 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 Espionage international intrigue these are the weapons of the OSS in In tonight's episode overground railroad the part of lieutenant Fontan OSS agent who helped thousands of American airmen escape to safety is played by Les Tremay 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 When a flyer was forced down behind enemy lines. He was just another fugitive Moving cautiously at night to avoid detection fighting for survival His shelter was a haystack or a hedgerow For food he dug raw potatoes or turnips from the field and in his panic He was always just one step ahead of the Gestapo With no knowledge of the country and no friend whom he could turn a Few of the lucky ones managed to escape back to England. I Met one of those lucky ones in Colonel Johnson's office at OSS headquarters in London lieutenant Fontan This is major Davidson. How do you do major? Well, I'd know your fontan before I asked major Davidson to tell you a story. I'm gonna say something. Yes, Colonel Johnson At its narrowest the English Channel is only 20 miles wide yet It took major Davidson here more than a year to get across and Hundreds of allied pilots all over France haven't been able to make it yet And if something isn't done to help them they never will but Colonel with the Nazis occupying France with the Nazis occupying France The channel is still only 20 miles wide Our trouble has been that up to now we've had no contact with the French underground no way of helping them smuggled pilots out of France All right major Davidson go ahead and tell your story now Well, I was shot down over the south of France coming back from a bombing mission The rest of the crew was killed. It was just my co-pilot Johnny Porter and me left Yes, go on major. We figured our numbers were up Any flyer forced down on enemy territory figures that nowadays, but we were lucky A farmer picked us up and hit us overnight And then the next morning a big black limousine drove up and a woman about 60 got out She took us to her house in Paris and kept us there She found a way to smuggle us across a channel with a fisherman just a few days ago. Who was this woman major her name is madam Annette Joe bear I used to tell her she meant more to the Yankee team than Joe DiMaggio During the time we were with her she managed to collect two more of our boys But she has no way of getting them out of France. Well, what do you think Fountain? Just what do you think Colonel for the first time OSS has a lead a contact What do you say this woman's name was major a Joe bear madam Annette Joe bear and Quite a gal too Colonel Johnson with her help. Maybe we can set up a chain of Way stations Establish a Shall we say an overland railroad collect our flyers and move them like chessmen right across France to the channel How soon can you leave? Anytime you say Colonel Johnson anytime. Oh, by the way major How will I be able to identify myself to madam Joe bear? Did you agree on any cold word anything? Yes, yeah A black lace garter I left London a few days later and landed the next morning on the coast of France Disguised fishing boat let me off and I made my way to Paris undetected It was spring 1944 I Was going to know April in Paris But not the way any American tourists before the war had known it The Red Dawn was touching the roofs of Paris the Golden Dome of the Pantheon Most of the city was still dreaming of other better spring times Before the Germans came Then the city started to wake up Bakers were at work through the windows wetting the dough The waiters from the cafes were sweeping into the gutter the cigarette butts that their customers had dropped under the tables the night before For a few minutes It was the Paris my mother had talked about and then an official Nazi car turned the corner And I knew that everything had changed I Made my way to 46 where you don't see where I'd find madame Annette Jobare Madame Jobare madame Jobare Well, I'm sorry. I'm looking for madame Annette Jobare. This is her house, isn't it? Did you see her go out this morning? I'm her nephew. I had come to Paris because I had a contact Now the contact was gone. You are missing more cafe. Merci You're the first one in my coffee this morning Remember other springs was always crowded at this time What is it this year you not feel well something wrong? Well, no, no not not wrong exactly It's just that I came to Paris to see my aunt It seems she's moved and left no forwarding address. What a pity about there is always one way to find her a way What is it? You don't need to go to the guest stop or they will tell you Go to the Gestapo and ask sure. Why not? OSS wasn't particular who helped us as long as we got the help. I Was sure Colonel Johnson wouldn't object to my letting even the Gestapo give us a hand. I Bake your pardon I'm sorry What is it what do you want? I would like some information what kind of information I I