Cloak and Dagger: War of Words (A0030)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Cloak and Dagger: War of Words
Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Drama: "War of Words" (Cloak and Dagger, September 1, 1950)

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Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Adam Graham presents “War of Words” from the historical radio series Cloak and Dagger. The central theme revolves around World War II espionage and psychological warfare, dramatizing a real-life-inspired OSS operation in Burma. The story follows two American agents—Lieutenant Harry Nabura, a Japanese-American, and Pete Barno—as they embark on a harrowing mission to deliver forged orders intended to mislead the Japanese army. The adaptation vividly explores the risks of undercover operations and the unique challenges faced by Japanese-American servicemen during wartime.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Mission ([01:24]–[03:21])

• Mission Introduction:
  • The episode opens with a signature, suspenseful question to set the tone:
    “Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive?” ([01:24])
• The OSS Assignment:
  • Pete Barno and Harry Nabura are tasked to conduct a leaflet drop over a Japanese camp in Burma as part of a psychological campaign (“those were our bombshells. Propaganda leaflets… our silent weapons.” [02:51])
  • The goal: Pressure Japanese soldiers to surrender and lower enemy morale.
  • Focus on a specific forged Japanese command to move the enemy troops, which, if successful, would clear the way for Allied advancement into Bamo.

2. The Air Drop Goes Awry ([06:03]–[08:00])

• The simple “drop and go” mission encounters disaster when their plane is attacked by a Japanese Zero.
• The plane is damaged; the agents are forced to parachute into the Burmese jungle after a harrowing escape:
  • “We fell free of the plane. I jerked the ripcord… I could see Pete drifting slowly into Brahmaputra River.” ([08:00])

3. Jungle Ordeal and Illness ([08:30]–[13:20])

• Barno and Nabura struggle through a confusing, leech-infested jungle.
  • The oppressive jungle atmosphere and their physical hardships are vividly described.
• Nabura becomes gravely ill, likely due to jungle fever.
• They encounter Su Ling, a local scout, after days of fever and exhaustion.
• Cultural confusion arises over Nabura's Japanese heritage.
  • Su Ling’s suspicion: “Japanese! Is Japanese I kill!” ([15:08])

4. Refuge at Detachment 101 ([16:09]–[21:10])

• Su Ling brings them to the OSS’s hidden Detachment 101 camp, which is bustling and multicultural—a striking "city in the wilderness".
• They meet the charismatic Father O’Toole, both spiritual and pragmatic leader.
• The challenges of identity are again foregrounded: Nabura’s Japanese American heritage causes suspicion amongst local allies.
• Memorable camp moment:
  • Father O’Toole offers knowing humor and guidance:
    “You’ll live longer if you live slower. Don’t drive yourselves.” ([17:00])

5. Failed Courier Switch and New Plan ([22:15]–[23:59])

• When the local scout accidentally incapacitates the Japanese courier too thoroughly, a problem arises:
  • “I’m very much afraid the courier will not be able to deliver the mail after all to the camp at Muklum.” ([22:41])
• Nabura devises a bold plan: he will impersonate the courier himself, leveraging his language skills and background.
  • “Me.” ([23:16]) — Nabura volunteers.
  • Father O’Toole notes, “The idea has a touch of genius, lad. I think it may work.” ([23:25])
• Nabura also forges demoralizing letters to accompany the fake orders.

6. Infiltration and Close Calls ([24:27]–[26:54])

• Nabura, posing as a Japanese courier, successfully infiltrates the enemy camp and delivers the forged orders.
• Builds tension: He is almost discovered, faces questioning, and is called back for further verification.
• Nabura’s internal anxiety is palpable as he tries to avoid detection and escape.

