Chapter 4 - An Unexpected Development
"Lebeau, here's the note. Pin it to the collar of one of the dogs to be replaced," Hogan instructed, handing the Frenchman a note once everything had settled down the night. "Schnitzer will be here first thing tomorrow to check on the dogs."
He had heard from the guard that Schnizter wasn't happy about his dogs being kept only in their kennels during such a fierce storm. In fact, the gossip was that the vet was furious. Hogan could understand why. Dogs didn't like thunderstorms and if the guards dogs hadn't already been de-sensitised to loud noises, they could have easily hurt or even killed themselves in their panic.
"Poor things," Lebeau said sympathetically, "Stuck in their kennels during that storm, the guards should be shot!"
"I agree, but there's not much we can do about it. Schnitzer's due in the morning and he's our only line of communication out of here," Hogan said. "The tunnel to the kennels is fine, so you shouldn't have any problems."
The note for Schnitzer explained their situation. With any luck he would be able to get to a radio and contact London. With a great deal of luck they would have new radio parts within a few days.
Lebeau hurried away on his errand and Hogan studied his men, sitting around the table, or lying on the bunks. Their shoulders drooped, heads hung, some of them seemed to be asleep. It had been a long day trying to get things back into shape, tomorrow would be just as long, and the next day and who knew how many more days after that. He couldn't blame them if they weren't up to talking. It was a relief that the wind had finally died down to a light zephyr so maybe they could all get a decent nights sleep.
Lebeau was back quickly. "All done, mon Colonel," he reported.
"Excellent, good job, Lebeau," Hogan said.
"It was nothing, the hardest part is getting away from the dogs, they all want attention," Lebeau said modestly.
Down below work was progressing with clearing mud and debris in three tunnels and reinforcing supports in the other two. It was back breaking work in dark, cramped conditions and with the men as exhausted as they were, work was progressing slowly. The most vital tunnels had been seen to first. The tunnel to the cooler had been left until last, there were no prisoners in solitary and Hogan had issued strict orders that no one was to do anything to get themselves confined.
"Any progress on getting the new aerial installed?" Hogan asked Kinch.
"We've got the wiring ready," Kinch said, "We just need somewhere to rig it."
"We'll try for the roof of Klink's quarters again, but not tonight," Hogan said, "Every one is to tired, and I don't want any mistakes. The tunnel to the cooler is still blocked, so we can't get there if anyone gets themselves in trouble."
Kinch nodded. "Tomorrow is fine by me, I could use some sack time."
"We all could. Get some rest, tomorrow's going to be another long, dirty day."
"Colonel Hogan, Schnitzer's here, and there's another car coming in too," Carter said, poking his head around the corner barracks to where Hogan was helping with repair work.
Hogan passed his burden over to one of the other men on the work crew and joined the sergeant at the corner of the barracks. Schnitzer was already with the dogs. He glanced around the compound, spotted Hogan and nodded, very slightly. He had the note.
The other car was a large three axle staff car which rattled across the logs laid down in the yard to try to combat the mud and came to a halt in front of the Kommandantur. Klink was soon bustling out the door to greet the man who alighted from it.
The visitor wore a Luftwaffe uniform and the rank insignia of a Hauptmann, or Captain, crisply pressed and immaculate from head to foot- until he stepped into the slowly drying mud. His disapproval was evident in every line of his body as he stepped up out of the mire. He turned enough while exchanging salutes with Klink for Hogan to see his face. There was a scar on his cheek, and if he ever smiled it would probably crack his face.
"I'm going to see if I can close enough to hear what they're talking about," Hogan said and wandered across the yard. It was hard to look nonchalant when you slipped with every step. He wasn't in time to hear the Captain's name.
"Kommandant Klink, I have need to examine the security arrangements of your camp," the Captain said.
"The security arrangements?" Klink asked, puzzled. "Captain, you are probably aware of the storm that passed through this region a couple of days ago. It caused extensive damage to the camp infrastructure."
"Yes, I know. It is the damage to your perimeter and the steps you have taken to ensure security that I wish to see," the Captain said.
Klink drew himself up, "Captain von Stalhein, this is a Prisoner of War camp under the direct control of General Burkhalter, I can't go giving tours to every curious officer who turns up."
"Then perhaps your should examine this," von Stalhein said and passed over a folded page.
Klink gave him a glare, then unfolded the page and read it. His frown deepened.
"As you can see, Kommandant, I have been given permission by the Prisoner of War Administration to conduct an inspection of your camp," von Stalhein said.
"Yes, I see that," Klink said. He pulled himself up to his full height. "If you would care to step this way, Captain von Stalhein, shall we start with the fence?"
Hogan returned to where his crew were waiting. "Kinch, Klink is going to be out of his office for a while with the Captain von Stalhein, see what you can do to fix the bug to his office. I'm going to follow them and see what they're up to." The bug had been yet another casualty of the storm.
