 and the producer of radios outstanding Dave Ruffdrill, the master of mystery and adventure, William M. Ruffsen. One man's war is another man's history lesson. Yet, it is only 44 years ago this Indian summer, but the war before the last set Europe afire. To today's missile-minded men in uniform, it was a quaint war, which began with bravado cavalry charges and ended in the sickening, senseless stalemate of the trenches. But to the fighting man of 1914, it was real. His bullets killed, his shrapnel tore, the flesh, his grenades disemboweled. And whatever else it may have failed to accomplish, that First World War inspired some of the century's best literature, an example of which you are about to hear. One of the most provocative short stories of World War One. Listen, listen, then, as Herbert Marshall stars in The Man Who Won the War. The man who won the war, starring Herbert Marshall, a pale well-calculated to keep you in the fence. I returned here tonight under a sort of compulsion, like a criminal returning to the scene of his crime. But I am no criminal. And what I did here ten years ago was no crime. Though I'm so tired of whatever stays, and of forever being just the need. Good enough. Oh, of course. Who's that? He's I. You're not next to him. Did I not see you at dinner tonight? At the inn in the village. Oh, yes, yes, I'm scared of that. And I. I believe we are the only two guests. Won't you sit down? This lift would last, should be big enough for two. Thank you. You are English, Mr. Oh, yes, excuse me, the badman's the name Roger Badman. Yes, I'm English. And you, I take it, you're German. That's right, Mr. Badman. Ten years ago, we were at each other's clothes. Yeah. And for what? What, indeed. If I may say so, Mr. Badman, it seems strange to find an Englishman in a channel-watering place in October. Yes, I suppose it does. There's some of the time he's flocked to the beaches. But then you, you don't find any Germans on the Belgian coast these days. Is there any time of the year? Oh, we are not exactly welcome here. And no wonder, after what we did to this country, it could have been worse. Did it? You might have won the war instead of losing it here on this beach ten years ago. What, ten years ago tonight on this beach? That's when you lost the war. I know, because I'm the man who won the war. That is the most extravagant statement I've ever heard. Oh, I'm well aware of it. No one has ever believed it. No one. But it's true. Perhaps I would believe it. Would you? I might, if I knew the details. Well, you wouldn't be interested. No one is. I am very much interested. That sounds a little laughable, you see why. Believe me, Herr Breitman, I would like very much to hear your story. Very well. You see, when the war began, I was facing the amount of the destroyer's pirate rake to catch the Admiral's load of battle forces to North Sea patrol. On the night of October the 20th, 1914, the pirate rake was cruising after Belgian coast to join the main fleet. We are taking aboard an extra show of an ammunition of finnish along with several cases of cross whisky. Since the fleet was looking forward to extended action. And I'm afraid those cases were up a motion of mine that might have been sat around the ward room after dinner. I say, Commander, what brand of whisky did ship's supplies put aboard? No, I didn't think of looking. I did. Cameron Highlander, I said, on the boxes. And a very bonny bro, too. That wouldn't be a hint, would it, Mr. Gilliam? Oh, no, sir. But he is likely on deck tonight, sir. Do you concur, Mr. Inslee? Yes, indeed, sir. The wind's got a bite to it. The man could catch himself a nasty cold out there tonight. Very well, you scoundrel. Mopper. Aye, sir. Go down to the store room and break out a bottle of that whisky we took aboard this afternoon. Aye, aye, sir. Any news on the fighting front in Flanders, sir? What there is is all bad. Our forces have a handful in the centre. On the right, the French are just barely holding. But the real danger is right off there, the snowboard. How's that, sir? The left flank, the Belgian sector. Von Krupp's third army is treading hard. If he breaks through the Belgian line, you can right off south. The ties will be in service in a week. Ah, here's Hopper with our weed drop. You needn't have brought the whole case, Hopper. Oh, I wondered you to see it, sir. Our outing four of them and the contents are all the same. Yes, I was right. It says Cameron Highlander on the box. Yes, sir, but the contents are not Cameron Highlander whisky. They're Cameron Highlander uniforms. What? Yes, sir. See, here's the kilt and the gangarries and the sparrows. Where's the whisky? Well, as near as I can make out, there ain't any there. But what I'll say is that the men's boxes contain nearly 200 Scotch Highlander uniforms. And it's later to be a dry voyage, gentlemen. So what shall I do with these boxes, sir? We'll stow them out of the way until we meet Paul again. Officer, where's the speaking kilt, sir? It's in the grave. I acknowledge where you peed, Mr. Gilliam. Yes, sir. Now, what kind of