been for Andrew Hodges when he was working out the negotiations. I was surprised by the photos that were in the middle of the book. I have never seen them before, nor had I heard about Andrew Gerow Hodges before I read this book. Very well written, almost like a story. Sometimes I find in non-fiction books that the details can get to be a little tedious, but this book was not like that. Very well written and I loved that at the end you get to learn what happened to all of the POW's.
December 27, 2021
Behind Enemy Lines tells the story of a courageous young man, Andrew Gerow Hodges, and the heroic actions he took in his role as a field director for the Red Cross. Like many heroes of WWII, it sounds as though he spoke only reluctantly of his actions and didn't want credit for something he saw as not very significant. However, the book shares the immense impact Hodges' actions had on many lives. He took many risks and demonstrated strength of character in his decisions. It would have been amazing to listen to Hodges personally tell of his experiences. I am grateful for the example of such men!
February 20, 2022
There is so much to be learned from the millions of mindboggling occurrences during WW 2. This story is but a few of little known but quite extraordinary heroic events of that historic era. A man without weapons but with the courage of a tiger helped to save many many pow lives toward the end of that conflict. A simple read but a fascinating look at a little reviewed aspect of a dark time in history.
April 2, 2018
This book was really good, glad that I found it.
September 12, 2018
I loved this book I bought it at chapters.
June 17, 2020
Excellent story about a father's quest in World War II which saved 149 POW's.
I read the story as I sought how to consider telling my father's story.
I read the story as I sought how to consider telling my father's story.
June 17, 2023
Amazing story of a hero who saved hundreds by using his wits
Another WW2 story of an American hero who couldn't fight but joined the Red Cross and saved hundreds of lives
Another WW2 story of an American hero who couldn't fight but joined the Red Cross and saved hundreds of lives
January 18, 2025
Another great story of courage and determination from WWII! I highly recommend it!
April 10, 2025
Very interesting book! I love that Andrew Hodges is from Alabama. Other than that, I thought the book was well-written and held my interest throughout.
April 16, 2025
interesting read, lots of characters but retold the history pretty succinctly. those guys were built different
April 5, 2016
It's easy to think nothing new can be written about WW2 due to the already high volume of books on the subject. However, this book tells a story that seems not to have been written about yet. It covers the events surrounding several POW exchanges conducted in 1944 with the Germans. The person behind the exchanges was a lone Red Cross worker from Alabama who had been disqualified from serving due to a football injury. He had a strong sense of duty and went above and beyond in so many aspects of his life. The book is written by his son who isn't a great writer (some organizational issues, didn't like the made up inner dialogues, etc.). With that being said, there are parts of the story that are serious nail biters, regardless of the writing. Hearing about these POWs going through plane crashes and hours of gun fire, sustaining horrible injuries and surgeries, getting captured sometimes multiple times, being interrogated, escaping prison and the horrible conditions, and then many getting sent back into the warzone after their legit release from prison is truely amazing stuff. I don't know how people made it thru these kinds of experiences and luckily the author documented the stories before most of it would be lost to time.
December 13, 2015
Behind Nazi Lines is an amazing story of selfless courage. Andy Gerow Hodges deemed physically unfit for military service joined the Red Cross in order to do his part during World War II. A small town Alabama boy, he risked his life traveling behind Nazi lines to bring aid to prisoners of war. Hodges was able to negotiate the first exchange of POWs between the Allies and Germany. This led to other prisoner exchanges although many German POWs were not interested in being released.
The narrative of events flows smoothly and reads almost like a novel.
The narrative of events flows smoothly and reads almost like a novel.
September 1, 2016
This another book about a heroic event in World War II that I never heard about. Andy was a true hero that did not receive much in recognition from our government. Superbly written, I couldn't put it down.
April 21, 2016
Make this the ONE book you read this year!! Excellent story and the power of one man.
August 25, 2016
Excellent read, a thrilling, real-life adventure detailing prisoner exchange in WWII. Harrowing and exciting, this would interest anyone who enjoys reading war memoirs.
October 22, 2016
History that you can feel
Outstanding book and worth reading about a great American doing great and wonderfully inspired His work for his fellow soldiers
Outstanding book and worth reading about a great American doing great and wonderfully inspired His work for his fellow soldiers
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews