1 00:00:05,679 --> 00:00:10,839 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from 2 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:15,759 Boy Sadah. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, 3 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:20,239 we're going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak 4 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:22,960 and Dagger. But first I do want to encourage you. 5 00:00:23,519 --> 00:00:27,399 If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using 6 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:32,159 your favorite podcast software. And also today's program is brought 7 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,560 you in part by the financial support of our listeners. 8 00:00:35,079 --> 00:00:37,880 You can support the show on a one time basis 9 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:42,880 by us going to support Dot Great Detectives dot net 10 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,640 or becoming one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as 11 00:00:46,719 --> 00:00:50,399 little as two dollars per month at Patreon, dot Great 12 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:57,079 Detectives dot net. Well now, from October sixth, nineteen fifty 13 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,159 here is Delay en Route. 14 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 2: Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the 15 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,000 enemy lines knowing that you may never return alive. 16 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,519 Speaker 3: What you have just heard is the question asked during 17 00:01:20,519 --> 00:01:24,239 the War of agents of the OS s ordinary citizens. 18 00:01:24,239 --> 00:01:31,280 So to this question answered yes, This is Cloak and Dagger, 19 00:01:48,599 --> 00:01:53,519 black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of 20 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:58,359 the OSS. Today's adventure Delay Our Route the story of 21 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,879 an American OSS agent who found himself between two fires 22 00:02:01,879 --> 00:02:06,079 and fascists held Italy is suggested by actual incidents recorded 23 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:09,080 in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services, 24 00:02:09,879 --> 00:02:12,000 a story that can now be told. 25 00:02:15,199 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 4: That was a big night in Sturtzer. We liberated the 26 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:22,960 town that morning, and everybody was drunk, but not on Veno. 27 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:26,960 Those Italian partisans were drunk on something they hadn't tasted 28 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:34,000 since Mussolini's Blackshirts marched on Roman freedom. There were only 29 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:37,240 three fascist officials left in town, and all of them 30 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:41,000 were down on the village square, hanging from a scaffold. 31 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:46,800 I should have been celebrating too, after all, that was 32 00:02:46,879 --> 00:02:49,960 why the OSS had sent me into Italy to help 33 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:59,479 Guido Gordoni and his partisans wipe out fascists. But sitting 34 00:02:59,479 --> 00:03:02,439 there in the turned that night with Rosa widow's sister, 35 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:06,319 my mind was several thousand miles away. 36 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,879 Speaker 5: So Robert, you're going to leave us tomorrow? 37 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:11,319 Speaker 4: Huh? 38 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:16,719 Speaker 6: Oh, what rosa boat comes for you tomorrow night, No, the. 39 00:03:16,759 --> 00:03:20,879 Speaker 4: Night after tomorrow night, Rosa, just forty eight hours, it's 40 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:22,680 going to pick me up below Savona. 41 00:03:23,039 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 5: And you are glad? 42 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 4: Was there ever a guy who wasn't glad to go. 43 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 5: Home home to America. You mean, how can that be? 44 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:35,479 Speaker 7: The war is not over. 45 00:03:35,719 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 4: I've got a furlough coming up, a delay en route 46 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:39,759 to my next oss assignment. 47 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:41,919 Speaker 7: I see. 48 00:03:42,759 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 5: It is nice in America, Arovert. 49 00:03:46,719 --> 00:03:51,759 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, it's nice, Rosa. It'll be audun when I 50 00:03:51,759 --> 00:03:55,240 get back to Vermont. The trees will just be turning. 51 00:03:56,479 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 5: I would like to see Vermont. 52 00:04:00,439 --> 00:04:02,919 Speaker 4: Maybe you will some day, you know what I. 53 00:04:02,919 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 5: Mean, Roberto, I would like to see it with you. 54 00:04:07,439 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 4: Oh sorry, Rosa. 55 00:04:13,599 --> 00:04:24,959 Speaker 8: Here's your brother, Guilo Wino over here, Roberto Morvillo, Wake well, 56 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:30,360 wait on looking for a fat fascist pig, Alberto Pelitzo. 57 00:04:30,079 --> 00:04:33,519 Speaker 4: Palitzo, the big shipyard owner. Why would he be in Sturcher. 58 00:04:33,639 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 8: He's got a summer village just above the town though 59 00:04:36,079 --> 00:04:38,279 he might be hiding out there. I took some of 60 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:39,759 the boys up at the press was empty. 61 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 4: I gotta find him tonight. Why tonight, Roberto? 62 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:48,480 Speaker 8: Didn't you notice there's still room for one more on 63 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:53,319 the scaffold in the square. Oh that's right, I forgot. 64 00:04:53,879 --> 00:04:56,879 You haven't been to the square, have you, Roberto? No, 65 00:04:57,199 --> 00:05:00,439 I haven't. You don't like execute. 66 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 4: Executions are all right at clinchings. I don't like those 67 00:05:04,079 --> 00:05:07,240 men were civilians, widow, they were FASCISTI. Nevertheless, they were 68 00:05:07,399 --> 00:05:12,600 entitled to a trial, a trial. If they had caught you, Roberto, 69 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,000 would they have given you a trial? 70 00:05:18,959 --> 00:05:23,199 Speaker 9: That was the difference between Guido Gordoni and me. He 71 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:27,079 and his partisans caught fire with fire. They'd never heard 72 00:05:27,079 --> 00:05:31,279 of the democratic process, but I had, and I believed 73 00:05:31,319 --> 00:05:31,600 in it. 74 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 4: That was why Guido and I could fight side by 75 00:05:35,079 --> 00:05:39,079 side and respect each other as soldiers, and yet never 76 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:39,920 become friends. 77 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,439 Speaker 8: You've not lived under the FASCISTI, Roberto. You've not had 78 00:05:43,439 --> 00:05:46,279 a wife and child murdered as I have. With the 79 00:05:46,319 --> 00:05:48,959 men you hung in the square responsible for that. Every 80 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,920 black shirt is responsible, the men in the square. Alberto 81 00:05:52,959 --> 00:05:56,639 pilats all of them. When Guido gordon He finds them, 82 00:05:56,759 --> 00:05:58,120 they pay for their crime. 83 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 4: They should pay, of course. But but but but what what? 84 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 8: What? 85 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 4: Roberto? I don't like men who say yes, but I 86 00:06:07,319 --> 00:06:08,839 don't think they can be trusted. 87 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:11,439 Speaker 5: You have no right to say that to Roberto. 88 00:06:11,759 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 4: Forget it, Rosin, I'm leaving all of you. Soon. 89 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:17,079 Speaker 2: You won't have. 90 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:23,879 Speaker 4: To trust me much longer. I got up then and 91 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,079 pushed my way through the crowd to the door of 92 00:06:26,079 --> 00:06:37,560 the tavern. I stepped outside. The night was beautiful, but 93 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:40,439 not as beautiful I thought as an autumn night in 94 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:46,120 a month h She touched my arm as she said it. 95 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:49,560 She'd been standing very close to me in the shadows 96 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:53,160 of the tavern wall. I've never seen her before, but 97 00:06:54,519 --> 00:06:55,519 she was lovely. 98 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 7: You are, Senor Mercer. 99 00:06:58,240 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 4: Yes I am. 100 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 7: I wish to talk to you. Signor will you be 101 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:03,319 kind enough to come with me? 102 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,839 Speaker 4: I didn't say no. It would have been hard to 103 00:07:12,839 --> 00:07:17,079 say no under any circumstances. Besides, her quick, frightened eyes 104 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:21,120 told me it was something important. Still, I kept my hand. 105 00:07:20,959 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 9: Closed around my revolver as she let me down several dark, 106 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:25,199 deserted streets. 107 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 7: This is the house, signor you will please go down 108 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:31,160 the steps to the basement. 109 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:33,639 Speaker 4: Oh, you go first. 110 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 7: There is someone inside, but please come in. Do not 111 00:07:40,839 --> 00:07:41,720 be alarmed. 112 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:51,439 Speaker 4: I'm not alarmed. Go ahead what I say, Senor. The 113 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,759 man who rose to greet me wasn't armed, and he 114 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,319 looked old and too tired to be dangerous. 115 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:02,839 Speaker 10: Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alberto Pilizo. 116 00:08:04,399 --> 00:08:08,480 Belisso young. Lady who brought you here is my daughter Maria. 117 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:10,560 It was good of you to come with her. Signor, 118 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:12,879 But it wasn't very wise. I've heard to bring me 119 00:08:13,079 --> 00:08:16,120 Why because you might turn us over to the partisan 120 00:08:16,199 --> 00:08:19,160 Because I will turn you over to the Partisans, I. 121 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:20,639 Speaker 4: Think not, Signor. No. 122 00:08:21,439 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 10: On the contrary, you will be careful to protect us 123 00:08:24,279 --> 00:08:27,519 from the Partisans. It will take us out of Italy alive. 124 00:08:28,399 --> 00:08:30,560 You will see it. With that we arrive safe and 125 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:32,000 sound in America. 126 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:33,519 Speaker 4: What makes you think so? 127 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,399 Speaker 10: Is your government informs sing your mercer of our recent 128 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:42,600 experiments with radio guided aerial torpedoes. I don't know I 129 00:08:42,759 --> 00:08:46,440 could inform them. These experiments are being conducted in my 130 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:49,440 own laboratories. I know more about them than any other 131 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,639 man in Italy. I see also a new type of 132 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:56,360 submarine capable of great underwater speed. All right, Also the 133 00:08:56,399 --> 00:08:58,799 long sought electromagnetic pistol for torpedoes. 134 00:08:58,799 --> 00:09:03,799 Speaker 4: All right, all right, I get the point, Poalizzo, I 135 00:09:04,159 --> 00:09:07,360 thought you would. You'll turn over this information to Allied 136 00:09:07,399 --> 00:09:10,879 intelligence if I get you safely out of Italy precisely. 137 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 10: Who well, Signor, I'll have to think about it, or 138 00:09:17,039 --> 00:09:20,120 to think too long, Signor, and don't discuss it with 139 00:09:20,159 --> 00:09:24,519 your parties and comrades. I'm quite sure that bloodthirsty Guido 140 00:09:24,519 --> 00:09:28,440 Gordoni would not let my usefulness to the Allies prevent 141 00:09:28,519 --> 00:09:30,120 him from hanging me. 142 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 4: He was right about that, Not that Guido Gordoni was 143 00:09:36,279 --> 00:09:39,679 blood thirsty. He was simply an angry and bitter man. 144 00:09:40,639 --> 00:09:46,720 Nothing in the world would prevent him from hanging Alberto Poalizoh. 145 00:09:46,799 --> 00:09:49,159 I was pretty better myself as I headed back to 146 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,879 my room above the tavern. I didn't like keeping secrets 147 00:09:52,879 --> 00:09:57,399 from Guido, and I didn't like helping fascists. But I 148 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,240 knew already what I had to do. I knew that 149 00:10:00,279 --> 00:10:02,919 when I went aboard that pet boat in forty eight hours, 150 00:10:03,039 --> 00:10:06,919 Palizzo and his daughter would be with me. The OSS 151 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,759 would want it that way. 152 00:10:11,399 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 6: Hello, Roberto Rosa, you were gone a long time, Roberto? 153 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,919 Speaker 4: What are you doing in my room waiting for you? I? Uh, 154 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:22,000 I went for a walk. 155 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 5: Yes, I know, I saw you. 156 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:27,799 Speaker 4: What do you mean you saw me? 157 00:10:28,159 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 5: I was watching from the window when you walked away 158 00:10:30,639 --> 00:10:31,320 from the tavern? 159 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:32,759 Speaker 4: Boy? 160 00:10:32,799 --> 00:10:33,559 Speaker 5: Is she Roberto? 161 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:35,679 Speaker 4: That's none of your business? 162 00:10:35,799 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 6: Was I will make it my business? Is she the 163 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,159 one who is going with you to America? Is that 164 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,360 why you cannot take me? Is it with her that 165 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:46,840 you will spend the autumn nights in Vermont. 166 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:47,799 Speaker 4: Rosa, you're a fool. 167 00:10:47,879 --> 00:10:52,279 Speaker 6: No, you are a fool, Roberto. You cannot conceal her 168 00:10:52,279 --> 00:10:54,639 from me. I will find her before tomorrow night. 169 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:59,039 Speaker 4: And when I do, yes, when you do. 170 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 5: Life is very cheap in Stuartza these days, Roberto. 171 00:11:09,279 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 4: She meant it, She didn't make idle threats. She was 172 00:11:14,039 --> 00:11:18,080 like her brother that way. It took me a long 173 00:11:18,159 --> 00:11:22,200 time to fall asleep after she was gone. Getting Alberto 174 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:25,039 Polizzo and his daughter safely out of Italy was beginning 175 00:11:25,039 --> 00:11:29,840 to look complicated. The next morning, it looked even more complicated. 176 00:11:30,519 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 8: Rosa told me what you did last night, Roberto, And 177 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,759 it was very stupid to go along with this strange woman. 178 00:11:38,759 --> 00:11:40,679 Speaker 4: But she was a beautiful woman, Guido. 179 00:11:41,759 --> 00:11:44,279 Speaker 8: She might have led you into a trap. You know 180 00:11:44,399 --> 00:11:46,919 there is still FASCISTI in Stuzza. 181 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,639 Speaker 4: No important ones. I'm sure the mayor, the magistrate and 182 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:51,919 the prefect of police are all hanging in the square. 183 00:11:52,759 --> 00:11:56,960 Who else could there be? Alberto Pilito? What makes you 184 00:11:57,039 --> 00:12:00,000 think you said his villow was empty? 185 00:12:00,159 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 8: It was, but I don't believe he had time to escape. 186 00:12:03,799 --> 00:12:07,159 I think he's hiding out somewhere in town. And I'm 187 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:11,240 going to search every house, room by room until I 188 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:12,000 find him. 189 00:12:11,799 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 4: And then you'll string him up to oh oh, with leisure. 190 00:12:15,799 --> 00:12:18,320 He might make a valuable prisoner of war. He's a 191 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:21,159 big wheel in the munitions and shipping industries. He'd have 192 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,759 a lot of information that would be useful to the Allies. 193 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 8: And who would trust the information of a fascist? Not you, 194 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:31,799 apparently you're right, not me. His information will not save him. 195 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:39,480 If if I find him, Roberto, I'll kill him. 196 00:12:39,519 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 4: And that settled that. There was no question from then 197 00:12:43,159 --> 00:12:46,240 on of letting Guido in on my plans, not if 198 00:12:46,279 --> 00:12:49,440 I hope to save Palizzo's neck and I had to 199 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,840 save it now. The information that Guido scoffed at could 200 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:59,000 shorten the war by weeks, months, even years. Ten minutes 201 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:02,399 later I was knocking the cellar door. It was opened immediately, 202 00:13:02,799 --> 00:13:07,360 but not by Palizzo or his daughter. See signor, who 203 00:13:07,399 --> 00:13:09,200 are you, Dominique? 204 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 7: Signor the owner of this building? 205 00:13:11,759 --> 00:13:14,039 Speaker 4: There was a man and his door here last night. 206 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:21,399 Speaker 11: They are still here, covin signor, Oh, good morning, signor. 207 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,759 Speaker 7: We have been waiting for you. 208 00:13:24,879 --> 00:13:28,440 Speaker 4: We expected you somewhat earlier than this. Oh so sorry, 209 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:30,879 I'll try not to disappoint you after this, you already 210 00:13:30,919 --> 00:13:32,960 I presume to take us out of Italy. I'd much 211 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,679 prefer to turn you over to my friends. 212 00:13:34,799 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 10: Oh of course, But unfortunately your preference is not what matters. 213 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 4: Unfortunately, when do we leave, signor you live? 214 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:43,759 Speaker 2: Sir? 215 00:13:43,879 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 4: Such a night Italy tomorrow night, Signor. 216 00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:49,159 Speaker 7: We are grateful. We knew you would not fail. 217 00:13:49,399 --> 00:13:53,159 Speaker 4: I'm not doing this for you, naturally, we understand that. 218 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:53,879 Don't be mariar. 219 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:58,399 Speaker 7: Yes, father, still, we will rewards in your No, you 220 00:13:58,639 --> 00:14:02,080 in your way and I mine. 221 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 4: Let's cut the talk, shall we. You've got to get. 222 00:14:05,159 --> 00:14:07,399 Speaker 7: Out of here, Get out now, you mean, but you 223 00:14:07,399 --> 00:14:07,799 said to No. 224 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:09,639 Speaker 4: You can't stay in this cellar till then you'll have 225 00:14:09,639 --> 00:14:12,240 to find a new place to hide. Why, because the 226 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,000 partisans are looking for you. They're covering stirts a house 227 00:14:15,039 --> 00:14:15,399 by house. 228 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 7: No, they do not know where we are. 229 00:14:17,279 --> 00:14:19,919 Speaker 4: They think you might be. They're not taking any chances 230 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,519 on letting you escape. They want to string you up 231 00:14:22,559 --> 00:14:23,159 where you belong. 