trouble do those trebles run into? Coming along easily. Might as well. Can't bring kilt and gangarries. Frictioning up a bit. I shall be on the beam in the whole morning. Yes, Mr. Treble. Thought you would see this, sir. Well, look there on our starboard quarter and time and night. Yes, I see it. Yeah, take a look through the night glasses. Flashing on and off. That's right. And according to my reckoning, we're off the mouth of these over there. Now, if you look at this chart, you'll see that there are no lighthouses along this stretch of coast. Yet there is a flashing light where no light ought to be. Perhaps it's a signal of some sort, sir. No doubt, is it, but who is? Well, the Germans thought they'd found so far. How can you be sure, Mr. Angelin? Wait a minute. That's light flashing and message in Morse code. G-R-O-G. G-R-O-G. What about that? Aye, sir. Change course to 110. Change course to 110, aye, sir. I'm scanning 11 out. What are you going to do, sir? Take a closer look. But, sir, this might be a trap. Yes, it might. But don't you recognize the code word, Grog, Mr. Treble? No, sir. You were never a midship and in the wild nearby, were you, Mr. Treble? No, sir. My apprenticeship was in the merchant service. Then, of course, Grog wouldn't need anything to real. I don't understand, sir. Well, Mr. Treble, G-R-O-G is a midshipment's code. It means, good rum on goose day. I don't understand, sir. When is goose day? That's the code, Mr. Treble. Goose day never comes. I do, and I'll admit, but that's making this hysteric when you're 14 years old. Why would anybody be sending a midshipment's code word from the coast of Belgium in the middle of a war? That, Mr. Ainslie, is what they're going to find out. You're good enough to check off a landing party. Aye, sir. Number two can all launch. You shall go ashore in ten minutes. But, captain... You have your orders, Mr. Ainslie. Aye, sir. You... you can't be serious, captain. I am, Mr. Treble. But this might be a trap. We have no way of knowing whether the Germans have advanced beyond this point or not. Yes, it might be a trap. Or it might be some poor beggar trying to escape the advance. It's worth looking into. But suppose it is a trap. Now don't you worry, Mr. Treble. I'm not asking you to go ashore. I'm leaving the landing party myself. It is not a matter of peer, sir. Naturally. One of caution. Of course. How speedy, Ed? How speedy, Ed? The feed order is clearly stated. I'm quite aware of the contents of the feed order. And they state that elements of the Royal Navy are to give all possible aid and assistance to shore positions. They also limit such aid to ships of the class of the Mercy and the Seven. Very true, Mr. Treble. We'll stretch the limits of that portion of the order a little, shall we? Furthermore, we are under specific orders to rendezvous with the flagship at dawn. Then we may be a little late. Sir, I protest. Mr. Treble, apparently things are different on the merchant's service. But in his measure since fighting ships, an executive officer does not protest to his commander. He will heed to and off anchor. If I have not returned within an hour, he will proceed to the feet-long level. Is that clear? Yes, sir. Carry on. Sir, we're about half a mile down the beach from the light now, sir. Very well. We will ensure that the light is getting dimmer and dimmer. Or will you be a fucking torch that is running out. All right, men. Your attention, please. Aye, sir, sir. When we hit the beach, we'll stir out 10 feet apart and proceed toward that light. Keep well down and walk with the utmost quiet. If you encounter a sentry, try to knock him out before he challenges you. Use your arms. Only the last resort. You're not here to get into a battle. You're going to investigate that light. If we should be engaged by the enemy, I will fire three rapid shots to the signal to return to the boat. Hopper and surgeon will remain with the boat. And hopper. Yes, sir. If we have to retreat in a hurry, wait until the last possible moment before you shove off. Yes, sir. Any questions? No, sir. All very clear, sir. Let's break this old plan. We're coming into the surf. Now, men, over the tide, and hold your luck. We'll try. If you encounter a sentry, you'll shoot for a beggar. If you approach your figures, no one will be around. You'll need them in the middle of the night. You'll end up with a dummy. You'll sit in on the road. You'll take him off his boots. There will be 18 feet in the clean sand. Prevy wasn't a very careful example of the German man through the sheen that night. For with no trouble at all, Mr. Eames, he and I crept up on him. He had him bound and dragged before him quite a way. There we are. I don't think he'll give us any trouble now, sir. I don't think so. Now, my friend, drive him to your way, or he may be there at least after the oven. You'll take him along, Mr. Eames. Aye, sir. Margaret. Aye. Put on this fellow's tight helmet and remain at since close. If a relief can't reappear, take care of him. But no shooting is absolutely necessary. Yes, sir. Let's get a move