"Be careful, Colonel," Kinch said.
"Always," Hogan replied, flashing him a grin.
Hogan walked quickly between the buildings, taking a short cut to where the two officers strode along the perimeter. At least von Stalhein strode, Klink scurried to keep up with the slender Captain's longer stride. Hogan flitted from cover to cover, watching them as von Stalhein stopped to examine the two points where the fence was down. Even from a distance he could see Klink reassuring the Captain- pointing out the armed guards at the gap and the work under way to clear the debris and repair the damage. Von Stalhein didn't appear to say anything, but studied the breaks with great interest.
They were busy for nearly an hour before von Stalhein abruptly turned on his heel and headed back towards the Kommandantur with Klink hurrying after him. Hogan dashed back to Barracks 2 and dead-heated Kinch at the door. Newkirk and Lebeau were in the barracks already, ostensibly scrubbing the tramped in mud off the floor.
"Schnitzer has the message, Colonel," Lebeau said. "He dropped a note saying that he would see what he could do, and he'd be back tomorrow with news."
"That's one piece of good news at least. With any luck we'll have the radio up and running again in a few days. Kinch, how's the coffee pot?"
"We won't know until we try," Kinch said. They trooped into the office and plugged in the coffee pot.
There was some static, but they could hear the conversation clearly enough.
"As you can see, Captain von Stalhein, although there has been damage, I have taken all possible steps to ensure that none of the prisoners are tempted to to an escape," Klink gushed, "After all, as you would know, there has never been an escape from Stalag 13."
"I cannot understand why," von Stalhein sneered, "I have never seen a less escape-proof prison camp- hills on three sides, thick forest almost right to the fence, plenty of cover, barracks built flush to the ground, and guards scraped from the rags and remnants of the Wehrmacht. A school girl could walk in here without being noticed."
"I assure you, Captain, that although it may seem like..." Klink started to splutter.
"Enough," von Stalhein cut him abruptly. "Your camp is perfect for my operation. I shall return tomorrow to being proceedings. Until then, heil Hitler."
"Oh yes, Heil Hitler," Klink returned unhappily.
"Whatever this von Stalhein bloke is up to, it's not going to make life any easier," Newkirk commented as Hogan unplugged the coffee pot.
"We don't know what he wants yet," Hogan said as he went to the barracks window. He was in time to see von Stalhein climb back into his car and drive off- wheels spinning a little in the mud and spattering the Kommandantur with grime.
"I'm going to see what I can find out," Hogan said and headed out the door.
Klink was on the porch, watching the activity around the camp with a confused expression. As Hogan approached, he saw the Kommandant shrug to himself.
"Morning, Kommandant," Hogan said cheerfully as he walked up. "Was that the inspector from the POW Administration? Because I have a list of materials we need to..."
"Hogan, I'm not interested in your list," Klink said, still distracted by his visitor.
"But sir, there are essential repairs that need to be done. We don't have enough roofing to repair Barracks 16 and fix the leaks in the rec-hall roof, not to mention the damage to the fence."
"What is your interest in the fence?" Klink asked sharply.
"Nothing much, Kommandant, but those gaps in the fence might tempt the men to try an escape," Hogan said, "And with all the extra patrols there is no way anyone would get through and I don't want any of my men shot."
"Hogan," Klink waved his fist under Hogan's nose. "If any of your men get within 10 metres of the damaged fence they will be thrown in the cooler. Any man caught outside the wire will be shot on sight."
"I guess you can't be any fairer than that," Hogan conceded, "But if he wasn't from the POW Administration, where was that Captain from?"
"That is none of your business, stick to doing your repairs. Dismiss!" Klink gave a brief salute and went back inside.
Hogan returned to Barracks 2, pondering over the conversation. In his office Kinch was listening in to the bug again.
"He's on the phone to Burkhalter, Colonel," Kinch reported as Hogan entered.
"General Burkhalter, as always a pleasure to talk to you," Klink was saying, "Yes, I know I called you... I understand that you are busy, Herr General... What do I want? A Luftwaffe Captain, von Stalhein, came to see me today, he seemed a very suspicious character... What? Give him every cooperation... Anything he wants... But General Burk... Yes sir, shut up, Klink... Oh yes, heil Hitler."
"That wasn't particularly informative," Kinch observed.
"All we know is that this Captain von Stalhein will be back tomorrow and whatever he's doing or planning to do has the authority of the brass," Hogan replied. He was worried. There was still too much to do, they couldn't afford to have to undertake a dangerous mission while their infrastructure was damaged and all communications in and out of the camp were down.
"It gives us something to look forward to," Kinch said, his voice as dry as a desert.
Hogan shot him a dirty look. "Some times I really wonder about you."