Dangerous Assignment: "Find Missing Japanese Weapons (Panama)" – Episode Summary

Overview

In this gripping episode from February 6, 1950, government agent Steve Mitchell is dispatched to Panama to track down a cache of missing Japanese weapons rumored to be hidden near the Panama Canal. The assignment is fraught with danger—Mitchell must uncover the truth behind his friend Bill Thorne’s murder, outwit shadowy enemies, and survive the wilds of the Darien jungle as he follows a trail leading to a mysterious abandoned mine and a chilling local legend.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Assignment and Briefing (01:11–02:30)

• Steve Mitchell is summoned by the Commissioner and briefed on his friend's (Bill Thorne) death and the urgency of the missing Japanese weapons.
  • “Shortly before the Japanese surrender, an entire boatload of Japanese weapons disappeared. We have reason to think they're hidden somewhere in Panama.” — Commissioner (01:32)
  • The weapons are said to be enough to equip three divisions.
• Mitchell is to work with Lieutenant Perez of the Panama National Police and possibly seek help from local plantation owner Emil Fager.

2. Entering Panama and First Clues (03:14–05:58)

• Upon arrival, Mitchell meets Lt. Perez, learns more about Thorne’s last moments, and the cryptic name “San Miguel”—an indigenous village mentioned by Thorne as he died.
  • The region is described as dangerous: wild jungles, hostile tribes, and peril for outsiders.
• Perez insists they notify Emil Fager before passing through land the plantation owner controls.

3. Meeting Emil Fager (06:08–08:26)

• Fager is portrayed as influential and outwardly cooperative, showing hospitality by offering men and a boat.
  • “As you know, I am always willing to cooperate with the authorities in anything at all. Anything at all.” — Emil Fager (08:10)

4. First Attempt on Mitchell’s Life (08:28–09:37)

• In Panama City, as Mitchell and Perez step into a doorway to avoid the scorching sun, an assassin throws a knife at them from a rooftop.
  • “Two inches lower and I’d have gotten a haircut the hard way.” — Steve Mitchell (09:17)

5. Up the River: Jungle Dangers (09:59–11:05)

• Journeying into the jungle, the men face hostile terrain, dangerous wildlife (including deadly snakes), and soon come under sniper fire.
  • Mitchell’s quick actions save Perez, who is wounded as their boat is destroyed. They escape to the opposite bank.

6. San Miguel – The Village and Its Mystery (13:30–16:09)

• They reach San Miguel, where the chief reveals that twenty of his men vanished years ago after being lured by a white man to work in a “mine.”
• The chief’s account suggests a link between the disappearances and the missing weapons: “Two, three years ago, 20 my best men walk into jungle. Disappear, never see again.” — Village Chief (15:18)
• The chief provides a guide, Blas, to lead Mitchell to the deserted mine.

7. The Abandoned Mine and a Sinister Encounter (16:09–19:18)

• The mine is now overgrown and the shaft caved in, but while investigating, they are followed by the same man who earlier attacked Mitchell.
• The assassin is killed by Blas. Evidence from the dead man connects him to a woman seen later in Panama City.

8. Back in Panama City: Unraveling the Plot (19:49–24:05)

• Mitchell and Perez return, reporting the failed mission and learning the mine was registered to Manuel Carrero (now deceased), and foreman Eduardo Avila (who is found drunk at a local bar).
• The woman in the bar is linked to the assassin through a photograph. Under questioning, she identifies the man as Carrero.
• Perez and Mitchell review mine registration documents and discover a diagram showing a second, hidden entrance.

9. Discovery and Confrontation in the Mine (25:21–29:00)

• Guided by the map, Mitchell and Blas locate the secret entrance, discovering the weapons cache and gruesome evidence—the skeletons of the disappeared villagers.
  • “Skeletons. A lot of them. … 20 men who were hired to bring the weapons here and then were killed to shut their mouths.” — Steve Mitchell (26:53)
• Emil Fager appears, armed and waiting in the darkness:
  • “At your service, Mitchell. Or should I say you are at mine.” — Emil Fager (27:32)
• A tense standoff leads to Fager’s disarmament and capture, with Blas avenging his brother’s death.

10. Resolution and Reflection (29:00–29:25)

• With Fager in custody and the weapons recovered, Mitchell delivers a final quip:
  • “He who lives by the sword shall perish by the machete.” — Steve Mitchell (29:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Shortly before the Japanese surrender, an entire boatload of Japanese weapons disappeared… enough to equip three divisions.”
  • — Commissioner (01:32)
• “Two inches lower and I’d have gotten a haircut the hard way.”
  • — Steve Mitchell (09:17)
• “Two, three years ago, 20 my best men walk into jungle. Disappear, never see again.”
  • — Village Chief (15:18)
• “He who lives by the sword shall perish by the machete.”
  • — Steve Mitchell (29:00)
• “At your service, Mitchell. Or should I say you are at mine.”
  • — Emil Fager (27:32)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|---------------| | Assignment Briefing | 01:11–02:30 | | Arrival in Panama / Perez intro | 04:02–05:58 | | First meeting with Fager | 06:08–08:26 | | Knife attack in Panama City | 08:28–09:37 | | Jungle river shootout | 09:59–11:15 | | Arrival at San Miguel | 13:30–16:09 | | Mine & assassin encounter | 16:09–19:18 | | Bar interrogation, major clues | 21:50–24:05 | | Revealing the mine's hidden entrance | 24:15–25:21 | | Weapons cache, Fager confrontation | 26:03–29:00 | | Final resolution and quip | 29:00–29:25 |

Tone & Style

The episode blends hard-boiled adventure with quick-witted, pulp serial banter. Mitchell’s sharp retorts and the atmospheric jungle setting amplify the danger, as every supporting character hides secrets amid the oppressive heat.

Episode Impact

Listeners are treated to a suspenseful drama that combines espionage, postwar intrigue, and classic detective storytelling, complete with colorful local flavor, rapid twists, and moral justice delivered with a wry smile.

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