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The Nazi Ghost Train: Evasion, Betrayal, and Escape during World War II
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26The heart-racing true story of the heroic rescue of Allied airmen from a Nazi prison train after a devastating betrayal.
In the final hours before the liberation of Brussels in 1944, the Germans loaded more than 1,400 members of the Resistance, SOE agents, and Allied airmen onto a train bound for the Neuengamme concentration camp. What happened next came to be known as the miracle of “The Ghost Train,” as members of the Resistance rose up to delay, divert, and eventually derail the train and save the lives of all of those on board.
The book shines a light on everyday heroes who have been lost to such as New Yorker Ted Kleinman, a Jew who risked his life to carry out sabotage behind the lines; young Resistance heroines such as Michou Dumon, who ordered an attempt to kill one traitor and escaped to London to expose another to British intelligence; and Belgian businessman Gaston Masereel, who planned to parachute into his homeland as an SOE agent. Badly hurt when his plane was attacked, he killed all four German soldiers who came to arrest him.
As well as the heroes, there is a villain every bit as keenly drawn and despicable as any in a spy the most heartless double agent of all—Prosper Dezitter—a traitor of such cunning that he came to be seen as an almost mythical bogey man. A convicted rapist and swindler, he enlisted the aid of his Spanish-born mistress to create a false network of helpers to ensnare airmen and résistants. It was a process which made Dezitter a millionaire.
Investigative journalist Greg Lewis draws upon a wealth of primary sources and his own extensive interviews to bring to life a cast of unforgettable characters, as The Nazi Ghost Train unfolds in a tense and pacy narrative, describing the feeling of terror after being shot down on bombing missions, the fight to stay alive with the Gestapo on your trail, and the gut-wrenching horror of betrayal.
In the final hours before the liberation of Brussels in 1944, the Germans loaded more than 1,400 members of the Resistance, SOE agents, and Allied airmen onto a train bound for the Neuengamme concentration camp. What happened next came to be known as the miracle of “The Ghost Train,” as members of the Resistance rose up to delay, divert, and eventually derail the train and save the lives of all of those on board.
The book shines a light on everyday heroes who have been lost to such as New Yorker Ted Kleinman, a Jew who risked his life to carry out sabotage behind the lines; young Resistance heroines such as Michou Dumon, who ordered an attempt to kill one traitor and escaped to London to expose another to British intelligence; and Belgian businessman Gaston Masereel, who planned to parachute into his homeland as an SOE agent. Badly hurt when his plane was attacked, he killed all four German soldiers who came to arrest him.
As well as the heroes, there is a villain every bit as keenly drawn and despicable as any in a spy the most heartless double agent of all—Prosper Dezitter—a traitor of such cunning that he came to be seen as an almost mythical bogey man. A convicted rapist and swindler, he enlisted the aid of his Spanish-born mistress to create a false network of helpers to ensnare airmen and résistants. It was a process which made Dezitter a millionaire.
Investigative journalist Greg Lewis draws upon a wealth of primary sources and his own extensive interviews to bring to life a cast of unforgettable characters, as The Nazi Ghost Train unfolds in a tense and pacy narrative, describing the feeling of terror after being shot down on bombing missions, the fight to stay alive with the Gestapo on your trail, and the gut-wrenching horror of betrayal.
- GenresHistory
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
Greg Lewis
8 books4 followersWas given a typewriter for my tenth birthday. Drove my parents mad while they were trying to watch the TV.
Been writing ever since. Lifetime in journalism, first as an investigative reporter and then as a documentary-maker, working mainly in the true crime genre.
I'm still typing. And still with two fingers.
My most recent book is the Sunday Times bestseller 'The Nazi Ghost Train', a true story of betrayal and evasion in occupied Europe. It's out in the States very soon.
My previous books include 'Defying Hitler: The Germans Who Resisted Nazi Rule' (Dutton Books, Penguin Random House) and 'Shadow Warriors: Daring Missions By Women of the OSS and SOE' with Gordon Thomas, which has been published in five countries.
'Defying Hitler' was a top-five pick in both USA Today and the New York Post. It was described by New York Times bestselling author Alex Kershaw as a “terrifying and timely account of resistance in the face of the greatest of evils”.
