Cloak and Dagger: Swastika on the Windmill (A0020)

Summary

---

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode Summary: Cloak and Dagger – "Swastika on the Windmill"

Original Broadcast: July 30, 1950
Podcast Release: September 20, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Drama: Cloak and Dagger: “Swastika on the Windmill”

---

Episode Overview

This episode presents a suspenseful espionage drama from the golden age of radio: “Swastika on the Windmill,” an adaptation based on real OSS (Office of Strategic Services) operations during World War II. The story follows American agent Paul Halfand, who is dropped behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Holland to gather and transmit crucial intelligence—risking his life and the trust of the underground resistance and his own family. After the drama, host Adam Graham provides engaging commentary on the episode’s historical context, cast, and dramatic plausibility.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Espionage in Wartime Holland

• Paul Halfand, the OSS protagonist, undergoes intense agent training simulating encounters with the Gestapo.
• Mission: Parachuted into Holland to get critical troop movement intelligence from the Dutch resistance.
• Personal Touch: Paul’s cover includes staying with his uncle Brahm and aunt Hilda, who are wary of betrayal after previous heartbreak with a double agent.

2. Family, Trust & Paranoia Under Occupation

• Aunt Hilda’s suspicion and trauma—her mistrust rooted in a past betrayal that led to her family’s execution.
• Uncle Brahm vouches for Paul but acknowledges the high stakes and misgivings.
• Paul provides proof of goodwill by giving Aunt Hilda his only pistol:

  “I put myself at your mercy. If at any time you have proof, even the slightest, that I’m not what I claim to be, take my own gun and turn it on me.” (Narrator/Paul Halfand, 10:22)

3. The Mission & Its Perils

• Paul contacts Hans Bock of the resistance, who memorizes but doesn’t write down military plans to avoid capture.
• Key finding: 40,000 Nazi troops in Holland/Belgium soon to be moved to Italy.
• Gestapo closes in—using forged evidence and manipulation to sow distrust.

4. Capture & Psychological Warfare

• Paul and his family are confronted by Commander Brandt of the Gestapo.
• Brandt’s trick: Faking underground credentials to gain access and trust.
• Paul’s quick thinking:
  • Feeds the Germans a blend of true and false information during interrogation.
  • Notable quote:

    “I gave them a mixture of fact and fantasy that would have done the German Propaganda Ministry proud.” (Narrator/Paul Halfand, 21:41)

5. Coded Communication & Double Bluff

• Forced by the Gestapo to transmit a message to OSS, Paul cleverly uses language and tone to alert headquarters he’s compromised:
  • Exchanges coded phrases and uses uncharacteristic language to tip off Allied operators.
  • The operator plays along, confirming the message is understood as coerced:

    “Okay, okay, Paul. We get it. It’s darn clear now. You’ll get your supply drop. Good night. Over and out.” (OSS Radio, 22:40)

6. Gestapo Surveillance & Trust Games

• Brandt installs a dictaphone in the piano, hoping to catch Paul and his hosts in treason.
• Paul puts on an act for the bugs, encouraging his family to side with the Nazis:

  “This is a new order. Germany’s order. And if you’re smart like I am, you’ll fall in with them.” (Narrator/Paul Halfand, 27:36)

• Brandt is convinced and proposes:

  “I want you to go to England for us. Act as a double agent. You can be more valuable to us there.” (Commander Brandt, 29:10)

7. Resolution and Historical Reflection

• Paul is sent “back” to the Allies as a supposed turncoat, setting up further intelligence wins for the OSS.
• His family escapes with the underground’s help and don’t know the truth until after the war—illustrating the costs and ironies of clandestine operations:
  • “Lieutenant Paul Halfand returned to OSS headquarters, and thousands of Nazi troops waited on the shore for an invasion that never came.” (Narrator/Paul Halfand, 30:38)

8. Host Commentary by Adam Graham

• Commentary on casting, highlighting Les Tremaine’s (Paul Halfand) star power and credibility.
• Reflection on the story’s plausibility versus Hollywood expectations:

  “What this episode illustrates is one of the great dangers of being part of one of these fanatical states. You cannot afford to believe your own propaganda if you are in a position of real life responsibility.” (Adam Graham, 33:10)

• Emphasizes the episode’s demonstration of counterintelligence, propaganda, and the psychological complexity of espionage.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trust & Betrayal:

  “There was a man in these parts not long ago... he passed himself officer, British agent... Then he turned them over to the Gestapo. Hilda’s family was among those executed.”
  — Uncle Brahm (08:34)

• Gamble Under Pressure:

  “I gambled on the chance that the radio operator who knew me would detect something odd about my speech...”
  — Narrator/Paul Halfand (23:56)

• Host’s Meta-Commentary:

  “You know your big dramatic movie does not end with the bad guys foolishly believing your hero’s gone over to the other side. But that could totally happen in war.”
  — Adam Graham (32:32)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:26] – Drama begins: Introduction to OSS and Paul Halfand’s mission
• [06:39] – Paul’s emotional and tense arrival at his uncle’s house
• [10:22] – Paul surrenders his pistol to Aunt Hilda to earn her trust
• [14:00] – Aunt Hilda returns the pistol, indicating new trust
• [15:07] – Critical intelligence from Hans Bock
• [17:01] – Gestapo’s infiltration under false pretenses
• [19:50] – Paul tries to escape but is cornered
• [21:33] – Paul’s “confession” mixes fact and fantasy
• [22:37] – Radio message ruse: Alerting OSS via code
• [27:01] – Discovery of the dictaphone, staged loyalty act
• [29:10] – Brandt recruits Paul as a double agent
• [30:38] – Resolution: Nazis hoodwinked and mission accomplished
• [32:24] – Adam Graham’s post-show commentary
• [33:10] – Host’s analysis of propaganda and trust in totalitarian regimes

---

Additional Host Commentary & Listener Feedback

• Commentary on balancing authenticity with dramatic flourish in “based on true events” stories.
• Listener Emmett’s Facebook feedback: Discusses tonal variance in Cloak and Dagger episodes.
• Clarification on Golden Age comics creator Irwin Hasen’s OSS connection (none found).
• Patreon acknowledgement and show programming notes.

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Cloak and Dagger" is a tightly-crafted drama highlighting both the peril and psychological complexity of spy work during WWII. Its strength comes from not only suspenseful plotting but also authentic emotional stakes—trust, betrayal, and personal sacrifice. Host Adam Graham connects listeners to the era and its actors, tying true stories to broader reflections on history and radio storytelling.

---

Transcript

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Limu Emu and Doug. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates.

[GoFundMe Announcer]

Excludes Massachusetts. Want to make a difference in your community, but not sure how? Go to GoFundMe.com right now and start a GoFundMe. Seriously. Your next fundraiser doesn't have to start in a school parking lot or a church basement. You can start a GoFundMe today in just minutes. Fundraise for yourself a friend or family member or an organization. All that matters is that you care about them. GoFundMe is the trusted place to fundraise for what you care about. With no pressure to hit your fundraising goal, but tons of tools to help you reach it, you can confidently start fundraising right now. Whether it's creative, local or critical, your cause matters. And there's a reason why GoFundMe is backed by millions and chosen by fundraisers everywhere. It works and it matters. GoFundMe helps you make a real difference. Start your GoFundMe today at gofundme.com that's gofundme.com G O F U N D me dot com this is a commercial message brought to you by GoFundMe.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the great adventures of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger. But first, I want to encourage you. If you're enjoying this podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're listening on the Great Detectives Podcast, please subscribe to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio. Our listener support and appreciation campaign concludes today. You can become one of our Patreon supporters [e-mail] now from July 30, 1950, here is Swastika on the windmill.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you 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. This is cloak and dagger. Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS. In today's adventure, the swastika on the windmill. The role of Paul Halfand, an OSS agent in Holland, is played by Les Tremaine. The story is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services. A story that can now be told. My mouth was as dry as ashes. The palms of my hands were wringing wet. My revolver was drawn and I moved slowly, slowly along the dark hall. Everything I had been taught led up to this. This moment. Boards under my feet teetered for a terrifying moment. I almost lost my balance and fell backwards. Something was ahead of me. In a room along that dark passage, I sensed it more than anything else. Then I heard it. I stopped breathing until I passed that room. And the voices of the hidden Germans almost slid past them to the end of the corridor. There was a Nazi stormtrooper in uniform right in front of me, blocking the exit. Well, Fire. Fire. Fire again. Good work, Paul. Well, that's it. You passed the test.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Now the colonel wants to see you.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

