 Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines? Knowing you may never return alive? What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the OSS. Ordinary citizens who to this question answered, yes. This is Cloak and Dagger. Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS. Today's story, the trap about an OSS agent who prevented an American advance onto German soil from turning into a massacre, is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services. A story that can now be told. Did you ever notice the name Irwin signed in a fancy flourish on the covers of those kid comic books? You know all about moon men chasing the earth men into the stratosphere? Well that's me, Irwin Hazen. I'm a little guy about five foot four. Before the war I loved flashy ties and babies. Uh, girl babies about twenty one. So what was Irwin doing being an OSS spy in a German held town in France after D-Day? Listen my children and you shall hear. Sergeant Irwin Hazen reporting sir. Here are those overlay maps you requested Colonel. Good. Fast work, Sergeant. Thank you, sir. I'll look them over now. In the meantime, I want you to do something for me. Yes, sir. I've just had word that one of our agents, Lieutenant Miller, who was sent ahead into Royer for advance reconnaissance has returned. Lieutenant Miller? Yes, sir, I know him. He's in that tavern about a mile from headquarters getting very drunk. Can't understand it. Doesn't sound like Miller. No, sir. He should have reported immediately. I want you to go down and bring him back to headquarters. Yes, Colonel. Right away, sir. Oh, uh, Hazen. I saw that cartoon you submitted to Yank. Oh. They're good. They're good. Not very flattering of me, though. Uh, no, sir. I'll get Lieutenant Miller for you, Colonel, sir. Not all of the 12,000 people working with the OSS parachuted blind into enemy territory. Some of them stayed in Washington making up secret codes. Some of them, like me, sat behind a desk in France and drew maps. But I was through sitting behind a desk the minute I walked into that tavern. Lieutenant Miller was slumped over the bar, swaying back and forth, and he looked very drunk. Hey, Lieutenant. What's with you? Huh? Who's... Colonel wants you to report to headquarters right away. Oh. Is that you, Irwin? Boy, you get your ear chewed off of this. What's the idea? Couldn't this wait till later? No. No, couldn't wait. You can make it otherwise. Now they can get to the Colonel. Hey, Bartender, how many has he had? Only two. Very little one, sir. Oh, yeah. Oh. Tell Colonel, couldn't make it otherwise. Glad you came. Can't make it now, maybe. What are you talking about? Tell Colonel Blier, heavily fortified. More than we thought. I saw it myself. 80 pieces of 105-millimeter artillery behind the lines. Germans are digging in. Oh, come on. Back and tell them yourself. Hey, couldn't you have celebrated later? Made it this far. Needed to drink the regular all the way. Tell Colonel Blier, heavily fortified. Heavily fortified. Lieutenant, he is pass out. The lieutenant, he is dead. You see, Miller had been slumped over the bar, Kurt. Also, I couldn't see those bullet wounds in his chest until he fell over. Germans must have caught on to him and given him a chase. The wonder he got as far as he did. Sergeant, you're sure about everything he told you? Yes, sir. But we were positive that Germans didn't have that much artillery on the 7th Army Front. If this is true and we had walked in not knowing what was ahead, our men could have been massacred. Thank you, Sergeant. You may go now. Colonel, if you're going to send another agent into that territory to get a more complete picture of what's going on, I'd like to volunteer. Sergeant, a mission like this calls for an agent who's had experience along the way. Yeah, yeah, I know, but you see, Lieutenant Miller was a friend of mine. Besides, I'm sick of spending the war behind a drawing board. Sergeant... Look, I can do it, Colonel. I can speak French fluently. And I'll do more than just look around and come back. I'll come back with sketches and maps and diagrams, everything you want to know. Look, Colonel, the next time I send a cartoon to Yank, I'll make a very flattering one of you. Please, Colonel, what do you say? The OSS placed me in the custody of a French priest who had sneaked through the lines from Breyere to tell the Americans about underground activity there. A few days later, the priest and I were on the road, 30 miles away from the American hell town, walking smack into enemy territory. The priest was in full clerical garb. Me? I was dressed like a French peasant. When the Germans stopped my son, let me do the talking. Boy, I hope we get away with it. Do not worry. Out of necessity, I have become a debt at making up very convincing lies. Yeah, but do you think the Germans will believe this phony story? What reason would they have to disbelieve it? Besides, I am well-known and respected in town. The Germans have enough trouble now without staring at the antagonism of the people by disciplining me for so small a reason. Well, all I can say is I hope it works. We'll have a chance to find out now. There's the town. And there is a welcoming committee. Hold! Remember, let me do the talking. I say, hold! Bonjour. I am Father Robert, priest of the church in this town. Danda, this