>>Hand crank phones put out way more then 12 volts. Even your phone lines ring signal is something like 30 volts (IIRC). <<
Well, an internet search on Vietnam Era phones says 12-15 volts.
I would think a crank magneto would do more voltage. I'm just asking.
Licorice: "My savior, John Kerry, said:
'We attached telephone wires to human genitals
and cranked up the voltage'.
Darn good thing he did not use panty-hats, instead."
I've seen the fish trick with an old wall phone. Don't ask me where.
What you are looking for is ring voltage. The voltage the phone put out when you were actively cranking the handle.
This is still around on your landline. Where ring is still higher then 12-15 today. I would'nt swear to any voltage for ring, someone will be along with exact info. In any case field phones would put out a good strong voltage as the lines could be long and bad.
The story is plausable. Even cliche.