Behind Hitler's Lines: The True Story of the Only Soldier to Fight for both America and the Soviet Union in World War II [Mass Market Paperback]

Thomas H. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

As the twentieth century closed, the veterans of its defining war passed away at a rate of a thousand per day. Fortunately, D-Day paratrooper Joseph Beyrle met author Thomas H. Taylor in time to record Behind Hitler's Lines, the true story of the first American paratrooper to land in Normandy and the only soldier to fight for both the United States and the Soviet Union against Nazi Germany. It is a story of battle, followed by a succession of captures, escapes, recaptures, and re-escapes, then battle once more, in the final months of fighting on the Eastern Front. For these unique experiences, both President Bill Clinton and President Boris Yeltsin honored Joe Beyrle on the fiftieth anniversary of V-E Day. Beyrle did not strive to be a part of history, but history kept visiting him. Twice before the invasion he parachuted into Normandy, bearing gold for the French resistance. D Day resulted in his capture, and he was mistaken for a German line-crosser - a soldier who had, in fact, died in the attempt. Eventually Joe was held under guard at the American embassy in Moscow, suspected of being a Nazi assassin. Fingerprints saved him, confirming that he'd been wounded five times, and that he bore a safe-conduct pass written by marshal Zhukov after the Wehrmacht wrested Joe, at gunpoint, from execution by the Gestapo. In the ruins of Warsaw his life was saved again, this time by Polish nuns. Some of Joe's story is in his own words - a voice that will be among the last and best we hear firsthand from World War II.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... the riveting story of Joe Beyrle's amazing World WAr II odyssey... This book belongs in all World War II collections." - Library Journal (Simple Sounds of Freedom)"

About the Author

Thomas H. Taylor, a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division, was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars for valor, the Purple Heart, and five other decorations for his service in Vietnam.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Presidio Press (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891418458
• ISBN-13: 978-0891418450
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Russia
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Aviation
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > World War II > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a fiction book. Edge of your seat the whole way through, July 31, 2008

By 

Ronniet102 "RonnietT102" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind Hitler's Lines: The True Story of the Only Soldier to Fight for both America and the Soviet Union in World War II (Mass Market Paperback)

I am very suprised this book is not as popular as others. It reads like a movie. The things this man went through were unthinkable. I was on the edge of my seat anxious to get to the next page the whole time.
I am not very good at giving reviews as others but I have read many other war memoirs. Its very hard for me to find a World war 2 one that I have not read and this one ranks towards the top. If your reading this review and considering the book- please get it. You will not be sorry. Its an easy read, the chapters are not that long and the story is just simply amazing.

This guy did not recieve the commeroation he deserves for what he went through.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars bhl, October 31, 2005

By 

ztab-e "baseball" (everett, wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind Hitler's Lines: The True Story of the Only Soldier to Fight for both America and the Soviet Union in World War II (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a great book. this is a story about joe from the 101st airbourne. it shows his triumphs and let downs through world war two. from his first mission to his last. i am a junior in high school and am not that big of a reader. this was honestly the first book i couldnt put down. every page interested me more than i thought a book ever could. a very good bokk for someone my age or above. his intelligance and will to survive made this story one of the best.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with some new insights of WWII, May 27, 2009

By 

Liz dede (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind Hitler's Lines: The True Story of the Only Soldier to Fight for both America and the Soviet Union in World War II (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read a lot of WWII books and I'm pretty familiar with a lot of things that went on during the war. (even though there are probably a million stories that haven't been told.) But this book gave me a whole new perspective.

Joe Beyrle was a paratrooper with the Screaming Eagles and dropped behind enemy lines. After a few days lost and alone, he was unfortunately captured by the Germans. Wounded, beaten & tortured he was moved from one prison to another. Wow, what this guy went through!
But he never gave up on trying to escape. Except that he had the worst luck where that was concerned. Talk about jumping from the fire into the frying pan!!!

He finally did escape and hooked up to fight with the Russian army. This is where the new insights come in because I learned more about the Russian losses in WWII than I ever realized.
Americans can't even begin to imagine how many Russian soldiers and civilians were killed in the war. No wonder they hated the Germans. And fighting along with them, Beyrle grew to respect his new friends (though definitely not Stalin, the country's leader, who didn't seem to care how many of his people died, as long as the Germans were pushed back.)

This book was so interesting, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. It is written very well, and Thomas Taylor explained the battles and progress of the European theater of war so that it was easy to understand. He would tell the story from Joe's point of view, then in the next chapter, let you know what was going on with the rest of the war at this time. There was so much suspense, I could totally see this made into a movie. I definitely recommend it.