Cloak and Dagger 50-06-18 ep06 The Kachin Story

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Cloak and Dagger 50-06-18 ep06 The Kachin Story"

Title: Cloak and Dagger
Episode: The Kachin Story
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
Description: Reliving the Golden Age of Radio, this episode delves into espionage and black warfare during WWII, focusing on an American OSS agent's perilous mission in Burma.

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1. Introduction and Setting

The episode opens with an intense exchange highlighting the perilous nature of espionage during wartime.

• [00:02] Mike Shea: "Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive?"

This question sets the tone for the story, emphasizing the risks OSS agents faced. Father O'Toole introduces the narrative as a classic "cloak and dagger" tale, immersing listeners in the world of black warfare and international intrigue.

• [00:25] Father O'Toole: "This is cloak and dagger."

2. The Plane Crash and Survival

The protagonist, Agent Mike Shea (later revealed as Michael Shakalnikov), experiences a harrowing plane crash over the dense jungles of Burma in 1944.

• [00:44] Mike Shea: "The sky hangs low over Burma... We are in for it."

As the plane crashes, Shea sustains a severe leg injury but survives, unlike the pilot. Injured and alone, he navigates through the perilous jungle hoping to reach the Kachin natives.

3. Encounter with Father O'Toole and the Kachin Tribe

Believing he's being pursued by a Japanese headhunter, Shea flees towards his own team but ends up encountering Father O'Toole and the Kachin villagers.

• [06:15] Father O'Toole: "Sure. And you couldn't look more surprised, Captain, than if the tall grass parted and you came on a field of four leaf clovers."

Father O'Toole reveals himself as a long-time missionary who has deeply integrated with the Kachin people, renaming them to resonate with their new identities.

• [07:33] Father O'Toole: "For almost 12 years now. I hardly remember any other life."

4. Mission Briefing and Radio Communication

Shea receives a crucial mission update via radio, emphasizing the strategic importance of capturing the airstrip at Micha to support the Allied advance.

• [12:15] Agent Shakalnikov: "Capture of jungle town of Micha and its airstrip is vital to aid Allied advance in Burma."

Shea coordinates with Father O'Toole, who insists on the Kachin following his leadership despite the planned mission to assist American battalions.

5. Planning the Rescue Operation

As orders pour in, Shea and Father O'Toole deliberate on the best approach to locate and rescue the stranded Allied battalion, considering the Japanese presence.

• [14:46] Mike Shea: "Father, I don't get you."
• [14:58] Father O'Toole: "Well, there's a Japanese bivouac less than six miles from here."

This strategic insight leads them to plan a covert mission to infiltrate the Japanese camp and extract vital information and resources.

6. Infiltration and Confrontation with Colonel Haichi

During their infiltration attempt, Shea and a Kachin scout encounter Colonel Haichi of the Japanese High Command, who engages in a tense dialogue reminiscent of old acquaintances.

• [18:17] Father O'Toole (as Colonel Haichi): "We will get along well, I think, if we make little trade."
• [18:36] Mike Shea: "Clinton High School, the Bronx, Class of '33."

Colonel Haichi reveals his educational background, adding depth to his character and raising suspicions about his true intentions.

7. The 24-Hour Interrogation

Shea endures a grueling 24-hour interrogation where psychological and physical tactics are employed to extract information.

• [18:59] Father O'Toole: "God, that whip was sampled. We have much more in store for you if you do not agree to be more agreeable to our simple requests."
• [19:25] Mike Shea: Describes the oppressive conditions: "wet, sticky heat that made my skin crawl and my lips dry."

The tension escalates until a distraction—a stampede orchestrated by the Kachin—allows Shea and Father O'Toole to escape.

8. Rescue Operation and Tactical Maneuvers

Reunited with the Kachin warriors, Shea leads an ambush against the encircled American battalion, utilizing indigenous guerrilla tactics.

• [25:11] Mike Shea: "What are they doing?"
• [25:13] Father O'Toole: "They're whittling those bamboo poles to sharp points. Then they'll stick them with a slash beneath the underbrush on either side of the trail."

The Kachin's ingenuity in setting traps proves effective, forcing the Japanese forces into disarray and allowing the Allied battalion to regroup.

9. Victory Feast and Cultural Exchange

Following the successful mission, the Kachin villagers prepare a victory feast, showcasing their rich cultural traditions and deep camaraderie.

• [26:18] Father O'Toole: "The women have prepared a special banquet for you."
• [27:02] Mike Shea: "Here's something prettier. My sharpshooter's metal sharpshooter."

A heartwarming exchange between Shea and Colleen, a Kachin woman, symbolizes the melding of cultures and mutual respect forged through shared hardship.

10. Conclusion and Reflection

The episode concludes with Shea reflecting on the mission's success and the invaluable partnership between the OSS and the Kachin warriors.

• [27:41] Mike Shea: "The capture of the vital airstrip and the ultimate conquest of Myitina was due to the combined efforts of the marauders who attacked it and the Kachin warriors who helped them."

Father O'Toole humorously laments his missing teeth, adding a personal touch and light-heartedness to the end of a high-stakes adventure.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [00:02] Mike Shea: "Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive?"
• [00:25] Father O'Toole: "This is cloak and dagger."
• [06:15] Father O'Toole: "Sure. And you couldn't look more surprised, Captain, than if the tall grass parted and you came on a field of four leaf clovers."
• [14:58] Father O'Toole: "Well, there's a Japanese bivouac less than six miles from here."
• [18:17] Father O'Toole (as Colonel Haichi): "We will get along well, I think, if we make little trade."
• [25:13] Father O'Toole: "They're whittling those bamboo poles to sharp points."

Key Themes and Insights

• Cultural Collaboration: The episode highlights the effective partnership between the American OSS agents and the native Kachin warriors, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge and guerrilla tactics in warfare.

• Human Resilience: Mike Shea's survival and determination underscore the human spirit's capacity to overcome extreme adversity.

• Moral Ambiguity: The interaction with Colonel Haichi introduces complexities regarding allegiance and the motivations of individuals on opposing sides.

• Humor Amidst Tension: Father O'Toole's missing teeth and light-hearted banter provide levity, illustrating the characters' ability to maintain humanity amidst chaos.

Conclusion

"Cloak and Dagger 50-06-18 ep06 The Kachin Story" offers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, strategic warfare, and deep cultural connections. Through the vivid dramatization of Agent Mike Shea's mission, listeners are transported to the heart of WWII's espionage battles in Burma, experiencing the triumphs and tribulations of those who fought in the shadows. The episode masterfully balances intense action with character development, making it a standout installment in the series.

Transcript

[Mike Shea]

Are you willing to undertake a dangerous.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

Mission behind the enemy lines knowing you.

[Mike Shea]

May never return alive? What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the OSS Ordinary citizens, who to this question answered yes.

[Father O'Toole]

This is cloak and dagger.

[Mike Shea]

Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS Today's adventure, the Kutchin story tells of an agent, an American agent, dropped behind Japanese lines in Burma. A story suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services. A story that can now be told. The sky hangs low over Burma in 1944. It was more than just the smoke and dust haze that blankets it in the dry season. It was the tension in the air that weighed the clouds down so that they almost seem to be predators against the wings of our plane. You ought to reach your objective in a few minutes, Mike. Good. I'll tell you when to hit the silk. You got everything? Yep. Radio, supplies. I'm all set. Boy, that's thick jungle down there. Thick with Japs. That's what I mean. I looked down on the towering jungle covered mountains of north Burma. I thought of a small band of Kutching natives who were waiting to meet. I thought about how pitifully outnumbered they were behind the enemy lines. Now they hated the Japs. Then all of a sudden, I didn't have time to think anymore. Lousy Jap fighter. What cloud did he crawl out of? It's too late to run. We're in for it. Sorry you're gonna be late for your appointment. Rather what I could do with a tail gunner. Now hold onto your stomach, Mike. Gonna see if I can loop and.

[Father O'Toole]

Get behind him.

[Mike Shea]

High. Still on our tail?

[Father O'Toole]

Yeah.

[Mike Shea]

He looked right behind me. He hit our engine on fire.

[Father O'Toole]

Lousy.

[Mike Shea]

Nice work. You got him.

[Father O'Toole]

How bad do we hit?

[Mike Shea]

We all make it. Better try to belly land.

[Father O'Toole]

Can we jump? Hold on for that. Hold on. Watch those trees. I can't her up, Mike. I can't. I can't.

[Mike Shea]

I was thrown from the plane when we crashed. I got off with nothing more than a leg that was bleeding pretty bad. When I crawled back to the wreck, I found the pilot. He wasn't so lucky. I started to run. I didn't know where I was going. But I started to run anyway through the bamboo thickets. My leg was throbbing with pain and I tripped the pistol, dropped out of my holster and disappeared into the high grass. I didn't have time to look for it. Somewhere to the north were the cutchens. I had to get to Them. This was headhunter country. In those days, Japs paid high prices for American scal. After a while, my breath cave out. I couldn't go any further. My imagination put Japs and headhunters behind every tree. I told myself I had to stop. I told myself I didn't have enough wind to take another step. But I changed my mind when behind me, I heard a twig snap. There was someone following. A quiet, stealthy someone on padded cat's feet. I kept on running into the river. I didn't bother to look first for crocodiles. The numbness from my bad legs spread all over me. I could hardly swim. All I wanted to do was get away from that shadow behind me. When I reached the opposite shore, I clambered onto a sandbar. Safe. Safe. Then I looked back. I saw that tireless shadow emerge from the bushes and flit silently across the river on a fallen tree trunk. My lungs were ready to burst. I pulled myself up again and fell over some roots and waited. Waited for that shadow to catch up with me. I just lay there and waited. Okay. Okay, you win. Where do we go from here? We'll say something. We'll just stand there. Probably won't be able to understand you, but say something anyway. A half naked warrior just stood there staring at me, saying nothing. I'd have given anything to have had my gun back again. And all of a sudden I did. He just reached down and handed it to me. Hey, I. I don't get it. What's that? What's that card you're holding? Follow this guide. He will lead you to safety. Well, well, now you're talking.

[Father O'Toole]

Sure. And you couldn't look more surprised, Captain, than if the tall grass parted and you came on a field of four leaf clovers.

[Mike Shea]

I feel that way, Father.

[Father O'Toole]

Like you turned over a stone and there we were.

[Mike Shea]

Well, that's about it. I thought that native following me was a headhunter. I know they'd turn any American over to the Japs for a two pound bag of salt.

[Father O'Toole]

Ah, you're right there. Unholy savages that they are. We saw your plane fall and I sent Ying here after you. With that message written on the card. He's the fastest runner in the Cochin village. I'm sorry he put such a scare into you. Forgive me, Captain Shea. Did I pull the bandage too tightly then?

[Mike Shea]

No, no, it's okay. I don't mind it too much. When I think of what happened to the pilot. I was lucky. Ah, yes.

[Father O'Toole]

Twas a pity about the pilot.

[Mike Shea]

Ying.

[Father O'Toole]

The scissors. If you don't mind? Thank you. There. Almost done. Now then, we'll go out and you'll meet the villagers. The women have prepared a special banquet for you.

[Mike Shea]

That's very nice of them. Have you been a missionary here in Burma long, father?

[Father O'Toole]

For almost 12 years now. I hardly remember any other life. These good natives have all become sons and daughters to me. We've taught each other. I speak their language. They all speak English now. They do as well as I. Almost.

[Mike Shea]

Then I have a question, Father. Yes? How come Ying over there took 10 years off my life chasing me through the jungle? Why didn't he say something?

[Father O'Toole]

Well, Ying didn't speak to your captain Hsieh because he wasn't able to.

[Mike Shea]

What?

[Father O'Toole]

He was a prisoner of the Japanese. Some time ago, they cut out his tongue. That. That other role of bandage. Pleasing. Thank. Colleen. Put more wine in the bamboo cup for our guest, eh?

[Colleen]

Yes, I will be happy to. Here you are.

[Mike Shea]

What did you call her, Father?

[Father O'Toole]

Colleen. To make it easier for me, I've renamed many of the villagers. That woman stirring the big kettle is Kathleen. And the other beside her, Bridget.

[Mike Shea]

I get the general idea.

[Father O'Toole]

And your name is? Shay.

[Mike Shea]

Ah.

[Father O'Toole]

Mike Shea. A good Irish name if I ever heard one.

[Mike Shea]

Well, actually, Father, it's Michael Shakalnikov.

[Father O'Toole]

Would you mind repeating that?

[Mike Shea]

Shkalnikov. It's Polish. I shorten it because everybody has trouble pronouncing it. Sometimes I have trouble myself spelling it.

[Father O'Toole]

I see. Well, no magic. No master. Tell me more about your mission.

[Mike Shea]

Well, I was sent by the OSS to establish radio contact, Father, with the Northern Area Combat Command in Burma. Give them any information and help I can. That is, with your help, of course. Ah, yes.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, you'll find us of great assistance. Immediately after the banquet, you can find a place to set up your radio. How are you enjoying your meal?

[Mike Shea]

My wife never made anything that tasted like this.

[Father O'Toole]

Do you like it?

[Mike Shea]

Eat.

[Colleen]

Well, let me fill your plate some more.

[Mike Shea]

Mmm. Thanks. Mmm. That's very good. What is it?

[Colleen]

We make it special for you today. White bees, we boil for hours.

[Mike Shea]

I guess I've had enough. I don't feel right moving you out of your hut, Father.

[Father O'Toole]

Ah, it's quite all right. I can easily find another basher. This is the best spot for your radio. I'll even leave you the. The decorations on the walls to inspire you.

[Mike Shea]

Ginger Rogers, huh? That's your favorite pinup.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, she's a fair lass, all right. She brightens up the basher.

[Mike Shea]

Well, with your permission, then, I'll take a snapshot of my Wife up with the rest of these pictures. Yeah, that does it. You know, when I think of my wife, I feel a little guilty.

[Father O'Toole]

Why is that, mission?

[Mike Shea]

Oh, I don't know. Thought of her going blind, squeezing all the news from home into female, wearing herself sick about me. And all the time, I never felt more free in my life.

[Father O'Toole]

Yes, I know just what you mean. I love this life in the jungle as well as the people. My people here. I don't think I could ever leave now. Do you mind if I call you o'? Shea?

[Mike Shea]

No, not at all, Father o'.

[Father O'Toole]

Toole.

[Mike Shea]

Not at all. This jungle home was a far cry from the third floor walk up in New York and the job behind the desk in the insurance office. The Cutchen warriors aren't imposing figures. They're short and squat, with long, matted hair and teeth worn to a black stub by betel nut. They led a simple village life, eating rice, trapping wild pigs, a technique they also used in trapping wild Japs. But they were friendly, happy people, and life with them was pleasant. Until one afternoon when a report came in on the radio.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

North Area Combat Command to Agent Shakalnikov.

[Mike Shea]

Agent Shakalnikov of the OSS To North Area Combat Command. You're coming in clear. Awaiting message. Come in. Over.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

Capture of jungle town of Micha and its airstrip is vital to aid Allied advance in Burma. Battalions of American marauders will attempt capture. They will rely on your help to get them through the jungle. Over.

[Mike Shea]

Agent Shakalnikov to headquarters. Have small band of Kutchins organized. We will do what we can. Awaiting further instructions. Over.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

Other native armies under OSS leadership have been alerted. Stand by. Stand by.

[Mike Shea]

This is imperative.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

Over and out.

[Father O'Toole]

Well.

[Mike Shea]

Oh, Father o', Toole. I didn't see you standing there. You heard?

[Father O'Toole]

I heard. O'. Shea.

[Mike Shea]

This is a big push, all right. That airport at Michener could mean success or failure of the whole American campaign in Burma.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, get our warriors ready. In the meantime, there's nothing we can do but wait for orders.

[Mike Shea]

That's always the worst part of it. Wait.

[Father O'Toole]

Quiet. Quiet, my children. Quiet. Now. It is as I have told you. When the order comes from the Americans, we will advance upon the enemy.

[Mike Shea]

We leave now, Father, catch enemy ourselves.

[Father O'Toole]

No, no, no, no. That's not the way we must work. From now on, the American will be our leader. We will do as he says. We will follow Captain o'. Shea.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

North Area Combat Command to Agent Shakalnikov in Burma. A battalion of marauders on the way to Michina has been cut off from the main body of the column and lost in the jungle. Radio contact? Gone. Find them and supply reinforcements. Over.

[Mike Shea]

Agent Shakalnikov to headquarters. We'll do the best we can. Over. Not well. We've waited two weeks for an assignment, but when it came, it was a beauty.

[Father O'Toole]

The problem, o', Shea, is locating that battalion. Now, it occurs to me.

[Mike Shea]

Yes? Yes, Father.

[Father O'Toole]

It occurs to me that if they're surrounded by the Japanese somewhere in the jungle, the Japanese themselves would know exactly where that spot is.

[Mike Shea]

Father, I don't get you.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, there's a Japanese bivouac less than six miles from here. There are undoubtedly Japanese high command who have the information we're after.

[Mike Shea]

I've got you now, Father. Let one of the scouts come with me to show me the way through the jungle. We'll sneak into that Jap camp and bring one of the officers back with us.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, the two of you alone?

[Mike Shea]

Sure, sure. Too many of us and we're liable to get caught. Just a couple of us can make it all right.

[Father O'Toole]

Wait till the moon is halfway across the sky, then go. And the Lord go with you.

[Mike Shea]

When the moon was halfway across the sky, the scout and I set out back through the jungle I'd come from. Only this time I was a shadow too, slipping behind the bamboo thickets, cutting my way through the dense jungle foliage. We didn't talk much, only what was necessary. Jap camp close now. Good job. Camp there ahead.

[Father O'Toole]

See through bushes?

[Mike Shea]

Yeah, I see. All those fires lit. Must be some kind of a powwow going on.

[Father O'Toole]

Sentry.

[Mike Shea]

There. Where?

[Father O'Toole]

Finger Point.

[Mike Shea]

Yeah, I see him.

[Father O'Toole]

We will surprise and sneak in camp from there.

[Mike Shea]

Right behind you.

[Father O'Toole]

No talk. Quiet.

[Mike Shea]

No talk. Noise bring many chaps. Okay. Through the bushes. Follow me.

[Father O'Toole]

Watch for snake.

[Mike Shea]

Sorry. You're worried. About what? About the tigers, wild boars, Komodo lizards. Watch.

[Father O'Toole]

A snake.

[Mike Shea]

Snake.

[Father O'Toole]

You move, we strike.

[Mike Shea]

What do we do? Can you get him with a stick? A rock? Gun.

[Father O'Toole]

Best gun.

[Mike Shea]

They'll hear us. Gun.

[Father O'Toole]

Best Rock no good. Stick no good. If I miss, you die. Gun. Gun. Boom.

[Mike Shea]

I stood there like somebody who had been frozen, dumb and stiff. My heart was pounding like a jungle tom. Tom. If he killed the snake, the Japs were sure to come running. If he didn't, he raised his gun slow. Slow. Snake was swaying back and forth.

[Father O'Toole]

Dead snake.

[Mike Shea]

Much dead. You killed him, all right. But we didn't have time to escape back into the foliage. After that, nothing's clear on my mind. There were Japs all around us, yelling like crazy. And lots of guns. Gone. And the Cutchen scout fell flat on his face.

[Father O'Toole]

Dead.

[Mike Shea]

Then somebody butted me from behind with a pistol. And the moon went out of the heavens and the sky that hangs low over Burma came down and hit me in the face. Wake up, American. Wake up. Huh? What hap. Oh. Oh, my head.

[Father O'Toole]

I am Colonel Haichi of Japanese High Command. I regret that we were forced to render you such stormy welcome.

[Mike Shea]

Colonel Haichi, eh? You speak English pretty well.

[Father O'Toole]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class 37, DeWitt.

[Mike Shea]

Clinton High School, the Bronx, Class of 33.

[Father O'Toole]

We will get along well, I think, if we make little trade.

[Mike Shea]

What kind of a trade?

[Father O'Toole]

Your ripe for little information. I see the American marauders. I want to know their numbers, their positions, their objective.

[Mike Shea]

I don't know. If I did, I wouldn't tell you.

[Father O'Toole]

God, that whip was sampled. We have much more in store for you if you do not agree to be more agreeable to our simple requests. I give you 24 hours to think it over, American.

[Mike Shea]

The hut they threw me into was small and dark. There was a sentry posted at the entrance. What I remember most about those 24 hours was the heat. Wet, sticky heat that made my skin crawl and my lips dry. It was a cute trick of the MIT graduate, class of 37 to let the water drip from a pipe right outside the barred window. After a while, it begins to get you.

[Father O'Toole]

When you're thirsty, you get up.

[Mike Shea]

Get up. Colonel Aichi.

[Father O'Toole]

Siuna. Up, American, up.

[Mike Shea]

Okay, okay. Get your hands off me. What? What's that?

[Father O'Toole]

Stampede.

[Mike Shea]

Stampede.

[Father O'Toole]

Elephants. Good work, Ying. Good work. That's one less Japanese to warriors.

[Mike Shea]

Father o', Troll, where'd you come from?

[Father O'Toole]

What is this? No time for long explanations now, lad. They outnumbered us 50 to one and we needed heavy ammunition. Elephants were the heaviest we could find.

[Mike Shea]

Yeah, but how did you.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, when you didn't come back, I sent a run out. We found the body of the scout. Come. We must leave now.

[Mike Shea]

Yeah, but the information I came to get.

[Father O'Toole]

Ho, ho, ho. That we'll take it with us.

[Mike Shea]

Cutchen warriors in this village have a grudge against your people, Colonel Haihachi. Maybe you can tell us why.

[Father O'Toole]

You cannot frighten me, American. You get no information from me.

[Mike Shea]

Shoes on the other foot now, huh?

[Father O'Toole]

So it would seem.

[Mike Shea]

Ying, I'd like you to meet Ying. Colonel Aichi. Some months ago, he was a Japanese prisoner. His tongue was cut out. I'm gonna turn you over to Ying.

[Father O'Toole]

No, no.

[Mike Shea]

He can ask you questions his own way. Go on, take him.

[Father O'Toole]

No, no, no, no. Get him away from Me, I will tell you what you want to know. I will tell you why we have surrounded lost battalion. I tell you where they are.

[Mike Shea]

That's more like it. Start talking. Our warriors got ready to attack, and a great holiday spirit took over the village.

[Colleen]

But we must come. We always come, Moshe, when our warriors go ambush Japanese.

[Mike Shea]

But this is crazy. I can't have a lot of women and kids and old men tagging along.

[Colleen]

We go, we go. Old men carry flintlock, muzzleloader. Women, we do our job also.

[Mike Shea]

Now, wait a minute.

[Colleen]

When battle finish, women cook big party. Samba, dear monkey.

[Father O'Toole]

Me what?

[Mike Shea]

And serve it pipin hot in the front lines. Nothing doing. I'm gonna see Father o' Toole about this.

[Father O'Toole]

You have your troubles, I have mine. O say.

[Mike Shea]

But we can't let that whole tribe come along. This isn't kids play.

[Father O'Toole]

They'll come whether you like them too or not. I say they always do. In the meanwhile, look at my predicament. Some son of Satan stole me false teeth. What am I to do without me teeth?

[Mike Shea]

Father o', Toole, please, we have much time. Haichi gave us a map. We know where the marauders and the Jap attackers are. But we won't do them any good just sitting here.

[Father O'Toole]

I'm not just sitting here, Oshe. I'm trying to find me teeth.

[Mike Shea]

The whole village went along, whether I liked it or not. And Father o' Toole came along too. Without his teeth. The Kutching warrior knew the back trails of the jungle as well as I knew 42nd Street. Ying seemed to be the leader, and he led us through little known passes, along hidden underbrush, closer and closer to the spot where we knew the Japs had the American battalion cut off, helpless just where they wanted him. No one made a sound, and Ying held up his hand. What is it, Ying?

[Father O'Toole]

This junction of the two trails. He's not sure which one to take. That's it, Ying, isn't it?

[Mike Shea]

Well, why don't we split up? Half of us go one way and the other way.

[Father O'Toole]

No, no, no. There aren't enough of us. The Cotchings have their own methods.

[Mike Shea]

Why is Ying pointing at me?

[Father O'Toole]

He's given you the honor of contributing a hair from your head.

[Mike Shea]

A what?

[Father O'Toole]

A hair from your head. Here, let me have one. Ah, thank you.

[Mike Shea]

Why is he throwing it on the ground?

[Father O'Toole]

We'll go in the direction the hair points.

[Mike Shea]

It's not very scientific.

[Father O'Toole]

Oh, but it always works.

[Mike Shea]

Ah.

[Father O'Toole]

It points to the right. We'll go to the right.

[Mike Shea]

You're right, Father o' Tool. It did work. Here are the chaps. There are the marauders dug into those foxholes.

[Father O'Toole]

They're surrounded, all right. Poor lads.

[Mike Shea]

So wonder they held out this long.

[Father O'Toole]

Our business, then is to attack the enemy from the rear and give the battalion a chance to hit back.

[Mike Shea]

We can't attack them. There's too many of them. We'll have to ambush.

[Father O'Toole]

Yes, yes, true. If only I had me teeth, I could think better.

[Mike Shea]

Some of you others come here. Listen. Our only chance is to draw them off from the left. There's a clearing area. It'll give the marauders a chance to get out of that encirclement.

[Father O'Toole]

We chase Jap soldier up here.

[Mike Shea]

We set trap for them. That's the idea. Panji.

[Father O'Toole]

We make Panji.

[Mike Shea]

Panjy. What's that?

[Father O'Toole]

Hey. You want a trap set? Watch. They're about to witness the Cutchin secret weapon.

[Mike Shea]

What are they doing?

[Father O'Toole]

They're whittling those bamboo poles to sharp points. Then they'll stick them with a slash beneath the underbrush on either side of the trail. When the enemy passes, our warriors will fire and the Japanese'll dive to the sides.

[Mike Shea]

I get it. And cut themselves to ribbons. Very effective.

[Father O'Toole]

Very pretty.

[Mike Shea]

The natives work quickly. The women helping them whittle the bamboo to razor points. When everything was ready, I took a few of our men to the left flank and we fired. And they ran right into our trap. Very effective. Not so pretty. They committed Mass Harry Curry all along the trail. That's all there was to it. Well, I never thought we'd get out of those foxholes alive. Captain Shakolikov, thanks for helping us chase the rest of the chaps off. I'm glad we could help, Major. The Cutchens will lead you the rest of the way through the jungle so you can rejoin the main body of your column. Can we leave now?

[Father O'Toole]

Oh, no, Major. The women would be insulted. I dread in the battle. They were busy preparing the victory feast.

[Mike Shea]

Pretty sure of themselves, weren't they?

[Father O'Toole]

Good wives. They have confidence in their husbands. The feast is ready. They're even dressed for it.

[Mike Shea]

Look at that. Flowers and the hair and everything. All dressed up.

[Father O'Toole]

One of them is overdressed. Colleen, come here.

[Colleen]

Yes, Father?

[Father O'Toole]

Don't you yes, Father me. What do you got around your neck?

[Mike Shea]

Well.

[Colleen]

Freaky necklace. I bow for the victory.

[Father O'Toole]

My false teeth. Now you find yourself another necklace and give them back to me.

[Colleen]

No. No. Then I have nothing. This.

[Father O'Toole]

Oh, he said. Colleen.

[Mike Shea]

Colleen, listen to me. Here's something prettier. My sharpshooter's metal sharpshooter. Mm. Every American soldier has one to give to the prettiest girl he meets. Would you like it?

[Colleen]

So shiny ribbon. Pretty, too. Father o'.

[Father O'Toole]

Toole.

[Colleen]

You have back your teeth.

[Father O'Toole]

Captain Shakolnikov. You're worthy of the name of o'. Shea.

[Mike Shea]

The capture of the vital airstrip and the ultimate conquest of Myitina was due to the combined efforts of the marauders who attacked it and the Kuchin warriors who helped them and harassed the enemy all along the way. And once more, the report of an OSS agent closes with the words mission accomplished. A further adventure in black warfare is next week's Cloak and Dagger.

[Agent Shakalnikov]

Heard in today's Cloak and Dagger adventure were Raymond Edward Johnson, Carl Weber, Bill Quinn, Joe Julian, Everett Sloan, Inga Adams, Jackson Beck and Jerry Jarrett. The script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon. Music was under the direction of John Gart. Today's true OSS adventure was based on the book Cloak and Dagger by Corey ford and Alistair McBane. This has been a Louis G. Kahn production in association with Alfred Hollander and was under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marks. Robert Warren speaking. Do you enjoy a capricious caper or a melodramatic mystery? NBC offers three of the best for your pleasure later today. A giant among men, the Big Guy leads off with Vincent Price as the saint close behind. Topping off this list is Sam Spade, license number 137596 in the Elmer Long Tail Caper. So listen for three top mysteries on NBC.