'Shadow Warriors' was optioned for a film/mini-series. Clare Mulley (Agent Zo, The Women Who Flew for Hitler) said it was: “Riveting… What gives this book weight is the interweaving of the SOE and OSS narratives, all too often divorced in histories of the secret war.”
My work with Gaynor Madgwick helped gather many memories of those involved in the Aberfan disaster and formed the basis of the book 'Aberfan: A Story of Survival, Love and Community in One of Britain's Worst Disasters' which had inspired a new television drama.
Many thanks to everyone who has contacted me about my books.
Been writing ever since. Lifetime in journalism, first as an investigative reporter and then as a documentary-maker, working mainly in the true crime genre.
I'm still typing. And still with two fingers.
My most recent book is the Sunday Times bestseller 'The Nazi Ghost Train', a true story of betrayal and evasion in occupied Europe. It's out in the States very soon.
My previous books include 'Defying Hitler: The Germans Who Resisted Nazi Rule' (Dutton Books, Penguin Random House) and 'Shadow Warriors: Daring Missions By Women of the OSS and SOE' with Gordon Thomas, which has been published in five countries.
'Defying Hitler' was a top-five pick in both USA Today and the New York Post. It was described by New York Times bestselling author Alex Kershaw as a “terrifying and timely account of resistance in the face of the greatest of evils”.
'Shadow Warriors' was optioned for a film/mini-series. Clare Mulley (Agent Zo, The Women Who Flew for Hitler) said it was: “Riveting… What gives this book weight is the interweaving of the SOE and OSS narratives, all too often divorced in histories of the secret war.”
My work with Gaynor Madgwick helped gather many memories of those involved in the Aberfan disaster and formed the basis of the book 'Aberfan: A Story of Survival, Love and Community in One of Britain's Worst Disasters' which had inspired a new television drama.
Many thanks to everyone who has contacted me about my books.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 2, 2026
A very interesting true story of dozens of incredible people across Nazi occupied Europe. Each story is gripping, and the book is very well written, culminating in the titular train.
However, it is easy to get lost with the huge amount of people the book is about, I was constantly flicking back to recheck who was who - although I can’t imagine the author wanting to exclude any of the heroic stories.
However, it is easy to get lost with the huge amount of people the book is about, I was constantly flicking back to recheck who was who - although I can’t imagine the author wanting to exclude any of the heroic stories.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I am going to read a lot of books in 2026, but I doubt any will have a better title than The Nazi Ghost Train by Greg Lewis. I mean, come on! Yes, you might be holding back a little bit because of one word in that title, but I assure you they lose in the end. They always do.
Lewis tells the story of a lot of people. Mostly, the characters are downed Allied airmen trying to make it back to the safety of England or the Resistance members who risked it all, quite literally, to help these men get back in the fight. Oh, there is also a dastardly scum of a human who is a double agent that sent many good people to their deaths. The less we discuss him, the better.
If you have not read a lot of World War II literature, especially about the Resistance, then this is a great start. Lewis covers a ton of ground and there are literally dozens of characters who pop up and come back later in the narrative. Lewis stays very focused on the people so there aren't long diatribes getting the reader caught up on the war or overall strategy. This is a street-level view of the war, and it is fantastic in this regard. The titular train is only at the very end of the book, so train enthusiasts beware.
By dint of being a huge history nerd, I have read a lot about these operations and the Allied Resistance. For me—and this is a minor criticism—the book had a bit too many characters and we don't get to know anyone too intimately. Of course, clandestine operations means sometimes there just isn't a ton of information to pull from, but some of the characters could have stood to have a longer spotlight. Again, this is a minor quibble. I highly recommend this book, even if it's not perfect for World War II-centric audiences.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by Pegasus Books.)
Lewis tells the story of a lot of people. Mostly, the characters are downed Allied airmen trying to make it back to the safety of England or the Resistance members who risked it all, quite literally, to help these men get back in the fight. Oh, there is also a dastardly scum of a human who is a double agent that sent many good people to their deaths. The less we discuss him, the better.
If you have not read a lot of World War II literature, especially about the Resistance, then this is a great start. Lewis covers a ton of ground and there are literally dozens of characters who pop up and come back later in the narrative. Lewis stays very focused on the people so there aren't long diatribes getting the reader caught up on the war or overall strategy. This is a street-level view of the war, and it is fantastic in this regard. The titular train is only at the very end of the book, so train enthusiasts beware.
By dint of being a huge history nerd, I have read a lot about these operations and the Allied Resistance. For me—and this is a minor criticism—the book had a bit too many characters and we don't get to know anyone too intimately. Of course, clandestine operations means sometimes there just isn't a ton of information to pull from, but some of the characters could have stood to have a longer spotlight. Again, this is a minor quibble. I highly recommend this book, even if it's not perfect for World War II-centric audiences.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by Pegasus Books.)
May 16, 2026
In early September 1944, the Nazis in Belgium were in a hurry as allied forces were close to Brussels. They wanted to move airmen, resistance fighters, and captured spies from the Belgian prison of Saint-Gilles eastwards to labour and concentration camps.
The first part of the book covers the stories of how the airmen were shot down in western Europe and the second part how those airmen were betrayed by Nazi collaborators and ending up in Saint-Gilles. These first two parts deserve three and four stars respectively.
The five-star part covers the Nazi train and how the Belgian railway employees and resistance fighters slowed down the second train to leave Saint-Gilles - the "Ghost Train" of the title - sufficiently for it never to leave Belgium before the Nazis decided the people on board could be released. They were more concerned about saving their own skins from the advancing allies. These Belgian railway staff and fighters were the unsung heroes as they risked their lives to save the 1,400 people on the train.
This is fascinating information and a wonderful read.
The first part of the book covers the stories of how the airmen were shot down in western Europe and the second part how those airmen were betrayed by Nazi collaborators and ending up in Saint-Gilles. These first two parts deserve three and four stars respectively.
The five-star part covers the Nazi train and how the Belgian railway employees and resistance fighters slowed down the second train to leave Saint-Gilles - the "Ghost Train" of the title - sufficiently for it never to leave Belgium before the Nazis decided the people on board could be released. They were more concerned about saving their own skins from the advancing allies. These Belgian railway staff and fighters were the unsung heroes as they risked their lives to save the 1,400 people on the train.
This is fascinating information and a wonderful read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but this one felt a little different. It’s intense, emotional, and at times quite difficult to read, but in a way that really stays with you.
What struck me most was the sense of real, human courage running through every page—ordinary people facing impossible situations. The writing makes everything feel immediate and vivid, and knowing it’s based on true events only adds to the impact.
A powerful, moving read that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy
What struck me most was the sense of real, human courage running through every page—ordinary people facing impossible situations. The writing makes everything feel immediate and vivid, and knowing it’s based on true events only adds to the impact.
A powerful, moving read that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy
April 23, 2026
it was quite compelling to read this book, filled with real stories of men who fought in Germany against the Nazis, and how the resistance groups risked their lives to help them. there are references to research at the end of the book too which is helpful for further reading. i really enjoyed this book and it was just good to read points of views from this time.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A very good book about WWII that i had not previously heard of. It was interesting g and inspiring to read of the multiple persons working quietly together to rescue downed fliers, and the protection of the train full of persons heading to contraption camps was amazing. A very good read
Review of advance copy
Very little of this book deals with the train journey, the vast majority of it is pen portraits of various people on the train and it does become repetitive as most of the stories are: shot down, evasion, incarceration. Interesting but not exceptional.
March 15, 2026
Very good read
May 4, 2026
This book is truly remarkable, and I am deeply impressed by the bravery, determination, and selflessness displayed by numerous individuals.
April 5, 2026
Essential reading to ensure these remarkable people are never forgotten
I've read quite a few books about the Second World War but this one really stuck with me. It tells the story of Allied airmen and members of the resistance who were trapped on one of the final deportation trains leaving Brussels just as the city was about to be liberated. The sheer scale of the research Greg Lewis has put into this is incredible and it shows in every chapter.
