Investigations

Nazi Spy Toys

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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. 


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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.

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