. Monti told Weidhass that Captain DuVaire was responsible for Monti's release from the POW camp, with the promise of civilian clothes and Red Cross rations, if Monti would try to persuade other US POW's to work or fight for the Wehrmacht. 11/25/44 At Berlin, Germany, Monti made a microphone test at the recording studio of the SS Standarte Kurt Eggers, a unit of the Schutz Staffel of the National Socialist German Workers Party, under the direction of Guenter d'Alquen. 11/28/44 American Military Intelligence requested a complete background investigation of Monti. 11/29/44 2nd Lt. Samuel P. Rugh wrote a letter from Assam, India, to 2nd Lt. Eugene Z. Mazurak in Italy, asking him, "Hey why didn't you guys nab Monti? He deserted the Army when he left us in India. When you guys saw him he was on his way to Switzerland. He probably bailed out up there somewhere at the cost of one P-38 to the USA. They are still hunting for his body in Karachi, for they thought one of the natives knocked him off for his dough." (At this time a CIC agent by the name of Cuomo (no known relation to the Governor of the same name) is transferred from India to Italy on the case. He happens to be a key figure later on in tying the facts together of the stolen aircraft and the radio broadcasts.) 11/?/44 to 5/?/45 Edward Vieth Sittler says Monti was a passionate and very adolescent Catholic. He fasted and confessed and went as often to Mass and Communion as he was in the vicinity of a church. During the winter months Monti had taken to dropping into Sittler's apartment whenever, and as often as he liked, much to the surprise of Sittler's wife. Monti walked and lived in the airy realms of a crusade against Bolshevism however, and looked with ill-concealed scorn on all who would venture to doubt that God would sooner or later smite back the heathen into their lair. It gave him a certain feeling of exaltation, to consider himself a bit of a martyr in the holy cause. Monti's passionate opposition to Roosevelt was based on this same principle. He considered him nothing less than an infidel who was leading a whole nation on the path to hell and damnation. Monti and Sittler joined the SS Standarte Kurt Eggers at the same time. The process of Monti's joining the SS as a working member had been going on for at least 3 or 4 months, but it only took Sittler 24 hours because he was a German National. (Some papers I have only indicate that Sittler was a Pole not a German National, in some Justice Files there's is mention of him being a German.) They were both issued uniform at the same time, Monti as a Lt., and Sittler as a private. After a few weeks Monti moved to Berlin. Monti at this time was participating in the making of recordings of "The Roundtable Conferences" in which he was a speaker. Monti did not write many talks, probably about 10 in the entire time he was in Germany. Monti told Horst Cleinow that he was 'put out' that the Germans in Italy seemed anything but glad to see him. He had expected a much warmer welcome, but unfortunately for himself, Monti did not make a good impression on people. Mrs. Day suspected Monti was an American agent, but Cleinow thought him too stupid for that. Monti showed him some broadcasts he had summited, and an eighth grade schoolboy could have written better. (The Germans determined at this time that Monti could not be considered as a radio commentator. He did some short commentaries and skits and later, solely took part in the weekly "Round Table" discussions.) Monti explained to Joachim Weidhaas that he had been offered membership in the SS through the good offices of Captain DuVaire, and that Monti wouldn't start as a low grade private, but that if he joined, he'd get a corresponding rank to his American one, and his job would be to organize a drive among US POW's to join up for the fighting of the Russians on Germany's side. 1/10/45 At Konigswusterhausen, Germany, Monti participated in making a recording of a radio program as "A Musical Program by the MacDonald Sisters." 12/29/44 Monti wrote to his parents from Stalag 3D, the letter showing POW #12924. 1/31/45 At Berlin, Germany, Monti participated in writing and composing a leaflet to be distributed by members of the German military forces, among members of the U.S. and Allied Nations, who were held as POW's. 1/11/45, 1/18/45, 1/25/45, 2/15/45, 2/22/45, 3/1/45, 3/8/45 At Konigswusterhausen, Germany, Monti participated in making recordings of the radio program "Round Table Conference," at the recording studio of the German Radio Broadcasting Corporation. 