 The Johnson-Wax program, Words at War with Clifton Faderman. The makers of Johnson's Wax for home and industry in cooperation with the Council on Books and War Time proudly presents Words at War, dramatizations of the most representative books to come out of this great world conflict. And once again tonight we have with us one of America's foremost radio personalities, a man who knows good books, a well-known author himself, Mr. Clifton Faderman. Tonight's headlines tell you that we're winning the war, that soon the Nazi machine will crumble and disintegrate forever. But will it? Is this the end of the war or just the beginning of the next? Tonight's program will attempt to answer that question. We'll tell you something about book and author as soon as Jack Costello finishes a brief message from our sponsors. When your friends or neighbors drop in for a visit, isn't it strange how often they drift back to the kitchen? And isn't it nice when they can compliment you on how clean and sparkling everything looks? You know it's a great step in that direction when your linoleum floors are protected with Johnson's self-polishing glow coat. Then they're always presentable, always looking their best. Glow coat not only gives linoleum a lovely polish, but it keeps the colors fresh and new looking, and it saves you many hours of work because glow coat needs no rubbing or buffing. You simply apply and let dry, and glow coat does the rest. It's well to realize also that the regular use of Johnson's self-polishing glow coat makes linoleum last six to ten times longer. That's important today when we need to make our things last. All right, Mr. Padiman? Tonight's Words at War program is based on Kurt Reese's book, The Nazis Go Underground. We'll introduce this authentic expose by what's known in radio as a teaser scene. Listen, this is taking place all over Germany today. Listen and see what you make of it. Well, how do you like your new job at the hospital, Hans? Fine, Fitz. They will certainly never look for us here, huh? Everything satisfactory with your new job at the fire department here, Casper? Oh, yeah, yeah. Everything satisfactory, Herr Schmidt. Say, I hear you're working at the Red Cross now, Albert. Yeah, the Red Cross is a good place to be, too. Sounds innocent, doesn't it? Simply people changing their jobs, eh? But it's not quite as innocent as it sounds. What's it all about? Well, that's what we're here to tell you tonight. Our story proper begins in Berlin, in May of 1943, in the library of one of Germany's leading industrialists. The industrialist, Helutlis Gerhardt, the girl, his daughter and private secretary, Liesel Gerhardt. The ticker, a bearer of bad news. They have captured Novorossist. The Russians are ten miles northeast of the city. You know what it means, Liesel? Nevertheless, we will win, Papa. The Fuhrer said in his speech last week. What's the matter, Papa? What does it say? Gerhardt has fallen. Our troops have surrendered in Africa. The Africa Corps surrendered. But when? How did it happen? We thought the campaign was going on schedule in Africa, but we were winning. The Fuhrer said... Never mind what the Fuhrer said. I must get to General Becker. What did you say? Never mind, Liesel. All you do is grumble, grumble. The Fuhrer said... I said never mind, Liesel. Now get those memos out right away. Don't forget you must be ready to leave in ten minutes. Why? Because you have a meeting with Herr Krupp and Baron von Schnitzler at Chateau-Ugel for two o'clock. I've already ordered the car. Oh, yes, yes, of course. Slipped my mind completely. Oh, I'm so tired. Those aerates are enough to drive a man insane. All right, get me... Yes? What do you want, Gerta? What's wrong, Mama? This telegram team just now, from the War Department. I thought you might want to see it. What is it? Read it. Hans. Hans is dead. Killed on the Russian front. Like a common person. Fools, imbeciles. Why don't they stop this slaughter? Why do they continue fighting when they know there's no more hope? Don't you know why, Ludwig? Ask yourself that question. Who killed your son, Hans? Who killed your son, Kurt? Who? I have no time for your idle questions, woman. I have no time. No, of course not. You have only this time to start the war. You have only the time to make plans to rule the world. You have no time to look within yourself and see the monster you've created, the monster you've planned. Quiet! Not another word! Do you hear? I think the way both of you are carrying on is absolutely disgusting. And contrary to all national socialist principles, you should be proud of Hans. He died serving the Fuhrer on the field of honor. There is no greater reward for the use of Germany. To think, Liesl, that you were once my daughter and that you, Ludwig, used to be a man I respected for his integrity. Let's leave the Gehrhardt family now and join Herr Ludwig Gehrhardt in his important meeting. This meeting took place in the middle of May 1943, only last year, at Chateau Hugo. Among those present were Krupp, head of the famous Krupp munitions works, Baron George