The secret rescue of World War II

This is an untold story of American nurses and medics behind Nazi lines during World War II.

Thirteen 13 female nurses and 13 male medics were in a plane flying from southern Italy, up the coast as the Americans advanced.

However, the plane entered heavy fog and wind, their radio was out, they were blown off course and didn't know where they were. Dropping down, they landed on an old makeshift air strip in Albania. They were met by battle hardened partisans who kept them away from the Germans, even though many close calls. They wandered for months on foot, from village to village having no idea where they were. They hid at night with courageous villagers who shared with them what little food they had.

They eventually met  up with a British officer, who was an OSS (equivalent of our CIA). This officer eventually got them to the coast of Albania and a boat came and picked them up and took them back to Italy. Ironically, all of them lived, even though, it was winter time and they were walking through snow and braved cold weather.  The only reason that they did live was because of their partisan guides and the local villagers. They were some good people, they were fed and never betrayed.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran and business owner in Priest River.