Investigations

Nazi Spy Toys

Watch the Full Episode Download the Transcript

The Case:

A childhood event almost 70-years old still haunts Jim Wark. Growing up in Detroit during World War II, he played toy soldiers with his best friend, Fritz. The toys bear the mark “Lineol – Germany.” Fritz’s father brought them back from Germany before the war. Jim occasionally bought a toy soldier for a quarter. He still has ten.

Jim vividly remembers on a summer afternoon in 1943 hearing newspaper boy yell “Extra! Nazi spy ring broken in Detroit!” Fritz’s father, was the ringleader.  Jim never saw his friend again, the family soon moved away. Did a Nazi spy buy these toy soldiers? Jim asks History Detectives Eduardo Pagán to find out. 


Discuss this story

Aired:
Season 10, Episode 5

Detective:
Eduardo Pagán Location:
Port Washington and Fredonia, Wisconsin and Detroit, Michigan

Press Release

Read the original press release from 1943.

Explore

Comments

This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.

Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.

blog comments powered by Disqus