von Schnitzler, chairman of the board of directors of IG Farben, and Fat Herr Otto Piech, the owner of the biggest machine factory in Germany. What happened? Well, listen, you'll be interested. Herr Krupp is speaking. Gentlemen, for all purposes the war may be considered as lost on all fronts. Therefore, we must take measures to preserve the Nazi movement, so that if you say... Did you say preserve the Nazi movement happened Krupp? Correct, Herr Gehrhardt. But now that the war is lost, I can see no point in preserving the Nazi movement. May I remind you, Gehrhardt, that all the industrialists of Germany, including yourself, have done very well under the Nazi party. Perhaps you forget, Gehrhardt, that it was Hitler who liberated us from the threat of the Workers' Union. That's right. Saying nothing, of course, of the taxes, which are lower for us than in England and America. I am not arguing that point. But now we see that Naziism has failed. What reason is there to preserve them? You've overlooked something, Gehrhardt. It's always been the destiny of the German industrialists to rule the world. This destiny must be fulfilled. If not in this war, then in the next. The next war? Naturally. We must plan for that at once. But do you realize what you are saying, Baron von Schnitzel? Another war will result in... Another war will result in Germany's ruling the world. We weren't sufficiently prepared for this one, but we shall be for the next. I agree, Baron. Well, I don't. I am opposed to it. Utterly and unequivocally opposed. The idea is insane preposterous. That's enough, Gehrt. You forget yourself. You will do as we say. I think Gehrhardt understands, Baron. He is overwrought naturally because of the death of his son. Well, gentlemen, I propose we go to him, lad, once with this idea. Agreed. Absolutely. I'm for it. How about you, Gehrhardt? I am opposed. But you will follow all the same. Yes. I will follow. That was on May 10th, 1943. Six days later, at Gestapo headquarters, Heinrich Himmler called in his henchmen. Hi, Hitler. Hi, Hitler. Sit down. Hi, Smier. I will be with you in just a moment. Thank you. Herr Gehrhardt and I are having a most interesting conversation. Now, Herr Gehrhardt, you are certain. You are absolutely certain. You did not express any reasonable statements against the Führer and the Party at the meeting at Chateau Hügel on May 10th. I am sure if you will ask her von Krupp, Baron von Schnitzel, that will not be necessary. It so happens, Herr Gehrhardt, that we had dictaphones at that meeting, dictaphones to record everything you said. Well, what have you to say now? Why, it's nothing, nothing at all. You must believe me. I didn't mean to think I was upset. You see, my son... Enough. You are lucky, Herr Gehrhardt. You are lucky you are making robot plays. But I warn you, watch your step. Do you hear that, Herr Ludwig Gehrhardt? Watch your step. Yes, Herr Himmler. That's all? You may go now. Yes, Herr Himmler. Heil Hitler. Heil Hitler. Why didn't you shoot him, Herr Himmler? Time enough for that, Kaltenbunne. You may need him in the future. Now, fellow Party members, you may be brief and to the point. The news from the front is bad. It is possible that Germany will be defeated on the military front. It is even possible that Germany will have to capitulate. But never must the National Socialist Party capitulate. That is what we have to work for from now on. You are absolutely correct, Herr Himmler. The National Socialist Party must go on. Yes, yes, yes. The plan we have worked out is simple and direct. A new front is to be opened in Germany. And this new front will be the underground. Underground? Yes, Kaltenbunne underground, but well organized because we have time to prepare. Excuse me, Herr Himmler. But I don't quite follow. How will the Party members be able to work after we are defeated? It's quite obvious, Kaltenbunne, if you will only stop and think. What will happen when the Allied military government takes over? There are a great number of irreplaceable government organizations which they must of necessity let alone. For example, the numerous health departments. If there is any interference with them, the whole country, and this includes invading troops, might be swept by an epidemic. Wunderbar, Herr Himmler. How many Party members can we assign under this plan? I'm sure we can hide away between two and three hundred thousand men in plans, city administrations and so forth. Party members will be assigned to fire departments and activities. They will sit in tax collectors' offices in the police force, in the railways, mails, and even in the Red Cross. But who will their lives deal with when Germany capitulates? They take steps to kick certain high officials and businessmen out of the Party like Fritz Teessen and Schacht. They resend to Sweden, Switzerland, the United States. Once these men appear to be no longer in the good graces of the Party, no one will become acceptable to the allied military government. When will this work of going underground begin? At once. When the allies march on Berlin, we shall be ready