What I had just come through was a cleverly designed scare house. That rivaled any Coney island chamber of horrors. For one a minute thrills. This was part of the training of an OSS Agent. And it took place less than an hour's ride from Washington, D.C. lt. Halfand, at the present time we have no information and no way of getting information. On the disposition and plans of German troops in the Netherlands. We think they're up to something. Wanna know what now? You'll be flown to England. And from there a submarine will take you to the coast of Holland. The coast of Holland? To me, Holland was that little country where my uncle Brom lived. Where I visited when I was 12. Where the windmills were now under the shadow of the swastika. I guess we can surface about here. There's Mac on Holland. Want to take a look, Lieutenant Helfen? Oh, thanks, Commander Spurling. Through the periscope of the submarine Tuna, I could see a windmill in the flat lowland of the Netherlands. I couldn't see the swastika, but I knew it was there. The pressure gauge showed 20ft of salt water above us. Take her up. Surface. Open the hatch. We climbed the ladder through the hatch. Where an inflated rubber boat was waiting to take me to shore. I'm only a couple of yards from shore. I can get out here. Hand me that rucksack, please. Here you are, sir. Have you far to go? From here? It's only about five miles from Makum to Bolsward, where my uncle lives. I can make it before the sun comes up. Goodbye and thanks. Good luck. Good luck, sir.

[Uncle Brahm]

So when you ring the bell at Santa Paul, I joined. Jumped from my bed. The devil, I said. It's the Gestapo. They finally put two and two together and connected me with the underground.

[Aunt Hilda]

Hush, Brahm, hush. God gave you a tongue. Must you use it so loosely?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I'm afraid my new Aunt Hilda doesn't trust me completely.

[Aunt Hilda]

I trust no one these days.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Oh, Hilda.

[Uncle Brahm]

Hilda, this is Paul. How often have I spoken to you of the times he came here? When he was how old, Paul?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

12, Uncle Brom.

[Uncle Brahm]

Ah, yes.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

12.

[Uncle Brahm]

And so proper. So correct. A miniature model of propriety. Well, from the looks of it, you've grown. But you haven't changed much. Still proper as the devil.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

The result of my strict Quaker upbringing. Uncle Brom. Remember we were both taught never to drink or smoke or lie or. Or swear. Uncle Brom.

[Uncle Brahm]

Yes?

[Aunt Hilda]

How long will you stay in Holland?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Only long enough to contact the leader of the underground and get the information I'm after.

[Aunt Hilda]

I see. Tell me, why should we believe that you are an Allied spy? Hilda, Answer me.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Surely you don't expect me to carry proof about me that I'm a spy in case the Germans find me?

[Aunt Hilda]

Then how do we know?

[Uncle Brahm]

That's enough, Hilda. The devil, I say. I'll hear no more of this talk.

[Aunt Hilda]

All right, Brown. It will be as you say and on your conscience.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Your wife doesn't trust me.

[Uncle Brahm]

You were surprised, no doubt, to find your Aunt Katrina dead. And I remarried.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Yes. Yes, I was, Uncle Brahm.

[Uncle Brahm]

I was lonesome. It's not good for a man to live by himself. And she is a good woman.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

But she doesn't trust me.

[Uncle Brahm]

She has her reasons. There was a man in these parts not long ago. He passed himself officer, British agent. Gained the confidence of some of the underground. Then he turned them over to the Gestapo.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Oh, I see.

[Uncle Brahm]

Hilda's family was among those executed. You understand now.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Uncle Brum? You haven't seen me, nor heard from me since I was a boy. You don't know where I've been during those years in between. You don't know what my loyalties are. Do you trust me?

