Cloak and Dagger: A Recommendation from Rommel (A0022)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Cloak and Dagger: "A Recommendation from Rommel" (A0022)

Release Date: September 27, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date of Drama: August 6, 1950

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Main Theme:

This episode features a suspenseful espionage story from the radio series Cloak and Dagger, based on factual OSS files from WWII. The narrative centers around an American OSS agent operating undercover in fascist Italy, who finds himself in escalating danger—first sharing a train compartment with Field Marshal Rommel, then being swept into local intrigue, and ultimately forced to improvise as the mission grows more perilous and convoluted.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setup and Mission Briefing (01:59–03:13)

• The Opening Challenge:
  Count Pietro Imperiale asks, "Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive?"
• Framing the Story:
  The program introduces the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), their agents' extraordinary risks, and that this story is "suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files."

2. Danger on the Train: Meeting Rommel (03:13–13:14)

• Joe Donato’s Undercover Identity:
  The protagonist, OSS agent Giuseppe “Joe” Donato, travels as an Italian chocolate salesman with a hidden radio in his luggage.

• A Perilous Coincidence:
  By accident, Donato is placed in the same compartment as Field Marshal Rommel, leading to a tense, cat-and-mouse conversation full of narrow escapes and subtle testing of Donato’s cover.

  "We had talked 10 minutes, and I aged 10 years." — Joe Donato (07:40)

• Near Discovery:
  Rommel almost gets Donato's suitcase with the radio, but the agent narrowly avoids exposure.

• Notable Details:

  • Use of forged family photographs to support Donato's cover identity
  • Suspense over a suitcase swap that could expose the radio
  • Rommel’s polite but probing interrogation

  Rommel: "You say you are a chocolate salesman?" (06:50)
  Donato: "See, my office is in Verona. Here is my car." (06:54)
  Rommel: "I'm not in the market for chocolates. You may put the card back." (06:58)

3. Followed in Milan: The Count’s Invitation (13:14–20:01)

• Suspicions and Pursuit:
  After leaving the train, Donato senses he is being followed by a man who watched him with Rommel.

• Count Pietro Imperiale's Proposal:
  The follower, revealed as Count Pietro Imperiale, invites Donato to dinner, feigning friendship due to Donato’s perceived closeness with Rommel.

  "Amico, would you do me the extreme honor of joining me at my palace for dinner this evening?" — Count Pietro (15:05)

• Milanese High Society:
  Donato is swept into lavish surroundings, dinner, and conversation focused on Rommel, heightening his unease but maintaining his cover.

4. The Palace and New Allies (20:01–25:15)

• Antonia’s Interest:
  The Count’s secretary, Antonia, shows a keen curiosity about Donato’s background and his meeting with Rommel.

• The Count’s True Identity:
  Donato learns that the Count is also Superintendent of Police, who offers Donato a position—based on Rommel's recommendation—within the secret police.

  "How would you like to work for me?...perhaps this communication from Rommel will explain." — Count Pietro (22:38)

• A Stroke of Luck:
  Donato’s acceptance of the job provides deeper cover, but also new danger.

5. OSS and The Underground: Critical Intel (23:57–25:52)

• The Double Agent Twist:
  Donato discovers Antonia and her associates are members of the partisan underground, not the enemy. They have found and secured his radio.

  "It is all right, Signor Donato. We are partisans, members of the underground." — Antonia (24:37)

• Mission Culmination:

  • Donato provides a design for altitude bombs to sabotage enemy planes.
  • The underground supplies critical numbers and locations of enemy bombers for the OSS.

  "The Nazis are using northern Italy as a supply base for the Africa Corps...Rommel is expecting air reinforcements." — Antonia (25:15)

6. Sabotage and the Aftermath (26:45–28:23)

• The Sabotage Succeeds:
  The bombs are placed on enemy bombers, aiding the eventual Allied advance.

  • Donato reflects that these efforts hindered Rommel's air support before El Alamein.

  "Although this seems a poor way to repay Rommel for his hospitality. Rommel didn't get his 75 Luftwaffe bombers, no sky protection. And that played a part when he was thrown back from El Alamein a short month later." — Donato (27:39)

• Ongoing Operations:

  • Donato exploits his police post to misdirect fascist raids and help the resistance.
  • He continually evades detection until the Americans liberate Milan.

7. The Final Twist: Mistaken Identity (28:23–29:46)

• Irony and Comedic Relief:
  When Donato tries to report to the American G2 headquarters, he is seen as a fascist police officer due to his cover and possessions—including Rommel’s recommendation.

  "Donato, Lieutenant Giuseppe Joe Donato. Look, you don't understand. I'm a member of the OSS." — Donato (28:36)

• Resolution:
  After several days in jail, OSS headquarters in London sends confirmation, and Donato is released—mission accomplished.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Espionage Tension:
  "We had talked 10 minutes, and I aged 10 years." — Joe Donato ([07:40])
• Rommel’s Understated Danger:
  "Surely one or two of them would not be missed. Is it all right with you if I send my adjutant to get one of the suitcases? Yes. We Germans and Italians must share." — Rommel ([10:31])
• Comedic Twist at the End:
  "I tell you, I'm a member of the OSS!" — Donato ([28:56])

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Host Commentary by Adam Graham (31:57–end)

• Reflecting on the Episode’s Tone:
  Adam Graham appreciates the episode’s lighter touch and sense of humor even within the suspenseful wartime context:

  "Our hero was like, I thought I'd lived a charmed life. And then it turned out it was the partisans who found his radio. And so it's like, yeah, you really did have a charmed life. But then the final twist did show him finally get into trouble. And that made me laugh." — Adam Graham ([31:57])

• On OSS Agents’ Character:
  Graham highlights the everyman quality of OSS agents, noting their civilian backgrounds, their improvisations, and the blend of suspense, danger, and humanity in their stories.

  "That's one of the appeals of the oss. While these people did have specialized training, they came from civilian backgrounds. And there's a bit of an everyman nature about the way that the organization worked during the war and the way individual operatives handled themselves in this situation..." — Adam Graham ([Overall Commentary])

• Appreciation for Cast Members:
  Graham also discusses the versatility of actors like Ralph Bell, who rarely played protagonists, and the depth of talent among season regulars.

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Important Timestamps

• 01:59 – Mission challenge and OSS context
• 03:13–13:14 – Train sequence, Rommel encounter, chocolate salesman cover
• 13:14–15:34 – Pursuit and Count Pietro’s invitation
• 15:34–20:01 – Palace dinner, Antonia introduced
• 20:01–22:49 – The Count’s real role; police job offer
• 23:57–25:52 – Donato meets partisans; plan to sabotage bombers
• 26:45–28:23 – Watching the sabotage; aftermath for Rommel
• 28:23–29:46 – American liberation; mistaken identity/jail
• 31:57–end – Host commentary: tone, episode highlights, listener feedback

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Takeaways

• The episode mixes suspense, covert operations, narrow escapes, and humor, framed by real OSS case files.
• The central tension comes from Donato’s precarious balancing of multiple covers and shifting allegiances—all dramatized with snappy dialogue and classic radio dramatics.
• The story also explores the unpredictable fortune of wartime spies, the importance of local resistance, and the frequent ironies inherent in cloak-and-dagger work.

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For those who missed it: This episode offers an entertaining and nuanced example of wartime espionage radio drama, blending close calls, covert sabotage, and a wry sense of luck and improvisation at the heart of every great spy story.

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Transcript

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[Adam Graham (Host)]

Welcome to the Great adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment we are going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger. But first I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And remember, today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis at support.greatdetectives.net or become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net now from August 6, 1950 here is recommendation from Rommel.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive?

[Narrator]

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, this is cloak and dagger. Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the oss. Today's story Recommendation from Rummel about an American OSS agent in Italy who almost outsmarted himself is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services. A story that can now be told.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Hey, come back here. You can't leave me here. I demand to see someone in authority. Let me out of here.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Brother. That was some spot to be in. Me, Joe Donato, in a jail cell in Milan, Italy. It was crazy. Well, after a while I got tired of yelling, so I sat down on a narrow prison cot and thought back to the way it had begun on a train from Varese to Milan. The French underground had smuggled me from Lyon across Switzerland, and I made my way over the border. There on I was on my own, posing as an Italian chocolate salesman. So I sat back in my compartment, lit a European cigarette and blew smoke rings over my head to the rack where my shortwave radio was hidden in one of the suitcases. All of a sudden, the train gave a lurch. One of my suitcases took a flying dive to the floo. It was a suitcase with a penknife scar across the leather handle, the one with the radio. I was glad I was alone in that compartment. I couldn't wait to find out if that radio was all right. You see, the case was lined with a false baggie of boxes of chocolates to hide the radio. I unfastened the backing, and there was the radio. It was okay. Nothing was broken. And then, before I could refasten the backing, I heard voices outside the compartment door.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Compartment remain empty for you.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I didn't have time to refasten the backing. I had just enough time to slam the case shut again, slide it back up in the rack and get back in my seat.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Major, what is this? I was under the impression this compartment was reserved for me alone.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

There must be some mistake here, field marshal. There was a mistake, all right. My mistake in picking the one compartment on the train that had been chosen for field marshal Rommel Dumkov. What is the meaning of this?

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I do not know, senor Major. There has been a mistake. A grave mistake.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Do not tell me of mistakes. This is your stupidity. You had your orders.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

No, no. I instructed the train. God. Very carefully. Please.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Still, I will not have this disturbance. You understand?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Yes, your excellency. I. I am sorry if I have been the cause of this. I assure you it was quite unintentional. I will take my suitcases and leave immediately.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I see, sir. He did his best.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

You live.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I will find you another compartment.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Oh, wait.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

It is unnecessary, conductor. Gentleman's already here. There's room for both of us. We Germans and Italians must share. Is it not so?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I. Perhaps you would prefer your privacy. It. It is nothing for me to move.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

No, I will not hear of it. Sit where you are. Actually, I will. Welcome company. I detest train rides. Major, arrange a table for me in the dining car.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Yes, your excellency. You are stupid, conductor. Next time, pay attention to orders.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I do not know how this happens.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Such a fuss over nothing. Tell me your name.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

My name is Donato. Giuseppe Donato.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Your excellency where are you headed for, Signor Donato?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, I am getting off at Milano.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Oh, I see. Well, we shall have time to get acquainted. Be at your ease.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Time to get acquainted.

[Adam Graham (Host)]

Great.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What are we going to talk about? Maybe I could get the conversation started by saying, herr Field Marshal Rommel, it might interest you to know that I am an OSS spy. I am in Italy to radio back information on your northern supply concentrations.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

You say you are a chocolate salesman?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

See, my office is in Verona. Here is my car.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Well, I'm not in the market for chocolates. You may put the card back. Oh, and here, you drop this. Your medical classification in the fascist. The army.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Grazie. That was a great disappointment to me, your Excellency. But, you see, an old back injury kept me out of the army.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

You must not blame yourself for something you cannot help.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Still, it is a great disappointment. Yes, I understand. Your Excellency.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Yes, Major?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Your table in the dining room, it is ready.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Aha. I will return soon, signor Donato. We will continue our conversation.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

We had talked 10 minutes, and I aged 10 years. I wondered if I should change compartments before he came back. No, no, no. That might seem 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 we were coming into Milan soon. You. Donato.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

See?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What do you want with me? I do not want anything with you. Field marshal wants to see you, and you'd better be quick about it. Oh, see? No, no, leave your suitcases. Just come with me, quick. You wanted to see me, your Excellency?

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Yes. Sit down there opposite me. Oh, Grace.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Grace.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

I thought about you after I left the compartment, senor Donato.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

See?

[Field Marshal Rommel]

See? Would you care to join me for coffee, senor? It would be my pleasure.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Pleasure? Coffee with Field Marshall Rommel. Wait till I tell the gang back home about this. I thought there was a man across the aisle. A dapper little guy with a waxed mustache. He and Rommel nodded to each other, and then the dapper little old guy kept watching me. Watching me.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Yeah, I never can get used to this Italian coffee with all its chicory. I don't suppose I ever will.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I would naturally have a fondness for it. I have had it all my life.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Where was your home originally?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

In Urbino.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Oh, the birthplace of Raphael.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

My family is still living there. Would you like to see some snapshots, your Excellency?

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Yes, I would very much.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

They are right here in my wallet. Ah. I hear. You see that little Farm in the valley. It is here you see.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

This huge image? Sorry? The pretty child of Wishy.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, my sister Francesca.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

She looks very much like you.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Yeah. It was interesting that Rommel thought the kid in the picture looked like me. The snapshots had been made by OSS photographers, and an early picture of me had been super important.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Very attractive family group. You know, Senor Donald, I've taken quite a fancy to you. Tell me, these chocolates you sell, are.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Are they any good? Oh, see, see? They're very good.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Not. Not as odds.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, no, no, no, no.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Well, surely one or two of them would not be missed. Is it all right with you if I send my adjutant to get one of the suitcases? Yes. We Germans and Italians must share.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

No, no, I, I. Oh, he's. He's perfectly all right. Only I will get them myself for you. No, no, I want.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

There's no need.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Major. Yes. Go to the compartment.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Bring one of the senor.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

No, no. It is foolish to send him. I can easily go myself.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

No, no, I insist. We would have so little time for talking before the train stops at Milano.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I had no choice. I had to sit there and sweat it out. Just pray that the adjutant brought back the right case. I felt as if there were a band of steel around my head that kept getting tighter and tighter.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

What is it, my friend? Are you not feeling well?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

It is very hot in here, is it not?

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Yes, it is, unfortunately, yes. Perhaps I should call the conductor and have it. Oh, here. The major returns with your sample case.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

The first thing I looked at when the major put the case in my lap was the handle. There was a long scar in the leather. It was the one with the radio.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

You know, I've always had a fondness for chocolates. Well, come, open it. Well.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

The catch. It seems to be stuck.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Well, surely you can fix it.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, see, See. Of course. That is, I will try.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Give it to me.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

What?

[Field Marshal Rommel]

I have an excellent little pen now.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Perhaps I can adjust the lock. No, no, no, no, no. I will get it in a moment, I'm sure. Oh, Milano. That is my stop. Your Excellency.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

So soon? What a pity.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Well, if. If you wish, I will stay until the next station. All this for you. Take a bus back.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

No, no, no, no. I would not think of it. It is too kind of you to suggest it, but we must say I'll be the same. Ari Madeir, left. Field Marshal Rommel.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

It has been a great honor. I hurried back to the compartment to get my coat and hat. And then on an impulse I grabbed the other case off the rack, and as the train stopped, I turned and ran back toward the dining room.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Senor. Senor. This is me.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I know, I know.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I'm getting off in a minute. Own momento.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Here. Build Marshall.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Senor Donato, I did not expect to see you back.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Your Excellency, if you will permit me. Here is this. This case of chocolates.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Oh, for you, senor.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

You see, the lock works now.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Thank you, Glatz.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

If I pass through Milano, I will look you up.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I don't know where I'll be staying, sir.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

It is not difficult for the police.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

To find the man.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I'll be the same.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

And with this pleasant thought, I left him glad to get off that train. You don't need OSS training to tell you when someone's following you. It's an instinctive feeling you get. I started to walk a little faster, and the footsteps behind me quickened, too. I passed a small coffee shop, and through the reflection in the window, I could see coming after me the man in the dining car who had never taken his eyes off me. The dapper little guy with a mustache. He and Rommel had nodded to each other. Was it a signal? Did Rommel just try to string me along? I broke into a run.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Senor, Stop.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I didn't intend to stop until I got past that gate. Then maybe I could do some of the crowd.

[Adam Graham (Host)]

I say.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Wait.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Wait.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Stop him, somebody. Elma. God.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What are you doing?

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Open that gate.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I am sorry, senor.

[Narrator/Closing Announcer]

This gate is closed. Now use the south gate.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I am sorry.

[Narrator/Closing Announcer]

This gate is closed.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Senor. Senor, I've had such trouble catching up with you.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Who are you?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Allow me. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the Count Pietro Imperiale.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What do you want with me?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Well, I noticed you were having coffee on the train with Field Marshal Rommel himself. I'm a great admirer of the marshal, and I have an odding acquaintance with him.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, see? What has that to do with me?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Well, I happen to know, senor, that Rommel does not make friends easily. And so when I saw you two together, I. Well, amico, would you do me the extreme honor of joining me at my palace for dinner this evening? It would be a great pleasure to entertain a good friend of Rommel's.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

As the long black limousine drove up to the palace, I felt like a visitor of the Middle Ages. The gray stone steps were hollowed with age.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

This way, senor.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

The lower windows were blazing with light, and two torches set in brackets flanked the doors. Quiet. Boo.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Boo.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Quiet, quiet.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

The floors are made of colored marble. On the walls hung ancient tapestries with scenes from the Old Testament. I walked through past the line of servants. My mouth was open at all this grandeur. And I walked right into a suit of armor. Excuse me.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Come, amico mio. Dinner is wa.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Ah, that was a delicious dinner. Grazie. Can't.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Imperiale, molto bene. Molto bene. I'm delighted you enjoyed it. Now we will sit here in the library and talk of Rommel. Cigaro. Tell me, what was he like? What did he say?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, we merely exchanged pleasantries.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Great leader, Great chief. Once, when he was in Milan, I.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Planted and talked and kept looking around.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

The huge library he was unable to attend.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What a setup for basketball games. However, well, this was being introduced to Milan in a royal way. What was that?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

A little brandy?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, no. No brandy.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

What is it, Bobo?

[Narrator]

What's the matter?

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Good evening, Count Imperiali. They told me you were here.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Ah.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

You see, Bobo, it is only Antonia. Come, come, my dear. I would. I would like you to meet a friend.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Si.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Signor Giuseppe Donato. Great friend of Rommel's.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

My, I am impressed.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Piacere.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

The pleasure is mine.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Que bella cuesta ragazza, no? My secretary is very pretty. Nonivero.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Your Lordship, there is a call on your private phone in a small library.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Oh, see? I will return. It will give you two a chance to get.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Try it, Bobo.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Signorina, you are very pretty. Count Imperiale was right.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Did you find yourself forced into that compliment, signor?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, no, no, no. Not at all. We Italians are proud of our beautiful women. And it is impossible not to notice how well you represent them.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Where do you live? In Milano?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

No, no, no. I'm here on business.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Where are you staying?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, I only arrived today. I've made no plans yet. You are the count's secretary?

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

His personal secretary. Since the count has passed on, I attend to all arrangements for his banquets and receptions, as well as his personal correspondence.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh. Oh, I see.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

He is on grand, senor. I am very fond of him. I remember how disappointed he was when Field Marshal Rommel failed to attend a reception he planned for him.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Why, I know.

[DSW Announcer]

He.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

He told me that he is a.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Great admirer of Rommel. So am I. Tell me about him, senor. Does he intend to come to Milano soon? Perhaps we can plan something else in his honor.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I don't know his intentions.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Perhaps he is returning to Africa immediately.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I don't know that either.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Well, I see you two have become acquainted.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Your Lordship, since the Senor is staying in Milano. Shall I give him the name of a good hotel?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Hotel with 40 rooms here, most of them empty. I should say not. You will stay here, amico mio, as long as you want.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Grazie. Molto gentile. I'm very grateful. They gave me a suite myself with a tremendous canopied bed and a sculptured rug on the floor. Through the casement window I could see the piazza sundial, the narrow streets of Milan and off in the distance, the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Who was gonna look for an American spy in a setup like that? Who's my daughter? Every night I patted the radio in the suitcase and hoped I'd have a message to send back soon. A few days later, Countiali asked me to walk to his office with him.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Ah, this Italian summer makes me feel 10 years younger. You know, if I were 20 years younger, I would be more attentive to that dark eyed secretary of mine.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I don't blame you.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

She. She seems to have taken an interest in you.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, that's all?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Yes. You see, she's keep on to ask questions about you see, you still have.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Not told me why you want to see me at your office.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

I refuse to speak business at the Never do.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

And your business? I don't know that either.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

You will soon enough.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Come.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

My office is in the municipal building across the square.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I followed him across the square over the fat pink cobblestones. Everywhere around me were black shirted Pascisti. I wondered if my good luck so far had made me too sure of myself. I followed him up the stairs, the municipal building, down the narrow corridor and we stopped at a door third from the end. And then I knew what his business was. Superintendent of police Brago.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

I beg of you, please go in.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Count Imperiali don't understand.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Now you know my business. I am superintendent of police. Often an unpleasant occupation. Come in. I said come in. That's right. I wanted to see you here because it's necessary for us to have a little talk about you and the police.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What have I to do with the police?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

How would you like to work for me? Come, come, come. Don't look so startled.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Work for you as a member of the police?

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

But of course. Perhaps this communication from Rommel will explain Gracie. As you can see, it's a request from him for me to locate you in Milano and offer you this position. He's obviously very fond of you, great Chief Rommel. And he knows how badly you feel about your medical classification in the army.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I don't know what to say.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Just to say you accept. Ordinarily, of course, I would have to make extensive research into your background before offering you this position. But personal recommendation from Rommel hardly makes that necessary. But what do you say, amico mio?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What do you think I said? I said yes in a hurry. And when I left the office later, I had a badge and everything. Ever since I boarded the train at Varese, I had one bad scare after another, but so far nothing had happened. I was beginning to feel I led a charmed life until I got back to my suite at the palace.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Riot Bobo.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Antonia, what are you doing with that suitcase?

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

These are excellent chocolates. Will you have one?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What right have you in here?

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

I was curious about you. I found out I had reason to be curious. I'd like you to meet two friends, Giacomo and Mario.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

For the first time I saw them. Two men standing half hidden in the shadows of the big room. On the chair before Antonia was my suitcase. She turned it around so I could see the inside. The backing was off. The radio was gone. Who.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Who are these men? What is this?

[Narrator]

Do not be afraid. Antonio was right when she said we were friends.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

But this was a foolhardy place to leave your radio Americano. I found a better hiding place in the wall save of an unused room in the palace. It is all right, Signor Donato. We are partisans, members of the underground.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

You just. You just stand there and tell me this. Why not? The American radio has given us proof of who you are, no doubt. Do you want proof of who we are escorted? I'm listening. We will tell you all that you came here to find out. All you have to do is to ask, and we will answer. We will answer even before you ask.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

The Nazis are using northern Italy as a supply base for the Africa Corps. In fact, Rommel is expecting air reinforcements to leave here at the end of the week.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

How many planes?

[Narrator]

75 bombers.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Where are they?

[Narrator]

In the field at Carvegio, 10 miles west.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

You. You emptied my valise. There was an altitude bomb there. Did you find it?

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Is this what you mean?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Yes. Is there anyone in the underground who can duplicate it?

[Narrator]

The professor of chemistry in the University of Milano is a friend.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

What? You see, if you remove the pin from these bombs and plant them in an airplane, they'll explode automatically when the ship gains altitude.

[Narrator]

We will let you know when you can see the fireworks.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, oh, and another bit of information. See, it might interest you to know that you have been talking to a member of the Fascisti secret police.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

Ah, Antonia. You look. More lovely than ever.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

The this evening, my lord. And grazia.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

And you, amico. Where are you going?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

For a drive, sir.

[Count Pietro Imperiale]

How wonderful it must be to be young again. Especially in the summer. Well, go enjoy yourselves.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, we will. We are sure we will.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

It is fortunate the Count did not invite himself along.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

You're sure we can see everything from this hilltop?

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Very sure.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

When the planes take off from Caravaggio after midnight, we will see them.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

It it's cool up here on this hill.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

Not cool enough to offer you an excuse to put your arm around me.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Oh, you remember what the Count said. We are young. It is summer, Senor.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

This is business. Scotta, listen.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

The planes, they are taking off any minute now. Any minute.

[Antonia (Count's Secretary)]

What if something happened? What if they weren't able to plant those bombs?

[Conductor/Train Staff]

What if in.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

What if, eh?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Although this seems a poor way to repay Rommel for his hospitality. Rommel didn't get his 75 Luftwaffe bombers, no sky protection. And that played a part when he was thrown back from El Alamein a short month later. The USS continued to get total information on Northern Italy supply concentrations, troop movements and underground activities. Each time police triangulation detected my radio antenna, I, as a member of the secret police, would lead a raid. Having first as a member of the underground, moved it to another spot. And then one day the Americans took over Milan. I walked into G2 headquarters to give them a personal welcome.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

What do you mean just walking into my office like this?

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Sergeant, who is this?

[Narrator]

I'm sorry, Major.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

I couldn't stop him by the black shirt he's wearing. Whoever he is, I don't like him. Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You boys got me wrong. When I came to.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

What's your name?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Donato, Lieutenant Giuseppe Joe Donato. Look, you don't understand. I'm a member of the oss.

[Narrator]

Yeah, sure, he's a member. Look, Mac, that's enough.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Sergeant Donato, according to our list, you're a high ranking member of the Fascisti police. Thanks for giving yourself up.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I'm not giving myself up.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

That's what you think, Mac.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I tell you, I'm a member of the osa. We have your full record.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

Donato in his own reports to Fascisti headquarters. Count Imperiali thought very highly of you.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

I don't care what he thought.

[Field Marshal Rommel]

And in the files we found a personal recommendation from Rommel about you. A personal recommendation from Rommel? And you expect us to believe you're.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

A member of the oss?

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

But you, you.

[Conductor/Train Staff]

Take him away, Sergeant. Bro, I'm in jail. You can't do this to me. I'll write to my congressman. Hey, come back. I demand to see someone in authority. Let me out of here. I stand on my constitutional rights. Let me out of here.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Shut up.

[Narrator]

A week later, OSS in London sent verification on Lt. Joseph Donato, and an embarrassed G2 headquarters released him from jail. Thus, once again, the report of another agent closed with the words mission accomplished. Listen again next week for another true adventure from the files of OSS on Cloak and Dagger.

[Narrator/Closing Announcer]

Heard in today's Cloak and Dagger Adventure. As Joe was Ralph Bell Rommel. Barry Kroger, the Count Arnold Moss, Antonia Jan Minor, the Colonel Raymond Edward Johnson. Others were Boris Applin, Jerry Jarrett and Carl Weber. The script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon. Music was under the direction of John Garth. Today's true OSS Is Adventure was based on the book Cloak and Dagger by Corey ford and Alistair McBain. This program is directed by Louis G. Kahn and Alfred Hollander under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marks. Programs. Get your programs here. Action and adventure are yours.

[Giuseppe 'Joe' Donato (OSS Agent)]

Tonight.

[Narrator/Closing Announcer]

$1,000 reward offers a mystery for you to solve at home for a $3000 cash prize. Followed by the corpse said, ouch. Tonight's case on the Saint. And then Sam Spade solves another exciting caper. Searching for the Bell King Solomon used to call his wives. That's tonight on NBC. Now stay tuned for High Adventure and the Big Guy on NBC.

[Grainger Announcer]

This is the story of the One. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham (Host)]

Welcome back. A few weeks back, someone said you couldn't really do a lighter episode of this series. Well, the writers proved them wrong because this was great. Or hero was like, I thought I'd lived a charmed life. And then it turned out it was the partisans who found his radio. And so it's like, yeah, you really did have a charmed life. But then the final twist did show him finally get into trouble. And that made me laugh. He needed some misadventure to balance that out and definitely got it. And this was all because of a friendly encounter with Rommel and him taking the time to get him the chocolates. It's such a great story and somewhat of an uncharacteristic role for Belle, particularly here where he gets to play the protagonist, where we tend to hear him a lot in character roles. So good stuff. Well, listener comments and feedback now. And we have a comment on Spotify regarding the secret box from Mechanics 66. Why did he keep saving Sabi? Did he think they spoke Spanish? These guys surely were not SEAL team candidates. I would guess that what they were saying or trying to say is do you save save, which could be a term used in certain West Indian islands, which means do you understand what was said? That was the way I took that particular phrase. Now, I will admit that some of the OSS agents are not up to the standards of our modern intelligence operatives and what we expect from them based on popular culture and also what we have read in books that are about their true operations. But that's one of the appeals of the oss. While these people did have specialized training, they came from civilian backgrounds. And there's a bit of an everyman nature about the way that the organization worked during the war and the way individual operatives handled themselves in this situation where you did not have things as well established as they are today. And then we have a comment on YouTube from, say, software on the episode the Trap, Raymond Edward Johnson, Ralph Bell and Everett Sloan all in one episode together, three of the greatest old time radio talents all in one place. Well, thanks so much. Say soft, and I emphasize that over the last couple of weeks you had some more prominent stars on the program, but that is not to in any way disrespect the great cast of actors who they had coming back to the series week after week because these performers were the backbone of the New York radio industry. They were in so many programs and were so versatile and talented. And in some ways I do think they may be more appreciated by the old time radio fandom that we have today than they were the modern audiences because we're able to consume so much more of it in such a volume and be able to spot, hey, Ralph Bell is doing so much work and really and can play all these great characters and those who did survive, you know, into the 70s and 80s at least, got to hear a lot of that and realize how much their work was remembered and appreciated. And certainly Ralph Bell was on that list, particularly as he got to work a lot in the CBS Radio Mystery Theater as well. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I want to go ahead and thank Denise patreon Supporter since March 2025, currently supporting the podcast at the secret agent level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Denise, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're only listening to the Great Detectives, subscribe to the Great Adventurers to hear our Tuesday podcast, which will feature the interplanetary adventures of Flash Gordon. And of course, we will be back next Saturday with another episode of Cloak and Dagger. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13@Great Detectives.net From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.