Operation Swallow

American Soldiers' Remarkable Escape from Berga Concentration Camp

By: Mark Felton

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

The true and heroic story of American POWs' daring escape from a Nazi concentration camp.In this little-known story from World War II, a group of American POW camp leaders risk everything to save hundreds of fellow servicemen from a diabolical Nazi concentration camp. Their story begins in the dark forests of the Ardennes during Christmas 1944 and ends at the Buchenwald Concentration Camp in the spring of 1945. This appalling chapter of US military history and uplifting Holocaust story deserves to be widely known and understood.Operation Swallow provides a historical, first person perspective of how American GIs stood up against their evil SS captors who were forcing them to work as slave laborers. A young GI is thrust into a leadership position and leads his fellow servicemen on a daring escape. It is a story filled with courage, sacrifice, torture, despair, and salvation. A compelling narrative-driven nonfiction book has not been written that takes the reader deep into the dark story of Operation 'Swallow' and Berga Concentration Camp--until now.Written from personal testimonies and official documents, Operation Swallow is a tale replete with high adventure, compelling characters, human drama, tragedy, and eventual salvation, from the pen of a master of the modern military narrative.

Critic reviews

Praise for Mark Felton:
"Zero Night reminds us that the real Allied escapees were often far more enthralling and admirable than movies' characters could ever be."—The Wall Street Journal

"The story of the greatest escape of World War II has been told for the first time."—Daily Mail, on Zero Night

"A remarkable story of wartime bravery and escape."—The Herald, on Castle of the Eagles

"A stunning true story."—Daily Record, on Castle of the Eagles

Government Cover up

How dare the US government cover up what happened to these Americans Troops near the end of WWII. These me should have been honored and there story told.

Insight into what POWs went through in Germany.

This book moved my soul for all American POWs. Such a horrendous story of terrible things ppl do to each other in war. I will never forget this book for as long as I live.

Well worth the time

Enjoyable is hardly a word one might use for this book, because one can’t enjoy the story of the fate of captured POWs. There are many such books extant, and from my reading, this has been one of the better ones. It’s a story that is a little told, but will reward the reader with more insight into the fate of the servicemen during World War II. I highly recommend it.

Does it deserve 5 stars?

Yes. Incredible mix of war details.....fear, suffering, drama, and human triumph. My wife and I listened during a long trip. We really liked it.

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This is an heroic story about American POWs used for horrific and illegal purposes. The information was graphic and often disturbing. Most of this 8.5 hour book is not about the experience of Berga Concentration Camp, but about the lead up to it, including the Battle of the Bulge and life in another POW camp. Felton's description was very good and spot-on the events.