[Uncle Brahm]

Tomorrow I will take steps to put you in contact with Hans Bocken Louarden, a leader of the Dutch underground.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

When I awoke a few hours later, it was about 10 o'. Clock. Through the window of the spare room that Aunt Hilda had made up for me, I could see the neat little milk carts jolting over the Kaistinen cobblestones. And I could see the endless stream of bicycles. And here and there, a German soldier in uniform like A blot on the landscape.

[Uncle Brahm]

I'm afraid the breakfast is not as sumptuous as it was in the old days. Paul.

[Aunt Hilda]

Do not apologize for what we cannot change.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Um. Aunt Hilda is right. It was very good. The Roga brood was just as I remembered it. And these currant buns, these klentenbroods. They're wonderful.

[Aunt Hilda]

I will leave you. I have a house to clean.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

You're still suspicious of me.

[Aunt Hilda]

Have I any reason not to be?

[Uncle Brahm]

Hilda, enough. Paul is my sister's son. I will stake my own life's blood that he's to be trusted.

[Aunt Hilda]

Let us hope you do not have to.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Hilda. Aunt Hilda, look. This pistol. I'm giving it to you. It's the only one I have.

[Aunt Hilda]

The only one you have, and you give it to me?

[Uncle Brahm]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I put myself at your mercy. If at any time you have proof, even the slightest, that I'm not what I claim to be, take my own gun and turn it on me.

[Aunt Hilda]

I will take your gun and take you at your word.

[Uncle Brahm]

That should convince her, Paul. You are what you say.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I hope so. No. What about this Hans Buck? How can I get in touch with him?

[Uncle Brahm]

I will arrange for a meeting between you halfway at the Harlingen, five days from now to give him time to collect the information you are after.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

The days until Thursday, when I was supposed to meet Hans Buck passed slowly, but they weren't wasted. I set up the shortwave radio in the wine cellarette in the living room. I had long talks with Uncle Brum and I went out of my way to win over Aunt Hilda. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help you with dinner, Aunt Hilda?

[Aunt Hilda]

Nothing. Thank you.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Oh, it's. It's still raining.

[Aunt Hilda]

One need not be too clever to see that in Holland it seems always to be raining now. Rain, mud and despair.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I remember when I came here years ago. It was winter. I was in time for the Skaters races.

[Aunt Hilda]

Yeah, Skaters Races.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

And the booths. Remember? The little booths that sold chocolate and milk cooked with aniseed? And the little cakes. All the varieties of gingerbread. Oh, how I loved them.

[Aunt Hilda]

Hand me the spoon.

[Uncle Brahm]

Here.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Here you are.

[Aunt Hilda]

Thank you. Tell me about America. What is it like?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

It's too large to describe in a sentence or two. Aunt Hilda, when the war is over, you must come visit us.

[Aunt Hilda]

When the war is over?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Well, it can't last forever, and America's helping. And remember, our leader, President Roosevelt, is himself of Dutch ancestry.

[Aunt Hilda]

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, perhaps I will make you a gingerbread cake.

[Uncle Brahm]

Yes.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I won her over slowly and On Thursday, when I left for Harlingen, she said goodbye to me at the door with Uncle Brom.

[Uncle Brahm]

You know where to meet him, Paul. You have everything clear?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Yeah, everything. Uncle Brahm. I'm to meet him beside the monument of the stone man on the North Sea dikes. I'll be knotting and unknotting a piece of string so he'll know me.

[Uncle Brahm]

Good. Good. We will see you later tonight then.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Yeah.

[Aunt Hilda]

Paul.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Here.

[Aunt Hilda]

This is for you. In case you should have need of it.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

My pistol.

[Aunt Hilda]

Take it back.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Thank you. Thank you, Aunt Hilda.

[Uncle Brahm]

Gurdon Morgan.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Gurdon Morgan.

[Uncle Brahm]

This habit you have of knotting and unknotting string. Is it not a waste of time?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Nothing is a waste if it serves a purpose. Her book.

[Uncle Brahm]

Yeah. Leutnan Alfond. We meet this friend.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

The information, do you have it? Yeah. Where? Where?