on, then. What are those voices? Blackman Horton. What are those voices? I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. I think they are. There's a few fish in their allies. Still we must leave, certainly. Take through in the mirror and come up on them in the rear. Aye, sir. I'm approaching this side. I'm really talking. If you clap, I'll give you a piggyback ride. After one bottle of break point, and long live you at the launch. Yes, sir. Eames, come with me. Go to me. Blackman Horton. Aye, sir. Hold me closely. Pitch you low. Yes, sir. Okay, sir. Hold me a little more. Hold me a little more. Hold me a little more. Hold me a little more. Hello? What are you doing here? What are you doing here? I'm holding the helmet. I'm holding the helmet. I'm holding the helmet. I'm holding the helmet. I'm holding the helmet. I'm holding the helmet. Who's going there? Your friends. The British. A man! A man! What did he say, sir? Hello, my friends. Oh, good. I do say your English is better than my French. May I introduce myself? I'm from a man in the bad one, with his medicine shift fire rate. I can't tell you how glad I am to meet your commander. I am Major Dalessette of the South Belgian Dragoon. And here's one of my officers, Lieutenant Vance. Oh, sir. And who is this? Bound and guide. Oh, an enemy cell should be picked up on the way you can have him. Thank you. You saw your life from the ship. What ever made you first to work grub? Ah, I thought a royal lady man might respond more quickly to grub than S.O.S. It was an inspiration, the way you learned it. Oh, yeah, I used to sail in the regatta that caused when I was younger. And one of my best friends was Albert Hollister. He was a midshipman on those days. Percy Hollister, doing well. He's driver now. Younger we are, but the older we're 12. Now, we can go into that another time. What's the meaning of your signal, Major? Simply this, Commander. We are in trouble, serious trouble. They have been pushed back the day after day until our men are completely exhausted. Our orders are to make a stand here at the Aether River. Long enough to give the supper time to blow the dykes. Once the dykes are broken, the river should stop the enemy. How long will it take to blow the dykes? I'll hold the line until sundown. Roughly 18 hours. And you can't do that? I seriously doubt it, Commander. We have appealed to your army for help, but it is completely engaged on our right and can send us no reinforcement. The French are too far south and they have their hands full too. Now, it was not a suggestion that tonight start meeting to seek help from the sea. That is our last chance. Well, what do you want us to do? Stand by us and bring your guns to bear on the enemy's advance. But we're only a destroyer, Major. We haven't enough firepower to do any good whatsoever. And we haven't the means for offshore bombardment. Yeah, sir, then we are finished. So is the war. There's nothing between von Kluck and Tariq but us. I'm sorry, Major. They could say they're starting the barrage early this morning. I suppose they know this is the last day. You're still there looking to the angry boom of the big guns. Each man alone with his group is taught. My gaze wanders a helpless German sentry lying where we attempted in the sand. His eyes are wide open with fear. And he looked like a schoolboy victim of some upper-class ragging. His bare legs protruding skinner if in his rolled-up trousers. Bare legs, Mr. Ainsley. Sir. The kids. The kids, sir? Yes, you can put a company of Cameron Highlanders into the Belgian lines. I'm sorry, sir. I didn't quite follow them. Major, we can help you. Or it's a long, long shot, but it might work. It might work. Come on, then. Somebody made a botch back in Plymouth. And those are the cases of scotch uniforms instead of scotch whiskey. There are nearly 200 complete uniforms of the first Cameron Highlanders aboard. Yes, but I don't... We'll give them to you. Put them on the company of your men. Let them show themselves in the front lines when they attacked again this morning. And perhaps. Perhaps. The Germans will take the British of Washington at press division to reinforce them. Yes. Yes, it might work. Unless you have a few Lewis guns, too. But they won't be much help unless the uniforms do the trick. Well, if he does, you say. A long shot. But let's try, sir. Very well. The same thing, sir. Go back to the ship at once. And such those cases of uniforms, and four cases of Lewis guns, and ammunition. Aye, sir. I'll remain here with the Major and help him kill his men when I end up. And then say. Sir. Should Mr. Treadle inquire, you might tell him I'll need you to take him a little while longer. Winning the war. Higher. Well, it looks like something's in the pale light of the city moon. Everything is down here, but I think it's the best thing that's ever seen. Even though it's a bright pan, it's looking energy as well as close to the Battlemere in Belgium. They look like a real thing, don't they? Yes, Treadle is real. Do I believe it can work? I'm sure it will. Oh! I nearly forgot, sir. Oh, baby. Mr. Treadle asked me to tell you the flagship has been trying to meet you on the wireless. What did they want? Uh, Mr. Treadle's been saved, sir. No, they're going to wait till Mr. Treadle's is finished. Uh, Mr. Treadle said he'd reply, sir. Oh, very well, then. Well, Commander, that's the last of them. A thousand thanks, sir. Honour to all. God killed the precious little youth to a ship full of sailors. But they made the return for you this morning. I feel sure if I would. Well, we must be on our way. Let's go on our go-day break. Goodbye, Major. Goodbye, Commander. You must, uh, look me up after the war. Always reach with the Navy clouds and James is square. Thank you, sir. I'll do that. Au revoir. Au revoir, Major. Bonne chance, and all that sort of thing. Hello, Mr. Treadle. I think we can get underway now. The news to your visit is short, sir. It's just your social call, Mr. Treadle. I think it may have been of some help to our allies this morning. Of course, sir. The, uh, flagships have been trying to reach you, sir. Oh, yes. Mr. Ainsley said something, sir. I signaled them that you'd gone ashore. Oh, you did. That must have intrigued them. Well, I shouldn't say they were pleased. I just received this reply from them. Mm-hmm. As senior officer present aboard, you are ordered to take command of Fire Drake and proceed to speak rendezvous immediately. Well, that's a neat double-cross, Mr. Treadle. I'm sorry, Mr. Bradman, but my responsibility is to the ship on which I serve. Yes, I can see that it is. However, since you are once more aboard... Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Treadle. You have your orders from the flag. Follow them. The meddling rulebook's favor is captured wirelessly, with an unnecessary embellishment for me. I have no doubt that my explanation of the nice work would fully satisfy the admiral. So, let Mr. Treadle have his little moment of triumph and command. I stood up at the starboard bridge wing as it pulled away from the Belgian coast. And through my binoculars and the grey dawn, I thought I saw the flashing red and yellow of the tremor and pad, as the last day of the First Battle of Flanders began. I expected we would have made a thorough investigation of the matter, and a few days later I faced the midquarters aboard the flagship. Commander Bradman, your little adventure of a few nights ago involves some very serious breaches of difficulty. You disposed of war material without authorization. You left your ship without authorization. You deliberately violated the fleet orders regarding assistance to land 40, and I managed to stop the German advance near the track. We know that the German advance had been stopped, Commander, by opening the Dikes of the Isle River. The plan which has been part of the Belgian and French grand strategy for years. Sir, the Dikes would never have been opened if the Belgian line hadn't held at last day of the battle. And they held because the German attack would slow down. And it would slow down because the Germans thought the Belgians were reinforced by the First Cameron Highlanders. I have given your story the benefit of every doubt. Commander, I've even queried the Belgian general's staff to try to substantiate it. I have to reply. They have no record of any unit being outfitted in Highlanders' uniforms. This was not a general staff matter. It was on a regimental level. I may say there is even some doubt on the part of the members of your crew, whether or not the men who received the uniforms were Belgian. What? Yes. This is a twiddle. This is a twiddle. That's enough, Commander. It is the decision of the fleet inquiry board that you be relieved of your command, placed in iron, and be returned to house. That's the fate of the Court Master. You know, as I've always told you, the Court Master's house has changed the board of inquiry's decision. And I've spent the rest of the war in prison. Afterward, I naturally had to meet him. Wherever I went, and more later, Vancouver, Singapore, Melbourne. The stories, their stories followed me. Sooner or later, some ex-mavian man would turn up to recognize me, and I would have to move on. And that's the way it's been said. Moving. Moving, always moving. Until at last I was compelled to return to this very spot where it all happened. Why, I don't know. I know. You do? Yes. To find someone who believes you or the man who won the war. Do you believe it? Yes. You see, I too have been compelled to return here tonight. You? Why? Because I am the man who lost the war. What? Yes. In the German sentry, you found a sleep at his post. Then there was nothing more to say to Rebecca on the beach toward the sleeping town. I suppose the truth is only with me tomorrow. Herbert Marshall starred in William M. Robson's production of The Man Who Won the War. Written by Robert Buckner and dramatized for suspense by Mr. Robson. Britt Marshall and the man who won the war were Abraham Sofair, Ramsey Hill, and Barney Phillips. Listen again next week when we return with another tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.