man. A friend? If you are from this town, what are you doing behind the border? Did you have permission? Let me see your papers, your passes. Most unfortunately, I did not wait to request a pass. Why, sergeants, is there harmony? Come with me to the commandant's office. With pleasure. Come, my friend. Mind as well. There's no way back now, Father. You have been given too much freedom in this town, Father Robert. This insolence is too much. Look, Monsieur le commandant, this poor lad... You will be asked the same. Your name again? François, François Jovain. Call me by my title! François Jovain, your commandant. Now go on with your story, Father Robert. It is a sad, sad story of a dying woman and her last wish to see her new view. This lad, last remaining member of her family. Her husband and two sons were killed in the early days of the war. You see, I have the holy words with me to give this poor woman the last sacrament. And why did you not ask permission to get this boy? I was afraid, Monsieur le commandant, that by the time the permission was granted, it might be too late. The woman might die. So I slipped out. When did you last see your aunt Jovain? Why, over three years ago, her commandant. And this is most irregular. Surely the request of a dying woman. I'll let you go this time, Father Robert. There is enough unrest in this town without starting a tempest in a teapot. One more question. Yes, Monsieur. If you managed to slip through the lines going out, why is it you did not attempt to sneak back into town instead of walking boldly up to the borderline? Sneak back into town? Monsieur le commandant, that would be against regulations. But I do not understand either, Father Robert. How is it that you did not try to sneak back into Pierre? Her American friend Irwin. Oh, pardon, François. He can tell you that. You see, Madame Jeanette, this way, if the Germans know I'm in town and supposedly staying with an aunt, I can move freely about without being suspected. Oh, I see. I see. The time is late. I must go now. Oh, Madame Jeanette. Eh, oui. If Monsieur le commandant should inquire, I did administer the last rites to you, but the sight of your dear nephew brought your life flowing back into your veins. Of course. We will not have something to eat before you go. Have not much to offer. No, no, no. Merci. I have much work to do. By the way, at last meeting of the Underground went very well. What do you think? Oui, Montpellier. Very well indeed. Well, I can't thank you enough, Father, for everything you've done. Oh, my, oh, my. Perhaps we shall meet again. Who knows, if not, God be with you on your mission. Thank you, Father. My son, be very careful. Monsieur le commandant is not very bright, but, unfortunately, he is not a complete idiot. Oui. That was the last I saw, Father Robert. It happened like that all during the war. A member of the Underground would come along, get us over a rough spot, and then disappear. But without all the help from all the little people along the way, none of the work of the OSS could have been done. They helped, they wished us luck, they left. After a few days of staying with Madame Jeanette, I almost felt that she was a relative. The old girl practically adopted me. Erwin. One thing, what Father Robert told the commandant, it was not a lie. Well, what was that? I did lose my husband and two sons in the early days of the war. Oh, I'm sorry. Hello. What has been good these last days, cooking for you, making up another bed, as if I had my family again? Are you being very careful? Well, I've mined my own business, look around the town. From all I can tell, there are just a handful occupying it, just the way headquarters saw it. Looks like a pushover. Perhaps it is. Perhaps the agent who was here before he was mistaken. The Nazis didn't pump air into him for nothing. He saw something. Madame Jeanette. Here, let me fill your plate again. Look, what's the best way to get through the forest to the river north of Brillaire? I'm going to take a look around there. Ah, we, we, perhaps the river. There may be something there. The guard is always posted. I thought it was just to keep the townspeople from leaving, but perhaps, perhaps there is something else. Is there a way past the guard? Ah, I have lived here all my life. I know a way. I will show you, even take you partway, myself. The woods began about a hundred yards back of Madame Jeanette's little house, and earlier the next morning we started through them. I followed her through the thick brambles, through the narrow paths she knew so well, through the brush and the high grass that moved gently in the wind. Madame Jeanette's skirt caught on the brambles, and she stopped just long enough to rip off that part of her hem and leave it behind, swaying in the wind. Then she moved on, me right behind her. Maybe this would turn into a wild goose chase, but I had a hunch I'd find what I came for. Then we came to a slight clearing. I will go back now, Erwin. We turn later the way we came. You remember? Yes, yes, I remember. Go now along the outskirts of this little wood. You'll see a hill. From there you'll have a good view of the river. And anything that might be there. All right, I'll see you later. Careful. Careful now. A minute afterwards she was swallowed up in the woods. A little while after that I was on top of that hill, flat on my stomach under a clump of bushes, looking down through strong binoculars. My hunch was right. It was all there, and I began to sketch it quickly but accurately. From somewhere the Nazis had gotten reinforcements and their high command had decided to make a stand, dig in and hold there at the river. There were heavy artillery positions all set up, machine gun and anti-tank emplacements. There was barbed wire, lots of it. There were anti-tank obstacles and the 105mm artillery Miller had seen, all of it there. A nice big booby trap all set for our men to walk into when they tried to advance north across the river. I couldn't hear them but I could see them, swarms of German soldiers working hard, working fast, digging in, getting ready. I took down everything I saw and I had it complete except for the west bank of the river near the bridge. There were too many trees blocking my vision. I had to get closer. By the time I got to the bottom of the hill and crawled along through the brush to the west bank, I didn't just see the Germans, I could hear them as well. There were too many of them all around. I knew it would be crazy to try to get any further without a plan. I had to have time to think about a way. I waited until they left. Then I slipped back the way I came, up the hill and through the woods to Madame Jeanette's. I went around the back so I didn't see the commandant until I walked in. Yes, I... Bonjour, Herr Commandant. Well, is there something wrong? No, no, of course not, Monsieur. I am here to talk, Madame. Bonjour. I believe Father Robert told me that it's your name. That is correct. It was through the kindness and understanding of the German High Command here that you were allowed to see your sick aunt. You understand that, do you not? Oh, yes, I appreciate that. It was irregular, but we let you in. However, I am here to tell you that you had better have no illusions about leaving Brouillard now, going back through the American lines to your village there. Well, no. No, I have no wish to leave. Why, you've anticipated me, Herr Commandant. I was going to request permission to stay here with my aunt from now on. I was in the square today looking for work. Oh, they're good. As long as you understand. Madame, if you will allow me to say so. You look very, very indeed. Oh, she was very ill when I came. Father Robert gave her last right. My nephew is correct. But you, Herr Commandant, I was very ill, but I'm very well now. Well, that was all I wanted. I will go now. But remember, you are not to leave Brouillard. What the Commandant didn't know was that I had no intention of leaving until I made the sketches of the West Bank of the river. Late that night, Madame Jeanette told me to bury the plans and diagrams I had already drawn. You are right, my boy, to bury the deer behind the house rather than leave them inside, did you say? Okay, that's deep enough. Now, I put this rock on top of them. There, that's done, no? You will go back tomorrow? No, I've got to get a good look at the West Bank of the river. Ah, this wise you did not try it would have been too dangerous. I know another way through the forest. Well, tell me. It is around about three, but it will bring you closer to the West Bank, or closer enough at least so that you will have a better view than before. Ah, but if there are so many troops, as you say, do not get too close. When you have finished, come back to the woods the same way. I will be waiting. I did exactly as she said, took the long way around, across little streams, watched for landmarks, dropped from high rocks, and landed on rough little paths that were hidden by the brush. I did everything she said, except one thing. I got too close. Sergeant, we're laying those mites too far apart. What are you doing? With these defenses, we'll be ready for anything, Lord Marble. I decided I'd better get out of there, and I decided a twig under me snapped. What was that? Did you hear something in the brush? Hmm. Probably some small animal in the forest. Go see. Come on, here, Harpman. There's nothing here, Harpman. Make sure. Remember the fragment of a woman's dress we found in the woods this morning? I was crouched down behind a rock, and the German lieutenant came so close I could have reached out and touched his mud-kicked boot. He stopped for a minute, and then he walked right past me. There was nothing there. It can't be too careful. Come with me. There's something I want to show you. I had everything indicated on my sketches, mine fields, tank positions. I knew everything about the west bank of the river I wanted to know. When the coast seemed clear, I started back. But I didn't get very far. Help! Keep your hands up! In the air! I took a couple of steps and then slammed myself into a shallow ditch. I remember German bird guns and rifles cracking around me. A bullet went through the heel of my boot and sent a shock up my leg that made me wonder if it had been blown off. Then it was quiet. And I waited for them to come and get me. It was all over. Perhaps that will convince you we mean what we say. Look, I tell you, my name is François Jovin. You know my aunt. What were you doing in the river? I'm new in Breyere. I don't know the forest or the woods. I was lost. Perhaps another taste of your fist. With great pleasure. Get them up. Put them back on the chair. Now listen to me, Jovin, whatever your name is. We found this sketch of the bridge at the west bank of the river in your pocket. Look, I don't know anything. That part of the sketch is quite complete. Every detail. The rest is diagrammed in lightly. Where are the rest of these plants? I don't know. Have you hidden them? Where? Have you given them to somebody? Whom? Where are the rest of them? Hmm. Kind of antwort, eh? But not. Try twisting his arm again. Ah! Ah! Ah! He has fainted. Have him thrown in a cell. I will question him more tomorrow. That was the German way of questioning. Beating you up, twisting your arm. I was sure they had a lot more ways of questioning, but I didn't intend to stay and find out what they were. I had to figure out a way to escape. And then I noticed it. The glass of the window in front of the bars had been shattered. I broke off a piece. And then I cut myself severely about the face. I guess it doesn't sound pretty, and it didn't look very pretty. But that was the effect I wanted. I heard the guard coming back. Quickly, I threw myself on the floor in front of the door so that when the heavy door was opened, it would crash into my head. The commandant wants to see you. Ah! What's this? Hair. I must get hair. My hair was matted with blood, and my cut-up face looked pretty horrible. Not that the guard was worried about the state of my health. He was afraid of what the commandant would do to him if I wasn't able to be questioned. He left the cell door open and ran. And so did I, in the other direction. I ran up the stairs to the second floor of the small town jail the Germans had taken over. Down below I could hear voices. I didn't wait to hear any more. I slid down the sloping roof and landed right next to a German soldier. It was a good thing it was my left arm they had twisted. I was better with my right anyway. I took his gun and ammunition belt and shot the front tires of the German cars. Then I borrowed a parked motorcycle. Just as the Germans were spilling out the front door, I drove off headed back to where I'd buried the papers. But the papers were gone. Everything I had worked on so painstakingly. The maps, the diagrams, the sketches, the plans. They were gone. Madame Jeanette. Maybe she had them. Madame Jeanette. Madame Jeanette, open up. What do you want? Madame Jeanette, where is she? I've got to see her. What I've got to, it's important. Look, who are you? Where's Madame Jeanette? She died. What did you say? She died yesterday. Die? But I don't... The Germans. If they're after you go, I want no trouble. Go! That motorcycle ride through enemy-held territory and that car full of Nazis firing at me was wilder than the stories in the comic books I used to draw for. There was a phosphorus grenade on the ammunition belt I had taken from the soldier outside the prison. I put the pin with my teeth and tossed it back over my shoulder. Through the side mirror I could see the German cars slowing down. It stopped right over the grenade. And a minute later there was a car full of very dead Nazis. That's all that happened, Colonel. The sketches are gone, but I think I can remember most of them. The ones I drew last, the west bank of the river, I know completely. For the rest I'll do the best I can. Did your sketches look anything like this, Sergeant? What? But those are the sketches. I don't understand. Where did you... Carburel. Yes, Colonel? Send in the woman. Woman? What woman? I don't get this. Madame Jeanette, I heard you were dead. Your face. What happened to your face? Look, never mind that. Just tell me. Oh, when I learned you were arrested, I dug up the plans. And with other ground help I got them through the lines to deliver them for you. Yes, but that woman... She had her orders. She was doing as I told her. Colonel, you know that tavern about a half mile from headquarters? Yes, Sergeant. Well, do you mind very much if I go there and get very drunk? The maps, diagrams and information which Sergeant Urban Hazen provided allowed the American Army to prepare a counteroffensive. Three days later they were on German soil. And the report of another OSS agent closes with the words Mission accomplished. Listen again next week to another adventure based on actual incidents from the files of the OSS on... Cloak and Dagger. Heard in today's Cloak and Dagger adventure as Erwin was Everett Sloan, the priest Barry Kroger, the commandant Stefan Schnabel, Madame Jeanette Virginia Payne, the colonel Raymond Edward Johnson. Others were Carl Weber, Jerry Jarrett, Ralph Bell and Lottis Tavitsky. The script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon and the music was under the direction of John Gart. Today's true OSS adventure was based on the book Cloak and Dagger by Corey Ford and Alistair McBain. This has been a Lewis G. Cowan production in association with Alfred Hollander and was under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marks. Programs, get your programs here. Simon Templar plays hide and seek with a friendly killer who has been commissioned by underworld sources to handle the saint. Hear another top-notch adventure with the saint and also listen for the Sam Spadegaper with Howard Duff starring as America's favorite fast-moving, fast-talking private eye. Next exciting high adventure, then the big guy on NBC.