Act Four
Scene Two
"Evil is unspectacular and always human; and shares our bed and eats at our own table." W. H. Auden. And is now at Stalag 13.
Certain characters have been borrowed with permission from the writings of Mel Hughes (Dress Rehearsal) and LaVerne Cash (New Beginnings). If you are interested in reading those works, please email me.
Theater of War: Act Four was originally published as a digest-sized book zine in 2003. It is an amateur publication for the enjoyment of fans. The copyright covers only original material, and in no way intends to infringe upon the privileges of the holders of copyrights, trademarks or other legal rights for the Hogan's Heroes universe.
Act Four, Scenes 1 and 2, thus far, is the last written Act in the HH saga. Eventually, there will be an Act 5 and an Act 6.
If you have any questions or comments about the stories thus far, feel free to email me. Thank you for reading.
Chapter 1
"Meine Herren." Kommandant Wilhelm Klink nodded to the men assembled in the meeting room on the top floor of the Hauserhof Hotel — Bürgermeister Rudolf Scheinfeld, Kurt Hausner, Monsignor Jürgen Geisler, Chief of Police Werner Krueger and Doctor Ernst Bauer.
There were a few moments of small talk as the men greeted each other.
Then the Bürgermeister got down to business. "Herr Kommandant, you wished to see us."
"Yes." Klink sat at head of the table. "You men are the leaders of Hammelburg. I do not want you or the town to be surprised."
"Surprised about what, Herr Kommandant?" Hausner asked.
"The Allies are not far away," Klink said bluntly. "They are now north and south of Düsseldorf. They have reached Köln, and it is only a matter of time before they cross the Rhine."
There were grim nods among the men.
"We understand the fighting is terrible," Geisler said worriedly.
"The fighting cannot reach us surely," Doctor Bauer said.
"With the roads blocked, we hope not. But one never knows, " Krueger said. "Is that what you wish to talk about, Kommandant?"
Klink nodded. "Yes. Changes are coming whether we wish it or not. To expedite the change here, I have decided to surrender Stalag 13 to Colonel Hogan."
Silence greeted his words. An odd mix of emotions crossed the faces of his listeners — relief, surprise and worry. They all knew that the surrender of his command without orders or a fight would guarantee Klink an immediate execution if any outsiders learned of it.
"I also think," Klink continued after a moment, "that it would be wise if the town did the same."
A longer silence now, finally broken by Hausner. "I do not know what to say."
"Say yes," Bauer said dryly.
"What?" Scheinfeld managed to say.
"It is the wisest course of action," Bauer continued.
"But, Berlin — " began the Bürgermeister.
"Berlin does not care about Hammelburg," Krueger said bluntly.
"We are still surrounded by the Fifth Panzer Army," started Hausner. "They could decide to reopen the roads and send troops — "
"They won't," Klink's quiet voice informed them. "Chief Krueger is correct. Hammelburg has lost whatever importance it once had; Berlin is not concerned with us."
"But if German troops come here?" Hausner persisted.
"With the last link to Düsseldorf and the western front destroyed and the pass and roads connecting us to the east blocked by the recent air raid, we are an island in the middle of the war. A dead-end area that has no resources. However, if by some chance Field Marshall Model does decide to open the pass and the roads, the camp has twenty-five hundred men in it. A reasonable number to defend the town and the camp against those who would be foolish enough to enter the area. And," his eyes swept over them, "I am certain there are others who are willing to defend the town."
"Yes," murmured the Bürgermeister. He was well aware of the amount of resistance activity in his town.
"When do you plan to do it, Herr Kommandant?" Geisler asked.
"I intend to talk to Colonel Hogan tonight. Tomorrow, my men will be given a choice as to whether they wish to stay or not. And on the morning of the seventh of March, I will surrender the camp."
"You have not given us much time, Herr Kommandant," Scheinfeld said.
A thin smile. "Surely you have already considered such a course of action."
"Yes, we have," Hausner admitted. "But we did not think it would be so soon."
"Do you wish time to think about it?" Klink asked.
"What is there to think about?" Bauer said. "We either surrender or we wait and let others make the decision. Then it will be much harder on us. Colonel Hogan is a fair man; he will deal justly with us."
"And those who come after him?" Hausner asked. "The Allies may not keep him in charge."
"That is a possibility," Klink conceded. "At least they will not come ready to destroy you."
There was silence for a time in the room. Then Klink stood. "I have said what I came to say, meine Herren. The choice is now yours."
"What time will you speak to Colonel Hogan, Herr Kommandant?" Scheinfeld asked.
"At 2000."
