November 1, 2025 • 34 mins
Today's Adventure: An OSS agent goes into France to team up with a formidable wealthy French woman to set up an escape route for downed Allied flyers.
Original Radio Broadcast: September 8, 1950
Originating from New York
Starring: Les Tremayne; Bryna Raeburn; Lily Valenti; Jack Gordon; Ralph Bell
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Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
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Original Radio Broadcast: September 8, 1950
Originating from New York
Starring: Les Tremayne; Bryna Raeburn; Lily Valenti; Jack Gordon; Ralph Bell
To subscribe to this podcast and, go to https://greatadventures.info/
Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger.
But first I do want to encourage you. If you're
enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:30):
And today's program is brought in part by the financial
support of our listeners. You can support show on a
one time basis support dot Great Detectives dot net and
become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for his little
last two dollars per month at Patreon dot Great Detectives
dot net. But now, from September eighth, nineteen fifty, here
(00:53):
is the Overground Railroad.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Are you willing to undertake a dayangerious mission behind the
enemy lines knowing you may never return alive.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
What you have just heard is the question asked during
the war to agents of the OSS ordinary citizens.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
So to this question answered yes.
Speaker 5 (01:22):
This is.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Loop and Dagger, Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are
(01:47):
the weapons of the OSS. In tonight's episode, Overground Railroad,
the part of Lieutenant Fontaine OSS agents who helped thousands
of American airmen escape to safety is played by Lestremain,
where he is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the
Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services, a story.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
That can now be told.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
When a flyer was forced down behind enemy lines, he
was just another fugitive, moving cautiously at night to avoid detection,
fighting for survival. His shelter was a haystacker, a hedgerow.
For food, he dug raw potatoes or turnips from the field,
and in his panic he was always just one step
ahead of the Gestapo, with no knowledge of the country
(02:41):
and no friend whom he could turn. A few of
the lucky ones managed to escape back to England. I
met one of those lucky ones in Colonel Johnson's office
at OSS Headquarters in London, at Tenafontan.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
This is Major Davidson.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
How do you do? Major lad maya Fontwann Before.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
I asked Major Davidson to tell you a story, I
want to say something, Yes, Colonel Johnson. At its narrowest,
the English Channel is only twenty miles wide. Yet it
took Major Davidson here more than a year to get across,
and hundreds of Allied pilots all over France haven't been
able to make it yet, and if something isn't done
to help them, they never will.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
But Colonel, with the Nazis occupying France.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
With the Nazis occupying France, the channel is still only
twenty miles wide. Our trouble has been that up to
now we've had no contact with the French underground, no
way of helping them smuggle pilots out of France. All right,
Major Davidson, go ahead and tell your story now.
Speaker 6 (03:36):
Well, I was shot down over the south of France
coming back from a bombing mission.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
The rest of the crew was killed of.
Speaker 6 (03:43):
Just my co pilot, Johnny Porter, and me left. Yes,
go on meet. We figured out am as are up.
Any flyer forced down on enemy territory figures that nowadays.
But we were lucky. A farmer picked us up and
hit us overnight, and then the next morning a big
black limbs drove up and a woman about sixty got out.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
She took us to.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
Her house in Paris and kept us there. She found
a way to smuggle us across the channel with a
fisherman just a few days ago.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Who was this woman, Major, Her name is.
Speaker 6 (04:12):
Madame Annette Jobert. I used to tell her she meant
more to the Yankee team than Joe DiMaggio. During the
time we were with her, she managed to collect two
more of our boys, but she has no way of
getting them out of France.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Well, what do you think, Fontane?
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Just what you think, Colonel for the first time, Olay says,
has a lead a contact.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
What you say?
Speaker 4 (04:33):
This woman's name was Major A.
Speaker 6 (04:35):
Jobert, Madam and Neette Jobert, and quite a goalto Colonel Johnson.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
With her help, maybe we can set up a chain
of way stations, established a shall we say, an overland railroad,
collect our flyers and move them like chessmen right across
France to the channel.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
How soon can you leave.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Anytime? You say, Colonel Johnson? Anytime?
Speaker 5 (05:00):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (05:01):
By the way, Major, how will I be able to
identify myself to Madamoiseeurbert? Did you agree on any cold
word anything?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Hey, yeah, a black lace garter.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
I left London a few days later and landed the
next morning on the coast of France. The disguised fishing
boat let me off and I made my way to
Paris undetected. It was spring nineteen forty four. I was
going to know April in Paris, but not the way
any American tourists before the war had known it. The
red dawn was touching the roofs of Paris, the golden
(05:46):
dome of the Pantheon. Most of the city was still
dreaming of other better springtimes before the Germans came. Then
the city started to wake up.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Aye, I smacked away?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Why I smack away alone? Bakers were at work through
the windows, sweating the door. The waiters from the cafes
were sweeping into the gutter the cigarette butts that their
customers had dropped under the tables the night before. For
a few minutes it was the Paris my mother had
talked about. And then an official Nazi car turned the corner,
(06:25):
and I knew that everything had changed me. I made
my way to forty six for you, Dancy, where I'd
find Madame Annette Jobert. Madame Jobert, Madame Jobert.
Speaker 7 (06:50):
What are you doing making all that fucket so early
in the morning?
Speaker 8 (06:54):
People are still trying to sleep here?
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Why I'm sorry, I'm looking for Madame and Jobert. This
is her house, isn't it?
Speaker 7 (07:03):
We it this her house?
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Did you see her go out this morning?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Do you think I.
Speaker 9 (07:08):
Have nothing better to do than keep an account of
her comings and goings. But I did not see her
go out this morning, and I have not seen her
go out any morning.
Speaker 8 (07:16):
For a week.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Just moved, moved.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
If you take the trouble to knock your city windows.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Or boarded up, madam, madam, please, I've got to locate her.
I'm her nephew.
Speaker 8 (07:33):
Ask how good friends? The Germans?
Speaker 7 (07:35):
Where she is good to the is stuffle?
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Well wait a minute, please, I was up applying there.
I had come to parents because I had a contact.
Now the contact was gone.
Speaker 10 (08:01):
There you are, Monsieur MERSI the first one in that
cafe this morning. I remember other springs was always crowded
at this time.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
What is it for, Sieur? Do you not feel way
something wrong? No? No, not not wrong exactly. It's just
that I came to Paris to see my aunt. It
seems she's moved and left no forwarding address.
