Author Shares Her Father's War Story 'In the Hands of Strangers'

Kim Moretto Niemeier knew little about World War II and her father's heroic experiences as a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot flying combat missions over France and Germany. Embracing the mission to write "In the Hands of Strangers: A World War II Story of Courage, Heroism, and Enduring Friendship" (published by Xlibris) gave her a deeper appreciation for those of the greatest generation whose stories all deserve to be told.

On June 12, 1944, six days after the D-Day invasion of Normandy, U.S. fighter pilot Fred Moretto is ambushed by German Messerschmitt 109s. Barely escaping his burning P-47 Thunderbolt, Lt. Moretto parachutes into the French countryside where villagers working for the Resistance conceal him from the Germans for two months in a bread oven, a secret perch in an attic and a hayloft. In 1993, nearly 50 years later, Kim convinces her father to return to France. Reuniting with the people and the places where he survived against all odds, re-invigorates his French connection and launches Kim's 20-year odyssey to uncover the dramatic details of her father's inspiring story.

"There are certainly many tales of World War II adventures. Somewhere during our research we realized that many of the details we uncovered were indeed unique," Niemeier says. "The intersecting tales of the 350th pilots on that fateful flight and after, the families in Moisville, nearby German atrocities, spies, the underground of that area and the reunions make this a different book, at least to our knowledge. I also told it as a personal journey of discovering the details of my father's journey."

Through the publication of this book, Niemeier hopes readers will never forget the cost of war on countries and militaries and get a sense that love and human decency can overcome even the most difficult of situations.

"In the Hands of Strangers"
By Kim Moretto Niemeier
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 188 pages | ISBN 9781524544713
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 188 pages | ISBN 9781524544720
E-Book | 188 pages | ISBN 9781524544706
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
A realtor for 32 years, Kim Moretto Niemeier lives in Huntsville with her husband Charles.

Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.

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