7. Return, Rescue, and Resolution ([27:00]–[29:17])

• On his way back, weakened by fever and exhaustion, Nabura is intercepted by suspicious Katchin allies but, due to language barriers, cannot explain himself.
• Eventually, he is brought back to Detachment 101, where everything is clarified.
• The operation succeeds: a few weeks later, the U.S. captures strategic Bamo—“mission accomplished.” ([29:17])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Lieutenant Harry Nabura:
“Those were our bombshells. Propaganda leaflets. Leaflets designed by OSS to lower the morale of the Japanese soldiers in that camp in Burma. Those were our silent weapons.”
([02:51])

Pete Barno:
“It sure to give those lousy Japs something to think about. I. Sorry, Harry. I. I shouldn't have said that.”
([03:49])

Lieutenant Harry Nabura:
“Sometimes the guys forgot that Harry was short for Hariyoshi. Hariyoshi Nabura. Although I like to think of myself as an American Japanese. Even Pete Bono thought of me as a Japanese American. I had to learn not to be too sensitive.”
([04:18])

Father O’Toole:
“Ah, but you’ll live longer if you live slower. And don’t drive yourselves. Remember, the rest of soul told me that in Dublin many years ago. I’m Irish, you know.”
([17:00])

Pete Barno (to Harry, volunteering for the courier role):
“You're nuts, Harry. What other Jap courier?”
Harry:
“Me.”
([23:12]–[23:16])

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:24] — Opening OSS question; invitation to a dangerous mission.
• [02:51] — Airdrop of propaganda leaflets explained.
• [06:03] — Mission assignment: Deliver forged orders.
• [07:39] — Dogfight with Japanese Zero; forced jungle landing.
• [11:18] — Nabura falls ill; survival struggle in the jungle.
• [15:08] — Encounter with Katchin scout Su Ling; identity suspicion.
• [16:09] — Arrival at Detachment 101 camp.
• [17:00] — Introduction of Father O’Toole.
• [22:41] — Courier incapacitated, plan goes awry.
• [23:16] — Nabura volunteers for impersonation mission.
• [25:08] — Face-off with Japanese camp commander; tense exchange.
• [27:54] — Nabura is intercepted by locals, mistaken identity.
• [29:17] — Mission accomplishment announced in closing narration.

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Post-Drama Host Commentary (Adam Graham) Highlights

• Father O’Toole as a Recurring Character:
  Adam notes O'Toole reappeared from a previous Katchin narrative, highlighting the character's popularity and color.

• Japanese American Experience:
  Graham emphasizes the unique danger faced by Japanese American GIs, as dramatized in the Su Ling scene—“the whole he's Japanese and American thing was clearly not something that they were prepared to deal with.” ([31:23])

• Listener Feedback:

  • Shout-outs to comments on the “Norwegian incident” and appreciation for Cloak and Dagger.
  • Gratitude to Patreon supporter "Doc".

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Summary Assessment

War of Words is a gripping dramatization blending perilous adventure, psychological tactics, and a nuanced look at identity and prejudice in wartime service. The jungle becomes as much an adversary as the enemy, and the narrative’s heart rests on Harry Nabura’s daring impersonation and survival. The story serves as both an exciting spy drama and a subtle exploration of the complexity American soldiers of diverse backgrounds faced. The episode stands out for its well-drawn characters, memorable camp scenes, and the palpable tension of undercover warfare.

Transcript

[Grainger Commercial Announcer]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the great adventurers 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 do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. 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. Support.GreatDetectives.net and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at Patreon.GreatDetectives.net but now, from September 1, 1950, here is the episode War of Words.

[Narrator]

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

[Pete Barno]

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.

[Narrator]

This is cloak and dagger.

[Pete Barno]

Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the oss. Today's story, A War of Words, concerns an American agent who personally delivered a message to the colonel of a Japanese camp and is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services. A story that can now be told. Okay, Harry, I've spotted it. There's our target.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Check.

[Pete Barno]

Ready to let him go? Ready. Bombs away. There she goes.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I dropped every one of those bombshells we had in the plane and they hit the target right on the nose. And the explosion that followed sounded like this. Just as much noise as paper makes when it flutters to the ground. Those were our bombshells. Propaganda leaflets. Leaflets designed by OSS to lower the morale of the Japanese soldiers in that camp in Burma. Those were our silent weapons.