Speaker 10 (08:27):
But there is always one way to find her away.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
What is it? You're the only to go to the
Gestapo that they will do? You go to the Gestapo
and ask sure? Why not? Always? This was in particular
who helped us? As long as we got the help,
I was sure Colonel Johnson wouldn't object to by letting
even the Gestapo give us a hand. I beg your pardon.
Speaker 11 (09:04):
I can't see them on the phone.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
Wait a minute, I'm sorry.
Speaker 11 (09:08):
Yeah, coming album blacklish at.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Coming on.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
Now?
Speaker 11 (09:17):
What is it around?
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I would like some information, that kind of information. I
arrived from south of France this morning. I came to
visit my aunt. Only I discovered when I got here
that she had moved.
Speaker 11 (09:29):
What do you want us to do about it?
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Well, I merely request her change of address. I felt
certain it would be in the records of the guest
stopping records.
Speaker 11 (09:38):
The address are changeab address of anyone in Paris that's
listed with us.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
What's the name of your aunt, Jobert, madam, And that's Jobert.
Speaker 11 (09:47):
Let me see your papers?
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Yes, there you are.
Speaker 11 (09:53):
These papers are heres intrigued me? Have I seen any
like them before?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Something wrong with him?
Speaker 11 (10:02):
On the contrary, they I figured out extremely accurately. Usually
one thing or another is omitted. I congratulate you on
your sighness. Thank you, sergeant, thank you, I commandant. There
is a Frenchman at the front desk who is trying
to locate his aunt and madam a natral bear. Yeah,
come on, dan him in. Thank you, thank you very much.
(10:26):
Sergeant wait, wait, one another thing. Your suitcase, my suitcase,
and no one is allowed past this desk without having
his luggage or packets checked. Put your suitcase up you
an open.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
It suitcase was filled with clothing, but there was a
false bottom to it, and in the false bottom was
a short wave radio. If the sergeant accidentally pushed the button,
that would reveal the radio.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
That is so slow?
Speaker 11 (10:50):
About do you give me that suitcase?
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Why are you having it?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Rocks?
Speaker 4 (10:56):
No? No? Yes, yes, you see just personal articles I see.
Speaker 11 (11:10):
Do you think I expected you to walk in to
get Starpo headquarters with a time bomb? I short they've
read on your suit just perhaps that's just the team.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
I must check up.
Speaker 11 (11:21):
A commandan's office. Hat down the whole first door you
come to under at.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
You sit down, Sit down, monsieur cigar. The wine soaked
cigars are very good, Thank you, he commandant. I never
resist a good cigar or a pretty girl.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
You wonder perhaps why I am seeing you personally about
this matter of locating you around?
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Whatever the reason, Commandant, could I'm flattered or not at all?
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Tell you around for me that I am delighted to
render her his little service.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Fine woman, a delightful woman.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
And a clever woman too. She's been most cooperative. Oh,
I'm sure she has. Commandant Kurtz is most urgent. That
I find her urgent, how urgent.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
I have news for her about my uncle, her brother,
who is very ill in the south of France. Pity
it still over me that if she desires a trifle,
I will arrange for the necessary permit. Of course, we
are very kind, not at all, not at all. Hell,
let me see. Ah, yeah it is.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
She's boarded up our house at forty six Old dan Sike,
as you know, and moved to another residence twenty kilometers
southwest of Pels in the village of Torri Ferrot.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
He here, yeah, right out, exact address. Thank you for
your help, her Commandant, I assure you I will never
forget it. I took a train to the village of
Turiferout way, I kept thinking about Madame Jeanbert. The German
(13:03):
High Command evidently considered her one of the most important collaborationists.
We considered her our most important contact with the French underground.
She certainly had someone food I hoped it was the Nazis.
Speaker 12 (13:16):
Madame Jiebert is in here, monsieur in the library, Mercy,
Monsieur Fontine.
Speaker 9 (13:24):
Madame, comean, comean, Jessill you may go and close the door. Madame,
come close, No, come closer. Let me have a good
look at you. He yeah, it's quite far enough.
Speaker 7 (13:42):
Now. What's all this nonsense about being my nephew.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
What's the matter, Arvin? Don't you recognize me?
Speaker 7 (13:49):
I've never seen you before in my life.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
I have regards for you from friends, friends, Major Norman
Davidson and Lieutenant Johnny Porter.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
I've never heard of them.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
You don't remember helping to smuggle them across the channel, Addie, this.
Speaker 7 (14:05):
Is insolence of what are you accusing.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Me of being an important link in the French underground?
Speaker 9 (14:11):
Nonsince, I know of no underground if there is one
that does not concern me. Now go back and tell
them at Gestapo headquarters that they have made a mistake,
and they'll Commandant courts.
Speaker 7 (14:24):
I am hurt at his suspicions of me.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
What makes you think the Gestapo sent me?
Speaker 9 (14:30):
Only the Gestapo knows my change of address.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
They were very obliging.
Speaker 9 (14:36):
They gave it to me, I ask you to leave, monsieur,
I am very busy this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
I believe you lost this, Madame Joubert.
Speaker 7 (14:49):
That luckless garto. Where did you get it?
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Was given to me by Major Davidson, who says you
mean more of the Yankee team than Joe DiMaggio. He
also told me to give you a great, big kiss.
Speaker 9 (14:59):
But well, bless my heart, bless my heart, indeed you
still want me to leave.
Speaker 7 (15:08):
You are as fresh as all Americans. Sit down, Sit down,
thank you.
Speaker 9 (15:13):
So you just walked in and asked bigger stuff for
almost your good swine.
Speaker 7 (15:20):
Oh I'd like to see their faces if they knew, Oh.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Come, come, come, Madame Joebert. Is that a way to talk?
They think very highly of you.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
Which is just what I want them to think.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
We're the other two pilots now, Madam.
Speaker 9 (15:35):
I deposited them in a monastery in the south of Safety,
but I have no way to get them to the channel.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Look, Madame Jobert, perhaps you and I can establish a
chain of way stations safe houses across France, and then
the Osays can collect the hundreds of flyers were shut
down and you can send them back to Safety.
Speaker 9 (15:54):
Yes, how could I do that without help, without a
way to contact England.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
I have a radio in the suitcase.
Speaker 9 (16:05):
Very well, in the morning we will drive to the monastery.
The monks their friendly. They would be more than glad.
I am sure to let us use that as a
base to start operations.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Great, that's wonderful, Madam Jobert.
Speaker 7 (16:20):
You had the kiss for me from mid Joe Davidson.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
Where is it right here? Auntie?
