Hey listeners, this episode of covert features descriptions of violence and torture.

Listener discretion is advised.

February 27, 1959.

A cruise liner the MS Berlin was docked on the shore of Havana, Cuba.

The island had just undergone a massive political revolution, but to the people on board the

luxury ship, the visit was just part of their transatlantic vacation.

Havana was the last stop on a monthly cruise that the MS Berlin would take.

And wealthy, mostly German people who wanted to get away, snowbirds.

The captain's daughter, 19-year-old Marita Lorenz, was on the deck watching some sort of celebration.

The young Mariner didn't have a formal education, but learned working with her father at sea from the many places they traveled.

She was especially fond of Havana.

Because I loved Havana, I loved the Cocoa Glasses, I loved the music, the people, the temple.

I cared nothing about politics, politics, nothing.

I was palm trees, islands, current stars, the moon, Neptune, that was my life.

As Marita looked out onto the bay, a small boat approached the cruise liner.

I saw this launch coming from the bay.

It was coming closer and closer and closer.

And then finally, they stood up and waved.

And I saw that they all had guns, all the war-grade uniforms, and had beards.

And I said, oh, that's the army that my brother told me about.

At the bow of the incoming vessel stood a tall man, bearded, and with a cigar.

He was looking directly towards Marita.

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