[Pete Barno]

I'm gonna turn back now.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Okay, Pete.

[Pete Barno]

Harry, what'd you think of that phoned up picture of the bombing at Tokyo we just dropped?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Looked authentic to me.

[Pete Barno]

And I like that little pamphlet too. You know, the one that began Sons of the Rising Sun? It is better to surrender than fight without bullets or die of starvation in the jungle.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Yeah, that one was real cute.

[Pete Barno]

It sure to give those lousy Japs something to think about. I. Sorry, Harry. I. I shouldn't have said that.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

That's okay, Pete. Forget it.

[Pete Barno]

Let's beat our own record.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Get him back this time, huh?

[Pete Barno]

Yeah. Here.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Sometimes the guys forgot that Harry was short for Hariyoshi. Hariyoshi Nabura. Although I like to think of myself as an American Japanese. Even Pete Bono thought of me as a Japanese American. I had to learn not to be too sensitive.

[Narrator]

Come in, boys. Come on in.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, thank you, Colonel.

[Narrator]

Sit down. Cigarette?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

You two have done a good job in the past few months peppering Burma with that propaganda material.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, here's the light, Harry.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

And we already have begun to see the results.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Well, how's that, Colonel?

[Narrator]

Well, you know how live Japanese prisoners used to be at a premium. Rather than be captured, they'd commit Halakiri almost in defiance.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, yeah, I hear a lot of them are surrendering lately.

[Narrator]

That's right. Their morale isn't what it was.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Good.

[Narrator]

And you, too, can take part of the credit for that. But tomorrow. Tomorrow I want you to go one step further. While listening, sir, take a look at this document.

[Pete Barno]

What is it, Chinese or Japanese? Greek to me.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I can tell you what it is, Pete. It's obviously a forged order to the commander of the Japanese camp to withdraw, draw his troops three miles east.

[Narrator]

Well, I hope it's not an obvious forgery to him, Lt. Nabura, because if he falls for it and moves his camp, our armies will have a clean road right into Bamo. And once we get there, Burma's practically in our hands.

[Pete Barno]

I see. Oh, begging your pardon, Colonel, but what are we supposed to do? To walk into that Jap camp and deliver these orders?

[Narrator]

Oh, no, no. Your job is much simpler. All you have to do is fly over the OSS Detachment 101 at Assam and drop this document. Cochin natives and our agents there will do the rest. We've contacted them by radio. They expect it.

[Pete Barno]

Check. Colonel?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Pete Barno]

This will be a snap.

[Narrator]

Nothing to.

[Pete Barno]

This'll be a snap, huh? Nothing to it, huh? How'd I know we'd run into a chap 0? Right back at you, buddy. Now, he dived too fast for you, Harry. I'm gonna grab more sky. Maybe I can lose him up there. He's on a tail. Maybe not for long. Hang on, boy.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Most of the way up, the air was thin enough so that I could see the nose of that Zero following us. And then at 7,000ft, the air became thick and we lost him. But the plane had Taken quite a beating.

[Pete Barno]

How bad is the lot? You, Pete? Well, we haven't more than 50 miles to go. Then we can set down in Kutchin territory, make repairs before heading back to India.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Okay. Instead of dropping that document, we'll deliver it in person when we get there. Huh?

[Pete Barno]

If we get there.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What?

[Pete Barno]

What's that? Wing. It's coming off. Or he hit us. There she goes. What do we do? I'm gonna kick the stick forward as hard as I can. Put her in a loop. Oh, that's crazy. Now, that'll cross us backwards out of the cockpit. Don't pull your ripcord before you fall free of the plane. We'll land in the river. I'll keep your feet dry.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Here we go. We fell free of the plane. I jerked the ripcord and my chute opened. On the way down, I inflated my Mae west and the little lifeboat swelled up below me. I could see Pete drifting slowly into Brahmaputra River. And then the water.

