As the 20th century neared its end, Joseph Beyrle, a D-Day paratrooper, met author Thomas H. Taylor and shared his extraordinary story in "Behind Hitler's Lines." Beyrle was the first American paratrooper to land in Normandy and the only soldier to fight for both the United States and the Soviet Union against Nazi Germany.
His journey was marked by battles, captures, daring escapes, and recaptures on the Eastern Front's final months. Presidents Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin honored him for his unique experiences on the 50th anniversary of V-E Day.
Before D-Day, Beyrle parachuted into Normandy twice, delivering gold for the French resistance. On D-Day, he was captured and mistaken for a German infiltrator. Later, he was held at the American embassy in Moscow, suspected of being a Nazi assassin. Fingerprints saved him.
Throughout his journey, Beyrle's life was saved by chance encounters and acts of kindness, including a rescue by Polish nuns in Warsaw's ruins. His firsthand account provides a unique perspective on World War II's courage and resilience.
