Chapter 9: Luft Stalag 13

Klink was puzzled by the phone conversation he just had with Colonel Burkhalter. Burkhalter mentioned he was getting a new prisoner. Unlike the prisoners he now had, this one was a high ranking officer. Klink was ordered to protect the prisoner at all costs and under no circumstance was he to escape. If he escaped and was not caught within twenty-four hours, the Gestapo would execute everyone in his barracks and he'd be sent to the Russian front.

Now why would Colonel Burkhalter agree to that? What is so special about this prisoner?

Klink stood in the compound to greet the truck containing his new prisoner. He heard a scuffle in the back followed by a thud. One of the guards in the back of the truck rolled a body out, allowing it to land on the ground unassisted. Even though the prisoners were confined to their barracks, he could hear their protests.

Great; an American colonel. Just what I need; another American. Klink signed the paperwork accepting his new prisoner. He thumbed through his folder as he motioned for his guards to escort the new prisoner to his office.

"Just set him down in the chair." I ought to leave the American handcuffed. Americans are all cocky. It may do him some good to be put in his place and treated like the filthy animal he is. The whole lot of Americans should be wiped from existence. Klink hung his head when he realized what he was thinking. These kinds of thoughts are what led to this war in the first place. I can't let past experiences affect my job duties. If I do, then I'm no better than the monsters who lead this country. The hate has to stop somewhere. "Un-handcuff his hands. Wait outside the door when you're done," ordered Klink.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz saluted and did as ordered.

While waiting for his prisoner to come to, Klink read his file. This is filled with page after page of name, rank, serial number and smart answers. Nothing useful. Wait a minute. This date can't be right. The questions start over three months ago!

Klink read bits and pieces of different pages. I never knew some one could talk so much and never say anything. Was? Klink read about some of the persuasive techniques used to get him to talk.

A groan coming from his new prisoners caught his attention. "What happened?"

"You were resisting so you had to be subdued. I am Colonel Wilhelm Klink, Kommandant of Camp 13. Colonel, please come to attention and salute me as your superior officer," ordered Klink.

Slowly, Hogan stood. He brought his hand up to salute, but paused half way up. After a moment, a grin spread across his face. He was tired of playing the role of a cowed prisoner. He would now give him a taste of the real Robert Hogan. This one wasn't going to use him as a door mat and punching bag like the other one did. He saluted Klink, but not the kind of salute he was expecting.

"Colonel! One finger salutes are verboten! Now give me a proper military salute or find yourself in the cooler for a week," demanded Klink.

"Why didn't you say you wanted that kind of salute?" Hogan flipped off a casual salute

Mongrel breed indeed. Doesn't even know how to give a proper military salute. Schultz can give a better salute and that isn't saying much. "You may sit, Colonel. You are the Senior Prisoner of War at Camp 13. This simply means you are the liaison between the prisoners and German staff. They shall bring all complaints, requests and concerns to you. You will handle them to the best of your ability. The rest will be presented to me for approval. There has never been a successful escape from Camp 13 while I've been kommandant and there will never be one," boasted Klink.

"We'll see about that," Hogan mumbled.

"There is something you should know before you start planning your escape from here. Because of all your prior escape attempts, they have placed you here over these enlisted men. You are the only prisoner officer in camp. You alone are responsible for them. If you escape and not recaptured within twenty-four hours, the Gestapo has permission to come into camp and execute every prisoner in your barracks," said Klink glumly. He still didn't like it, but what could he do to change the order.

"What!" yelled Hogan. "They can't do that. It's every officer's duty to try to escape. They are forcing me to choose between duty and men I don't know. It's against the Geneva Convention."

"They are not stopping you from trying; only succeeding." Klink sat quietly in his chair, observing Hogan's reaction. He could see the struggle going on within him. He could sympathize. He had been there once himself. But that seemed like a lifetime ago. After giving Hogan some time to come to grips with the new set of playing rules, Klink said, "I warn you though; any escape attempt will be punished by spending 30 days in the cooler."

"You and the rest of your Nazi friends can go to Hell!" said Hogan venomously.

Klink was taken aback by the hatred in Hogan's words. Never had anyone ever talked to him like that. The emotion behind the words chilled him to the bone. Considering what he was just told along with all that had happen to him over the last few months, should he be surprised?

"You will control yourself, Colonel. If you had either been better at escaping or not tried so many times to escape, they may have not placed this upon you. You only have yourself to blame," said Klink.

"Escape attempts? What escape attempts?" asked Hogan. "I only remember one escape attempt. I was in the middle of failing in my first escape attempt when the Gestapo showed up and took me to their headquarters. There was no time to call them about it. I didn't even make it out of my cell." Hogan paused a moment in thought. "I think. Or was it the most recent one I remember." Why can't I remember anything clearly? "I don't remember any other escape attempts."

"Your record states there were many escape attempts especially during the last three weeks. Are you denying these allegations?" asked Klink.

"Like I said, I only remember trying to escape once. Would it do any good to deny the allegations of other escape attempts? It's my word against theirs. I have a strange feeling you'll take their word before you take mine," said Hogan.

"I'm not a blind fool, Colonel. You say you were in the middle of your first escape attempt and by then, your record says you had five escape attempts in one month. You said yourself you don't remember any others. Just because you don't remember, doesn't mean they didn't happen. What do they gain by lying in your report?" asked Klink.

"Leverage to come up with the dim-witted rule about me escaping from here," said Hogan.

