Chapter 1: Colonel Wilhelm Klink

Colonel Wilhelm Klink paced nervously in his room after receiving his orders to report to the air field to start his refresher course in flying. He was to be part of the glorious Luftwaffe who were dropping bombs on England. Even though he was a loyal German officer who loved and served his country faithfully, he hated the idea of doing something where his death was almost for certain.

He wondered how to break the news to his parents. His dad would tell him he should be proud to be selected for such an honor. He knew his mother would never openly go against his father, but in private, she would weep for him.

Then there was the part of him who did not agree with Hitler. He would never admit it to anyone for fear of what would happen to him or his family, but deep down, he was a sympathizer. No, he didn't actively take part in the underground, but he did what he could; he helped hide those who the Nazis chose to "relocate" and get them out of the country. The hard part was doing it without anyone, especially his parents, finding out.

How could he bomb or fight against those who were only defending themselves against a mad man? Then again, flying over England was better than fighting the Russians. But what would happen if something went wrong and he was taken prisoner? He couldn't go through that again. He would die before he would allow himself to be taken prisoner again.

Klink sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. Who was he kidding? He didn't have a brave bone in his body. There is no way he could go out like the American cowboy movies he saw; guns blazing and fighting to the death. The first time someone shot at him, he was more likely to surrender, if not before.

Sitting on his bed, feeling sorry for himself wasn't going to help the situation. Maybe, just maybe his father could talk to a few friends to see if he could get stationed here in Germany doing something safe like clerical work. After all, before the war started, he was a book keeper.

Klink faced the full length mirror. As he straightened his uniform, he noticed the medals he earned. If they knew the truth about how I obtained most of these metals, I'd be stripped of them. Given the way things are now, I'd probably also be shot.

After a few deep breaths, he left to tell his father the news.

"Bravo, son! I'm so proud of you. You are fortunate to have this honor. I wish I was young enough and in shape enough to still fight," said Mr. Klink.

"Ja, it truly is an honor, but I'd prefer a position here in Germany. After my last flying accident, I don't feel comfortable flying any more. I feel I'd only hurt the Fatherland instead of helping it. Can you please talk to some of your friends at the club and see if I can be reassigned?" asked Klink.

Mr. Klink stared sternly at his oldest son. Then he saw the pleading look of his wife. "I'll see what I can do. No promises."

HH HH HH

"Thanks for meeting with me, Max," said Mr. Klink. "I know how busy you are getting ready to be transferred to Berlin."

"Anything for a friend. What's on your mind?" asked Max.

"It's my son, Wilhelm. I didn't want to say anything in front of him, but I fear him flying for the Luftwaffe again. If you hear of any openings where he can stay stationed here, please remember him. Sad to say, but he makes a better clerk than pilot," begged Mr. Klink. "I wish he was half as talented as his younger brother, Wolfgang. Wolfgang is an excellent musician. Not to mention he married into a good family. I have no fears for him. I always suspected the reason why Wolfgang's father-in-law gave Wilhelm a promotion to colonel was because he begged his wife to ask him to do it. You know how fathers are when their daughters ask them for something?"

"Ja, I do. It doesn't take them long to learn how to wrap us around their finger. Sadly, I am one of those fathers. Greta can get just about anything she asks for. For some reason, I have a hard time saying no to her. I will see what I can do, Otto," said Max.

"Danke." Mr. Klink shook Max's hand then left.

HH HH HH

Colonel Albert Burkhalter re-read the report of the deaths (more accurately the executions) of Colonel Mann, former kommandant of Luft Stalag 13 and of Lieutenant Fowler, former Senior Prisoner of War officer of the same camp. Normally, an officer would not be stationed in an enlisted man's camp, but when he was shot down, he was only a sergeant. His promotion came through while a prisoner there.

All the men who are qualified to take over the POW camp were being used elsewhere. Where was he going to find someone competent enough to run the camp and keep any escapes from occurring? He may have to leave Captain Gruber in place until he messes up and either has a sudden case of death or is transferred.

Burkhalter shook. Death was a plague he could live without. If it would have been up to him, Mann would have been transferred, not executed for allowing the SPO to escape. The nerve of the Gestapo to execute one of my officers without consulting me first!

He moved to the request letter on his desk from the Gestapo. Burkhalter made a sour face. All the Gestapo was are thugs with power. Though he would never say that thought out loud. If he did, he may end up catching the dreadful plague himself.

