Chapter 2: Colonel Robert Hogan
"Come on Mac, get that Kraut off our six," said Colonel Robert Hogan to his tale gunner. He just finished dropping his bomb load over where reports said a munitions factory was. The German Luftwaffe was all over them.
The plane shook violently as a line of holes appeared down the side of the fuselage. Hogan jerked when one of the German planes exploded not to far off the left side. "Good shooting. Keep it up; we're not out of the woods yet."
"Hey, Colonel? Is it me or does it appear their gunning for us?" asked Maddox, Hogan's co-pilot.
"It does seem that way." Hogan quickly banked the plane right to keep from getting hit by a spray of bullets.
"Your flying skills never cease to amaze me. You make this bird do things I never thought possible," said Maddox. "Colonel, I know we're bigger and all, but is it wise to play chicken with a plane?"
Hogan barley heard Maddox. He was concentration on the German plane heading straight toward them. "Plow the road and let's get home." Hogan yelled.
The nose gunners fired at the approaching plane. None of bullets hit there target. "Come on. Come on," Hogan said quietly. At the last minute, the German plane veered away. On the horizon, Hogan saw why. Allied fighters were quickly approaching. He was almost home.
The plane vibrated as the right engine sputtered. "Come on, Girl. Hold on. Just a little bit further." Hogan swore when the right engine stopped. "Radio ahead. Tell them we'll be landing with one engine gone."
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After receiving word about Hogan's plane, General Richard Lawrence stood in the tower, keeping a weathered eye on the horizon for Hogan's plane; Goldilocks.
One by one, the other B-17's from the mission started to land. Lawrence held his breath as he saw a plane flying erratically. He breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized her. He quickly made his way to the tarmac to welcome Hogan and the rest of the men, home.
"What on earth happened? I'm recommending the cost for fixing the plane come out of your paycheck," said Lawrence to Hogan. "Don't you know you're supposed to dodge the bullets, not fly into them?"
"Charge Uncle Sam with the repairs. As for dodging bullets…I must have slept through that part of class, or my instructor forgot to mention it," said Hogan with a smile.
"The teacher taught it all right. I aught to know, I'm the one who taught it. Remind me again how you passed my class?" asked Lawrence.
"Charm and good looks, Sir." answered Hogan.
Both men laughed. Lawrence slapped Hogan on the back. "I'm glad you paid attention to something. How the heck are you, Hogan?"
"No worse for wear. What brings you to England? I thought you were stationed in Washington?" asked Hogan.
"Was. I want to be where the action is. Didn't want to let you kids have all the fun," said Lawrence. "Come. I'll buy you a drink at the O-club."
"Since you're buying. Just give me a minute to get changed," said Hogan.
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"If I read your file correctly, this was mission 49. One more and you go home for a bond selling tour," said Lawrence after taking a sip of his beer.
"I guess so. I want to go home, but it doesn't feel right going home when the war isn't over yet," said Hogan.
"Don't feel guilty. You've more than earned it. Besides, selling bonds in an important job." Lawrence paused. He wasn't sure how to approach Hogan about what he heard from Maddox. "Is it true the Krauts were gunning for you?"
"What? You've been talking to Maddox. My plane was already crippled from some ground artillery. Goldilocks was an easy target is all," answered Hogan.
"But what if there was more to it. Word is there's some Kraut colonel whose been studying you. I know you're not in my unit any more, but I promised your parents I'd look out for you. I'd rather you not go on the next mission, but I know trying to stop you is useless. Just be careful and don't try to be a hero. Complete your mission so you can go home," said Lawrence.
"That's the plan." Hogan took a long swig of beer.
"Robert," Hogan's ears perked up at the use of his given name. "… have you given any thought as to what you would do if ever shot down?" asked Lawrence.
"I'd do what you taught me. Keep my head down and make my way to friendly territory. Why the concern?" asked Hogan.
"I've got a bad feeling is all. What if you're captured and can't make it to friendly territory?" asked Lawrence.
"Escape the first chance I get. Are you trying to jinks my last mission?" asked Hogan.
"No, I just want you to be prepared. Chalk it up to the ravings of an old man." Lawrence sat silently staring into his beer.