arrived from south of France this morning. I came to visit my aunt only I discovered when I got here that she had moved What do you want us to do about it? Well, I Merely request her change of address. I felt certain it would be in the records of the Gestapo No, of course it's not records the address or change of address of anyone in Paris is listed with us What's the name of your aunt sure bear, but I'm a net sure bear Let me see your papers. Yes There you are These papers of yours intrigue me missing any like them before it's Something wrong with them On the contrary they're filled out extremely accurately usually one thing or another so admitted I congratulate you on your son is Thank you sergeant. Thank you Commandant there is a Frenchman at the front desk who is trying to locate his aunt and madam a net job there Yeah, come on down. Yeah. Well, I'll send him in Thank you. Thank you very much sergeant. Wait wait one other thing your suitcase, but my suitcase No one is allowed past this desk without having his luggage or packages checked put your suitcase up here and open it I Suitcase was filled with clothing But there was a false bottom to it and in the false bottom was a shortwave radio If the sergeant accidentally pushed the button that would reveal the radio Yeah, yes there you see just personal articles See that you think I expected you to walk into Gestapo headquarters with a time bomb or a shortwave radio in your suitcase, perhaps That's just routine. I must check up everything Commandant's office right down the whole first door you come to on the right Sit down sit down, Mr. Fondant a cigar these wine soaked French cigars are very good. Thank you here commandant I never resist a good cigar or a pretty girl You wonder perhaps why I am seeing you personally about this matter of locating your arm Whatever the reason commandant Kurtz. I I'm flat or not at all Tell your aunt for me that I am delighted to render her this little service a fine woman a delightful woman And a clever woman too. She's been most cooperative. Oh, I I'm sure she has Commandant Kurtz is most urgent that I find her urgent how urgent I I Have news for her about my uncle her brother who is very ill in the south of France Pity it's a little for me that if she desires to travel I will arrange for the necessary permit of course We are very kind not at all. Not at all. You know, let me see Here it is. She is boarded up our house at 46 who down sick as you know and move to another residence 20 kilometers Southwest of Pell's in the village of Tourie Ferrault Right out to exact address Thank you for your help here commandant. I assure you I will never forget it I took a train to the village of Tourie Ferrault and all the way I kept thinking about Madame Jobin German High Command evidently considered her one of the most important collaborationists We considered her our most important contact with the French underground She certainly had someone fooled I Hoped it was the Nazis Madame Jubaire is in here, Monsieur in the library. Merci Monsieur Fontaine Madame Coming Coming They see you may go and close the door. Oui madame Come close no come closer. Let me have a good look at you Hey, yeah, it's quite far enough What's all this nonsense about being my nephew? What's the matter auntie? Don't you recognize me? I've never seen you before in my life. I Have regards for you from friends Friends major Norman Davidson and lieutenant Johnny Porter I've never heard of them. You don't remember helping to smuggle them across the channel auntie This is insolence of what are you accusing me of being an important link in the French underground? None since I know of no underground if there is one it does not concern me No, go back and tell them at Gestapo headquarters that they have made a mistake and They'd come on down courts. I am hurt at his suspicions of me What makes you think the Gestapo sent me only the Gestapo knows my change of address They were very obliging They gave it to me. I Asked you to leave monsieur I am very busy this afternoon. I Believe you lost this madame Jovain That bloodless garter where did you get it was given to me by major Davidson who says you mean more to the Yankee team than Joe Demasio He also told me to give you a great big kiss for him Well, please my heart Place my heart indeed. You still want me to leave You are as fresh as all Americans sit down sit down Thank you So you just walked in and asked the Gestapo Stupid swine. Oh, I'd like to see their faces if they knew oh come come come madame Jovair. Is that a way to talk? They think very highly of you, which is just what I want them to think Where are the other two pilots now madame? I deposited them in a monastery in the south for safety But I have no way to get them to the channel look madame Jovair Perhaps you and I can establish a chain of way stations Safe houses across France then the OSS can collect the hundreds of flyers who are shot down and you can send them back to safety Yes But how could I do that without help without a way to contact England? I have a radio in the suitcase Oh Very well in the morning. We will drive to the monastery the monks. They are friendly They would be more than glad I'm sure to let us use that as a base to start operations. Oh great. That's wonderful madame Jovair You had a kiss for me from major Davidson. Where is it? Right here auntie And now young man you will oblige me by giving me back my gut Yeah, she was quite a girl all right, but I'm Jovair She gave me a suite of rooms to myself Got me a chauffeur's uniform Decided my name should be Claude and in the morning We set out for the monastery Yes. Yes, Lieutenant Fontaine a Claude. That is just what we will do. Yes OSS will furnish each member of an aircrew with detailed escape maps when they're briefed in England pinpointing the friendly areas on the route of every mission Do you think these safe houses will be difficult to set up? Oh, not too difficult I think I know already of the home of a sympathetic parish priest a church a school a farmhouse And I have many wealthy friends who will be willing. I am sure Why are you slowing down? Nazi guard wants me to stop Don't worry. I have all the necessary permits. All right. Let me see your permit to travel Here you are This is a great inconvenience. I will report it to my friend commandant courts commandant courts Yeah, I See you you have his personal stamp on this pass Where are you headed for madam? Jovair? I have business in the village. Ah I Would suggest you do not go today. Why not there is to be an execution of the square in not very pleasant execution What are you talking about? We found 35 tons of arms and materials that were stolen from German supply trains found all that where In the monastery The monastery I cannot believe that yeah, but it is true and today they will be shot Five of them. I see Claude continue. You may go if you like, but it will not be very pleasant Claude continue. Yes, madam They discovered the supplies in the monastery. What about the two American fliers you had hidden there? Did they discover them, too? Are they among the five quickly drive quickly Claude? We reached the square parked the car and got out The people were huddled in little whispering groups At the far end of the squares to the monastery and lined up at the wall were five monks their heads lowered Their hands fingering the crosses around their necks Facing them was a Nazi firing squad Madam Jovair grab my arm. What are we to do? I don't think there's anything we can do Let this be a lesson to your people of this village This is what happens to those who fight against us These five will be shot The other monks of the monastery will be sent to Germany You understand Make a good look learn your lesson well What if madam Jovair and I Went back to the car Madame Jovair if you drive back yourself, what'll the guards say who stopped us before I am an excellent liar I will simply tell him I went to see a sick relative and left you there to help But I must drive back immediately as I told you I am giving a birthday party for commandant quartz I hope he does not live to see his next No, you go to the convent. It is only a few kilometer from here You know what to do Yes, I know what to do And I'm sure bear What do you think happened to those two pilots who were hidden in the monastery? They were probably found and killed But lieutenant frontan we must go on with our plans Some have been killed we But many can be saved. I said goodbye to her She drove away The convent of our sacred lady was within walking distance when I reached the gate I saw an avenue of acacia trees leading to the great ornate iron door The center panel formed the figure of the virgin Mary It was really spring in these gardens a Peaceful sanctuary in a war-ridden world What is your wish? I would like to see the mother superior Follow me. I followed the nun through the spacious hall It was part vestry part repository of art objects The walls were hung with darkened old paintings of the holy family In glass chests along the vestry Religious utensils of gold and silver had been stored This is the officer mother angeline So you want me to let you use the convent of our sacred lady as a base for your underground operations Mother Angeline If you know the risk yourself and refuse I can't find it in my heart to blame you, but if you agree I Want you to know first just what those risks are Tell me my son I've just come from the village The monastery there was raided last night With my own eyes I saw five of the monks shot the others were hauled away by the Nazis Only God knows where I know about that. I heard this morning If this convent is used as a hideout and the shortwave radio is hidden here Can you imagine what the Germans would do if they found out you would expect no better treatment than the monks received I? Thank you for telling me this You are right. It's a great risk I have many under my care here They depend on my wisdom to do the right thing of course You have the other sisters to consider You came here today to convince me of your cause. I'm afraid I must disappoint you What's that? What's the matter a German armored car I Can see it from the window coming here. I'm afraid so The first time we have been raided. I Am not looking forward to the muddy boots in this place of God. They'll find me mother Angelina. What can I do? Where can I hide? They are at the door You rang for me memory Yes, sister Teresa give my friend one of the sisters ropes One long enough to cover him and a hood we remember the other sisters Are they already in the chapel? They have started the afternoon adoration sees that my friend joins them in prayer Then open the main door. We have visited us I put the nuns rules over my suit went with sister Teresa to the chapel. I knelt for the others About 20 benches divided by a middle isle provided seats for the worshipers At the far end of the room was a high pulpit Many of the kneeling prayed with arms stretched out symbolizing the form of the cross The sister next to me clasped her hands and on her ring finger was the silver emblem of a bride of Christ They prayed almost silently Hers were the only words I heard maternal power of the universe Mother of divine grace Pray for us The wisest virgin Our kindly virgin Pray for us pray for the sick Well Good sisters these soldiers wish to search the chapel I must bow to their wishes and ask you to file back to your sails Leave now quickly and quietly, please My head lowered the hood covering my face. I got into the line with the sisters. I Bent my knees slightly so that the rogues would cover the chauffeur's boots. I was wearing I Lowered my head even more as I passed the SS hopman who was standing with his men next to the mother's superior at the door Good the necessity of disturbing a prayer mother Angeline And after the unfortunate incident in the monastery last night. I feel it is necessary You may search this convent from top to bottom as you are already doing You will find nothing in this house of God to interest you. I'm sure Hurry sisters hurry back to yourself They're really gone mother Angeline, of course they found nothing here You can take that robe off now you look uncomfortable in it Thank you for protecting me. I believe now, but we have not finished our conversation mother Angeline You told me I could not convince you about our cause. You said you'd have to disappoint me I took that as your answer. Let me consult two of the other sisters first. Wait Our two sisters those in the sacristy send them here, please sister Celeste Few minutes later Sister Celeste returned followed by the two other nuns Their arms folded and heads lowered. They shuffled into the room And then all of a sudden I noticed broad-toed army boots protruding beneath the long black dresses one of the heads raised and I saw that he needed a shave I Don't understand these men they are American pilots brought here yesterday when the monks received underground Information that the monastery would be raided major Kirkstein Captain Lewis. This is lieutenant frontan of the OSS OSS. That's great. We got away getting started France lieutenant Yeah, say what happened to madam Joe bear. She all right. Yeah. Yeah, she's all right Mother Angeline, you led me to believe I wouldn't be able to convince you of our cause Of course not son. How could you since I was already convinced? The convent of our sacred lady was the first link in a chain of safe houses that was forged within a couple of months under madam Joe bears leadership We moved major Kirkstein and captain Lewis along that chain until they reached the coast of France They waited hidden in a farmer's barn while I established contact with headquarters in London Agent Fontan to OSS headquarters in London overground railroad established train on the tracks Passengers ready to leave and waiting pick them up and make room for more to come Or did come over 2000 more Yemen who were shot down in occupied France rode the overground railroad established by lieutenant Claude Fontan to safety Thus once again the report of another OSS agent closed with the words Mission accomplished this it again next week for another true adventure from the files of the OSS on Cloak and dagger Herding tonight's cloak and dagger adventure as lieutenant Fontan was left for main madam Joe bear branna Rayburn and mother Angeline Lily Valenti the script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon The music was under the direction of John Garth Sound effects by John Powers and Manny Siegel Today's OSS adventure was based on the book cloak and dagger by Corey Ford and Alistair McBain This program was produced by Lewis G. Collins The national broadcasting company extends its heartiest congratulations to station W. B. E. M. Buffalo