[Uncle Brahm]

In my head. You will have to memorize it as I give it to you. I could not take a chance of writing anything down.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I'll remember.

[Uncle Brahm]

Then remember it and use it well. There are 40,000 Nazi troops in Holland and Belgium. These troops will be on the move within two weeks.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Where are they going?

[Uncle Brahm]

Northern Italy. They'll be used to cut off the American advance there.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

The colonel did suspect the worst. Thank you. Thank you. I'll radio this out tonight.

[Uncle Brahm]

It is appropriate, is it not, for us to meet under the statue of this stone man?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

See the inscription terminus?

[Uncle Brahm]

It means thus far and no farther. A threat to the sea that is held back by the dikes.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Thus far and no farther. A threat also to the Nazis.

[Uncle Brahm]

Yeah. You understand me well, remember me to your uncle and goodbye for now. Her book is in constant danger of discovery by the Gestapo Pole. That's why he could not take a chance and write that information down for you.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

It wasn't necessary, Uncle Brahm. He passed it from his head to mine.

[Aunt Hilda]

When will you radio it to London?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

It's after midnight. I think I can start now. What's that?

[Uncle Brahm]

A car stopping in front of the house. There are men getting out so late.

[Aunt Hilda]

Who are they? Bram? Do you know them?

[Uncle Brahm]

No, I don't.

[Aunt Hilda]

I'm afraid. I'm afraid. It was like this once before when I came to get my family.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Paul.

[Aunt Hilda]

We were turned in end by someone who pretended to be a friend.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Aunt Hilda, do you believe.

[Aunt Hilda]

I don't know. I don't know what to believe.

[Uncle Brahm]

I'll answer it. Yeah?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

We have business with you.

[Uncle Brahm]

Come in. This is my wife and my nephew, Paul Halfont.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Your nephew? Max. Take a good look at him.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Would you say he Looks as if he's to be trusted.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I never trust a man who looks so innocent.

[Aunt Hilda]

What are you talking about? Who are you?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Do not be so suspicious. We are from Hans Bock. We are members of the underground.

[Uncle Brahm]

Underground? I was not conscious. There was an Underground in the Netherlands. What do you want with us?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Ah, you're being very careful. I can see that, Herr Keldemann. And that's good. And. But perhaps this will prove who we are. Would you not say that is her Bock's own signature?

[Uncle Brahm]

Yeah, that is his all right. I know it well.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

You're convinced now. Read it aloud, Uncle Brown.

[Uncle Brahm]

Let me read it. Paul. Have reason to distrust men you sent me today? Show proof who he is or turn him over to these men for underground execution. This is ridiculous. I do not understand.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Nor I. Herr Bock seemed to trust me well enough this afternoon.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Nephew's a German spy. A traitor in our midst.

[Uncle Brahm]

The devil he is. I do not believe that. Not Paul. He's not a spy. Not for the Germans. You want proof? I will give you proof. See here in the vine cellaret. This is his short wave radio. He was going to send a message tonight. He is a friend. He is an ally. He's a member of the American oss. Don't you believe me? What is it? What is the matter?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

We relieve you well enough. Thank you for giving us proof of what we suspected.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

What's this? Shall I show them my badge hair? Come on.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Do that, Sergeant. Do that.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Take a good look.

[Uncle Brahm]

The skull and crossbones.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

The Gestapo.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

We've been trailing her box. But we had no definite proof that he was connected with the underground. We only suspected. And today we saw him meet your nephew here on the North Sea dikes.

[Uncle Brahm]

Where did you wait until now?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

That if we arrested them then and there we might get nothing from them. So we waited. We arrested her Bork. And we found a paper with his signature on it.

[Aunt Hilda]

That note you showed us was forged.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Quite right, Frau Keldaman. The note was forged.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Little by little. Inch by inch I had made my way to the kitchen door.