Speaker 7 (16:30):
Next see?
Speaker 9 (16:31):
And now, young man, you will oblige me by giving
me back my garter.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
Yeah, yeah, she was quite a girl, all right, Madame Jobert.
She gave me a suite of rooms to myself, got
me a chaffeur's uniform, decided my name should be Claude,
and in the morning we set out for the monastery.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
Yes, yes, Fontaine a cloud. That is just what we
will do.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
Yes, oh, says We'll furnish each member of an air
crew with detailed escape maps when they are briefed in England,
pinpointing the friendly areas on the root of every mission.
Do you think these safe houses will be difficult to
set up?
Speaker 5 (17:17):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (17:17):
Not too difficult.
Speaker 9 (17:18):
I think I know already of the home of his
sympathetic parish priest, a church, school, a farmhouse, and I
have many wealthy friends who will be willing.
Speaker 7 (17:27):
I am sure. Why are you slowing down?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Nazi? God wants me to stop.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
Don't worry. I have all the necessary permits.
Speaker 13 (17:37):
I let me see a permit to travel.
Speaker 9 (17:41):
Eh, you are this is a great inconvenience.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
I will report it to my friend, Commandant.
Speaker 13 (17:49):
Courts, Commandant Kurtz. I see you have his personal stamper
on this pass. Where are you headed for, Madame Joubert.
Speaker 7 (17:59):
I have business in the village.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Ah, I would suggest you do not go today.
Speaker 7 (18:06):
Why not?
Speaker 13 (18:07):
There's to be an execution at the square.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Not very pleasant, but execution.
Speaker 7 (18:12):
What are you talking about?
Speaker 13 (18:14):
We found thirty five tons of arms and materials that
were stolen from German supply trains.
Speaker 7 (18:20):
Found all that where.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
In the monastery.
Speaker 7 (18:25):
The monastery. I cannot believe.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
That here, but it is true. And today they will
be shot, five.
Speaker 7 (18:32):
Of them, I see Cloud continue.
Speaker 13 (18:34):
You may go if you like, but it will not
be very pleasant.
Speaker 8 (18:37):
Lord continue, madam.
Speaker 7 (18:47):
So they discovered the supplies in the monastery.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
What about the two American flyers you had hidden there?
Did they discover them too? Are they among the five.
Speaker 7 (18:56):
Quickly, drive quickly cloud.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
We reached the square, parked the car and got out.
The people were huddled in little whispering groups. At the
far end of the square stood the monastery, and lined
up at the wall were five monks, their heads lowered,
their hands fingering the crosses around their necks. Facing them
was a Nazi firing squad. Madame Joelbert grabbed my arm.
(19:31):
What the want to do? I don't think there's anything
we can do. Let this be a lesson to your people.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Off this village. This is what happens to those who
five against us.
Speaker 6 (19:44):
These five will be shot, the.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Other monks and the monastery will be sent to Germany.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
You understand.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Heke a good look, lod you're lessened.
Speaker 7 (19:57):
By wat.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Ah ah.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Madame Jobert and I went back to the car. But
Madame Jobert, if you drive back yourself, what will the
guards say who stopped us before?
Speaker 7 (20:30):
I am an excellent liar.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
I will simply tell him I went to see a
sick relative and left you there to help. I must
drive back immediately, As I told you, I am giving
a birthday party for commandow Courts. I hope he does
not live to see his next. No, you go to
the convent. It is only a few kilometers from here.
Speaker 7 (20:52):
You know what to do.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
Yes, I know what to do. Madame Jobert, what do
you think one of those two pilots who were hidden
in the monastery, they.
Speaker 7 (21:03):
Were probably found and killed.
Speaker 9 (21:06):
But Lieutenant Fontane, we must go on with our plans.
Some have been killed, lu but many gunn be saved.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
I said good bye to her. She drove away. The
Convent of our Sacred Lady was within walking distance. When
I reached the gate, I saw an avenue of acacia
trees leading to the great ornate iron door. The center
panel formed the figure of the Virgin Mary. It was
really spring in these gardens, a peaceful sanctuary in a
(21:43):
war ridden world.
Speaker 7 (21:49):
What is your wish?
Speaker 4 (21:51):
I would like to see the Mother Superior.
Speaker 7 (21:55):
Follow me.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I followed the nun through the spacious hall. It was
part vestry, part repository of art objects. The walls were
hung with darkened old paintings of the Holy Family in
glass chests. Along the vestry, religious utensils of gold and
silver had been stored.
Speaker 7 (22:19):
This is the officer, Mother Angeline.
Speaker 12 (22:21):
Come so you want me to let you use the
convent of our sacred lady as a base for your
underground operations.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
Mother Anjeline, if you know the risk yourself and refuse.
I can't find it in my heart to blame you,
but if you agree, I want you to know first
just what those risks are. Tell me, my son, I've
just come from the village. The monastery there was rated
last night. With my own eyes, I saw five of
(23:03):
the monks shut. The others were hauled away by the Nazis.
Only God knows where I know about that I heard
this morning. If this convent is used as a hideout
and the short wave radio is hidden here, can you
imagine what the Germans would do if they found out?
You would expect no better treatment than the monks received.
Speaker 12 (23:24):
I thank you for telling me this. You are right,
there's a great risk. I have many under my care here.
They depend on my wisdom to do the right thing.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
Of course, you have the other sisters to consider.
Speaker 12 (23:41):
You came here today to convince me of your cause.
I'm afraid I must disappoint you.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
What's that you see? I what's the matter?
Speaker 12 (23:53):
A German armored car? I can see it from the
window coming here. I'm afraid so it is the first
time we have been raided. I am not looking forward
to them muddy boots in this place of God.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
They'll find me, Mother Angeline. What can I do? Where
can I hide?
Speaker 7 (24:15):
They are at the door you rang for me, my mayor.
Speaker 12 (24:20):
Yes, Sister Theresa, give my friend one of the sisters robes,
one long enough to cover him, and a hood.
Speaker 7 (24:30):
Women here the other sisters are They already in the chapel.
Women here, they have thirty the afternoon aderation.
Speaker 12 (24:39):
See that my friend joins them in prayer. Then then
open the main door.
Speaker 7 (24:45):
We have visited us.
Speaker 4 (24:52):
I put a mumsch over my suit and went with
Sister Teresa to the chapel. I knelt with the others.