Klink thought a moment. Why should he believe Hogan? All Americans are liars and can't be trusted. Because it's the right thing to do, Wilhelm. "Colonel, do you give me your word as an officer and gentleman you only attempted to escape once since you were shot down?"

After a moment, Hogan answered, "I give you my word as an officer and gentleman; I only remember attempting to escape once. It was the only chance they gave me to escape."

"I believe you. I'm sorry I have to do this, but policy dictates all new prisoners must spend a couple of days in the cooler to make sure they don't have any diseases which could be harmful and spread quickly in camp. Sergeant Schultz will escort you to the cooler and bring you some toiletry items so you may get cleaned up. Schultz!" said Klink.

Schultz entered the room saluting. "You called for me, Herr Kommandant?"

"You're the only Schultz in camp aren't you? Please escort Colonel Hogan to the cooler for a couple of days," ordered Klink.

"Come with me, Colonel." Schultz motioned for Hogan to follow.

Schultz had led Hogan into the outer office when Klink stopped them. "Come here a moment, Schultz."

"You wait here, Colonel. I'll be right back." Schultz walked up to Klink. "Ja?"

In a low voice Klink said, "Put him in one of the more comfortable cells with a sink, bed, blanket and pillow. Check with Sergeant Kinchloe to see if he can scrounge up some toiletry items for Colonel Hogan. Bring him a decent meal as well. He appears way too thin."

"Jawohl." Schultz left to do as ordered.

Klink sat in his chair and watched Schultz lead Hogan to the cooler. Part of him hated himself for just inventing the new policy while part of him said he deserved it. A shiver went down Klink's spine when he saw the look Hogan gave him. If looks could kill, he would surely be dead now.

Sitting back in his chair, he pondered what had just transpired. He picked up Hogan's file, reading through it again. Could the American be telling the truth? Nah, they don't know how to tell the truth. But at the same time, there are things in his folder which do not make since. One way to find out what happened at the sub camp; call Kommandant Ström.

It seemed like it took forever for the phone to connect. "Major Ström, this is Colonel Wilhelm Klink, kommandant of Luft Stalag 13…What? Oh yes, Heil Hitler. The reason for my call is concerning a prisoner who was just transferred here from your camp…His name is Colonel Robert Hogan…Yes the American…Timid? Submissive? Quiet? Major, are you sure you're talking about the same American?...6 ft 5 in, yes…Dark brown hair, yes…I don't understand. He's been here for an hour and he acts nothing like that…Watch it Major. Have you forgotten I out rank you?...That's better. The reason for my call is his file says he had two escape attempts while at your camp. I know your reputation for after the first attempt, the prisoner is shot. I was wondering, how many escape attempts did he try…What do you mean you have to go now… But can't you answer the question first?" The line went dead.

Klink hung the phone up. Nothing is adding up. Two months at Dulag Luft, two weeks with the Gestapo and two weeks at the sub camp. There is about a week or so unaccounted for in his file. When questioned about previous escape attempts, I can't get a straight answer! What kind of man is this Colonel Hogan?

Pacing his office, Klink thought about the new puzzle pieces. It was like all the puzzle pieces didn't go to the same puzzle. What would Germany gain by lying in Hogan's file about escapes? Klink remembered what Hogan had said 'Leverage to come up with the dim-witted rule about me escaping from here'. But why? What is so important about this American? What else in his file is a lie?

Klink placed a few more calls, trying to get answers, but kept getting the run-a-round. Finally, he was told to stop asking or he'd better start packing.

HH HH HH

Klink found himself standing in front of Hogan's cell. Hogan was pacing it like a caged animal. There was something he was hiding. Barley visible but yet it was there; panic and fear.

"Colonel, please stop pacing. I wish to speak with you for a moment." Klink waited for Hogan to stop. "Please have a seat." It was strange, Klink thought, when asked to sit, Hogan sat on the floor instead of the cot. "When were you shot down?"

"You read my file. What does it say?" asked Hogan.

Klink smirked. His brashness is used to hide his true feeling. How quaint. Explains a lot though. "I know what your file says, but now I'm asking you. I've read your file again and made some phone calls. I have not been able to get matching answers on anything and that is if I'm even given any answers at all. Something about you and your file are an enigma to me. I must have all the facts before I can start to make since of everything. There has to be a logical explanation."

"Sure there is. The Third Reich is known for rational thought and logical explanation," said Hogan.

There was no choice. Klink had to be honest with Hogan. "I believe there may be some exaggerations in your file and I'm trying to figure what is truth and what is an exaggeration."

"Don't you mean lies," said Hogan offensively.

"Just answer the question how long ago were you shot down?" asked Klink with irritation.

"What's the date?" asked Hogan.

"It's the 5 of November," answered Klink. Klink's heart stopped when he saw the change in Hogan's demeanor.

Sadly, Hogan answered, "Three months and some change ago." Hogan paused a moment. "Kommandant, there are three of my crew unaccounted for. Can you please find out what happened to Corporal Mark Flynn, Lieutenant Richard Carr and Sergeant Christopher Hill? I'd appreciate it."

The sincere tone in Hogan's voice went against what he had just seen. "Tracking down your crew isn't my top priority." After remembering what happened at Dulag Luft to Hogan's crew, Klink added, "But I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Kommandant," Hogan said meekly.

Klink stood to leave. "Colonel, you may want to get off the cold, damp floor before you catch a cold. You're welcome to sit on your cot."

"Thanks, Kommandant." Hogan sat on the cot, hesitantly.

Klink shook his head then left.