Henry is a nineteen-year-old copilot in the US Eighth Air Force, originally from a farm in Richmond, Virginia. He exhibits a quiet religious faith and a strong sense of empathy, often praying for the safety of others. After his plane goes down, he relies on his rural upbringing and inner resilience to survive in the hostile territory of German-occupied Europe.

Lilly is Henry's warm and affectionate mother. She maintains a deep religious faith and taught her son to help others whenever possible. Her optimistic nature provides a sharp contrast to the grueling realities of farm life and her husband's difficult temperament.

Clayton is a hardworking Virginia farmer who kept his family fed through the Depression. He is often harshly critical and intimidating, frequently belittling his son. Despite his difficult exterior, his grueling expectations inadvertently prepared Henry for the physical hardships of war.

Patsy is a beautiful, feisty young woman who lives on the farm neighboring the Foresters in Virginia. She possesses a bold personality that Henry greatly admires. The memory of a shared kiss before his deployment anchors his hopes for a peaceful future.

Billy is a copilot on the Battling Queen bomber. Coming from a wealthy background, he attended a fee-paying high school before dropping out of college to join the war effort. He often masks his underlying insecurities with boasting and good-natured taunting.

Madame Gaulloise is a stylish, cultured Resistance member operating out of a luxurious mansion in Annecy. She deliberately plays the role of a high-society coquette to disarm German officers and disguise her underground activities. She possesses a deep love for art and classical music, which she shares with those she protects.

Pierre is an eight-year-old French boy living on a farm with his mother and grandfather. He is highly perceptive about the dangers of the occupation and actively assists the Resistance by sabotaging German road signs. He possesses a bright, eager mind and trades French lessons for English vocabulary.

This unnamed Nazi officer is a cold, sadistic interrogator educated at Cambridge University. He speaks perfect English and uses psychological intimidation, including a large guard dog, to break his prisoners. His actions embody the ruthless inhumanity of the occupying forces.

Claudette is a seventeen-year-old bakery worker and former novice nun whose life was upended by the occupation. She is deeply embittered by personal tragedies inflicted by the Nazis, fueling her passionate and sometimes impulsive involvement with the maquis fighters. Her fiery temperament conceals a strong capacity for kindness.

Pierre's mother is a young, dedicated widow who manages the family farm while secretly serving the French Resistance. She bravely stores weapons and provisions for local fighters. Her actions are driven by a fierce desire to ensure her son grows up in a free country.

Dan is the experienced and authoritative pilot of the B-24 bomber. He acts as a steadying presence for his crew and holds immense respect for Henry's skills as a copilot. He prioritizes the safety of his men above his own welfare during crises.

Martin is the calm and measured leader of a maquis faction. He organizes acts of sabotage against German supply lines and coordinates with Allied drops. He balances his tactical responsibilities with a careful watch over his younger, more volatile fighters.

André is a dedicated French Resistance fighter operating in the mountainous regions. He works closely with his fellow maquis members to disrupt German patrols and serves as an important emotional anchor for Claudette.

Pierre's grandfather is an elderly, cautious man living on the family farm. He is deeply wary of the dangers brought by the war and views the hidden American pilot as a source of extreme risk and bad luck for their household.

Pierre's uncle is an active participant in the French Resistance. He operates under the cover of darkness to coordinate strikes against German forces and relies on a network of hidden camps to protect vulnerable civilians and downed airmen.

The schoolteacher is a frail but deeply principled older man whose students were forcefully conscripted by the Nazis. Harboring a quiet hatred for the occupying forces, he uses his local knowledge to shelter and transport downed Allied personnel toward neutral territory.

The boatman is a local French citizen whose son was a former student of the schoolteacher. He uses his legitimate cargo runs as a cover to secretly transport refugees and military personnel toward the Swiss border under crates of produce.

Samuel Watson serves as a special assistant to the US Ambassador. Operating within a delicate diplomatic environment, he possesses crucial intelligence regarding escape routes and coordinates with the French Resistance to help stranded airmen reach safety.

This young, unnamed Resistance member is no older than sixteen but operates with the hardened discipline of a veteran fighter. He navigates the treacherous Alpine terrain to safely transport vulnerable individuals between hidden maquis outposts.

This weary, older soldier serves in the German army late in the war. Despite following orders to manage prisoners and prepare for executions, he struggles with his conscience as the conflict nears its conclusion.