About twenty b divided by a middle aisle provided seats
for the worshippers. At the far end of the room
was a high pulpit. Many of the kneeling prayed with
arms stretched out, symbolizing the form of the cross. The
(25:14):
sister next to me clasped her hands and on her
ring finger was the silver emblem of a bride of Christ.
They prayed almost silently. Hers were the only words I heard.
Speaker 14 (25:27):
Our maternal power of the universe, Mother of divine grace.
Pray for us, our wisest virgin, our kindly virgin. Pray
for us, Pray for the sick world.
Speaker 12 (25:54):
Good sisters, these soldiers wished to serve the chapel. I
must bow to their wishes and ask you to file
back to your seads.
Speaker 7 (26:04):
Leave now quickly and quietly. Please.
Speaker 4 (26:11):
My head lowered, the hood covering my face. I got
into the line of the sisters. I bent my knees
slightly so that the robes would cover the chaffeur's boots
I was wearing. I lowered my head even more as
I passed the es as Hupman, who was standing with
his men next to the Mother Superior at the door.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
Oh good, the necessity of disturbing your prayer, mil Angeline.
And after the unfortunate incident in the monastery last night,
I feel it is necessary.
Speaker 12 (26:37):
You may search this convent from top to bottom, as
you are already doing. You will find nothing in this
house of God to interest you.
Speaker 7 (26:47):
I'm sure. Hurry, sisters, hurry back to yourselves.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
They're really gone. Mother Arjeline.
Speaker 7 (27:04):
Of course they found nothing here.
Speaker 12 (27:07):
You can take that rope off now you look uncomfortably
in it.
Speaker 4 (27:12):
Thank you for protecting me.
Speaker 7 (27:14):
I believe now, but we have not finished our condoxation.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
Mother Arjeline, you told me I could not convince you
about our cause you said you'd have to disappoint me.
I took that as your answer.
Speaker 7 (27:24):
Let me consult two of the other sisters. First. Wait,
we am a mayor.
Speaker 12 (27:34):
Our two sisters those in the sacristy. Send them here, please,
Sister Celeste.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
A few minutes later, Sister Celeste returned, followed by the
two other nuns. Their arms folded and heads lowered, they
shuffled into the room, and then all of a sudden,
I noticed broad towed army boots protruding beneath the long
black dresses. One of the heads raised, and I saw
(28:02):
that he needed a shave. Mother Argerlie, I don't understand
these men.
Speaker 12 (28:10):
They are American pilot brought here yesterday when the monks
received underground information that the monastery would be raided. Major Kerstein,
Captain Lewis, this is Lieutenant Fontane of the oss Osa.
Speaker 15 (28:23):
Said it's great if you got away of getting it's
out of France. Lieutennant, Yeah, say what happened to Madame Jiobert?
She all right, yeah, yeah, she's all right, Mother, Arjeline.
You led me to believe I wouldn't be able to
convince you of our cause.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
Of course, not.
Speaker 7 (28:38):
Son, how could you, since I was already convinced.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
The convent of our Sacred Lady was the first link
in a chain of safe houses that was forged within
a couple of months under Madame Jolbert's leadership. We moved
Major Kerstein and Captain Lewis along that chain until they
reached the coast of France. They waited hidden in a
farmer's barn while I established contact with headquarters in London.
Agent Fontaine to OSS headquarters in London. Overground railroad, established
(29:08):
train on the tracks, passengers ready to leave and waiting
pick them up and make room for more to come.
More did come.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Over two thousand more Yemen who were shot down and
occupied France rode the overground railroad established by Lieutenant Claude
Fontaine to safety. Thus, once again, the report of another
OSS agent closed.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
With the words mission accomplished.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
Listen again next week for another true adventure from the
files of the OSS on.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Cloak and Dagger.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
Heard him Tonight's Clock and Dagger Adventures. Lieutenant Fontaine was
less Romaine Madame Jobert, Brianna Raeburn and Mother Angeline Lily Valente.
The script was written by Wonderfred Rolf and Jack Gordon.
The music was under the direction of John Guard, sound
effects by John Powers and Many Siegel. Today's OSS Adventure
was based on the book Cloaking Dagger by Corey Ford
and Alistair McBain.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
This program was produced by Lewis G.
Speaker 6 (30:13):
Conley.
Speaker 4 (30:18):
The National Broadcasting Company extends its hottiest congratulations to Station
wb EM Buffalo.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Welcome back. So our man strolled into GESTAPO headquarters with
a suitcase containing his shortwave radio. And this is not
the first time in this series that in OSS operative
has escaped because he did something very risky and ill advised,
(30:48):
but the Axes didn't suspect it because such a mistake
would be so ridiculous, it was unthinkable. And it's important
once again to remember that the OSS was not made
up primarily of professional spies. These were mostly people who
came from civilian life and other professions who were given
(31:10):
months of training, and certainly that training helped, but it
can provide the sort of instinctive behaviors and approaches we
associate with today's professional espionage class. I think that also
played into how he approached setting up the overground railroad,
because I don't think that if you were dealing with
(31:33):
say the CIA or something like that, that they would
have near the hesitation he had. But the narration gives
you a sense of how reluctant he was about putting
these women in danger and the reverence he felt for
that place, but ultimately the decision had already been made.
(31:53):
The episode highlights once again the sort of unflinching courage
by the civilian resistance groups in these Nazi occupied countries
and the risk they were willing to take to be
sure that freedom prevailed. Listener comments and feedback, and we
(32:14):
have a couple of comments on the Norwegian incident over
on YouTube. A simple thanks Adam, I enjoyed it from Chris,
and a thank you from Mark, and also on our
listener survey, Robin Connecticut rites Kloakin Dagger is my new
favorite show. Well, thanks so much, and I appreciate that.
(32:35):
And I've really been delighted at the positive reaction we've
had to this series. Very different than most things we've done,
but people have really embraced it and it's been a
lot to play it for you and look forward to
a few more weeks. All right, well, now it is
time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and
(32:59):
I want to go go ahead and nink Pam, Patreon
supporter since July of this year, currently supporting the podcast
at the secret Agent level of four dollars and more
per month. Thanks so much for your support, Pam, and
that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast,
please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be
(33:19):
sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download
it from. We will be back here on the Great
Adventures of Old Time Radio on Tuesday with another episode
of Adventure Ahead. If you're listening on the Great Detectives podcast,
we're doing a special tomorrow celebrating our top five podcast
(33:42):
episodes of the twenty twenty four to twenty five season.