232 00:14:23,279 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 7: Well, can we go, signor how can we hide? 233 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:25,919 Speaker 2: I don't know yet? 234 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:32,519 Speaker 10: I thought, maybe right, we are trapped in here unless 235 00:14:32,519 --> 00:14:33,320 there's another way out. 236 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 11: There is no other ways in your. 237 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 2: Shut up. 238 00:14:37,559 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 4: Don't let me shut up, Dominic. What's that iron trapped 239 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:46,519 door on the wall? The shoot? You open? It looks 240 00:14:46,639 --> 00:14:48,720 just big enough. What does it lead to the rear 241 00:14:48,759 --> 00:14:50,679 of the house? All right, all right, let's get going. 242 00:14:50,799 --> 00:14:51,120 You first. 243 00:14:51,639 --> 00:14:53,799 Speaker 7: You want me to climb and field the court? Shoot? 244 00:14:53,879 --> 00:14:55,000 What about my clothes? 245 00:14:55,879 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 4: What about your neck? Scramble up the chute and POLICEO 246 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:06,679 followed her. I went last. I didn't see what happened 247 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:10,559 to Dominic the landlord, and I didn't much care where mouse. 248 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:13,519 You've got to lie low, someplace where they won't find 249 00:15:13,519 --> 00:15:17,320 you before tonight. That is not such places. Villa Villa. 250 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:19,120 They've already looked there. They won't go back. 251 00:15:19,039 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 7: Those deeps and murders and sacked down beauty perl Villa. 252 00:15:22,279 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 4: Neither thieves nor murderers. They're loyal patriots. We have our 253 00:15:25,519 --> 00:15:28,360 name for them your you have yours, and while we're 254 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:38,240 together when he was mine, now beat it. I arranged 255 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:40,840 to meet them at the villa at dusk. I watched 256 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,600 them trudge off, smeared with coal from the chute, looking 257 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,759 like the peasants they despised. At least there wasn't much 258 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,879 chance they'd be recognized. But I wasn't exactly recognizable either, 259 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:55,159 So I washed off in a little stream at the 260 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:59,000 edge of town. Then I went back to my room. 261 00:15:59,399 --> 00:16:05,399 Where you been, Roberto? It was widow. He was sitting 262 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:08,039 at the table in the center of the room, and 263 00:16:08,159 --> 00:16:13,440 lying in front of him was his revolver. Where have 264 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:14,840 you been, Roberto? 265 00:16:15,519 --> 00:16:18,279 Speaker 2: Out out where? 266 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:24,039 Speaker 4: Just out o? Just art? Huh? All right, Rico, what 267 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:25,360 do you mean? Inside you? 268 00:16:26,519 --> 00:16:28,559 Speaker 2: Here's a friend, Roberto. 269 00:16:30,559 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 4: He appeared in the doorway, prodded by Rico's carbine. He 270 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:37,279 was no friend, only an acquaintance of very recent acquaintance. 271 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:41,159 He was the landlord, dominic You. 272 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 8: Were hiding a man in the center of your house, Dominique. 273 00:16:44,679 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 4: Who was he? Who was he? 274 00:16:48,679 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 11: Alberto Pelitzoto Bilitza And he had a call it this morning? 275 00:16:55,919 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 2: See who was the caller? 276 00:16:58,039 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 4: That man? 277 00:16:59,159 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 8: Singorl take out the old metoryco Oh, Roberto, Well. 278 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 4: I want Belitzo. You can't have him. Where is he? 279 00:17:19,599 --> 00:17:22,640 I won't tell you. You are protecting a fascist thing. 280 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,680 I'm doing more than protecting him. I'm taking him out 281 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:27,400 of Italy to America. 282 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 2: Why why so he can have a pay it time? 283 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,079 Speaker 4: No, so he can turn over information, information yes, you've 284 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:37,400 seen this information is not on paper, it's in his head. 285 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 8: And you believe him, yes, and you believe he's going 286 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:40,960 to give it up once he's got to America. 287 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 4: It's worth the chance. How much? 288 00:17:45,519 --> 00:17:45,559 Speaker 8: What? 289 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,079 Speaker 4: How much is it worth? Roberto? Do you the whole? 290 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,160 Fifty thousand dollars? Fifty thousand dollars? How much he's got 291 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:53,359 sold in the landing of his overcoat. 292 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:54,319 Speaker 2: His landlord told I. 293 00:17:54,319 --> 00:17:56,759 Speaker 4: Didn't know it, lying. 294 00:17:58,319 --> 00:18:02,319 Speaker 8: Belit, So he's paying you will, and I shall have 295 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:05,400 to deal with you as I would with any other traitor. 296 00:18:06,559 --> 00:18:12,680 I give you one more chance, Roberto, where is that fascist? 297 00:18:13,759 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 4: His hand moved for his revolver on the table, but 298 00:18:16,039 --> 00:18:18,000 my hand moved too. My fingers caught the edge of 299 00:18:18,039 --> 00:18:22,200 the table and it out, sprawling back in his chair. 300 00:18:22,319 --> 00:18:24,240 The gun clattered to the floor, and I kicked it 301 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:30,039 out of his request. My fist caught him on the 302 00:18:30,079 --> 00:18:32,880 point of the chin. His head snapped back and he 303 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:41,920 slumped to the floor out. I didn't like to do that, Quido. Sorry, 304 00:18:42,079 --> 00:18:44,039 you should be sorry, Roberto, Rosa. 305 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 5: Maybe you will tell me where the fascist is. 306 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 4: Roberto, I'm not telling anyone, Rosa. 307 00:18:49,839 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 6: Then I will do what my brother did not have 308 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:52,799 the chance to do. 309 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:54,599 Speaker 4: I don't think you will. 310 00:18:55,079 --> 00:18:59,039 Speaker 5: Don't come near me, Roberto, if you try to get 311 00:18:59,079 --> 00:19:00,880 this gun. I saw ware antinue. 312 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,839 Speaker 4: But you won't, you know, because you don't believe I'm 313 00:19:03,839 --> 00:19:06,519 a trader. You are and I were. You wouldn't shoot 314 00:19:06,519 --> 00:19:10,000 me because you love me, not anymore I hate And 315 00:19:10,079 --> 00:19:20,160 why don't you pull the trigger? Give me the gun, Rosa. 316 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 5: They didn't go. 317 00:19:28,599 --> 00:19:32,440 Speaker 4: I went down to the street. The car that Guido 318 00:19:32,519 --> 00:19:34,480 had come and did for his use and stood so 319 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:37,599 was parked in front of the tavern. I went over 320 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:41,599 to the driver, Antonio, we don't want you. He is 321 00:19:41,680 --> 00:20:02,599 upstairsing your mer Yes in my room, hurry, it's I 322 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:06,599 was at Pulico's villa. Twenty minutes later. Maria met me 323 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:09,680 at the door. The way she was dressed, you'd have 324 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:12,599 thought she was sailing for America and the Queen Mary Senior. 325 00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:14,839 Speaker 7: Mer How nice that you have come early. 326 00:20:15,079 --> 00:20:16,759 Speaker 4: Where's your father in the library? 327 00:20:17,079 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 7: This way? We will not expecting you on until tonight. 328 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:22,839 Speaker 4: My plans have changed. 329 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:28,440 Speaker 10: Palitzo, Ah, your mercy, you have arrived just in time, 330 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:31,400 in time for what Maria and I have opened one 331 00:20:31,559 --> 00:20:33,359 last bottle of wine from Marcella. 332 00:20:33,519 --> 00:20:35,519 Speaker 4: We shall be happy to have you share it with 333 00:20:35,799 --> 00:20:38,839 No thanks, Marie, another guy, I said, no thanks. 334 00:20:39,279 --> 00:20:43,880 Speaker 10: Now, my dear fellow, we will drink to use in 335 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,039 your our benefactory and then we will drink to the 336 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:51,119 new world where we are going, a world where these 337 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:55,720 differences between us can be forgotten, a world where we 338 00:20:55,799 --> 00:20:56,839 can be friends. 339 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 4: There's no such world, Politzo. There is your glassy or 340 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:09,000 I don't drink with fascists. 341 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 10: You have consorted with rabble to long mercer your manners, reflected, My. 342 00:21:16,319 --> 00:21:18,160 Speaker 4: Manners are likely to get worse if I can sort 343 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:20,880 with your kind much longer. So let's get going. You 344 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,039 said we will leave tonight. 345 00:21:22,079 --> 00:21:23,839 Speaker 7: There's been a change of plants. 346 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 4: Father, that's right. We're starting for the coast right away. 347 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:30,759 Get your things very well, and palzzo. Yes, we'll be 348 00:21:30,839 --> 00:21:34,480 driving through fascist held territory most of the way. You 349 00:21:34,599 --> 00:21:37,960 might be tempted to make a break for it. If 350 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:42,640 you do, I promise I'll bring you back and personally 351 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:50,440 hang you from that scaffold. We left. Then I drove 352 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:54,160 the car Pulzzo Satin back, but not Maria. She was 353 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:58,119 beside me, very close beside me. Her perfume was heavy and. 354 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:02,640 Speaker 7: Sweet thoughts are so far away in your very far. 355 00:22:04,799 --> 00:22:09,440 You do not like me, do you? You do not 356 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:10,519 think I am. 357 00:22:10,599 --> 00:22:13,640 Speaker 4: Beautiful, not nearly as beautiful as my thoughts. 358 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:16,920 Speaker 7: They are of another woman? 359 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:31,200 Speaker 4: No? What then a place called Vermont. It was night 360 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:34,720 when we reached the main highway to Savona. Guido's partisans 361 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:36,599 were far behind us. By them, and I thought it 362 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:40,559 would be clear sailing. I was wrong. What is the matter? 363 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:44,880 Why do you slow down? Look up ahead? Road block? Partisan? No, 364 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,880 not partisans, this time it's your friends, Remember Polizzo. I'm 365 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:51,960 waiting for you to say just one wrong word. 366 00:22:54,519 --> 00:22:57,279 Speaker 11: Let me see your papers. You're in the back seat. 367 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,400 Speaker 4: Force here they are. You will find them quite order. 368 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:07,839 Speaker 11: I will be the judge of that. Alberto Pelitzoy. So 369 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,119 you are, Alberto Pelitzo? 370 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 4: Are you yes? I am all right? 371 00:23:14,319 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 11: Proma with me, all three of you. 372 00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:17,920 Speaker 7: What's why? What is the better? 373 00:23:18,519 --> 00:23:22,279 Speaker 11: This man is lying? Alberto Pelitzo is dead. 374 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:30,559 Speaker 4: They let us to a small house down the road. 375 00:23:30,599 --> 00:23:32,279 The one with the rifle stayed with us, while the 376 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:35,000 other one disappeared into a back room. I was still 377 00:23:35,039 --> 00:23:37,720 watching Palizzo. I was still waiting for him to say 378 00:23:37,759 --> 00:23:38,519 that word. 379 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:44,319 Speaker 11: Here is the man Major, A man who calls himself 380 00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:46,720 Alberto Plito. 381 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 2: Let me see him, so why should they not call 382 00:23:53,599 --> 00:23:55,480 himself Alberto Pelitzo. 383 00:23:55,759 --> 00:23:58,920 Speaker 8: You recognized me that Major, but of course Signor, and 384 00:23:59,039 --> 00:24:02,960 I am delighted to say our information was that you 385 00:24:03,079 --> 00:24:05,200 had been captured by partsans. 386 00:24:05,279 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 2: I deeply apologize for the inconvenience. 387 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:11,079 Speaker 10: We may, of course, no, no, no apologies are necessary, Major, 388 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,119 And now may my daughter and I proceed to save. 389 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 2: On certainly, Senor. And this man who is with. 390 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:23,400 Speaker 4: You, Oh, this man see you wish him to accompany you? 391 00:24:23,519 --> 00:24:23,799 Speaker 2: Senor? 392 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:36,079 Speaker 4: Well, yes, of course this man is my chauffer. I 393 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:39,400 didn't get it. I didn't understand why he done it, 394 00:24:39,519 --> 00:24:42,759 not until it started toward the car. The Major who 395 00:24:42,759 --> 00:24:46,319 has called us walk ahead with Maria. I turned back 396 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:52,200 to have a little private talk with Berlitza. You could 397 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:54,920 have turned me over to them, but you didn't. It 398 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:56,960 was not of the kindness of your heart. I'm sure 399 00:24:57,119 --> 00:24:59,839 why else, Mercer, you have been kind to us. We 400 00:25:00,759 --> 00:25:03,720 you no fascist was ever kind for a reason like that. 401 00:25:04,279 --> 00:25:08,960 Can you think of another reason? Maybe you have no 402 00:25:09,079 --> 00:25:11,200 way of leaving Italy without me? You know, the war 403 00:25:11,279 --> 00:25:14,359 was lost if you're still here. When the Allies march 404 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:16,400 into room, you won't have any way to save your 405 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:17,240 precious skins. 406 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:19,160 Speaker 7: You want to get out. 407 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:19,599 Speaker 4: What you can't. 408 00:25:21,559 --> 00:25:24,880 Speaker 10: You're no fool singer, Mercer. You can understand my reasoning 409 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:28,440 at your shore, I can understand it. It's an old story. 410 00:25:29,039 --> 00:25:31,599 Rats always desert a sinking ship. 411 00:25:31,799 --> 00:25:34,039 Speaker 4: Were you insa watch it? 412 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:39,160 Speaker 12: I was just telling your charming daughter, Senor Belitio, that 413 00:25:39,279 --> 00:25:41,839 there is really no need for you to go to Savona. 414 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:45,279 Speaker 2: After tomorrow night. You could return to your village, Stuart. 415 00:25:45,519 --> 00:25:47,480 Speaker 4: The Partisans have taken stored some major. 416 00:25:47,279 --> 00:25:50,039 Speaker 12: And not for long since you're A full division of 417 00:25:50,079 --> 00:25:53,359 our infantry is on its way from Geneva to carry 418 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:56,759 out a surprise attack on them, and we are going 419 00:25:56,839 --> 00:26:01,000 to deal with this banded Guido Gardone once and for all. 420 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:05,720 Within forty eight hours, it will be we do GORDONI 421 00:26:05,799 --> 00:26:09,440 himself will be hanging from that scaffold in the village square. 422 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:16,559 Speaker 4: That gave me something to think about the rest of 423 00:26:16,559 --> 00:26:16,880 the way. 424 00:26:17,079 --> 00:26:19,039 Speaker 9: I kept on thinking about it all the next day, 425 00:26:19,079 --> 00:26:22,559 and I thought of Vermont too, Yes, I thought a 426 00:26:22,559 --> 00:26:25,119 lot about Vermont and how those trees would look in 427 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:28,839 the fore to anybody who was lucky enough to see them. 428 00:26:29,079 --> 00:26:30,920 The row of the surf against the lonely stretch of 429 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:33,119 beach below Savon had drowned the noise of the pet 430 00:26:33,279 --> 00:26:35,599 boats motors. We didn't hear it, but we saw it 431 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:38,880 lying offshore. The dinghy had put over its side, scraped 432 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:40,279 against the hard sand of the beach. 433 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:47,000 Speaker 8: Yes, awsin's made, Curtis, sir, Do these people go aboard 434 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:47,519 to Lieutenant? 435 00:26:47,519 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 4: Oh? Yes, yes, here's a letter. Give it to your skipper. 436 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:53,400 It explains who they are. But aren't you cumming sir? 437 00:26:53,519 --> 00:26:57,079 Speaker 7: No, senor Mercer, you're not going with us. I don't understand. 438 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:57,839 Speaker 2: I think I do. 439 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 10: Maria, thenoble s he's going back to warn his friends 440 00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:04,119 in Stewarts of the surprise attack. 441 00:27:04,279 --> 00:27:05,279 Speaker 4: That's right, Palito. 442 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:08,480 Speaker 7: No sor Why should you bother with that rat. 443 00:27:08,599 --> 00:27:10,039 Speaker 4: They happened to be my allies, but you. 444 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:11,799 Speaker 7: Said they would kill you if they saw you again. 445 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:14,759 Speaker 4: They will. I am hoping they'll listen to my warning anyway, 446 00:27:14,759 --> 00:27:16,039 But that is foolish. 447 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:18,119 Speaker 7: To risk your life for them. It does not make sense. 448 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:22,039 Speaker 4: It wouldn't to you, Maria, not yet. Maybe after you've 449 00:27:22,039 --> 00:27:26,519 been in America. Pro while. It will take them away, Curtis. Yes, sir, 450 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:32,440 so I didn't go to Vermont. I went back to 451 00:27:32,519 --> 00:27:36,799 Sturtz instead. It was noon the next day when I 452 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:46,000 walked into the tavern. Guido was there and Rosa, yes, 453 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:46,880 I've come back. 454 00:27:47,839 --> 00:27:52,400 Speaker 8: Well, great returns. Maybe you didn't believe me when I said. 455 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 4: I'd kill you. I believe to Guido Rico take his gun. 456 00:27:57,559 --> 00:28:00,160 That won't be necessary, Rico, here's my gun. 457 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:08,880 Speaker 13: Robert Rossa, you're ready to die greater as soon as 458 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:10,039 I've given you my report. 459 00:28:11,039 --> 00:28:13,920 Speaker 4: There's a full division of fascist infantry moving up from Genoa. 460 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:16,880 They're planning to spring a trap tonight. You'd better get 461 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:18,359 out of Strutcher. I don't believe you. 462 00:28:18,759 --> 00:28:21,200 Speaker 8: The fascists are too busy at Selno to send the 463 00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:21,799 division here. 464 00:28:21,799 --> 00:28:23,559 Speaker 4: All right, I'll tell my best widow. If you don't 465 00:28:23,559 --> 00:28:25,720 believe it, I believe. What are you doing? Get away 466 00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:26,759 from him, Get out of the way. 467 00:28:26,759 --> 00:28:27,880 Speaker 2: I'll tell you I'm going to kill him. 468 00:28:28,039 --> 00:28:34,440 Speaker 4: You have to kill me too. Very well. We will 469 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:36,240 see if you're right about him, Rosa. 470 00:28:37,039 --> 00:28:40,279 Speaker 8: Rico, we're moving out of starts immediately passed you over 471 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:42,559 the long Roberto, what. 472 00:28:42,519 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 2: Will you do with him? 473 00:28:43,319 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 8: Take Roberto with us. If the fascists do not attack tonight, 474 00:28:48,079 --> 00:28:51,720 there will be no more room on the scaffold tomorrow. 475 00:28:56,480 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 4: The fascists did attack that night, but there wasn't a 476 00:28:59,519 --> 00:29:04,400 partners left and starts out. We had evaporated into the hills, Yes, 477 00:29:04,599 --> 00:29:08,119 I said we. I went on working with Guido GORDONI, 478 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:11,599 helping to direct the campaign against the black Shirts. We 479 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:15,039 will never friends, Guido and I, but we did have 480 00:29:15,119 --> 00:29:20,279 a common enemy. A year later I got back to Vermont. 481 00:29:21,279 --> 00:29:24,039 That was a long time to wait, but not as 482 00:29:24,119 --> 00:29:27,680 long as I might have waited if Alberto Palizzo had 483 00:29:27,680 --> 00:29:32,960 not given information concerning secret weapons to the OSS. 484 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 3: And once again the report of an OSS agent closes 485 00:29:38,079 --> 00:29:38,359 with the. 486 00:29:38,359 --> 00:29:41,079 Speaker 2: Words mission accomplished. 487 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:43,960 Speaker 3: Listen again next week for another true adventure from the 488 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:45,480 files of the OSS on. 489 00:29:47,759 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 2: Cloak and Dagger. 490 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:02,160 Speaker 14: Heard in today's Kulkandiger enter as Robert Messa was Grant, Richards, 491 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:07,079 Hido Arnomas, Alberto Pinzzo, Louis van Rutin. Script was written 492 00:30:07,119 --> 00:30:09,200 by Ken Phield and music was under the direction of 493 00:30:09,279 --> 00:30:12,519 John Guard. Sound effects by Max Russell and al Finelli 494 00:30:12,839 --> 00:30:16,279 engineering Don Evan. Today's OSS adventure was based on the 495 00:30:16,279 --> 00:30:19,759 book pluckandegga by Corey Ford and Alistair McBeth. His program 496 00:30:19,799 --> 00:30:22,519 is produced by Lewis G. Cowen and Alfred Hollande under 497 00:30:22,559 --> 00:30:24,480 the direction and supervision of Shovin Marx. 498 00:30:25,759 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 4: Three Times Mean Good Times on NBC Sandia Welcome Back. 499 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:37,799 Speaker 1: This is another great episode and really introduces a unique 500 00:30:37,839 --> 00:30:42,839 conflict where you have an OSS agent having to rescue 501 00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:47,720 a fascist from the Partisans and Grant Richards does a 502 00:30:47,720 --> 00:30:51,839 great job portraying the conflict that remains throughout the episode, 503 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:56,319 and it raises some fascinating questions because he had sympathy 504 00:30:56,359 --> 00:30:59,119 with the desire of the Partisans, and I think most 505 00:30:59,519 --> 00:31:04,599 listeners would. The idea that collaborators went unpunished or even 506 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:09,319 seemed to get rewarded with favorable treatment. I think tends 507 00:31:09,359 --> 00:31:12,960 to really stick in people's cause, and I know many 508 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:17,160 have criticized these sort of deals by the Allies. However, 509 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:21,119 the episode raises the key argument that it may have 510 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:26,240 made the difference, if not between defeat and victory, but 511 00:31:26,839 --> 00:31:30,400 between a sooner or a longer end of the war. 512 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:34,039 Now quickening the end of the war wasn't a matter 513 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:37,759 of time only, it was a matter of lives safe. 514 00:31:38,599 --> 00:31:43,519 Two hundred and ninety one thousand Americans died in battle, 515 00:31:43,599 --> 00:31:46,960 with another one hundred and thirteen thousand dying to other 516 00:31:47,079 --> 00:31:52,680 causes during the war, such as disease. Cutting months off 517 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:56,480 the length of the war would mean tens of thousands 518 00:31:56,519 --> 00:32:00,839 of Americans coming home alive, as opposed to dine or 519 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:06,119 be maimed. Now, there are many moral critiques of certain 520 00:32:06,160 --> 00:32:10,240 actions by the Allies during the war that I think 521 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:14,720 are legitimate to discuss. Whether you end up saying that 522 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:18,279 the wrong thing happened or not, it's legitimate to discuss them. 523 00:32:18,319 --> 00:32:21,359 But I think that some of the arguments that are 524 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:27,799 made can be undermined if you ignore the reality of 525 00:32:27,839 --> 00:32:31,920 the alternative. If you don't deal with the alternative, your 526 00:32:32,279 --> 00:32:36,119 argument is basically an ivory tower statement that you can 527 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:39,759 only make from a safe distance decades away from the 528 00:32:39,880 --> 00:32:43,200 actual hard choices that had to be made. Now, that 529 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:46,359 doesn't mean you can't critique these sort of actions, but 530 00:32:46,920 --> 00:32:51,559 any critique has to take these concerns to mind, you know, 531 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:53,880 And I think there are two obvious things you can say. 532 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:58,920 Either one, the particular actions didn't actually quicken the end 533 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:01,279 of the war, and it wasn't reasonable to think it 534 00:33:01,319 --> 00:33:06,920 would or to even if some action actually ended up 535 00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:13,079 saving tens of thousands of American lives, we should have 536 00:33:13,160 --> 00:33:16,880 taken the casualties rather than do something that wrong. You 537 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:21,200 can make serious arguments that way, but if you ignore 538 00:33:21,519 --> 00:33:26,839 the alternatives, it just comes across failing to engage with 539 00:33:27,039 --> 00:33:30,799 what the real world situation was. The decision for the 540 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:36,079 escaping fascist leader not to go back, even when he 541 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:42,960 had an opportunity, really speaks to the opportunistic nature of 542 00:33:43,599 --> 00:33:49,599 many of these sorts of hangers on to dictators. Whatever 543 00:33:49,839 --> 00:33:56,039 the core ideology of a particular dictator or leader, there 544 00:33:56,079 --> 00:33:59,519 are people in the inner circle who are far more 545 00:33:59,559 --> 00:34:03,720 interted in using the situation to get wealth and power, 546 00:34:04,039 --> 00:34:06,880 and that's what they see the ultimate end of this, 547 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:14,960 not whatever ideological changes are dreamed up by the true believers. 548 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:17,559 If it starts to look like things are not going 549 00:34:17,599 --> 00:34:21,639 to go that way, these sort of people can switch 550 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:25,239 sides easily. This gets picked up in a lot of 551 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:29,039 post war entertainment. I think particularly of some of the 552 00:34:29,840 --> 00:34:38,000 Superman serials dealing with demagogues promoting bigotry and intolerance. And 553 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:41,199 in these stories you would have the leaders of these 554 00:34:41,320 --> 00:34:46,039 organizations who would put out some sort of hatred against 555 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:51,960 whatever group they decided to target, but didn't actually believe it, 556 00:34:52,039 --> 00:34:55,760 but rather saw it as an opportunity to advance themselves, 557 00:34:56,400 --> 00:35:02,320 to gain followers by agitating again the minority, and when 558 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:05,679 that ceases to work for them and they are talented, 559 00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:10,079 their loyalty and their stances might change, even while the 560 00:35:10,199 --> 00:35:14,000 less powerful people who believe them might remain committed to 561 00:35:14,039 --> 00:35:18,360 the cause and ultimately face consequences for it. I also 562 00:35:18,559 --> 00:35:22,039 love that our oss man went back, even at the 563 00:35:22,159 --> 00:35:25,199 risk of his life. It showed that his heart was 564 00:35:25,239 --> 00:35:29,000 with the Partisans, as well as that sense of honor, 565 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:34,280 despite his disagreements, despite where he thought, in this case 566 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:39,440 his duty not just to them, but to the United 567 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:43,320 States and the Allied Command where he thought that duty lie. 568 00:35:43,559 --> 00:35:46,159 At the end of the day, he's looking out for 569 00:35:46,239 --> 00:35:50,440 them and comes back and stands by their side again 570 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:53,280 at the risk of his own life. So really just 571 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:58,760 a fascinating overall character study and story. I think that 572 00:35:59,079 --> 00:36:02,760 for most people who listened to old time radio, it 573 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:07,719 would be safe to say that Cloakendagger is probably the 574 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:11,039 best drama that you never heard of, and it's been 575 00:36:11,079 --> 00:36:14,719 great to feature it on the podcast. All Right well, 576 00:36:14,960 --> 00:36:19,639 listener comments and feedback now and we go to Spotify 577 00:36:20,079 --> 00:36:25,440 on operations Sellout Mechanic sixty six rides. Pretty much suspected 578 00:36:25,639 --> 00:36:28,480 Marie from the start due to the title, and if 579 00:36:28,519 --> 00:36:31,639 it had been Mueller, the operation wouldn't have made it 580 00:36:31,679 --> 00:36:35,960 to the successful category. Well, I wouldn't underwrite the ability 581 00:36:36,039 --> 00:36:39,400 of the oss to somehow work it out. Even if 582 00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:43,960 Muller had been a spot I tended not to suspect him. 583 00:36:44,239 --> 00:36:47,920 I actually leaned a bit towards the brother at first, 584 00:36:48,119 --> 00:36:50,840 but then he kind of just disappeared from the story, 585 00:36:51,079 --> 00:36:55,960 and I think that the romance and other things, you know, 586 00:36:56,119 --> 00:37:00,679 kind of suggested to the outside observer. Yeah, I think 587 00:37:00,719 --> 00:37:04,440 there's something suspicious about Marie, though it wasn't in a 588 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:08,800 way that people who were actually there might have noticed, 589 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:13,280 Particularly when they were so focused on Muller. It kind 590 00:37:13,280 --> 00:37:17,639 of gave them tunnel visions, so you didn't really perceive 591 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:22,000 the whole situation and where all of your risk might lie. 592 00:37:22,239 --> 00:37:26,079 Had they not been so suspicious of him, they might 593 00:37:26,159 --> 00:37:29,840 have caught on to what she was doing sooner. All right, Well, 594 00:37:29,880 --> 00:37:32,559 thanks so much, appreciate the comment. Now it's time to 595 00:37:32,599 --> 00:37:34,960 thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I want 596 00:37:34,960 --> 00:37:39,400 to thank Lori, Patreon supporter since April twenty twenty, currently 597 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:42,920 supporting the podcast at the secret Agent level of four 598 00:37:42,960 --> 00:37:46,000 dollars or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Lourie, 599 00:37:46,199 --> 00:37:48,599 and that we'll do it for today. If you're enjoying 600 00:37:48,599 --> 00:37:53,480 the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software 601 00:37:53,880 --> 00:37:56,599 and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever 602 00:37:56,679 --> 00:38:00,760 you download it from a Great Detectives. We'll be back 603 00:38:00,800 --> 00:38:04,440 tomorrow with the Sunday Encore, and then on Monday, the 604 00:38:04,559 --> 00:38:08,760 normal lineup resumes with Danger with Granger on the Great 605 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:15,320 Adventurers Podcast. We will be back on Tuesday with Adventure Ahead, 606 00:38:15,559 --> 00:38:19,639 and then next Saturday another episode of Cloak and Dagger. 607 00:38:19,679 --> 00:38:23,920 In the meantime, send your comments to Box thirteen at 608 00:38:23,960 --> 00:38:27,960 Greatdetectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, 609 00:38:28,280 --> 00:38:32,199 and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com slash 610 00:38:32,199 --> 00:38:36,679 Great Detectives From Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam 611 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:38,119 Graham signing off.