Recommendation From an episode of Cloak and Dagger radio show

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Are you willing to undertake a dangerousmission behind the enemy lines, knowing you
may never return alive. What youhave just heard is the question asked during
the war to agents of the OSS. Ordinary citizens to this question answered yes.

(00:25):
This is polk and dagger, blackwarfare, espionage, international intrigue.

(00:49):
These are the weapons of the OSS. Today's story recommendation from Rumble about an
American OSS agent in Italy who almostoutsmarted himself is suggested by actual incident recorded
in the Washington files of the Officeof Strategic Services, a story that can
now be told his come back here. You can't leave me here. I

(01:21):
demand to see someone in authority.M me out here, brother, that
was some spot to be in meJoe Donado in a jail seller, Milan,
Italy. It was crazy. Well, after a while I got tired

(01:42):
of yelling, so I sat downon a narrow prison cot and fought back
to the way It had begun,on a train from Raysi to Milan.
The French on the ground had smuggledme from Leon across Switzerland, and I
made my way over the border.There on, I was on my own,
posing as an Italian chalk lit salesman. So I sat back in my

(02:07):
compartment, lit a European cigarette andblew smoke rings over my head to the
rack where my shortwave radio was hitone of the suitcases. All of a
sudden, the train gave a lurch, and one of my suitcases took a
flying dive to the floor. Therewas a suitcase with a pen knife scar
across the other handle, the onewith the radio. I was glad.

(02:29):
I was long in the compartment.I couldn't wait to find out if that
radio was all right. You see, the case was lined with a false
backey of boxes of chocolates to hidethe radio. I unfastened the backing and
there was the radio. It wasokay, nothing it was broken. And
then before I could refasten the backing, I heard voices outside the compartment door.

(02:53):
I didn't have time to refasten thebacking. I had just enough time
to slam the case shut again,slide it back up in the rack,
and get back am I seat measure? What is this? I was under
the impression of this compartment was reservedfor me alone. Must be some mistake
Field. There was a mistake,all right, my mistake, and picking

(03:14):
the one compartment on the train thathave been chosen for field Marshal Ramo,
What is the meaning of this?I do not know. So you're a
measure that is in a mistake,mistake, a mistake. This is your
stupidity. You had your orders.No, no, I'm traded the train
that there again. I will nothave this disturbance, you understand. I

(03:37):
am sorry. If I have beenthe cause of this, I assure you
it was quite unintentional. I willtake my suitcases and live immediately. It
is that you'll live. I willfind you another companion. Oh wait,
it is unnecessary, conductor, gentlemen, is already here. There is room
for both of us. We Germansand Italians must share, is it not

(03:58):
so? I perhaps, sir,you would prefer your privacy. If there's
nothing for me to move on,I will not hear on it. That's
where you are. Actually, Iwould welcome company. I did test train
rides, pleasure its arrange the tablefor me in the dining consociation. Stupid,

(04:20):
such a puss over nothing? Tellme your name? My name is?
Do not? You said? Donot? For your excellency? Where
you're headed for? You? Denato? Oh I am getting off at Milano.
See well, we should have timeto get your quainted. It would
be time to get a quite agreat what are we going to talk about?

(04:46):
Maybe I could get the conversation startedby saying, Hairfield Marshall, Ramo,
it's my interest you to know thatI am an osspy. I am
an Alida radio back information on yournorthern supply concentrations. You say you're a
chocolate sales See my office is inVerona. Here is my card, but
I'm up in the market for chocolate. You may put the car back.

(05:10):
Oh here you dropped this your medicalclassification because she's the army gratch. That
was a great disappointment to me,your excellency, But you see, an
old back injury kept me out ofthe army. You must not blame yourself
or something you cannot help. Still, it is a great disappointment. Yes,

(05:35):
you excellent. Yes, not keepin the dining room, you said,
as shall look it. I willreturn to not all, we will
continue our conversation. We had taughtten minutes at my age ten years.
I wondered if I should change compartmentsbefore it came back. Nah nah,

(05:59):
no, that it seemed suspicious.I looked out of the window the green,
rolling hills of citrus and olive trees. Didn't tell me anything. I
just crossed my fingers and hoped wewere coming into Milan soon. You do
not see, uh, what doyou want with me? I do not
want anything with you. Ild Marshallwants to see you, and you'd better
be quick about it. Oh see, no, no, leave your suitcases,

(06:23):
just come with me quickly. Youwanted to see me, your excellency,
yes, said down there opposite,Oh, gratchy and gratchy. I

(06:46):
thought about you after I left thecompartment in your fla. See see,
would you care to join me forcoffee? Scenario would be my pleasure?
Coffee with Peel Marshall. Ramo,why'd I tell the game back home about

(07:08):
this? I thought there was aman across the aisle, a dap,
a little guy with a wax mustache. I and Ramel nodded to each other,
Remember da, A little old guykept watching me, watching me.
Yeah. I never can get usedto the Italian coffee though it's chickory.

(07:31):
Don't suppose I ever will. Iwould naturally have a fondness for it.
I have had it all my life. Well watch your home? Originally uh
in urb Longo, the place ofRafia. My family is still living there.
Would you see some snapshots, yourexcellency, Oh very much, they

(07:53):
are right hit in my wallet.Ah, I hear you see. Uh
that's the little farm in the valley. Oh, it is here. You
see him. That's been Friday.That's the pretty child of which Oh my
sister Frank Chase guy. She looksvery much like you. It was interesting

(08:15):
that Rama not getting the picture ofThese snapshots have been made by oss philographers,
and an early picture of me hadbeen super important. Very attractive family
group. You know I've taken thatcan be? H this chocolate yourself?

(08:37):
Are they any good? Oh she'sthere's a Oh no no no, well
surely one two of them thought,mister, is it all right with you
if I said my adjective to getone of the suitcases? Yes, we
germaned Italians mustn't share. No,no, oh, he's perfectly all right.

(09:00):
Only I would get to myself.No I want to do no need
major go to the compartment and bringone of the No, no, it
is foolish to send him myself.No, no, I didn't see it.
We would have so little time fortalking before the train stopped at Milando.
I had no choice. I hadto sit there and sweat it out,

(09:22):
just pray that the accidant brought backthe right case. I felt as
if they were a band of steelaround my head that kept getting tighter and
tighter. What is it, myfriend? Are you not feeling well?
Oh? It is very hot inhere? Is it? Cops? Unfortunately?

(09:43):
Here pens I should call the conductorand have it. Oh yeah,
the major returns with your samparte.The first thing I looked at when the
major proflication in my lap was thehandle. There was a long scar in
the letter. It was the onewith the radio. I've always had a
fondness for chocolate. We'll come openit. Well they they catch it.

(10:13):
It seems to be stuck. Surelyyou can fix it. Oh see,
of course that is I will trydo it to me. What was I
have an excellently Perhaps I can adjustthe law. No, no, no,
no, no, I will getit in a moment. I'm sure
I will. This, Oh Milano, that is my stuff, your excellency,
so soon? What a pity?Well, if if you wish,

(10:37):
I will stay until the next stationon this for you think it buzz No,
no, no what I think ofit. It is too kind of
you to suggest it. We mustsay I'll be the same. I even
then, let your Marshal robod ithas been a great honor. I hurried

(10:58):
back to the compartment to get myout, and then, on an impulse,
I grabbed the other case off therank. As the plain stop,
I turned and ran back toward thedining room. Than you than your I
know, I know I'm getting offin a minute. The old moment thought,

(11:18):
yea, his Marshal senor, donenot do I did not expect to
see you. Pare, your excellency, if you will permit me a hideous
this this case of truck. Ohfor your you see the luck worse now
got mostly gotch. If I passedthrough Milano, I would look you up.

(11:39):
I don't know where I'd be staying, sir. Is it not difficult
for the police to find the man? I'll be the same, And the
best question thought I left him gladto get off that train. You don't
mean oss training to tell you whensomeone's following you. An instinctive feeling you

(12:05):
gain. I started to walk alittle faster. The footsteps behind me quickened
too. I passed a small coffeeshop, and through the reflection in the
window, I could see coming afterme the man in the dining car who
had never taken his eyes off me, the dapple little guy with a mustache.
He and Romel had nodded to eachother. Was it a signal?

(12:26):
Did Ramel just trying to string mealong? I broke into Iran. I
didn't intend to stop until I thenmaybe I condition on the car said wait,
wait, SAMs, somebody, God, what are you doing open that
gate? Either said he, senorto this gate is closed and now use
the south. But I am sorry, this gate is closed, Senor,

(12:48):
I've had such a trouble catching upwith you. Who are you? Allow
me? Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Count Pietro imperially.
What do you wanted me? ButI noticed you were having coffee on the
train. Would Phil Marshall Romel himself. I'm a great admirer of the Marshall

(13:13):
land. I have nodding acquaintance withhim. Or say, eh, what
has that to do with me?Well, I happen to know, Signor
that Romel does not make friends easily. And so when I saw you two
together, I e Amiko would youdo me the extreme honor of joining me
at my palace for dinner this evening. It would be a great pleasure to

(13:39):
entertain a good friend of Romans.As the long black limousine drove up to
the palace, I felt like avisitor of the Middle Ages. The gray

(14:05):
stone steps were hollowed with age.It's wasting or The lower windows were blazing
with light, and two torches setin brackets flanked the doors. Quiet quiet.
The floors were made of colored marbles. On the walls hung ancient tapestries.

(14:26):
Were scenes from the Old Testum.I walked through, passed a line
of servants. My mouth was openat August grandeur, I walked right into
a suit of harmor excuse me,come and BECOMEO. Dinner is waitful?

(14:52):
Ah that there was a delicious dinner. Gratsy contin a name of Benny.
I'm delighted you enjoyed it. Nowwe will sit here in the library and
talk of Ramel Schiatto. No tellme what was he like? What did

(15:16):
he say? Oh? We merelyexchanged pleasantries. Great leader, great chief.
Once when he was in my life, kept looking around. He was
lively set up basketball games. However, Wow, this was being introduced to

(15:37):
Milan and a while away. Whatwas that, little brandy? Oh no,
no, what is it? What'sthe matter? Good evening, count
They told me you were here.You see Bobo, it is only Antonio.
Come, come, my dear,I would I would like you to

(16:02):
meet a friend. See Senor andGiuseppe Donnato, great friend of romels mine.
I am impressed. Get you thepleasure is mine. Gave bell like

(16:22):
quest. My secretary is a verypretty Your lordship, there is a call
on your private phone in a smalllibrary. Oh see, I will return.
It will give you two a chanceto get a questor criable. Hey

(16:47):
multe bell, signora, you arevery pretty, counting pretty holy? Was
right? Did you find yourself pastinto that compliment in your own No?
No, no, not at all. The Italians are proud of our beautiful
women, and it is impossible notto notice how well you represent them.

(17:11):
Where do you live in Milano?No? No, no, I'm here
on business. Where are you staying? Oh? I only arrived today.
I've made no plans yet. Youwere hardly countsecretary his personal secretary. Since
the Countess passed on, I attendto all arrangements for his banquets and the

(17:33):
receptions, as well as he personalcorrespondence. Oh oh, I see he
is a grand signior. I amvery fond of him. I remember how
disappointed he was when Field Marshal Romelfailed to attend a reception he tanned for
him. Why I know he hetold me that he is a great admirer

(17:56):
of Rommel. So am I tellme about him? Senor? Does he
intend to come to MILANOSU? Perhapswe can pland something else in his other
I don't know his intentions. Perhapssee his returning to Africa immediately. I
don't know that either. Well,I see you two have become acquainted,

(18:21):
eh Lpho Bennik, your lordship.Since the Signor is staying in Milan,
or, shall I give him thename of a good hotel. Hotel with
forty rooms are here, most ofthem empty? I should say not.
You will stay here, am Coomo, as long as you want BRATCHI mon

(18:44):
gentile, I'm very grateful. Igave me a sweet to myself with a
tremendous canopy dead the stop can ruckon the floor. Through the casement window,
I could see the Piazza Sundial,the narrow streets of Milan, and
all in the distance the church ofSanta Maria Delogratzia. Who has got to

(19:04):
luck for an American spyre and setup like that, who's made order every
night. I've patted the radio onthe suitcase and hoped I have a message
to send back. So on afew days later, Counting Piale asked me
to walk to his office with him. This Italian summer makes me feel ten

(19:25):
years younger. You know, ifI were twenty years young, I would
be more attempted to their doctor secretaryof mind. I don't prave you.
Yes, she seems to have takenan interest in you or that song.
Yes see, she's a keep onto ask questions about you. See you
still haven't told me why you wantto see me at your office. I

(19:49):
refuse to speak business at the poenever do, and your business I don't
know that either. You will soonenough come. My office is in the
municipal building across the square. Ifollowed him across the square, over the
fat and cobble stones. Everywhere aroundme were black shirted pushisky. I wondered

(20:12):
if my good luck so far hadmade me too sure of myself. I
followed him up the stairs the municipalbuilding, down the narrow corridor, and
we stopped at the door, thirdfrom the end. And then I know
what his business was. Superintendent ofPolice Prago. I beg of you,

(20:34):
please go in, count imperially.I don't understand. Now you know my
business. I am superinfemine of police, often an unpleasant occupation. Come in,
I said, come in. That'sright. I wanted to see you

(20:59):
here because it's necessary for us tohave a little talk about you and the
police. What have I to dowith the police. How would you like
to work for me? Don't come, come, come, don't look so
stuff. Work for you as amember of the police. But of course,

(21:22):
perhaps this communication from Rama will explainGretch. As you can see,
it's a request from him for meto locate you in Milano and offer you
this position. He's of the liveryfather of you, great Chief Rummel,
and he knows how badly you feelabout your medical classification in the army.

(21:44):
Ah ah, I don't know whatto say, just say you accept.
Ordinarily, of course I would haveto make extensive research into your background before
offering you disposition. But personal recommendationfrom Robert hardly makes that necessary. But
what do you say to me?What do you think? I said?

(22:12):
I said yes in a hurry,and when I left the office later,
I had a badge in everything.Ever since I boarded the train of Verse,
I had one bad scare after another, but so far nothing had happened.
I was beginning to feel I leda charmed life until I got back
to my suite at the peace Antonia, what are you doing with that suitcase?

(22:37):
These are excellent chocolates? Will youhave one? What right have you
in here? I was curious aboutyou. I found out that I had
reason to be curious. I'd likeyou to meet two friends, Yakimo and
Mario. For the first time Isaw them, two men standing half hidden
in the shadows of the big room. And on the chair before Antonia was

(23:00):
my suitcase. She turned it aroundso I could see the inside. The
backing was off, the radio wasgone. Who are these men? What
is this? Do not be aphrase? And Dunia was right when you
said we were prayings. But thiswas a foolhardy place to leave your radio
Americano. I found a better hidingplace in the world. Things of an
unused room in the palace. Ifhe's a writing at the natop. We

(23:26):
are partisans nan those of the underground. You just you just stand there and
tell me this. Why not?The American radio has given us proof of
who you are, no doctor,you want proof of who we are?
Escort, I'm listening. We willtell you all that you came here to
find out. All you have todo is to ask and we will fundcer.

(23:48):
We will answer even before you ask. The Nazis are using northern Italy
as a supply base for the Africacourse. In fact, Ramu is expecting
a real postments to leave here atthe of the week. Are my plans?
Seventy five bombers? Where are they? I feel a caravage. You're
ten miles away. You you wantedmy police. There was an altitude bomb
there? Did you find it?Is? Please? What you mean?

(24:11):
Yes? Is there anyone in theunderground who can duplicate it? The professor
of chemistry in the University of Milano. Pray what you see? If you
remove the pin from these bombs andplant them in an airplane, they'll explode
automatically when the ship gains altitude.We will let you know when you can
see the fireworks. Oh oh,and another bit of information. See it

(24:34):
might interest you to know that youhave been talking to a member of the
FASCISTI sign Police ah Antonia. Youlook more lovely than ever this evening.
Greater talent, my lord, Andand you, Miko, where are you

(24:57):
going for it? All right,sir? How wonderful it must be to
be young again, especially in thesummer. Well go enjoy yourselves. Oh
we will, We are sure wewill. It is fortunate the Count did

(25:25):
not invite himself alone. You're surewe can see everything from the hilt,
very sure. When the planes takeoff in Tarividio after midnight, we will
see them. It h it's coolup here on the skill. Not cool
enough to offer you an excuse toput your honor around me. Oh you
remember what the Count said, Weare young in summer. This is his

(25:48):
business, Scott. The plans theyare taking home any minute now, any
minute. What if something happened?But if they weren't able to pense those

(26:10):
bunds, quite what if the haha ha. Although this seems a poor
way to repay Ramel for his hospitality, Rammel didn't get his seventy five roof

(26:30):
of APA Brahmas no sky protection andthen played a part when he was thrown
back from l A La Maine ashort month later. The OSS continued to
get total information on organ italy supplyconcentrations, troop movements, and underground activity.
Each time police triangulation detected my radioantenna, I as a member of
the Secret Police would leave a raidhaving first as a member of the underground,

(26:53):
moved into another spot. And thenone day the Americans took off a
Milan walk into G two headquarters togive him a personal up. What do
you mean just walking into my officelike this? Sergeant? Who is this?
Sorry major? I couldn't stop him, but the black shirt he's wearing,
whoever he is, I don't likehim. Now wait man, wait

(27:14):
a minute. You boys got mewrong. When I came to watch your
name Donado? Who tendant? Justset the Joe Donado? Look you don't
understand I'm a member of the OSS. Yeah, sure he's a member.
Look Max, that's enough sort Donato. According to our list, you're a
high ranking member of the Facisti Police. Thanks for giving yourself up. I'm
not giving myself up. That's whatyou'll think. Mac, I tell you

(27:37):
I'm a member of the OS.We have your full record. Denato in
his own reports the facifty headquarters countimperiodic called Gerry Highley. I don't care
what he's putting in no files.We found a personal recommendation from RAMA about
you. A personal recommendation from RAMA, and you expect us to believe you're
a member of the OSS. Butyou you hate came out ways throw him

(28:00):
in jail. You can't do thesif all write to my Congress, I
come back. I demand to seesomeone a thirty um me out of here.
I stand on my constitutional rights.Lumm me out of here. A

(28:29):
week later, OSS in London spentverification on Lieutenant Joseph Nato, and an
embarrassed the two headquarters released him fromjail. Thus, once again the report
of another agent closed with the wordsmissum accomplished. Listen again next week for
another true adventure from the files ofOSS on Hope and Beggar. Heard in

(29:04):
today's Kloackenbagger Adventurers. Joe was RalphBell, Rammel, Barry Kroeger, the
Count Arnold Moss, anthonya jan Minor, the Colonel Raymond Edward Johnson. Others
were Boris Athlin, Jerry Jarrett andCarl Webers. The script was written by
one of the Wolf and Jack Gordon. Music was under the direction of John
Guarth. Today's True Oss Adventure wasbased on the book Clokandagger by Corey Fort

(29:29):
and Aliston McMain. His program wasdirected by Lewis D. Cohn and Alfred
Hollander under the direction and supervision ofSherman Mark Programs, Gets Your Programs Here,
Action and Adventurer of Yours Tonight onethousand dollars Reward offered the mystery for
you to solve at home for athree thousand dollars cash prize, followed by
the corps set out to Night's caseon the Saint and then Sam Spade solved

(29:53):
another exciting caper searching for the bell. King Solomon used to call his wife.
That's tonight on NBC. I'll staytuned for High Adventure and The Big
Guy on NBC. Mm hmmm mmhm