You can check that out over at Great Detectives dot net.
And of course we will be back on both podcast
feeds a week from today on Saturday with another episode
of Cloaking Down. In the meantime, do send your comments
(34:02):
to Box thirteen at Greatdetectives dot nett, follow us on
Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com, slash Great detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is
your host, Adam Graham signing off.
Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger.
But first I do want to encourage you. If you're
enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:30):
And today's program is brought in part by the financial
support of our listeners. You can support show on a
one time basis support dot Great Detectives dot net and
become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for his little
last two dollars per month at Patreon dot Great Detectives
dot net. But now, from September eighth, nineteen fifty, here
(00:53):
is the Overground Railroad.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Are you willing to undertake a dayangerious mission behind the
enemy lines knowing you may never return alive.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
What you have just heard is the question asked during
the war to agents of the OSS ordinary citizens.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
So to this question answered yes.
Speaker 5 (01:22):
This is.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Loop and Dagger, Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are
(01:47):
the weapons of the OSS. In tonight's episode, Overground Railroad,
the part of Lieutenant Fontaine OSS agents who helped thousands
of American airmen escape to safety is played by Lestremain,
where he is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the
Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services, a story.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
That can now be told.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
When a flyer was forced down behind enemy lines, he
was just another fugitive, moving cautiously at night to avoid detection,
fighting for survival. His shelter was a haystacker, a hedgerow.
For food, he dug raw potatoes or turnips from the field,
and in his panic he was always just one step
ahead of the Gestapo, with no knowledge of the country
(02:41):
and no friend whom he could turn. A few of
the lucky ones managed to escape back to England. I
met one of those lucky ones in Colonel Johnson's office
at OSS Headquarters in London, at Tenafontan.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
This is Major Davidson.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
How do you do? Major lad maya Fontwann Before.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
I asked Major Davidson to tell you a story, I
want to say something, Yes, Colonel Johnson. At its narrowest,
the English Channel is only twenty miles wide. Yet it
took Major Davidson here more than a year to get across,
and hundreds of Allied pilots all over France haven't been
able to make it yet, and if something isn't done
to help them, they never will.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
But Colonel, with the Nazis occupying France.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
With the Nazis occupying France, the channel is still only
twenty miles wide. Our trouble has been that up to
now we've had no contact with the French underground, no
way of helping them smuggle pilots out of France. All right,
Major Davidson, go ahead and tell your story now.
Speaker 6 (03:36):
Well, I was shot down over the south of France
coming back from a bombing mission.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
The rest of the crew was killed of.
Speaker 6 (03:43):
Just my co pilot, Johnny Porter, and me left. Yes,
go on meet. We figured out am as are up.
Any flyer forced down on enemy territory figures that nowadays.
But we were lucky. A farmer picked us up and
hit us overnight, and then the next morning a big
black limbs drove up and a woman about sixty got out.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
She took us to.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
Her house in Paris and kept us there. She found
a way to smuggle us across the channel with a
fisherman just a few days ago.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Who was this woman, Major, Her name is.
Speaker 6 (04:12):
Madame Annette Jobert. I used to tell her she meant
more to the Yankee team than Joe DiMaggio. During the
time we were with her, she managed to collect two
more of our boys, but she has no way of
getting them out of France.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Well, what do you think, Fontane?
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Just what you think, Colonel for the first time, Olay says,
has a lead a contact.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
What you say?
Speaker 4 (04:33):
This woman's name was Major A.
Speaker 6 (04:35):
Jobert, Madam and Neette Jobert, and quite a goalto Colonel Johnson.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
With her help, maybe we can set up a chain
of way stations, established a shall we say, an overland railroad,
collect our flyers and move them like chessmen right across
France to the channel.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
How soon can you leave.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Anytime? You say, Colonel Johnson? Anytime?
Speaker 5 (05:00):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (05:01):
By the way, Major, how will I be able to
identify myself to Madamoiseeurbert? Did you agree on any cold
word anything?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Hey, yeah, a black lace garter.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
I left London a few days later and landed the
next morning on the coast of France. The disguised fishing
boat let me off and I made my way to
Paris undetected. It was spring nineteen forty four. I was
going to know April in Paris, but not the way
any American tourists before the war had known it. The
red dawn was touching the roofs of Paris, the golden
(05:46):
dome of the Pantheon. Most of the city was still
dreaming of other better springtimes before the Germans came. Then
the city started to wake up.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Aye, I smacked away?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Why I smack away alone? Bakers were at work through
the windows, sweating the door. The waiters from the cafes
were sweeping into the gutter the cigarette butts that their
customers had dropped under the tables the night before. For
a few minutes it was the Paris my mother had
talked about. And then an official Nazi car turned the corner,
(06:25):
and I knew that everything had changed me. I made
my way to forty six for you, Dancy, where I'd
find Madame Annette Jobert. Madame Jobert, Madame Jobert.
Speaker 7 (06:50):
What are you doing making all that fucket so early
in the morning?
Speaker 8 (06:54):
People are still trying to sleep here?
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Why I'm sorry, I'm looking for Madame and Jobert. This
is her house, isn't it?
Speaker 7 (07:03):
We it this her house?
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Did you see her go out this morning?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Do you think I.
Speaker 9 (07:08):
Have nothing better to do than keep an account of
her comings and goings. But I did not see her
go out this morning, and I have not seen her
go out any morning.
Speaker 8 (07:16):
For a week.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Just moved, moved.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
If you take the trouble to knock your city windows.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Or boarded up, madam, madam, please, I've got to locate her.
I'm her nephew.
Speaker 8 (07:33):
Ask how good friends? The Germans?
Speaker 7 (07:35):
Where she is good to the is stuffle?
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Well wait a minute, please, I was up applying there.
I had come to parents because I had a contact.
Now the contact was gone.
Speaker 10 (08:01):
There you are, Monsieur MERSI the first one in that
cafe this morning. I remember other springs was always crowded
at this time.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
What is it for, Sieur? Do you not feel way
something wrong? No? No, not not wrong exactly. It's just
that I came to Paris to see my aunt. It
seems she's moved and left no forwarding address.
Speaker 10 (08:27):
But there is always one way to find her away.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
What is it? You're the only to go to the
Gestapo that they will do? You go to the Gestapo
and ask sure? Why not? Always? This was in particular
who helped us? As long as we got the help,
I was sure Colonel Johnson wouldn't object to by letting
even the Gestapo give us a hand. I beg your pardon.
