The Luck of Thirteen Wanderings and Flight through Montenegro and Serbia by Gordon et al.

A gripping and heartfelt eyewitness account of courage, chaos, and compassion in war-torn Eastern Europe.

In The Luck of Thirteen, sisters Jane and Ethel Gordon recount their extraordinary experiences as volunteer nurses during World War I, serving with a medical unit on the Balkan front. What begins as a journey of service soon turns into a harrowing flight for survival as they and their companions are swept up in the Serbian army’s retreat through the rugged mountains of Montenegro and Albania.

Told with wit, humility, and vivid detail, this memoir offers a rare female perspective on the horrors of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the bonds forged in adversity. Both a travel narrative and a historical document, the book captures a pivotal and often overlooked chapter of World War I history.

A compelling read for those interested in wartime memoirs, women’s history, and the Balkan front of the Great War.