[Pete Barno]

Boy, yeah, this is a nice mess to be in. Not even sure exactly where that 101 detachment's located.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

It's somewhere to the south, isn't it?

[Pete Barno]

Yeah, that's a help. This jungle stinks, doesn't it?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Trying to think of a lot of places I'd rather be.

[Pete Barno]

For instance?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

For instance, anywhere. This place is probably crawling with enemy patrols.

[Pete Barno]

Ooh, that's a pleasant thought. Careful. Careful. Don't trip over those roots.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

The jungle was heavy and oppressive. The tall trees spread a canopy over our heads and shut out what little sun there was. After a few miles, our shirts were ripped to shreds on the brambles and blood ran into our eyes from the leeches on our foreheads. Then Pete stopped short.

[Pete Barno]

Harry, look. The river.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What river? What is it?

[Pete Barno]

The Brahmaputra, where we landed. You see it? See it? To the right.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I don't get it. We passed it a few miles back.

[Pete Barno]

Yeah, we sure did. You see that clump of root? They look familiar. That's where you almost tripped, right there by the swamp.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

But I pay you.

[Pete Barno]

Yeah, we made a nice big circle right back where we started.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

How the devil did we do that?

[Pete Barno]

Well, anything could happen in this lousy j. Hurry.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Jap patrol.

[Pete Barno]

This just isn't our day.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

They're coming this way. Quick. The swamp. They'll never see us.

[Pete Barno]

Let's get on the walk till I pass. All right. All right, that's it.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Now get down. Just keep your nose up to breathe if you have to. Get down under and don't breathe.

[Pete Barno]

All right, Better than that. Who would like to restart and untied their shoelaces?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Lets get out of here. That night we lay side by side deep in the jungle, on top of coarse undergrowth underneath the trees from which lianas hung down like braided ropes. We shifted our positions every few minutes as a regiment of ants and bugs crawled into our clothing and kept us awake. And then towards morning, we fell asleep, exhausted. When we awoke, the sun had found a hole in the branches and crawled through.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, boy, that sun's hot.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Is it?

[Pete Barno]

What do you mean, is it?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I'm cold, Pete. I got the shakes.

[Pete Barno]

Fever.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I don't know. I just feel sick. Sick of my stomach.

[Pete Barno]

We can't sit here. You think you can travel? Uh huh.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Oh, sure. Come on.

[Narrator]

Boy.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

That sun's blazing, isn't it?

[Pete Barno]

Thought you said you had the shakes. Huh? Nothing. Nothing. Come on, Harry.

[Father O'Toole]

Come on now.

[Pete Barno]

Up on your feet, boy. You'll be all right. Come on, boy. That's it.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Come on. There we go. We started walking again. Our wrists had open sores on them from jungle rod. My head was hot, my hand were cold and I felt sick, awful sick.

[Pete Barno]

Harry, how do you feel?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I'll be okay.

[Pete Barno]

With that swamp we hid in. Just those lousy bugs that got under your skin, eh?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I'll be all right.

[Pete Barno]

Harry. Harry, can you hear me? Harry. Harry. Okay, fella. Now just take it easy. There, that's it. This cold cloth on your forehead will make you feel better. You'll see, boy.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Pete?

[Pete Barno]

Yeah. Yeah, it's Pete.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Why not?

[Pete Barno]

Couldn't you say anything more original than that? For crying out loud?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I blacked out tonight.

[Pete Barno]

Now don't talk so much. You blabbed enough when you were off your head. Who's Okasan?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

A girl I knew at ucla.

[Pete Barno]

I figured.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

How long ago has it been since. You know.

[Pete Barno]

Two days.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Have we got enough rations?

[Pete Barno]

We'll be okay.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Don't lie to me.

[Pete Barno]

I said we'll be okay. Now don't try to sit up, Harry.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Well, how far do you think we are from the Cutchens?