The Bürgermeister also stood. "You will have our decision by then, Herr Kommandant."
Klink nodded. "Guten Tag, meine Herren."
The door closed behind him.
...
It was eight in the evening when a knock sounded on the barracks' door. Hogan and his men were surprised when Klink, accompanied by Doctor Bauer, Bürgermeister Scheinfeld and Kurt Hausner walked into the barracks.
"Evening, Kommandant," Hogan said cheerfully. "Gentlemen."
Klink didn't return his smile. "May we talk to you, Colonel Hogan?"
Hogan grinned. "It's your camp, Kommandant."
Klink didn't respond to his tone. "Alone, please."
His soberness finally got through to Hogan. "This way."
Hogan led them into his room, curious eyes following them.
"What's on your mind, Kommandant?" Hogan asked as he closed the door.
There was no joy, no humor in Klink's eyes, just an odd determination. "Colonel Hogan," he began tonelessly, "I wish to discuss the surrender," an odd break in his voice, "of Stalag 13."
Hogan stood still, almost dazed. In the past, how often had he dreamed of this moment! How often had he fantasized what he would say, what he would do when Klink said those words to him. Now, it was here . . .
And he had nothing to say.
Was it because he knew who Klink was? Partly. But also because he now realized how painful a decision it was. Even for Klink. Klink hated the Nazis, had hated them from the beginning. He had fought against them, risked and suffered torture at their hands. Still, this camp was Klink's command. More so than at any other time in its history. And it hurt to surrender his men, his command, to another.
Hogan nodded soberly. "When?" His voice had cracked; he cleared his throat.
There was relief in Klink's eyes; he'd expected Hogan to react, if not with glee, with a joke about the situation.
"I would like to give my men a choice," Klink said, "as to whether they wish to stay or not. I would like to tell them tomorrow and surrender the camp on the seventh at nine in the morning. Whoever wishes to leave may do so before then."
Hogan nodded. "I can live with that. And the terms of the surrender?"
"The terms," Klink almost winced, "are for you to decide, Colonel Hogan."
"The terms are unconditional surrender," Hogan said.
Klink nodded soberly, expecting no less. "Agreed." And hesitated. Then, "As the commanding officer of Stalag 13, I take full responsibility for any and all past actions of the men under my command."
"Kommandant," Hogan started, "that isn't necessary."
Klink's eyes met his. "Yes, it is, Colonel Hogan."
"All right, Kommandant," Hogan said slowly. And looked at the others.
"I am here," Scheinfeld answered his unspoken question, "to say that the town of Hammelburg is prepared to surrender to you after you accept the surrender of Stalag 13."
"The same terms?"
The men nodded; it was more difficult than any of them had envisioned. "The same terms."
"All right. I would like you three and anyone else you think should be here in the camp before nine on the seventh."
"Agreed, Colonel Hogan."
Hogan nodded. "Anything else, gentlemen?"
The men shook their heads.
"Then I have a favor to ask, Kommandant," Hogan said. "I would like to talk to the captains tonight. It will mean extending the lights out."
"Agreed, Colonel," Klink said in a toneless voice.
"Thank you, Kommandant."
A small bow from Klink. "Good night then, Colonel."
A "good night" from Bauer, Hausner and Scheinfeld as well.
Hogan expelled his breath after the men left.
Almost immediately, his men crowded into the room.
"What's up, Colonel?" Kinch asked.
Hogan didn't answer directly. "I want to see Witton, Martin, Mitchell and Warren now. Go get them. Baker, I want to call London right now."
Curious, but doing as they were ordered, the men scattered.
Hogan and Baker disappeared into the tunnel.
...
Hogan, with a happy Baker listening in, explained the situation to London.
"Good show, chaps!" The voice on the other end was jubilant.
Hogan smiled thinly. "The question is, what happens next?"
"We'll inform the higher ups, of course. They'll want to talk to you tomorrow about what will happen. Until then, Colonel Hogan."
The radio went silent.
"You don't look too happy, Colonel," Baker observed. "I thought you'd be jumping for joy when this happened."
Hogan smiled thinly. "I was just remembering how I felt when I had to surrender. Not a pleasant feeling."
"But," Baker was confused, "Klink's on our side."
Hogan nodded. "Yeah, he is. But that still doesn't take the sting out of it. This camp has been his baby for almost five years. And now he has to give it up. Like I said, not a pleasant feeling."
"What do you think London will do, Colonel?"
"I have no idea," Hogan admitted. "But I just hope they know what they're doing. And, Baker, for now, mum's the word."
"Yes, sir."