Speaker 11 (09:04):
I can't see them on the phone.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
Wait a minute, I'm sorry.
Speaker 11 (09:08):
Yeah, coming album blacklish at.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Coming on.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
Now?
Speaker 11 (09:17):
What is it around?
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I would like some information, that kind of information. I
arrived from south of France this morning. I came to
visit my aunt. Only I discovered when I got here
that she had moved.
Speaker 11 (09:29):
What do you want us to do about it?
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Well, I merely request her change of address. I felt
certain it would be in the records of the guest
stopping records.
Speaker 11 (09:38):
The address are changeab address of anyone in Paris that's
listed with us.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
What's the name of your aunt, Jobert, madam, And that's Jobert.
Speaker 11 (09:47):
Let me see your papers?
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Yes, there you are.
Speaker 11 (09:53):
These papers are heres intrigued me? Have I seen any
like them before?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Something wrong with him?
Speaker 11 (10:02):
On the contrary, they I figured out extremely accurately. Usually
one thing or another is omitted. I congratulate you on
your sighness. Thank you, sergeant, thank you, I commandant. There
is a Frenchman at the front desk who is trying
to locate his aunt and madam a natral bear. Yeah,
come on, dan him in. Thank you, thank you very much.
(10:26):
Sergeant wait, wait, one another thing. Your suitcase, my suitcase,
and no one is allowed past this desk without having
his luggage or packets checked. Put your suitcase up you
an open.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
It suitcase was filled with clothing, but there was a
false bottom to it, and in the false bottom was
a short wave radio. If the sergeant accidentally pushed the button,
that would reveal the radio.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
That is so slow?
Speaker 11 (10:50):
About do you give me that suitcase?
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Why are you having it?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Rocks?
Speaker 4 (10:56):
No? No? Yes, yes, you see just personal articles I see.
Speaker 11 (11:10):
Do you think I expected you to walk in to
get Starpo headquarters with a time bomb? I short they've
read on your suit just perhaps that's just the team.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
I must check up.
Speaker 11 (11:21):
A commandan's office. Hat down the whole first door you
come to under at.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
You sit down, Sit down, monsieur cigar. The wine soaked
cigars are very good, Thank you, he commandant. I never
resist a good cigar or a pretty girl.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
You wonder perhaps why I am seeing you personally about
this matter of locating you around?
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Whatever the reason, Commandant, could I'm flattered or not at all?
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Tell you around for me that I am delighted to
render her his little service.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Fine woman, a delightful woman.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
And a clever woman too. She's been most cooperative. Oh,
I'm sure she has. Commandant Kurtz is most urgent. That
I find her urgent, how urgent.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
I have news for her about my uncle, her brother,
who is very ill in the south of France. Pity
it still over me that if she desires a trifle,
I will arrange for the necessary permit. Of course, we
are very kind, not at all, not at all. Hell,
let me see. Ah, yeah it is.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
She's boarded up our house at forty six Old dan Sike,
as you know, and moved to another residence twenty kilometers
southwest of Pels in the village of Torri Ferrot.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
He here, yeah, right out, exact address. Thank you for
your help, her Commandant, I assure you I will never
forget it. I took a train to the village of
Turiferout way, I kept thinking about Madame Jeanbert. The German
(13:03):
High Command evidently considered her one of the most important collaborationists.
We considered her our most important contact with the French underground.
She certainly had someone food I hoped it was the Nazis.
Speaker 12 (13:16):
Madame Jiebert is in here, monsieur in the library, Mercy,
Monsieur Fontine.
Speaker 9 (13:24):
Madame, comean, comean, Jessill you may go and close the door. Madame,
come close, No, come closer. Let me have a good
look at you. He yeah, it's quite far enough.
Speaker 7 (13:42):
Now. What's all this nonsense about being my nephew.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
What's the matter, Arvin? Don't you recognize me?
Speaker 7 (13:49):
I've never seen you before in my life.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
I have regards for you from friends, friends, Major Norman
Davidson and Lieutenant Johnny Porter.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
I've never heard of them.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
You don't remember helping to smuggle them across the channel, Addie, this.
Speaker 7 (14:05):
Is insolence of what are you accusing.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Me of being an important link in the French underground?
Speaker 9 (14:11):
Nonsince, I know of no underground if there is one
that does not concern me. Now go back and tell
them at Gestapo headquarters that they have made a mistake,
and they'll Commandant courts.
Speaker 7 (14:24):
I am hurt at his suspicions of me.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
What makes you think the Gestapo sent me?
Speaker 9 (14:30):
Only the Gestapo knows my change of address.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
They were very obliging.
Speaker 9 (14:36):
They gave it to me, I ask you to leave, monsieur,
I am very busy this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
I believe you lost this, Madame Joubert.
Speaker 7 (14:49):
That luckless garto. Where did you get it?
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Was given to me by Major Davidson, who says you
mean more of the Yankee team than Joe DiMaggio. He
also told me to give you a great, big kiss.
Speaker 9 (14:59):
But well, bless my heart, bless my heart, indeed you
still want me to leave.
Speaker 7 (15:08):
You are as fresh as all Americans. Sit down, Sit down,
thank you.
Speaker 9 (15:13):
So you just walked in and asked bigger stuff for
almost your good swine.
Speaker 7 (15:20):
Oh I'd like to see their faces if they knew, Oh.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Come, come, come, Madame Joebert. Is that a way to talk?
They think very highly of you.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
Which is just what I want them to think.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
We're the other two pilots now, Madam.
Speaker 9 (15:35):
I deposited them in a monastery in the south of Safety,
but I have no way to get them to the channel.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Look, Madame Jobert, perhaps you and I can establish a
chain of way stations safe houses across France, and then
the Osays can collect the hundreds of flyers were shut
down and you can send them back to Safety.
Speaker 9 (15:54):
Yes, how could I do that without help, without a
way to contact England.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
I have a radio in the suitcase.
Speaker 9 (16:05):
Very well, in the morning we will drive to the monastery.
The monks their friendly. They would be more than glad.
I am sure to let us use that as a
base to start operations.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Great, that's wonderful, Madam Jobert.
Speaker 7 (16:20):
You had the kiss for me from mid Joe Davidson.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
Where is it right here? Auntie?
Speaker 7 (16:30):
Next see?
Speaker 9 (16:31):
And now, young man, you will oblige me by giving
me back my garter.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
Yeah, yeah, she was quite a girl, all right, Madame Jobert.
