Band of Sisters grabbed my heart and mind every second I spent in the book, a true account of the Blue Squadron comprised of twelve exceptional women who provided medical and emotional care to French civilians and soldiers they encountered during World War II. One of the ladies was Madeleine Pauliac who worked became a doctor and specialized in emergency pediatrics, adept at difficult tracheostomies. Not only was she skilled with her hands, she was also compassionate and a critical member of the Blue Squadron during World War II as a lieutenant. She worked in the Resistance, saw needs and set about filling them without care about great personal risk Her heart also ached for the innocent amputee children. She created an orphanage for babies born of nun rape. What she saw and experienced is unimaginable. Thankfully, her nephew, writer Philippe Maynial, painstakingly researched her life from documents, letters, accounts and re-tracing her path in person. This book is the incredible result and includes amazing photographs which are personal, touching and lend historical context to this dreadful era. what happened to the other members of the squadron after the war is also included.

Though Madeleine's life was short, her list of accomplishments is long and she posthumously received the Légion d'Honneur medal. She was personally asked by de Gaulle to join the Red Cross ambulance drivers and nurses to conduct these rescue missions. The squadron members were very close due to shared tragedies. Consequences of war are vividly detailed as well such as Russians driving animals over crops, grievous physical and mental injuries to nuns, crossing destroyed bridges and tending to dying soldiers. Madeleine was truly a heroine in my eyes. She was fearless, beloved, selfless and saved lives. Her story is gripping, compelling and poignant. I have read countless books on World War II but this is told from such a unique perspective. If you are ready to be inspired by courageous female marvels, this book is unmissable. Details are not easy at times but so, so important.

My sincere thank you to Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal book.

This book is centered around Madeline with very little mention of the rest of Blue Squadron and is mostly about Madeline’s efforts in the Concentration camps after WWII ended. It was still interesting to read about efforts to save Concentration camp victims that I hadn’t known about.

One of the best books I have read all year, The courage of nurse Madeleine Pauliac and her colleagues rescuing French nationals in World War Two is remarkable and inspirational. The book has been impeccably researched and delves into a little known aspect of World War Two. I read it and then had to pause for thought thinking of those women and particularly Madeleine Pauliac and their bravery.

Want something done? Send in the nurses.
WW2 is ending in Europe and the Iron Curtain is rapidly descending on Poland. The Blue Squadron, consisting of French Army doc Pauliac and her 11 Red Cross nurses are given orders to repatriate wounded French soldiers and civilians in Poland and bring them home. With the Red Cross emblem and status serving as cover they navigate through dangerous political and physical situations. Ambulances loaded and rolling across Europe en route to Warsaw they come upon several newly liberated concentration camps and mission orders change to help where they can along the way. They bear witness to the horrors of not only Hitler’s Army, but also Stalin’s as they are operating on borrowed time. The Iron Curtain is swiftly closing around them as they squeak out their final missions. Managing to execute over 200 rescue missions, save thousands of lives, and run the French hospital in Warsaw, Pauliac and her nurses become a glimmer of hope as the lights are fading for many in Poland, all in service to their beloved France.
Truly an inspiring story, these Sisters defied every force working against them. Fingers crossed this will be adapted into film to reach the masses with their heroic story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rowan & Littlefield Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting story of the authors relative. Not a full story as much as the timeline of the experiences of the relative.