Beyond the Call

The True Story of One World War II Pilot's Covert Mission to Rescue POWs on the Eastern Front

By: Lee Trimble, Jeremy Dronfield

Narrated by: Donald Corren

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's summary

Near the end of World War II, thousands of Allied ex-POWs were abandoned to wander the war-torn Eastern Front. With no food, shelter, or supplies, they were an army of dying men. The Red Army had pushed the Nazis out of Russia. As they advanced across Poland, the prison camps of the Third Reich were discovered and liberated. In defiance of humanity, the freed Allied prisoners were discarded without aid. The Soviets viewed POWs as cowards and regarded all refugees as potential spies or partisans.

The United States repeatedly offered to help recover their POWs but were refused. With relations between the Allies strained, a plan was conceived for an undercover rescue mission. In total secrecy the OSS chose an obscure American air force detachment stationed at a Ukrainian airfield; it would provide the base and the cover for the operation. The man they picked to undertake it was veteran 8th Air Force bomber pilot Captain Robert Trimble.

With little covert training, already scarred by the trials of combat, Trimble took the mission. He would survive by wit, courage, and a determination to do some good in a terrible war. Alone he faced up to the terrifying Soviet secret police, saving hundreds of lives. At the same time he battled to come to terms with the trauma of war and find his own way home to his wife and child.

One ordinary man. One extraordinary mission. A thousand lives at stake. This is the compelling, inspiring true story of an American hero who laid his life on the line to bring his fellow men home to safety and freedom.

©2015 Lee Trimble and Jeremy Dronfield (P)2015 Recorded Books

First Class worth every penny.

They never taught this in high school or college and should have. As we at the present time deal with Russia on the news daily this should be read by anyone who wants to know who we are dealing with. I praise this son for being sure this story got told. He should be on every talk show out there. I am giving hard copies to my sons and telling folks who listen to books while they drive, before bed, or around the pool this summer, buy this book you won't regret it.

Amazing Story! Some hard stuff to listen about.

Great detail. Hard to swallow some of the facts. Everyone interested in this time period should listen to it. It is an in-talked about part of the war.

Never knew about this

One of the most entertaining books I have ever listened/read. I never knew about this aspect of history, but it makes total sense. Captain Trimble was a true hero.

Great Story, Well Written Book

Great story. The narrator does a really good job. This book highlights an often overlooked portion of WW2, and tells a previously unknown story. It does so by telling the tale of a truly great American Hero.
I listen to, and read, many books a month. Unlike many books written by family members, this one is very well written. It also details a truly remarkable life and time period, and some truly remarkable and heroic actions. It is worth your time and credits.

A Great Story on Every Level

This true account of an unknown American hero, is excellent on every front. Though I have read many of accounts of WWII, I learned many things about the US effort to save American POW's who had been released by the Russians in their their advance toward Germany, and how little they did to help get American's to freedom. This story is fantastic about a TRUE AMERICAN HERO from both the personal, military, and clandestine adventure he was on. The narration by Corren was excellent as well. Enjoy the read.

beyond the call

there is nothing like a true life story. it told like the writer was there. for the millions that don't believe things like this happened, pray because it happen again.

Excellent!

This is a very interesting, very well-written and very interesting story. It is one man’s journey into the atrocities of war. Great reading!

Amazing Book

This is an amazing book that tells another story of an ordinary man from small town America thrust into an incredibly unfamiliar situation: Poland and Russia in the waning days of World War II. After completing the requisite 35 bomber missions, Captain Trimble was offered a "cushy" job ferrying downed aircraft from Russia back to their bases. In reality, this was just cover for an OSS operation (unbeknownst to Captain Trimble until he arrived in Russia) to return liberated American POWs who were, at best, ignored by our "friendly" Soviet allies. Along the way, Captain Trimble offers whatever help he is able to displaced civilians.

This book is well written and reads like a novel. It is difficult to put down. It would make a great movie.

I have seen a some comments in some forums doubting the veracity of this book. It must be remembered that this was a secret mission that involved displaced persons. So I wouldn't expect a lot of documentation. But, as the preface to the book argues, I agree that the word of a highly decorated World War II officer (one who never tried to profit off of this) should be accepted. The book also rings true given what we know about Stalin and the behavior of Soviet troops in liberated areas of the eastern front at the end of the war and then into the Cold War.

Read it and draw your own conclusions!

Excellent listen

So well written and performed. One of those stories which makes you reflect on your small everyday problems and really puts them in perspective.

what a wonderful story! loved it!

How awesome that this young man was able to get his father's story before he passed. a very interesting and moving history, what traumatic events he witnessed.