She gave me a suite of rooms to myself, got
me a chaffeur's uniform, decided my name should be Claude,
and in the morning we set out for the monastery.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
Yes, yes, Fontaine a cloud. That is just what we
will do.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
Yes, oh, says We'll furnish each member of an air
crew with detailed escape maps when they are briefed in England,
pinpointing the friendly areas on the root of every mission.
Do you think these safe houses will be difficult to
set up?
Speaker 5 (17:17):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (17:17):
Not too difficult.
Speaker 9 (17:18):
I think I know already of the home of his
sympathetic parish priest, a church, school, a farmhouse, and I
have many wealthy friends who will be willing.
Speaker 7 (17:27):
I am sure. Why are you slowing down?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Nazi? God wants me to stop.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
Don't worry. I have all the necessary permits.
Speaker 13 (17:37):
I let me see a permit to travel.
Speaker 9 (17:41):
Eh, you are this is a great inconvenience.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
I will report it to my friend, Commandant.
Speaker 13 (17:49):
Courts, Commandant Kurtz. I see you have his personal stamper
on this pass. Where are you headed for, Madame Joubert.
Speaker 7 (17:59):
I have business in the village.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Ah, I would suggest you do not go today.
Speaker 7 (18:06):
Why not?
Speaker 13 (18:07):
There's to be an execution at the square.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Not very pleasant, but execution.
Speaker 7 (18:12):
What are you talking about?
Speaker 13 (18:14):
We found thirty five tons of arms and materials that
were stolen from German supply trains.
Speaker 7 (18:20):
Found all that where.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
In the monastery.
Speaker 7 (18:25):
The monastery. I cannot believe.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
That here, but it is true. And today they will
be shot, five.
Speaker 7 (18:32):
Of them, I see Cloud continue.
Speaker 13 (18:34):
You may go if you like, but it will not
be very pleasant.
Speaker 8 (18:37):
Lord continue, madam.
Speaker 7 (18:47):
So they discovered the supplies in the monastery.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
What about the two American flyers you had hidden there?
Did they discover them too? Are they among the five.
Speaker 7 (18:56):
Quickly, drive quickly cloud.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
We reached the square, parked the car and got out.
The people were huddled in little whispering groups. At the
far end of the square stood the monastery, and lined
up at the wall were five monks, their heads lowered,
their hands fingering the crosses around their necks. Facing them
was a Nazi firing squad. Madame Joelbert grabbed my arm.
(19:31):
What the want to do? I don't think there's anything
we can do. Let this be a lesson to your people.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Off this village. This is what happens to those who
five against us.
Speaker 6 (19:44):
These five will be shot, the.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Other monks and the monastery will be sent to Germany.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
You understand.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Heke a good look, lod you're lessened.
Speaker 7 (19:57):
By wat.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Ah ah.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Madame Jobert and I went back to the car. But
Madame Jobert, if you drive back yourself, what will the
guards say who stopped us before?
Speaker 7 (20:30):
I am an excellent liar.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
I will simply tell him I went to see a
sick relative and left you there to help. I must
drive back immediately, As I told you, I am giving
a birthday party for commandow Courts. I hope he does
not live to see his next. No, you go to
the convent. It is only a few kilometers from here.
Speaker 7 (20:52):
You know what to do.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
Yes, I know what to do. Madame Jobert, what do
you think one of those two pilots who were hidden
in the monastery, they.
Speaker 7 (21:03):
Were probably found and killed.
Speaker 9 (21:06):
But Lieutenant Fontane, we must go on with our plans.
Some have been killed, lu but many gunn be saved.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
I said good bye to her. She drove away. The
Convent of our Sacred Lady was within walking distance. When
I reached the gate, I saw an avenue of acacia
trees leading to the great ornate iron door. The center
panel formed the figure of the Virgin Mary. It was
really spring in these gardens, a peaceful sanctuary in a
(21:43):
war ridden world.
Speaker 7 (21:49):
What is your wish?
Speaker 4 (21:51):
I would like to see the Mother Superior.
Speaker 7 (21:55):
Follow me.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I followed the nun through the spacious hall. It was
part vestry, part repository of art objects. The walls were
hung with darkened old paintings of the Holy Family in
glass chests. Along the vestry, religious utensils of gold and
silver had been stored.
Speaker 7 (22:19):
This is the officer, Mother Angeline.
Speaker 12 (22:21):
Come so you want me to let you use the
convent of our sacred lady as a base for your
underground operations.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
Mother Anjeline, if you know the risk yourself and refuse.
I can't find it in my heart to blame you,
but if you agree, I want you to know first
just what those risks are. Tell me, my son, I've
just come from the village. The monastery there was rated
last night. With my own eyes, I saw five of
(23:03):
the monks shut. The others were hauled away by the Nazis.
Only God knows where I know about that I heard
this morning. If this convent is used as a hideout
and the short wave radio is hidden here, can you
imagine what the Germans would do if they found out?
You would expect no better treatment than the monks received.
Speaker 12 (23:24):
I thank you for telling me this. You are right,
there's a great risk. I have many under my care here.
They depend on my wisdom to do the right thing.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
Of course, you have the other sisters to consider.
Speaker 12 (23:41):
You came here today to convince me of your cause.
I'm afraid I must disappoint you.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
What's that you see? I what's the matter?
Speaker 12 (23:53):
A German armored car? I can see it from the
window coming here. I'm afraid so it is the first
time we have been raided. I am not looking forward
to them muddy boots in this place of God.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
They'll find me, Mother Angeline. What can I do? Where
can I hide?
Speaker 7 (24:15):
They are at the door you rang for me, my mayor.
Speaker 12 (24:20):
Yes, Sister Theresa, give my friend one of the sisters robes,
one long enough to cover him, and a hood.
Speaker 7 (24:30):
Women here the other sisters are They already in the chapel.
Women here, they have thirty the afternoon aderation.
Speaker 12 (24:39):
See that my friend joins them in prayer. Then then
open the main door.
Speaker 7 (24:45):
We have visited us.
Speaker 4 (24:52):
I put a mumsch over my suit and went with
Sister Teresa to the chapel. I knelt with the others.
About twenty b divided by a middle aisle provided seats
for the worshippers. At the far end of the room
was a high pulpit. Many of the kneeling prayed with
arms stretched out, symbolizing the form of the cross. The
(25:14):
sister next to me clasped her hands and on her
ring finger was the silver emblem of a bride of Christ.
They prayed almost silently. Hers were the only words I heard.