3/15/45 to 4/5/45 At Berlin, Germany, Monti proceeded to the office of the Administrative Officer of the Standarte Kurt Eggers, for the purpose of turning over an itemized statement of account from the official clothing exchange for articles of a Schutz Staffel (SS) officers uniform and articles of an SS officer's equipment, for his use as an officer of the Standarte Kurt Eggers. 3/22/45, 3/29/45, 4/5/45 At Berlin, Germany, Monti participated in making 3 more recordings of the radio program "Round Table Conference" at the recording studio of the Standarte Kurt Eggers, a unit of the Schutz Staffel of the National Socialist German Workers Party. 4/?/45 Guenther d'Alquen, Commander SS Standarte Kurt Eggers, says that towards the end of March, his deputy, Kriegbaum, must have contacted the Chief of the Personnel Office of the Waffen-SS, both verbally and in writing, and requested Monti's induction into the Standarte. Kriegbaum did not need to have the slightest compunction in accepting the responsibility for doing away with redtape, and issuing Monti a proper 'soldbuch', even though the consent of the High Command had, as yet, not arrived in writing, but had been promised. Only after completed all preliminary steps, was Kriegbaum in a position to comply with Monti's repeated requests as to issue of a uniform and clothing. At the time the enforced checks on the population and the continuous search for deserters in Berlin made it imperative that Monti be furnished with a proper 'soldbuch' for his personal safety, even though the written consent of the SS High Command had as yet not arrived. Had not such a consent been already given verbally, Kriegbaum would never have issued a 'soldbuch' , nor would he have been in a position to have officially requested the permission for the SS clothing store to officially issue Monti any items of a uniform. Without the official authorities of such a uniform request, for instance, it would not have been possible to procure an officer's belt for Monti, as was actually purchased for him. Such belts, to which particular significance was attached in the Waffen-SS, were never to be had without proper authority in any stores. In the middle of April, Kriegbaum received orders from d'Alquen to the effect that he was to 'fell' specified decisions as to the further assignment of all personnel of the Standarte that were still in Berlin. Therefore, when issuing a travel order for Monti's leaving Berlin, Kriegbaum was forced to either specifically order, or to allow, Monti to don the uniform of the Regiment. This was the only way to ensure that--in combination with the proper 'soldbuch'--Monti was able to carry out said order. When Monti rejoined the American Forces near Milan, Italy he was on orders, either to proceed to Unternehaen(?) Suedstern, or its dependent transmission station Viktoria, both in Northern Italy, and both under the command of an officer of the Standarte Kurt Eggers. The period from the middle of April 1945--that is the date of Monti's departure from Berlin--untill toward the end of April 1945, corresponds to the amount of time then actually necessary to cover that distance under the prevailing circumstances. 4/?/45 Monti joined the SS Standarte Kurt Eggers in Berlin Zehlendorf, and received military travel orders to the Kampfsender Viktoria in the Italian Alps. 4/?/45 Monti and Sittler prepare to leave Berlin. They climbed over rail road Station barriers to avoid military police. Monti by virtue of his Lieutenant's SS uniform, battled his way to standing room only by climbing through a window of the train. Several higher ranking officers tried to order him out, but Monti ignored them. Sittler departed from the train later at his stop, while Monti remained aboard. That's the last Sittler saw of Monti. 5/8/45 Monti's father was notified by the U.S. Army that his son Martin was a POW of the German Government, based on existing information. 5/10/45 Monti has now crossed into Italy and has crossed the American lines. 5/13/45 Monti is interrogated by 1st Lt. J.A. Reid A.C., 15th Air Force, U.S. Army. Monti told him he was shot down behind enemy lines and was helped out by Italian Partisans and that why he is wearing a German uniform. 5/14/45 Anthony Cuomo, Special Agent, CID, (the Agent that wasn't doing anything in India) was notified Monti was in the vicinity of Bari, Italy. Monti was arrested by other officers. Cuomo later interrogated Monti. (We haven't heard the last of Inspector Cuomo.) On duty as an MP in Bari, Italy PFC William H. Soloman, 529th Air Service Group, accompanied Major Souder, PFC Stehle and a Captain, in search of Monti, and apprehended him at the Officer's Red Cross Club in Bari. When Monti was arrested in Bari, Italy, he still had his SS uniform on less markings and had in his possession a German P-38 pistol and ammunition.