Since Stalag 13 was without a kommandant, the Gestapo was offering their services of running the camp. "Over my dead body. I'll run it myself before I let the Gestapo run it. Captain!" Burkhalter yelled.

A tall, blonde hair, blue eyed man in his late forty's entered the room. Thanks to his father's family connections, he was able to secure himself a nice comfy job in Berlin, working at Luftwaffe headquarters.

"Ja, Herr Oberst?" The captain saluted

"Get me a list of all Luftwaffe officers, major and above, who are available to be the new kommanant of Luft Stalag 13 in Hammelburg. I know beggars can't be choosers, but one with a clerical or administrative background would be a plus," ordered Burkhaulter.

A smile appeared on the captain's face. "Herr, Oberst, there is only one person who fits that description. His name is Colonel Wilhelm Klink. He currently has orders to report to flight training. It's not too late to have the orders changed."

"Very well. Take care of it. Have him report to camp. I'll meet him there," said Burkhalter.

HH HH HH

Klink jumped for joy when he received the news of the order change. Being kommandant of a POW camp was not exactly what he had in mind, but it sounded like a relatively safe job. That is if you don't mind being surrounded by the enemy twenty-four hours a day.

He arrived at camp in time for morning roll call. Colonel Burkhalter stood on the porch of the Kommandantur while a captain stood in the center of the compound. He observed a rotund sergeant counting the prisoners who were standing in formation.

The camp didn't appear to be too big. He guessed there were roughly 100 prisoners in it. Then something caught his attention in front of Barracks 2. Were his eyes deceiving him or was there a black American sergeant standing in formation? He only heard of them from his studies in school. This was the first time he ever saw one. What puzzled Klink about it though was why was he here?

He saluted his superior as he came to attention. "Colonel Wilhelm Klink reporting as ordered, Sir."

It struck him as odd the colonel never returned his salute, only turned to enter the kommandantur. "Coming, Bink?"

"Umm, it's Klink, Sir." Klink said as he rushed in after him. Even though they were both colonels, Burkhalter had seniority on him, was next in line for promotion to general and his new boss.

The meeting with Burkhalter was long and boring up to the point where he said he would be held responsible for any successful escapes. If there is one successful escape, he'd be severely punished.

After hearing that, Klink started to wonder if this was such a good idea. He jumped when he hear a loud pounding at the door. He quickly opened it. When he did, he saw the sign on the door was replaced. It now said 'Colonel Wilhelm Klink, Kommandant'.

"Congratulations, Link. You are now the new kommandant of camp 13. After you are settled into your quarters, I'll have Gruber call a special formation and introduce you to the prisoners. He'll fill you in on everything else you need to know."

"That's Klink, Sir," he corrected again.

"Whatever." Burkhalter left to relax in the guest quarters.

HH HH HH

Klink was giddy as a school boy as he unpacked his things. There was a knock at the door. "Come in."

The sergeant he saw earlier entered the private quarters and came to attention. "I am Sergeant of the guards, Hans Schultz. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you."

"Nice to meet you, Sergeant. You could help me by taking this box to the office. I brought a few things to help the place feel a little more homely," said Klink, pointing to the box by the door.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz saluted then left to do as ordered.

"Kommandant. I do love the sound of that." Klink whistled as he continued unpacking.

When he was through, he and Burkhalter stood before the assembled prisoners. Burkhalter had the camps PA system set up so he wouldn't have to repeat himself.

"Prisoners of camp 13, this is Colonel Wilhelm Klink, your new kommandant. Kommandant Klink, do you have any words for the prisoners?" Burkhalter announced.

"Ja, I do. Prisoners of camp 13, consider this your warning. No infraction of the rules will be tolerated. Breaking the rules in any way will earn you a stint in the cooler. After the first occurrence, an additional thirty days will be added to the sentence. If you have any questions or concerns, address them to the senior prisoner and he will bring them to me. After you're dismissed, I'd like to meet with the senior prisoner in my office. Dissss-misssed!" Klink hastily joined Burkhalter in the office.

Shortly after being seated, there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Klink sat in almost shock when he saw who was at the door. There must be some mistake. "Sergeant, you must follow proper chain of command. All requests must be presented to the senior prisoner. Unless called for, he is the only prisoner who is allowed to come in here."

"You did send for me, Sir. I'm the senior prisoner. Sergeant James Kinchloe, USAAC at your service."

"You're kidding!" Klink exclaimed. Where did I put that aspirin? I feel a headache coming on?