[Aunt Hilda]

You have killed him.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Right again, Frau Kellyman. And then around the corner for supplying.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Us and up the back stairs he escaped. After him. Halt. Run. Paul. The attic. Halt.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

I will go worse with you.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

In a flood of memory it came back. Chamber of horrors. An hour's drive from Washington. My mouth was dry as ashes. But the palms of my hands were wringing wet along the dark hall. My revolver drawn. Everything I had been taught led up to this. This moment.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

We have you covered from both sides.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Drop your gun. Will fire. Fire. Fire again into the darkness. This time there was no instructor to say, good work, Paul. There was just a gun in my back and the leader of the Gestapo.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

To say, you are under arrest, Lieutenant. Harm, how long do you think you can hold out? We have ways of making you toil.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

No, no.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Must we convince you more, Sergeant?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Well.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Perhaps we'll have better luck if we question your aunt. Sergeant, get Frog Keldemann, bring her here.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

No, no, no. Don't do that. Let her alone.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Simply because you request it. Sergeant, do as I say. You'll see how long she holds out. If she's absent, we'll have a shot and you will be a witness, Lieutenant. You find this amusing, Lieutenant Ulfond?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Well, I know when I'm beaten. Don't bother the old lady or the old man either.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

What are you saying?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Well, I thought I could hold out. I can see now there's no point in holding out. You've won. What more is there to say if.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

You'Re just stalling for time?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I'm not stalling, Herr Commander. I'll prove it. I'll confess everything, tell you everything you want to know.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Now you're becoming smart.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

And so I told them everything they wanted to know. General Donovan heads the OSS in Washington. The OSS is part of the American State Department. The Minister of Finance in Britain is also head of the British Secret Intelligence.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Go ahead, Lieutenant. We're listening. Corporal, take this down.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I gave them a mixture of fact and fantasy that would have done the German Propaganda Ministry proud. The true facts I told them I knew they already knew. The rest they seemed to accept at face value. So I kept my story with a real whopper. You taking all this down, Corporal? Well, take this down with a red pencil. An invasion of North Holland is part of the Allied plan. What? The invasion will be made in the eastern area of Friesland on the Dutch North Sea coast.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

You are lying to us.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

You.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

We'll see if you know. You're up, eaten. Perhaps you've been on the wrong side. Lieutenant Hartfound, you've set up a radio. I think you ought to use it tonight.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Time is now 2300. 2300. Paul Halfon calling headquarters. Can you hear me? Over. OSS headquarters to Paul Halfon. You're coming in clear. Been waiting for your message, Paul. Good to hear your voice.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

What would you say? There's a gun in your back.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I can see it's going to take a lot to convince you. Paul hall found headquarters Listen. Listen carefully. It's stinking weather for a drop, but I've got to have supplies. It's darned important. Over. Headquarters to Hawthorne. Would you mind repeating that so we're sure? Repeat, please. Over. What the devil's the matter? You said you were getting darn good reception. I said the weather's lousy, but it's darned important that I get a supply drop at designated point tomorrow night. Can't make it any darn clearer than that. Over. Okay, okay, Paul. We get it. It's darn clear now. You'll get your supply drop. Good night. Over and out. You heard it yourself. The drop will be made. Are you beginning to be convinced of my sincerity?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Were you nervous, Lieutenant?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

What? Why do you say that?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

I never heard you use such language before.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Oh, I. I expect to get over my nervousness after I broadcast many of these radio messages for you, Commander Brandt. After that, they drove me back to the jail. Commander Brandt of the Gestapo had never heard me use such language before. And neither had OSS headquarters in the army. They used to make fun of me because of my proper speech. I gambled on the chance that the radio operator who knew me would detect something odd about my speech. When he answered back the same way. I knew he understood I was a prisoner of the Germans and that the supply drop would probably save my neck. I didn't sleep that night and I didn't really take a deep breath until 11 o' clock the next morning.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Good, Morgan. Lieutenant, would you care perhaps for a piece of chocolate or an American cigarette?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I knew the drop had been successful. They sent us home. Uncle Brahm, Aunt Hilda and me. But we brought a boarder with us in the person of Commander Brandt. House was different now. Aunt Hilda prepared meals silently. Uncle Brahm smoked his pipe and looked at me wondering. And twice a week they sat in the living room and watched and listened as Commander Brandt and I contacted OSS headquarters. Headquarters.

