A Pembrokeshire author is celebrating reaching the top ten of the Sunday Times bestseller list. Greg Lewis, who is originally from Saundersfoot, hit the prestigious list this week with his latest book, ‘The Nazi Ghost Train’, which was published on March 12.

The book tells the fascinating story of an incredible act of WW2 resistance in which 1,400 people were saved from death in a concentration camp.

“This is almost certainly one of the biggest and most important single acts of resistance in the war. But it’s a story that’s never been properly told,” explained Greg.

Airmen from Britain, the United States, and Canada, as well as sabotage agents from SOE, and members of the resistance had been gathered in a fortress-like prison in Brussels in 1944 by the Nazis.

As liberation drew close, an SS general decided to transport them all to Neuengamme concentration camp. But the ordinary man and women of Brussels were determined the deportation would not go ahead.

“Hundreds of airmen and patriots were on their way to almost certain death until a small group of truly heroic people stepped in to save them,” added Greg.

The inspiration for the book came from another Pembrokeshire man, John Evans, a bomber pilot who was originally from Goodwick.

Many years ago, John – who evaded capture behind enemy lines - showed Greg a letter he received from a member of the resistance who been on what had gone down in Belgian folklore as the ‘Ghost train’.

“That was the first time I had heard about the Nazi Ghost Train and I was intrigued,” said Greg, a former pupil of Saundersfoot CP, and Greenhill School, Tenby.

“I had to find out more. Tracking down the story of the ‘Ghost Train’ led me to children and grandchildren of airmen in Britain, the US, and Canada, and through the archives here and in Belgium. It was a case of uncovering the stories of some truly unsung heroes.”

During its first fortnight on sale ‘The Nazi Ghost Train’ has become an Amazon bestseller as well as reaching number 8 in the Sunday Times bestseller list.

It is available from all good bookshops.