Speaker 14 (25:27):
Our maternal power of the universe, Mother of divine grace.
Pray for us, our wisest virgin, our kindly virgin. Pray
for us, Pray for the sick world.
Speaker 12 (25:54):
Good sisters, these soldiers wished to serve the chapel. I
must bow to their wishes and ask you to file
back to your seads.
Speaker 7 (26:04):
Leave now quickly and quietly. Please.
Speaker 4 (26:11):
My head lowered, the hood covering my face. I got
into the line of the sisters. I bent my knees
slightly so that the robes would cover the chaffeur's boots
I was wearing. I lowered my head even more as
I passed the es as Hupman, who was standing with
his men next to the Mother Superior at the door.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
Oh good, the necessity of disturbing your prayer, mil Angeline.
And after the unfortunate incident in the monastery last night,
I feel it is necessary.
Speaker 12 (26:37):
You may search this convent from top to bottom, as
you are already doing. You will find nothing in this
house of God to interest you.
Speaker 7 (26:47):
I'm sure. Hurry, sisters, hurry back to yourselves.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
They're really gone. Mother Arjeline.
Speaker 7 (27:04):
Of course they found nothing here.
Speaker 12 (27:07):
You can take that rope off now you look uncomfortably
in it.
Speaker 4 (27:12):
Thank you for protecting me.
Speaker 7 (27:14):
I believe now, but we have not finished our condoxation.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
Mother Arjeline, you told me I could not convince you
about our cause you said you'd have to disappoint me.
I took that as your answer.
Speaker 7 (27:24):
Let me consult two of the other sisters. First. Wait,
we am a mayor.
Speaker 12 (27:34):
Our two sisters those in the sacristy. Send them here, please,
Sister Celeste.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
A few minutes later, Sister Celeste returned, followed by the
two other nuns. Their arms folded and heads lowered, they
shuffled into the room, and then all of a sudden,
I noticed broad towed army boots protruding beneath the long
black dresses. One of the heads raised, and I saw
(28:02):
that he needed a shave. Mother Argerlie, I don't understand
these men.
Speaker 12 (28:10):
They are American pilot brought here yesterday when the monks
received underground information that the monastery would be raided. Major Kerstein,
Captain Lewis, this is Lieutenant Fontane of the oss Osa.
Speaker 15 (28:23):
Said it's great if you got away of getting it's
out of France. Lieutennant, Yeah, say what happened to Madame Jiobert?
She all right, yeah, yeah, she's all right, Mother, Arjeline.
You led me to believe I wouldn't be able to
convince you of our cause.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
Of course, not.
Speaker 7 (28:38):
Son, how could you, since I was already convinced.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
The convent of our Sacred Lady was the first link
in a chain of safe houses that was forged within
a couple of months under Madame Jolbert's leadership. We moved
Major Kerstein and Captain Lewis along that chain until they
reached the coast of France. They waited hidden in a
farmer's barn while I established contact with headquarters in London.
Agent Fontaine to OSS headquarters in London. Overground railroad, established
(29:08):
train on the tracks, passengers ready to leave and waiting
pick them up and make room for more to come.
More did come.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Over two thousand more Yemen who were shot down and
occupied France rode the overground railroad established by Lieutenant Claude
Fontaine to safety. Thus, once again, the report of another
OSS agent closed.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
With the words mission accomplished.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
Listen again next week for another true adventure from the
files of the OSS on.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Cloak and Dagger.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
Heard him Tonight's Clock and Dagger Adventures. Lieutenant Fontaine was
less Romaine Madame Jobert, Brianna Raeburn and Mother Angeline Lily Valente.
The script was written by Wonderfred Rolf and Jack Gordon.
The music was under the direction of John Guard, sound
effects by John Powers and Many Siegel. Today's OSS Adventure
was based on the book Cloaking Dagger by Corey Ford
and Alistair McBain.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
This program was produced by Lewis G.
Speaker 6 (30:13):
Conley.
Speaker 4 (30:18):
The National Broadcasting Company extends its hottiest congratulations to Station
wb EM Buffalo.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Welcome back. So our man strolled into GESTAPO headquarters with
a suitcase containing his shortwave radio. And this is not
the first time in this series that in OSS operative
has escaped because he did something very risky and ill advised,
(30:48):
but the Axes didn't suspect it because such a mistake
would be so ridiculous, it was unthinkable. And it's important
once again to remember that the OSS was not made
up primarily of professional spies. These were mostly people who
came from civilian life and other professions who were given
(31:10):
months of training, and certainly that training helped, but it
can provide the sort of instinctive behaviors and approaches we
associate with today's professional espionage class. I think that also
played into how he approached setting up the overground railroad,
because I don't think that if you were dealing with
(31:33):
say the CIA or something like that, that they would
have near the hesitation he had. But the narration gives
you a sense of how reluctant he was about putting
these women in danger and the reverence he felt for
that place, but ultimately the decision had already been made.
(31:53):
The episode highlights once again the sort of unflinching courage
by the civilian resistance groups in these Nazi occupied countries
and the risk they were willing to take to be
sure that freedom prevailed. Listener comments and feedback, and we
(32:14):
have a couple of comments on the Norwegian incident over
on YouTube. A simple thanks Adam, I enjoyed it from Chris,
and a thank you from Mark, and also on our
listener survey, Robin Connecticut rites Kloakin Dagger is my new
favorite show. Well, thanks so much, and I appreciate that.
(32:35):
And I've really been delighted at the positive reaction we've
had to this series. Very different than most things we've done,
but people have really embraced it and it's been a
lot to play it for you and look forward to
a few more weeks. All right, well, now it is
time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and
(32:59):
I want to go go ahead and nink Pam, Patreon
supporter since July of this year, currently supporting the podcast
at the secret Agent level of four dollars and more
per month. Thanks so much for your support, Pam, and
that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast,
please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be
(33:19):
sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download
it from. We will be back here on the Great
Adventures of Old Time Radio on Tuesday with another episode
of Adventure Ahead. If you're listening on the Great Detectives podcast,
we're doing a special tomorrow celebrating our top five podcast
(33:42):
episodes of the twenty twenty four to twenty five season.
You can check that out over at Great Detectives dot net.
And of course we will be back on both podcast
feeds a week from today on Saturday with another episode
of Cloaking Down. In the meantime, do send your comments
(34:02):
to Box thirteen at Greatdetectives dot nett, follow us on
Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com, slash Great detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is
your host, Adam Graham signing off.
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