for them. And now that we've met our principal players, let's go on and see how the master plan was put into operation. Let's see how the Gestapo organized the Nazi underground. Hi Hitler. Members of the German Women's Bund. These are the tasks which we must undertake for the coming National Socialist Underground. One, special training of stenographers, typists, clerks, in short of all female personnel likely to be used by the allied military government. Two, the training of young girls to disseminate our propaganda to foreign soldiers. Three, the training of women... From Konstantin Hill to General von Brauchich. Subject discharge of men from army. The following men, list attached, are to be discharged from the Reichswehr at once and are to be shifted to the maintenance of roads. This is to take place at once. Members of the Ordensburg-Santhofen. Today we shall take up our propaganda work in the United States. Miller? Yes, Herr Schmidt. Miller, whom would you attempt to contact if you were in the United States? I would try to reach Fritz Kuhn. To Kuhn? I'll make arrangements for you to be shipped to the Russian front. Schultz? Yes, Herr Schmidt? Why is this answer so completely idiotic? Because Kuhn is too much identified with our movement. Very well. Whom would you pick, Schultz? I would contact the real Americans who were friendly to our beliefs before the war. Good. But how would you know them? Well, I would look at their records. Yes, yes. And I would pick those who are anti-Semitic. Fine, fine. And those who have fostered all kind of racial hatred. Excellent. Any more? Yes, and the members of those many organizations which have been advocating a negotiated peace. Very good, Schultz. We'll arrange for your passage to Argentina and from there you will go to the United States. Schultz will be our underground representative in America. This is Flippton Faderman bringing you Words at War in behalf of the makers of Johnson's Wax. Tonight, Kurt Ries' book, The Nazis Go Underground. We've seen how the Nazi underground has been organized, with trusted Nazis being installed in key spots which the Allies would not be likely to disturb places like health departments and so forth. Now, how will the German industrialists figure in this master plan? Let's go back to Herr Gerhardt and his family. In June of 1944, Herr Gerhardt was undergoing a typical experience in Germany, an air raid. He was getting a taste of his own medicine. Those blasted air raids, I can't stand them. Day and night, air raids, air raids, air raids. They're coming closer, Ludwig. The British and the Americans coming closer. Oh, shut up, woman. If I could only get out to Switzerland, Sweden. Hello. Huh? Yes, who is it? This is Himmler. Oh, Herr Himmler. Herr Hitler, I mean, how do you do? I didn't expect... I have some good news. You have? Yes, it has come. A chance to escape. They are sending us to Spain. I would like it very much, Herr Himmler. Very much. Oh, at once, right away, anytime you say. Good. Run away? Of course not. Why should I want to run away? Naturally, you can trust me, Herr Himmler. Naturally. Travel expensive? But, but I'm perfectly willing to pay my own. Must see general back at once. See general? That is their plan. What makes you think, Herr Gerhard, that such a thing would be bad? That the generals are not planning the same thing. The same thing? Do you think we will accept defeat? Crawl before the Allies. Forget our plans for conquest in the world. But nevertheless, general, the Nazi party is not working with you, but against you. You weren't consulted about this underground plan. Why then should you want to save Hitler's skin? Your own skin, yes. But why this? He is the one who is responsible for our defeat. He is the one who has countermanded your orders, brushed aside your advice, your experience. You said so yourself, general Dan. So, now you propose that I organize a revolt among the generals. Oh, I didn't say revolt, general, but... But what? If you can get him out of the way. I see. And you? What is your function in this, Herr Gerhard? You will play safe while we do the dirty work, is that it? No, no, no, of course not. I shall, of course, back you up to the fullest extent. Once he is out of the way, I shall be in favor of your taking control. I have friends who feel the same way, who will lend all necessary assistance. Do I make myself clear, general Beck? Oh, quiet. Then you agree? I will give you a proposal my utmost consideration, Herr Gerhard. We don't know whether general Beck ever carried out the plans suggested by Herr Ludwig Gerhard, but we do know this. They are coming. I'll be arrested. I must get away. You will have to help me, Jetta. Help me get away. We'll both go away. We'll fly to Switzerland. You must get to Liesl. Tell her to have the plane ready to meet us. I, Ludwig? Yes, you, don't stand there. There's no time. Take the car. It isn't safe to use a telephone. No, Ludwig. I will not. I will not help you. What? You have created a monster. And now he has come to crush you. All you wanted was money, power. As long as you got it