[Uncle Brahm]

OSS headquarters to Paul Alvin. This is important. Four and 20 blackbirds are coming through the ride.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Storm clouds overhead.

[Uncle Brahm]

Take in your washing.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Good night. Over and out.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

What did that mean?

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

15,000 more allied troops are added to preparations for the invasion of Holland.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

And we will rush 20,000 more German troops to the Dutch North Sea coast. Already we have 40,000 troops waiting there. We were going to send them to elsewhere, but they will undoubtedly be of more use here.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Undoubtedly.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Well, I'm going up to bed now. Dog shit. The dinner was very good, Frau Keldemann.

[Aunt Hilda]

I cannot help being a good cook.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Yes, well, good night.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

It's thoughtful of him to leave us alone so much.

[Aunt Hilda]

Is it? I do not care much for your company, Hilda.

[Uncle Brahm]

Maybe he's got his reasons.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I wanted to tell them my reasons, but I didn't dare. Instead, I stood at the piano and played the scale with one finger. Even Uncle Brum was getting to the point where he couldn't look me straight in the eye. But as Uncle Brum became more suspicious, Commander Brandt became less suspicious.

[Aunt Hilda]

I think I will go up to bed too.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Something was wrong with the piano. The sea was sharp, as if something were pressing on it, making it sharp. I walked around to the back of the baby grand and I saw was a small round disc the size of an overcoat button. I knew it was attached to a Dictaphone in Brant's room. That was why he left us alone so much. I'd give him something to listen to.

[Uncle Brahm]

Paul, I know there must be some explanations for these things you are doing.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Now. Look, you haven't had it so good for years. Eggs on the table. When did you have eggs on the table? Last privileges nobody else has. Extra ration books. You might as well face it. This is a new order. Germany's order. And if you're smart like I am, you'll fall in with them. Paul.

[Uncle Brahm]

Paul, is this you?

[Aunt Hilda]

I told you he was a traitor, a spy. I warned you.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

You wanted to see me here, Commander? Yeah, for.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Thank you for coming to my office so promptly at my call.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I follow orders.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

So I'm beginning to see. Sit down. Sit down. I want you to hear something.

[Aunt Hilda]

I think I'll go up to bed.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I don't understand.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Superb. A Dictaphone.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

But I still don't.

[Uncle Brahm]

I know. There must be some explanation.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

That's Uncle Brahm.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

Go ahead.

[Uncle Brahm]

Now look.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

You haven't had it so good for years. That's me. Eggs on the table. What's the idea of doing eggs on the table? Last privileges nobody else has. Extra ration books. You might as well face it. This is a new order. Germany.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

You have convinced me completely.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

If you're smart like I am, you'll fall in with them.

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

I have a proposition for you.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Yes?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

I want you to go to England for us. Act as a double agent. You can be more valuable to us there.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

Leave Holland. But aren't I a great help to you here?

[Commander Brandt (Gestapo)]

I know the risk it involves. But Germany will pay you well after the war. Take it over.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

I thought it over and let him convince me. And a few days later, a German stormtrooper gave me a personal escort to the border and I made my way back from the enemy lines. After I left, my aunt and uncle escaped and were hidden by the underground, and it wasn't until the war was over that I was able to see them and explain. Lt. Paul Halfend returned to OSS headquarters and thousands of Nazi troops waited on the shore of the North Sea for an invasion that never came. Thus, once again, the report of another OSS agent closed with the words mission accomplished. Listen again next week for another true adventure from the files of the OSS on Cloak and dagger.

[Narrator / Credits Announcer]

Heard in today's Cloak and Dagger adventure as Paul Alphond was Les Tremaine. Brahm was played by Stefan Schnabel, Hilda by Virginia Payne, Bant by Barry Kroeger, the Colonel by Raymond Edward Johnson. Others were Carl Weber, Jerry Jarrett, Arnold Robertson and Bob Wilde. The script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon. The music was under the direction of Murray Ross. Today's true OSS adventure was based on the book Cloak and Dagger by Corey ford and Alistair McBain. This program was produced by Louis G. Cowan and Alfred Hollander and was under the direction of Sherman Marks. PROGRAMS get your programs here, mystery fans. There's an exciting evening waiting for you tonight on NBC. First, some listener will have a chance to win a double reward for solving the case on $1,000 reward. Next, when a woman reads her own obituary in the paper, the saint finds himself involved in a case that leads to murder. Then Sam Spade works his way through the rod and reel caper. Yes, you'll find adventure here tonight. Stay tuned now for High Adventure and the Big Guy on NBC.

