Summary

In the chapter “The Lightening War,” just after Irena returned to school after summer vacation, the Germans and Russians signed a non-aggression treaty. The people of Poland wondered what would happen to their country. On Sept. 1, Irena was walking to the hospital when she heard planes and explosions. One of the interns from the hospital pulled Irena out of the middle of the street as she stood in shock. The hospital was crowded with civilians and members of the military wounded by the German attack. Irena worried about her family.

The Polish army began to retreat from Radom, and Irena joined them when the officers asked for volunteer nurses and doctors. The plan was to blow up the bridge once the Polish soldiers crossed the Wisla River. They reached a hospital and begin unloading the wounded soldiers...