[Pete Barno]

Well, I think I've got the direction pretty well mapped out now. About a day's travel due south.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Well, not if you sit here with me for a week. Now don't talk so much, Pete. Get out of here. I tell you what. If you make it there by yourself, you can come back with some of the natives and get me.

[Pete Barno]

Not on your life. I'm not leaving here.

[Narrator]

But she.

[Pete Barno]

Quiet. Someone's outside.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Pete do his gun and crawled out from out the cave. My head was pounding harder than before. Maybe. Maybe it was the fever. Maybe it was because I had to lie there helpless while Pete went out alone to whatever was outside.

[Pete Barno]

Do not shoot, friend and friend. Who are you? Name is Su Ling. Scout. M Scout. Saw you this morning from top of train. Saw you at Brooks. So uniform. Yeah, yeah. You've got good eyesight, but you still haven't told me who you are. I told you. Ensueling Scout Kutching. Scout Kutching.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Kutchin.

[Pete Barno]

Well, why didn't you say so? You're from Assam. You're from the OSS Detachment. That's right. Harry. Harry, did you hear that? Well, how's this for the mountain coming to Muhammad? It's great.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

It's just great.

[Pete Barno]

Would like I'd take you to camp. Would like. Oh, boy, would love. Oh, look, I've got a sick friend in here. In the cave, actually. Fever. Can you fix him up? We'll see.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I looked up from the bed of leaves that Pete had made. McCutcheon Scout who leaned over me, was short and squat with long matted hair and teeth worn to a black stub by betel nut. He took a good look at me and jumped back as if he'd been bitten.

[Pete Barno]

Japanese. It's Japanese I killed. No, no, no. Hold on now. Wait a minute. Hold on, I said.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Now listen.

[Pete Barno]

Suleng Su Ling. This. This is American. Just like I said. He's Japanese.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

It's no use.

[Father O'Toole]

Please listen.

[Pete Barno]

Sue is a Japanese. Yes? Yes, that's right. But he's American too. You savvy American friend. Look at his uniform. You say friend. I say Japanese will fix up from fever, then bring to camp. Let them say which is what.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I don't know what he mixed up in those witch doctor concoctions besides the juice of mahogany leaves and the roots of the liana vines. But whatever it was, I was on my feet. Two days later, we started out for Detachment 101. Only this time we had a guide. And then the next night, out of nowhere, we came upon it.

[Pete Barno]

Well, what do you know here?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

It was the OSS secret hideout, carved right into the jungle of Burma.

[Pete Barno]

So this is Detachment 101.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

There were neat straw thatched bashaws, a mess hall, a well equipped hospital, mortars, bazookas, crates of ammunition.

[Pete Barno]

Harry, Harry, look. A woman. A woman.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

A Red Cross nurse. GI paratroopers in bright colored shirts and unlaced jumpsuits, boots were strolling about mingling with the native troops.

[Pete Barno]

Wow. This is just like a city in the wilderness. Isn't it?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

It's like nothing I've ever seen before.

[Father O'Toole]

And probably like nothing you'll never see again.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Huh?

[Pete Barno]

Where'd you come from?

[Father O'Toole]

Yeah, sure, and I've been standing behind you all the time.

[Pete Barno]

Would you like to have me show you around, maybe?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Oh, well, not now, thanks. The guide who brought us here disappeared. We've got to find the head man around here. We have something for him.

[Father O'Toole]

Ah, but you'll live longer if you live slower. And don't drive yourselves. Remember, the rest of soul told me that in Dublin many years ago. I'm Irish, you know.

[Pete Barno]

No, no, you don't say.

[Father O'Toole]

Oh, yes, yes. Now, take a good look at our little camp. As I said, you'll probably never see anything like it again if you live to be 104. It's as if the leprechaun set it down right in the middle of the wilderness.

[Pete Barno]

I will look around later, if you don't mind. Who's in charge?

