THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL OF THE VATICAN

by Gallagher. J. P. ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 3, 1968

During the Nazi occupation of Rome, the most ""wanted"" man on the list was a tall gangly Irish priest named Monsignor Hugh Joseph. O'Flaherty. This man operated one of the most incredible underground rescue operations of the war...a network that eventually hid and cared for thousands of escapees of all nationalities. From the steps of Vatican city, under the neutrally averted eyes of Pope Pius, Father O'Flaherty hustled and smuggled supplies, money and refugees to retreats all over the city. One such was that of Mrs. Henrictta Chevalier who eventually had housed hundreds in her small apartment and survived constant observation and a number of SS raids. The Nazis tried everything, including kidnapping, to hire the Father from his sanctuary, little realizing that he slipped in and out at will. His top fellow conspirators consisted of an interesting assortment of characters including a wily butler, a Count, an English Major and a Princess. There are enough hair-line escapes and heroic moments (particularly under Gestapo torture) here to fill a spate of spy epics and it can take its place as one of the truly remarkable stories to come out of the war.

Pub Date: April 3, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Coward-McCann

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION