Ep 12. America's Unsung Heroes of WWII: Swede Momsen - Submarine Savior & Peter Tompkins - The Spy Who Sparred With Hitler

In episode 12 of World War II's first season, viewers are introduced to two figures who played essential, yet often overlooked, roles in the war effort. The first, Swede Momsen, was a naval officer and brilliant inventor who is credited with saving the lives of dozens of submariners. The second, Peter Tompkins, was a spy who risked his life to gather crucial intelligence about Hitler's plans.

The episode begins by diving into Swede Momsen's early life and career. A trained engineer, Momsen joined the Navy in 1920 and quickly began experimenting with new technologies that could improve submarine safety. He was particularly interested in developing an escape chamber that could be used to evacuate sailors in the event of a sunken submarine. After years of trial and error, Momsen succeeded in creating the "Momsen Lung", a device that could supply submariners with oxygen during a rescue attempt.

The episode explores several key moments in Momsen's career that showcase his ingenuity and bravery. One such event occurred in 1927 when the USS S-4 collided with a Coast Guard cutter and sank to the ocean floor. Despite the odds against them, Momsen and his team were able to use the Momsen Lung to bring several sailors to safety. The incident catapulted Momsen to national attention and prompted widespread interest in his invention.

The episode also delves into Momsen's work during World War II. By this point, the Momsen Lung had become a standard part of every submarine's equipment. But Momsen's greatest achievement was yet to come. In 1943, the USS Grenadier was sunk by a Japanese ship, and the crew was left stranded on the ocean floor. Momsen was brought in to lead the rescue effort and he came up with a daring plan to use the Momsen Lung to ferry sailors to safety. Despite the many obstacles they faced, Momsen and his team were eventually able to rescue all but one member of the Grenadier's crew. Momsen's heroism earned him numerous awards and accolades, and cemented his legacy as one of America's unsung heroes of WWII.

The second half of the episode turns its attention to Peter Tompkins, a spy who played a pivotal role in the war effort. Tompkins was a writer and journalist before the war, and his skills as a researcher and storyteller made him well-suited for espionage work. He was one of a select group of American spies who were able to infiltrate Nazi Germany and gather intelligence from within.

The episode gives viewers a glimpse into Tompkins' daring exploits. He posed as a German businessman and used his charm and wit to gather sensitive intelligence from high-ranking Nazi officials. He used invisible ink and secret codes to communicate with his handlers and was responsible for smuggling valuable microfilms out of Germany. Perhaps most impressively, Tompkins was able to gain the trust of Nazi foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and engaged in a series of verbal sparring matches with Hitler himself.

The episode also touches on the risks and dangers that Tompkins faced as a spy. He was constantly living on the edge of danger and had to be ready to flee at a moment's notice. He was nearly captured several times and, at one point, narrowly escaped death when a Gestapo agent recognized him on the street.

Throughout the episode, viewers are left with a sense of awe and admiration for these two unsung heroes of WWII. Swede Momsen's brilliance and heroism saved countless lives, while Peter Tompkins' courage and resourcefulness helped turn the tide of the war. Together, their stories offer a glimpse into the many different ways that ordinary people can rise to the occasion in times of crisis.