Chapter 11
It was so silent one could hear a pin drop as the men stopped whatever they were doing to stare at their commanding officer. But it was the hurt on Newkirk's face which tore at the officer's heart.
"I'm sorry, Newkirk." Hogan knew he must try and make this right somehow. "I didn't mean to yell at you. I really don't know what made me react like that."
"I do, sir," Newkirk replied softly as he and Hogan looked at each other. "We've been watching you every moment especially since that ruddy business with the bridge. It's no wonder you haven't lost it before now with us. We were worried about you, Colonel, is all. We're sorry if we made you feel like we're smotherin' you and makin' you uncomfortable."
Despite the pounding in his head, Hogan managed a small smile. "I appreciate the concern, but there's no need. I'm fine. Just tired. A commander's job is to look after his men, not for the men to look after their commander."
"Not when the men don't want any other commanding officer to lead them," Carter added shyly. Hogan smiled at his words before the Colonel noticed the Englander still seemed somewhat sad.
"You okay?"
Newkirk simply shrugged his shoulders, picked up his coffee cup, and swirled the dark liquid while staring into the cup. "Nothin' to apologize for, Gov'nor. No damage done, sir."
"Regardless," Hogan explained. "That's no excuse. I hope you can accept my apology. Are we okay?"
Newkirk lifted his head this time and looked at the American. The corners of his mouth curled upwards and a twinkle appeared in his green eyes. "Yes, sir, we're fine." A slow smile appeared on the Colonel's face as well. He had dodged another bullet.
"But you would tell us if anything was wrong, wouldn't you?" asked Kinch cautiously. Hogan looked at his radioman.
"Yes," Hogan lied. "But nothing's wrong, Kinch, so can we now drop this analysis of my well-being before breakfast?"
Terry listened to the exchange between Hogan and his men and realized his original assessment was correct. These men were a family. The Colonel's family. A family he trusted to take care of his godfather after he himself had returned to London and wasn't here to do the job himself.
Throughout the day, Hogan met with and interviewed the three men who arrived in camp with Lieutenant Carpenter, and found each had qualities that might prove useful to the operation. Sergeant Segal had experience in communications; Corporal Toller with explosives, having learned it from his father who did demolitions work for construction of roadwork. When he was older and before joining the military, he had even worked with his father. And Sergeant Dray spoke fluent German which was an advantage. Further discussion with the man revealed his father was a German-American whose elderly parents spoke broken English. He learned German from them. Hogan made the decision to show the trio the operation and swore them to secrecy as he had done with Carpenter. He also explained the no escape policy and demanded knowing if any of the men had a problem with the policy to speak up now. None of them did, and needless to say they were overwhelmed by what they were shown beneath the camp.
Toller was assigned to work with Carter to ease his job when explosives were needed and to relieve the young Sergeant in case he was incapacitated or unavailable. Carter was also thrilled to have somebody who loved explosives as much as he did and set about regaling the man with his exploits.
Segal was assigned to Kinch. Baker usually relieved Kinch, but by having another man, Segal would be able to relieve or replace Baker should he be needed elsewhere. The fact that Dray spoke fluent German was simply an added bonus. Hogan had been thinking of expanding his core unit, and he needed to find out what these men were able to do. If they worked out, he would make a decision at that time. But, he didn't realize how soon that test would come.
It was right after lunch Hogan went into his office, wanting to go over several maps. He asked not to be disturbed unless important, while Carpenter and other prisoners were outside enjoying the warm sunshine. Only Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk were still inside seated at the table enjoying a game of gin rummy. Kinch and Segal were both downstairs in the radio room.
"Gin," Newkirk smirked laying down his cards on the table. Carter and LeBeau both grumbled disgustedly as the Englander chuckled gathering up the discarded cards and began reshuffling. The sound of the lower bunk bed in the corner rattling upward caught their attention. Olsen at once jumped down off his bunk and kept look out at the door for visitors. Segal's head popped up from below as he climbed up the ladder and stepped over the bed frame into the room.
"Where's the Colonel?" he asked looking around the barracks.
"In his office, mate. What's got your knickers in a twist?"
"Kinch took a message from London for the Colonel," Segal replied walking briskly toward the smaller room. The game forgotten, the others got to their feet and followed him.
Hogan had his eyes closed while seated at the desk with the maps in front of him. He could not concentrate on them and blamed his headache as the reason. Taking two more aspirin upon returning to his quarters, he tried extremely hard to bury the sadness deep so he could do his job. But he was failing miserably. In fact, all he really wanted to do right now was brush everything off his desk, punch a hole in the wall, and scream out in anger. But to do that would alarm his men and Terry, and he didn't want to do that. So he sat quietly and rubbed his forehead. That's when he heard the knock on his door and sighed wearily.
"Come in," he ordered opening his eyes and waiting. The door opened and four men entered. Segal handed the officer the folded slip of paper.
"Message from London, sir," Segal reported. Hogan took and unfolded the paper. His eyes scanned the words.
"What's it say, mon Colonel?"