[Grainger / Indeed Announcer]

This is the story of the One As a custodial supervisor at a high school, he knows that during cold and flu season, germs spread fast. It's why he partners with Granger to stay fully stocked on the products and supplies he needs, from tissues to disinfectants to floor scrubbers, all so that he can help students, staff and teachers stay healthy and focused. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Between last week's show and this week's, it seems like they were trying to boost the star power of Cloak and Dagger. In the previous episodes, you essentially were hearing those sort of notes. New York character actors who were primarily just the workaday actors. Even though Larry Haynes had a few detective series to his name over the years, he was much more of a character actor here, of course, Les Tremaine, who had starred in the Thin man and had spent two seasons prior to this in the Adventures of the Falcon and came to prominence as the lead in the first Nighter program, as well as having his own variety program with Jackie Gleason and Lester Maine turns in the very good performance that you can always expect of him. Now this story and its ending is really something that you can only accept from a sort of based on a true story series because you know your big dramatic movie does not end with the bad guys foolishly believing your hero's gone over to the other side. But that could totally happen in war. What this episode illustrates is one of the great dangers of being part of one of these fanatical states. You cannot afford to believe your own propaganda if you are in a position of real life responsibility. But really what the lieutenant was doing, it met the ideals of the German propaganda. That's what made it so easy to buy, despite the fact it not making much sense. I mean if they tortured him more they might have believed that they broke him, but in this case they just became victims of their own propaganda. Listener comments and feedback now. And we start on Facebook where Emmett writes regarding the episode the Trap. That's the first Cloak and dagger episode that didn't have me on the edge of my chair. There seemed to be an effort to lighten this one and the subject didn't lend itself to lightening up. But it had enough surprises. So on balance I still think it's a terrific choice for the great adventurers. Well, thanks so much, Emmett. I do think that there was a method in the golden age of radio where they tended to try to balance the heavier episodes with lighter episodes. But you're right, it's not quite in keeping with the spirit of Cloak and Dagger to have like light hearted moments from the oss. I do think last week's episode was probably a bit more successful at that. Over on Spotify, Nightwing wrote Irwin Hayson was the creator of the Golden Age Green Lantern and Dandy. Not that it was him or they used his name. Not sure if it was him or they used his name because he was well known in the army. Well, I don't believe it's him because the story of Hassen's service in the military was that he was stationed at Fort Dix and managed the Fort Dix Post news paper. And in the course of doing that he wound up in the hospital through overwork. But he said that was the proudest time in his career. So it doesn't seem like him being in the OSS would be possible but his comic strip work might have inspired some of the choices and mechanic66 simply wrote good one. Well, thank you so much. Appreciate the comments. And now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day. And I want to thank Matt patreon Supporter since September 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the Secret agent level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support 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 enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell now. If you are listening to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio feed, we will be back on Tuesday with the next chapter in the interplanetary adventures of Flash Gordon. If you're listening to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, we will be back with a Sunday encore slash special. And then on Monday we'll be getting into danger with Granger. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13greatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives. Check us out on Instagram instagram.com.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

From.

[Adam Graham]

Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham signing off.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

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.

[GoFundMe Announcer]

7 customer support.

[Narrator / Paul Halfand]

His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Grainger / Indeed Announcer]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy? Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored Jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, Sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com Arts. Just go to Indeed.com Arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need. Your kids could get free or low cost health coverage from Medicaid or chip even if you've applied before, they may be eligible now. Kids up to age 19 are covered for checkups, vaccines, dentist visits, hospital care and more. And if they already have Medicaid or CHIP, remember to renew every year. Visit insurekidsnow.gov or call 877KIDS now paid for by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services.