Author : David L. Williams
Publisher : The History Press
ISBN 13 : 0750965517
Total Pages : 208 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (59 download)
Book Synopsis Lifeline Across the Sea by : David L. Williams
Download or read book Lifeline Across the Sea written by David L. Williams and published by The History Press. This book was released on 2015-07-06 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Behind the scenes during the Second World War, agreements were negotiated for the safe exchange and repatriation of wounded or gravely ill prisoners, ‘Protected Personnel’, diplomats, civilians and alien internees, a little-known dimension of the war. Conducted under the oversight of the International Red Cross and through neutral intermediaries, exchanges were arranged individually between Allied nations and the Axis belligerents. A group of some 50 ships, many in special livery, were uniquely engaged in this highly dangerous work, sailing through hostile waters alone and undefended, and conspicuously illuminated at night. Constantly at risk of attack by submarine and aircraft, their safety depended on the transmission, receipt and observance of ‘safe passage’ commands to the armed units in their paths. This book describes these special ships and details the exchange missions they took part in.