What really got to me was the unbelievable bravery of the "normal" people involved. These weren't professional soldiers in the traditional sense – they were just people who decided they couldn't sit back and do nothing while their country was occupied. The detail provided about the individual airmen and the Belgian resistance fighters makes the whole ordeal feel very personal rather than just another history lesson.
The conditions these people faced were nightmare-ish, and the author doesn't shy away from the grim reality of life in occupied territory. It isn't just about the train itself, but the constant fear and the unknown that they lived with every single day. From the tension of evasion and moving between safe houses to the harrowing experiences after being caught, you really get a sense of the immense pressure on both the airmen and the resistance members.
If you're interested in untold stories of WWII or the resistance in occupied Europe, I'd definitely recommend picking this up. It’s a remarkable tribute to those who suffered and fought back during such a dark time.
Many thanks to the author, Mirror Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this informative book.
I've read quite a few books about the Second World War but this one really stuck with me. It tells the story of Allied airmen and members of the resistance who were trapped on one of the final deportation trains leaving Brussels just as the city was about to be liberated. The sheer scale of the research Greg Lewis has put into this is incredible and it shows in every chapter.
What really got to me was the unbelievable bravery of the "normal" people involved. These weren't professional soldiers in the traditional sense – they were just people who decided they couldn't sit back and do nothing while their country was occupied. The detail provided about the individual airmen and the Belgian resistance fighters makes the whole ordeal feel very personal rather than just another history lesson.
The conditions these people faced were nightmare-ish, and the author doesn't shy away from the grim reality of life in occupied territory. It isn't just about the train itself, but the constant fear and the unknown that they lived with every single day. From the tension of evasion and moving between safe houses to the harrowing experiences after being caught, you really get a sense of the immense pressure on both the airmen and the resistance members.
If you're interested in untold stories of WWII or the resistance in occupied Europe, I'd definitely recommend picking this up. It’s a remarkable tribute to those who suffered and fought back during such a dark time.
Many thanks to the author, Mirror Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this informative book.
April 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book Review
The Nazi Ghost Train by Greg Lewis
This book is as harrowing as it is unforgettable.
The Nazi Ghost Train tells a real story of courage, resistance, and survival during one of history’s darkest times—and it does so with intensity that feels almost cinematic. From the opening scenes in the air to the desperate final moments aboard the so-called “Ghost Train,” the tension never lets up.
What makes this book truly powerful is the people within it. These aren’t just names in history—they are vivid, real individuals: resistance fighters risking everything, airmen fighting to stay alive behind enemy lines, and civilians whose bravery changed the fate of hundreds. The courage of the Belgian civilians in particular is nothing short of extraordinary.
The narrative is fast-paced yet deeply emotional, capturing not only the action but the fear, betrayal, and resilience that defined these moments. Knowing this is a true story only makes it hit harder.
📖 Overall: A gripping, emotional, and deeply moving account of bravery against impossible odds. This is history that stays with you long after the final page.
The Nazi Ghost Train by Greg Lewis
This book is as harrowing as it is unforgettable.
The Nazi Ghost Train tells a real story of courage, resistance, and survival during one of history’s darkest times—and it does so with intensity that feels almost cinematic. From the opening scenes in the air to the desperate final moments aboard the so-called “Ghost Train,” the tension never lets up.
What makes this book truly powerful is the people within it. These aren’t just names in history—they are vivid, real individuals: resistance fighters risking everything, airmen fighting to stay alive behind enemy lines, and civilians whose bravery changed the fate of hundreds. The courage of the Belgian civilians in particular is nothing short of extraordinary.
The narrative is fast-paced yet deeply emotional, capturing not only the action but the fear, betrayal, and resilience that defined these moments. Knowing this is a true story only makes it hit harder.
📖 Overall: A gripping, emotional, and deeply moving account of bravery against impossible odds. This is history that stays with you long after the final page.
April 15, 2026
A harrowing, tragic account of heroism. Beautifully written, an essential account to never forget the horrific historical events that documents everything these poor human beings went through. A small win by a group of courageous hero’s, saving over 1400 lives against all odds. Incredibly powerful and difficult read. Highly recommended.
March 29, 2026
I love how it changes POV to make the time lines all match up so you're reading all their lives at once.
Amazing book
Amazing book
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews