Cloak and Dagger: A Recommendation from Rommel (A0022)

Sat Sep 27 2025

Today's Adventure: An OSS agent in Italy finds himself in a compartment on the train has been double-booked, and his travel companion is General Rommel. Original Radio Broadcast: August 6, 1950 Originating from New York Starring: Ralph Bell; Barry...

Transcript

DSW Announcer (0:00)

Shoe shopping should be fun and full of surprises. DSW has never ending options for every style, mood and occasion, all at really great prices. From sneakers to boots and everything in between, DSW makes it easy to discover the styles you love and maybe even a few you didn't expect. Whether you're shopping in store or online, you'll always find fresh looks at prices that make sense. Find the shoes that get you at prices that get your budget at DSW stores or dsw.com this is the story.

Grainger Announcer (0:31)

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 Granger for the ones who get it done.

Adam Graham (Host) (1:06)

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 (1:59)

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

Narrator (2:13)

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 (3:13)

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) (3:29)

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.

Summary

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

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.

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.

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])

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.

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

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.

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.