[Father O'Toole]

Take all these lads, the paratroopers who were fast down in the jungle. They all had the same look about them when they first came, as if they stumbled into a bed of fire leaf clothes.

[Pete Barno]

Look, Mac, would you mind very much?

[Father O'Toole]

That lad there was a farmer in Wisconsin and the one talking to the nurses, from Boston originally, that is. And the tall lad is a Texan. And it took a lot to make him say that. This looked better to him than Texas.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Were you forced down here, too?

[Father O'Toole]

Well, in a matter of speaking, yes, I was.

[Pete Barno]

What did you do before the war?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, I'll tell you, lads. I operated a hut furring from Hoboken to Canarsie.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

You what?

[Pete Barno]

Furry.

[Father O'Toole]

A right driving little business it was, too. And after the war, I'll probably go back to it.

[Pete Barno]

This guy's off his rocker.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Ah, look, where can we find somebody.

[Father O'Toole]

In authority at evening mass with everyone else? Mass, of course. You see that big straw hut at the far end?

[Pete Barno]

You'll find him there.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

We went to mass, and when we got there, we found our friend with a bro. The one who told us he ran a hotel furring from Hoboken to Kasi, officiating at the service. Every once in a while he'd look up at us and I could see the suggestion of a smile around his lips. There was a soldier standing next to us. Hey, hey, who is that?

[Pete Barno]

That?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Why, that's father o'.

[Father O'Toole]

Toole.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

He practically organized the 101.

[Father O'Toole]

I said it just to see the look on your faces later on.

[Pete Barno]

Well, take a good look, boy. Mine's red I would, Father. A tool.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Yes.

[Pete Barno]

Here are the four Japanese orders the Colonel gave us in India. Of course, the original plan about dropping them over to you and turning back didn't work out. But just as long as we got them here.

[Father O'Toole]

Just as long as we have them, we know what to do with him. Now, there's a Japanese mail courier coming through tomorrow night from De Groom to the Jap camp at Muklum. Now, I'll have Su Ling or one of the other scouts intercept him and deposit this document in his mail pouch.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Oh, I get it, Father. When he comes to, he won't know what hit him, but he'll keep going. With the forged papers, eh?

[Father O'Toole]

Yeah, sure. You got a quick brain, lad.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

And by the by, yes, Father.

[Father O'Toole]

Now, since you're Japanese as well as American, I suggest you stay close to me for the next day or so until you leave, you see? Then the natives will get over their suspicions of you.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I see.

[Nurse Amy]

Which one of you men was dawn with fever?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I was. Nurse.

[Nurse Amy]

I'm sorry for barging into your hut this way, Father o', Toole, but Su Ling told me one of these men had jungle sickness.

[Father O'Toole]

Well, that's quite all right, Nurse Amy. Lads, take a look at her. Isn't she a fair colleen, though?

[Nurse Amy]

That's enough of your blarney, Father. Come with me, please. What's your name?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Nabura. Lieutenant Harry Nabura. I'm okay now. Really.

[Nurse Amy]

That may be so. We just want you at the hospital for a checkup. Come along.

[Narrator]

Hey.

[Pete Barno]

Hey, wait. You mind if I come too?

[Nurse Amy]

No, not at all.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

The doc who looked me over gave me a clean bill of health. It must have been those witch doctor herbs of Su Ling's. Later, Father o' Toole gave us a bashar to ourselves and Pete and I fell on those army carts. And then about 3 o' clock in the morning.

[Pete Barno]

Harry. Harry.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What's that? I don't know. Let's find out.

[Adam Graham]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Hey, why's everybody running to.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, there's that nurse. Maybe she knows. Hey, Nurse.

[Narrator]

Nurse.

[Nurse Amy]

Nothing to be alarmed about, boys.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What happened?

[Nurse Amy]

One of the cab approaches. Our watchdog caught a prowling enemy scout.

[Pete Barno]

Well, I didn't hear any dog.

[Nurse Amy]

This is a silent watchdog.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What?