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That night, Hogan lay on his bed. What if you're captured and can't make it to friendly territory? Stories of how prisoners were treated came to his mind. What would he do? Name, rank and serial number is all they'll get from me.
Hogan swallowed hard as he remembered the pain they inflicted on him for not answering their questions when he was first captured by Krauts a few years back. Phantom pain shot through his back as he remembered being arrested by the Gestapo in Berlin while helping Lawrence on a spy mission. Confessing to anything wasn't an option. He was in so much pain he prayed for death.
I'm not going to give them the chance to do that to me again, Hogan thought to himself. He wouldn't let himself be taken alive.
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"Target's dead ahead, Colonel," said the navigator. "Should be there in two."
As Hogan flew, he got an uneasy feeling. Maybe he was getting worked up over nothing. The ravings of an old man. Hogan couldn't afford to let Lawrence's misgivings about the bombing mission interfere. He had a job to do and he was going to do it.
"Krauts, 10 o'clock!" yelled Maddox.
Sure enough a squadron of Kraut fighters was heading in their direction. "Get ready, fellas." Hogan said on the mike. "It's about to get nasty. Remember, no matter what, stay in formation. We're almost to the target."
"Sir, we're just about over target," said the navigator.
"Get ready bombardiers," Hogan announced. "Steady. Steady." The plane was hit by a few bullets. "Now!"
All in unison, the planes dropped their loads. To Hogan's surprise, Goldilocks was the only one being shot at. "You believe me now," said Maddox as he ducked flying glass from a bullet hitting the windshield.
The Kraut fighters only shot at the B-17's who were interfering with them shooting Hogan down. "Hightail it for home!" ordered Hogan.
As the others turned their planes to head for home, Hogan turned Goldilocks another way.
"Sir, you might explain to me what you're doing? Home is the other way," asked Maddox.
"I'm allowing the others to go home. It's me they're after. Don't worry; we'll be right behind them." Hogan ducked as a spray of bullets entered the cabin. "Come on, Baby. Don't let me down."
Hogan pulled back and hard to the left, causing the plane to go into a sideways roll.
"Colonel! What are you doing? These planes aren't made for this." Maddox put his hands over his eyes. In the next moment, the plane was in a downward spiral. "Do something before she stalls!"
"Who's flying this plane; me or you? Either help me pull up or shut up!" ordered Hogan. Maddox grabbed the stick and started pulling. "Come on, Girl. Pull up."
To everyone's relief, the plane stopped spiraling and started increasing in altitude. As Goldilocks climbed, her fuselage was littered with bullets. The next round of bullets hit the wings.
In the distance, Hogan saw the coast. "Just a little bit further." More bullets sprayed the tail section. A scream filled the plane. Hogan glanced back and saw the tail gunner lying motionlessly. One of the other men went to his aid. "Get back to your station, Soldier, or we'll all be like that.
The soldier wasn't happy with the order, but did as ordered. Hogan didn't want to sound heartless, but he couldn't concentrate on the dead, when he had the living to worry about. He gave the engines more power. They just had to make it home.
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Again, Lawrence found himself in the tower with the binoculars waiting for the planes arrival. Dots appeared on the horizon. Eventually, the dots started to land. Very few appeared to have any damage. But wait. There was one missing; Goldilocks.
Lawrence held his breath as he searched the skies. In the distance, he saw a trail of black smoke.
"Goldilocks to tower. Will be making a wheels up landing with two engines gone." Lawrence heard over the tower radio.
Immediately, the alarm was sounded. The runway was cleared of all planes and personnel. Emergency personnel waited a safe distance away.
Sparks flew from under the plane as she touched down. She spun around a few times, and then skidded to a stop off the runway. Emergency personnel were there with fire extinguishers and water hoses. An ambulance arrived to treat the injured.
Lawrence reached the plane as Hogan stumbled out. An emergency worker was at his side to catch him before he lost his balance and fell down.
Hogan swatted the hand away. "I'm fine. I just got to get my land legs again."
"Hogan, let them look at you and that's an order," ordered Lawrence.
Hogan wiped what he thought was sweat away from his eyes, only to discover it was blood. Some of the flying glass had cut his forehead. "Yes, Sir."