through them, you were satisfied. You were satisfied no matter what the consequences, no matter how many people you killed, including your own flesh and blood. Stop it. Stop it, Jetta. Now you will take the medicine. I've been waiting for that for a long time. They are here. They are here, Jetta. Open the door, Ludwig. Let them in. They are your friends. But, Jetta, don't you want to help me? Open the door, Ludwig. All right, Jetta. I shall never forget this. Never. Herr Himmler. Herr Himmler. Well, aren't you going to invite us in, Herr Gerhard? Of course, of course. Come in, gentlemen. Thank you. Good day, Herr Gerhard. Now, what is this I hear about you not liking us any more, Ludwig? I'm not like you. Why, that's ridiculous, Herr Himmler. I never said anything of that kind. Never. Of course not. That's probably just a rumor. Yes. Naturally. Now imagine. Some rumor monger said you were actually connected with the attempted assassination of our Fuhrer. Imagine accusing you. I? That's really a joke. Who would ever accuse me after all I have done for the party? Oh, indeed. Except perhaps von Schnitzler and General Beck. Beck. The committee is over, Herr Gerhard. And since you are such an old friend of the party, I have taken it upon myself, too. No. No. Please. Please, Herr Himmler. Please. Yeah, but please tell them I had nothing to... That, Herr Gerhard, is what we do as traitors. Your turn will come, too, Himmler. The day is coming when you and your party will be crushed forever. Do you hear them? Their light planes are here again. Thousands of planes to blast you out. And they will kill you all. Oh, no, Herr Gerhard. They will not kill us all because we are too many. We are all over the world in Argentina, England, Sweden, Turkey, Spain, Italy, the United States. And in Germany, we are underground already. We have burrowed so deep that their bombs will never reach us. Well, how do you like your new job at the hospital? Fine, Fritz. They will certainly never look for us here. Everything satisfactory at the fire department, Herr Kasper? Yeah. Ninety percent party members, Herr Schmidt. See, I hear you are working at the Red Cross now, Albert. Yeah. The Red Cross is a good place to be when the AMG gets here. Yes. They have burrowed so deep that their bombs will never reach us. Let them come. This is only the beginning. This is but a prelude to the war we shall win. World War III. Now, what can we do about it? I can hear the answer from thousands of lips throughout the United States, stamp out Hitlerism, crush the Nazi party once and for all, and thereby make another war impossible. But how? There is but one answer. Nazism is not only a German specialty. Nazism, fascism is as international as murder, as greed for power, as injustice, as madness. Let's remember this. When a man isn't hungry, he doesn't need a Hitler. When a man has a roof over his head, he won't listen to Hitler. When a man can live in peace and make a decent living, he won't turn to Hitler. As Court III says, make this a better world, and you'll stamp out Hitlerism and all other forms of fascism. After I present a message on behalf of our sponsors, Mr. Faderman will return to tell us about next week's Words at War program. You know, folks, I'm sure that no matter how good your car's engine and battery and tires are, the car only looks as good as its paint job. You may not realize that dirt and road grime and insects can do considerable damage to the finish if you don't remove them. Cleaning and polishing a car really does a lot more than keep up appearances. It saves the finish itself. When that cleaning and polishing can be done so easily with Johnson's Carnu, then I know I'm doing you a favor to suggest that you buy a package of Carnu this week and give your car a protective beauty treatment. Carnu saves work because it does two jobs at once, both cleans and polishes in one easy application. You apply this liquid cleaner, let it dry, wipe it off. It leaves the finish satin smooth, sparkling like new, easier to keep clean. Remember the name Johnson's Carnu, spelled C-A-R-N-U. And now, Mr. Faderman, what about next week's program? Well, next week we hope to bring you one of the outstanding war novels of the season, Neville Shoot's Pastoral. I say we hope to bring it to you. The reason being that so far we haven't been able to locate the author to get the necessary permission. You see, Neville Shoot is an aria flyer, and an aria flyer on active duty is a pretty hard man to track down, but we hope to catch up with him before next Tuesday and arrange to bring you his novel, Pastoral. If not, we'll delay it for a week or so and bring you another fine book instead. Now, this is Clifton Faderman inviting you to be with us again next week, and until then, goodbye. Tonight's dramatization was written by Ben Kagan and featured Peele Getz. Music was composed and conducted by Morris Momorsky, and the production was under the direction of Anton M. Lieder. Next week, the Johnson Wax program again presents Words at War. Jack Costello speaking. This is the National Broadcasting Company.