[Nurse Amy]

Actually, it's a crossbow with a 150 pound pull. It's set up so any intruder who touches the trip string is shot with a poisoned arrow.

[Pete Barno]

Well, that. That's quite a watchdog, isn't it?

[Nurse Amy]

Yes. I've been thinking of putting one up in front of my tent.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, so Sally. So, Sally. Father, Su Ling did not mean.

[Father O'Toole]

Now it's done, Su Ling. It can't be helped. It's all right.

[Pete Barno]

Hello, Father. Hi.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

There you are, lads.

[Father O'Toole]

Come on in.

[Pete Barno]

Oh, what's up, Father? Hey, Su Ling make a big mistake. Big, big mistake.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What kind of a mistake?

[Father O'Toole]

Well, I'll tell you, boys. It's like this. I sent sue out last night to intercept the Japanese courier and deposit this document in his mail pouch.

[Pete Barno]

What went wrong?

[Father O'Toole]

Well, it seems that Su Ling doesn't know his own strength, to quote a phrase, and he hit him too hard. I'm very much afraid the courier will not be able to deliver the mail after all to the camp at Muklum.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Well, look, Father o', Toole, that document is important. It's got to get there. Where's the courier now?

[Father O'Toole]

In the hospital receiving the very best of care, I assure you on the.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Mail sack in my position. Okay, then. Another Jap courier is going to take his place and deliver the mail.

[Pete Barno]

You're nuts, Harry. What other Jap courier?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Me.

[Pete Barno]

What? Now I know you're nuts, Pete.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

When I switch uniforms to that guy, take a good look at me, I promise you, you'll never recognize me.

[Father O'Toole]

The idea has a touch of genius, lad. I think it may work.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I hope it may work. Slip in an extra prayer for me, Father. While I was at it, I went after the letters and cards that were going to the Japanese soldiers and phoning them up. Erased everything but the signatures and wrote about how bad conditions were back in Tokyo, how the black market was flourishing, how they were being bombed every night at dawn. I had changed into the captured courier's uniform. I had the mail sack over my shoulder and so Ling at my side to take me most of the way.

[Father O'Toole]

Good luck again, me boy.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Thank you, Father o'. Toole.

[Pete Barno]

Harry. Harry. You sure that you want to do this? Walking right into the lion's den. If they get wise to you, they.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Get wise to me. She got a G. What's that mean? It's good. Japanese for so what.

[Pete Barno]

Goes there? Answer. I shoot a courier from the Brigham.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

With Mayor for your soldiers and special.

[Pete Barno]

Dispatch for your commander. Mayor. Courier come across.

[Father O'Toole]

Let me see your face.

[Pete Barno]

I do not know you. Where's other runner papers? Let me see. Papers. Identification here.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Very good.

[Pete Barno]

Where is dispatch you say is for me?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Here, Colonel Nageo.

[Pete Barno]

Why are you so late? Mail was expected yesterday.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

It was unavoidable.

[Pete Barno]

Answer my question directly. Why are you late?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Native Kachin warrior attacked me on the way. I had to fight him off. Conan again.

[Pete Barno]

Those Gachans. Silent devils in the jungle shadows. Impossible to know when they are about. They jump out at you. Devils.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Oh, yes.

[Pete Barno]

Wave. What you waiting for? You may leave now.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Yes. Yes, sir. I leave. I leave. I was glad to leave. It had been easy up to that point. I tried to keep from walking too fast to the gate pass.

[Pete Barno]

Let me see.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Pastor Eve here. It was Standard Colonel Nagao's headquarters.

[Narrator]

Right?

[Pete Barno]

You can go. Wait. Wait. Hey, you're deaf? Did you not hear me shoot off a gun to call your attention?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Why you want me?

[Pete Barno]

I do not want you. Received a word at gate from Colonel Agao. He want you to come back. Come. There you are, courier. I want to make sure you did not leave here.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Is there something wrong, Kana Nagyo?

