World War II gave rise to some of history's most gripping stories of courage and heroism. Some of the rescues recounted here involve 'the greatest generation', the soldiers, sailors and airmen who risked all for their brothers and sisters in arms; others concern civilians who hid Jews in their homes or helped Allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. And there are deeply personal stories, too, such as Lucie Aubrac's audacious plan to liberate her husband from a Gestapo prison. Common to all the deep reserves of courage and humanity that led ordinary men and women to risk, and even sacrifice, their lives in order to rescue those in mortal danger.