[Pete Barno]

What you talking about?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What could be wrong?

[Pete Barno]

Here. Important message for your colonel. Take it. Well.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Thank you.

[Pete Barno]

Thank you.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

I should be glad to deliver this to my colonel. This time nobody stopped me. When I left the camp at Maklong and started back headquarters, I must have been within 2 miles of Detachment 101 when I realized I was being followed. I couldn't see anyone or hear anyone, but I knew someone was there. In the brush, on the trees, hidden somewhere along the trail. I started to run faster. My lungs started to ache with each breath. And my strength was gone, a hangover from the fever I'd just gotten over. If I had escaped from the Japanese camp and fallen into headhunter hands, I know I didn't have a chance.

[Pete Barno]

I talk Japanese.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

English.

[Pete Barno]

What are you? Headhunter?

[Narrator]

Good luck. Good luck.

[Pete Barno]

Ah, now.

[Father O'Toole]

Bless my soul. Lieutenant Nabura.

[Pete Barno]

I see you're awake. How you feeling, Harry? Father o', Toole, he.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

What are you doing here?

[Nurse Amy]

Sit up, Lieutenant. Let me change that bandage on your head.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Now, wait a minute. How did you get here?

[Father O'Toole]

How'd you. Mixing things up a bit, lad, you mean? Of course. How did you get back here to the OSS camp?

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

To the what?

[Father O'Toole]

Well, now it is very simple. Oh, I have an apology to make for my friends, the Kutcheons who brought you here. They'd been out scouting for the past week, and they did not know you. Also, of course, the Japanese uniform you were wearing confused them.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

But I, I.

[Father O'Toole]

It was a pity that they spake only their own language so that you couldn't clear up the situation. I'll have to teach them how to speak English. English the way it should be spoken.

[Pete Barno]

Lieutenants Haruyoshi Nabura and Peter Barno were returned to India by plane from the rescue camp at Assam, and a few weeks later a special dispatch informed OSS headquarters that the strategic city of Bamo had been taken. 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 the OSS.

[Narrator]

On Cloak and Dagger. Heard in tonight's Cloak and Dagger adventure as Pete was Chuck Webster, Harry was played by Ralph Bell, Father o' Toole by Eric Dressler. Others were Joan Allison Raymond, Edward Johnson, Carl Weber, Jerry Jarrett, Maurice Tarplin and Guy Repp. The script for Cloak and Dagger was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon, and the music was under the direction of John Garden. Sound effects by Wes Conant, Manny Siegel and Norman Gruenfelder. Tonight'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 under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marks.

[Grainger Commercial Announcer]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. We have an apparent recurring character with Father o' Toole who was in the Catchin story we played a couple months back. The one scene where Harry's status confused a Catchin warrior illustrates a peril faced by Japanese American servicemen. If you were serving in an area where the Japanese were active, the whole he's Japanese and American thing was clearly not something that they were prepared to deal with. Alright, well listener comments and feedback now and we have a few comments regarding the Norwegian incident. Frankie writes over on Spotify. The Norwegian underground is so chilled and straightforward. Fun man. Well thanks so much. You gotta love a chill Underground, Harrison writes. Thank you for the info on Jan Minor. Very cool. And then over on Instagram have a comment from Greg who rights Keep up the great work Adam. Cloak and Dagger is one of my favorites. Well thanks so much. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Well now it is time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day and I want to thank Doc patreon Supporter since February 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the Secret agent level of $4.

[Lieutenant Harry Nabura]

Or more per month.

[Adam Graham]

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 PODC 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. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of Cloak and Dagger. If you're listening to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio feed, you'll be getting the Sunday Encore tomorrow. And on Monday regular lineup does Zoom with Danger with Granger. If you're listening on our Great Adventurers of Old Time radio feed, we will be back Tuesday with an episode of Adventure Ahead. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13.greatdetectives.net From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham.

[Pete Barno]

Signing off, Sam.