"We gonna blow something up, Colonel?" Carter was getting excited.
Hogan bit the inside of his mouth to keep from screaming at the questions. "A toy factor on the outskirts of Hammelburg has been converted into making the new Panzerfaust 30 anti-tank weapon. They want the exact location because the factory is camouflaged and the bombers can't find it to strike."(1)
"Blimey, a ruddy toy factory?"
"Colonel, we're not gonna blow up Schultz's toy factory are we?" Carter asked sadly. "I mean, it would be kinda sad to destroy Schultz's company."
"Don't worry, Carter," Hogan answered with a quick glance at the young man. "Schultz's factory is in Heidelberg where he lives."(2) He saw the young Sergeant smile at the good news.
Finished reading, Hogan looked at the men in front of him. "This is a reconnaissance job. Newkirk, find Lieutenant Carpenter and come back here. The rest of you have a seat except for you Segal. I want you to return to the radio room and inform Kinch to report to my quarters." He waited until Segal and Newkirk left on their assignments. Carter and LeBeau sat down on the lower bunk to wait.
Hogan rubbed the back of his neck and paced back and forth while he waited for the others. He noticed LeBeau watching him. Catching Hogan looking at him, the Frenchman diverted his eyes and looked down at the floor for which Hogan was grateful. He believed he would scream if the Frenchman had asked a question at that moment. The door opened and in walked Kinch followed by Newkirk and Carpenter. Carpenter closed the door quietly.
"You wanted to see me, Colonel?" Terry asked, puzzled. He had no idea why Hogan would want him sitting in on a strategy meeting for an assignment from London.
Stopping his pacing, Hogan wrapped his arms around himself and looked at the new arrivals. "Kinch, Newkirk, Terry, find a seat so we can get started. This won't take long." He sat on the edge of his desk, waiting.
Newkirk sat on the edge of Hogan's footlocker while Terry sat beside LeBeau and Carter. Kinch remained standing and leaned against one of the posts holding up the upper bunk. He stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets and crossed his legs at the ankles.
"We have a recon job from London," Hogan began. "There is a toy factory in the outskirts of Hammelburg which has been converted into a factory producing the Panzerfaust 30 anti-tank weapon. And before anybody else asks, we're not blowing up Schultz's toy factory." He had sensed the others would ask the same question as Carter except for Terry who hadn't been here long enough to know about the Schotzie Toy Company. "The Panzerfaust 30 is an improved version of the original Panzerfaust, and are being produced in large numbers. Now I don't need to tell you guys the damage it could do to our Army level of armor. London says the plant is camouflaged and needs the exact location so they can send bombers to demolish it."
"How soon do they need the coordinates?" asked Kinch.
"Well, considering the message is marked Code-Red, I'd say yesterday. I want Newkirk, Carter, Kinch and Terry to go."
Carpenter's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "Me, Colonel?"
"Lieutenant Carpenter, Gov'nor?"
"Yes. I realize he's new and this would be his first assignment, but he has to learn sometime. Being a recon mission, it should be relatively safe. Normally I would send three people on this mission, but because this will be Lieutenant Carpenter's first time, I want you, Kinch, to make sure he sticks close to you. I'm trusting you with my godson."
"I won't let you down, Colonel."
Hogan smiled. "I know you won't." He looked at Carpenter. "Lieutenant, we have plenty of experience with reconnaissance missions."
"When do we go, Colonel?" asked Carter.
"Tonight after roll call. That's all."
Understanding the meeting was over; everybody left the room except Carpenter who hung back. Once he and Hogan were alone, Terry approached his godfather nervously.
"You sure you want me to go with your men tonight, Rob?" he asked. "I mean, I have no idea what to do or what I should do. I could be more of a hindrance then a help."
Hogan was suddenly totally exhausted and felt as if he would collapse at any minute, but knew he had to hold it together. He stuck his hands in his back pants pockets. "You know how to check things out. You know how to observe things. You know how recon works. Only difference is you're doing it from a hiding place where you won't be seen by the Krauts." He placed a hand on Terry's shoulder. "You'll do fine. Just stay close to Kinch and listen to him. He will be in charge. Once all of you get back here, we'll code the information and radio it to London so they can send the bombers."
Terry let out a deep breath. "I just don't want to screw up this opportunity."
"And you won't. You'll do fine. But I have work to do so if you'll excuse me."
Terry chuckled. "You trying to get rid of me, Rob?"
"No. You can stay if you find watching me going over several maps fascinating."
Terry waved his hand and turned toward the door. "No thanks. If I'm gonna go out with your men tonight, I need to find out what's expected of me by Kinch so I know what he wants me to do. Have fun with your maps." He exited the small room leaving Hogan alone.
Hogan climbed up on the upper bunk and sat on the edge, burying his face in his hands. His head felt as if it were about to explode. He had no wish to look at maps, or do anything he normally would do when there was an upcoming mission. His body was so exhausted and fatigued he couldn't get up again even if he tried. Falling on his back on the bed, he closed his eyes hoping to get some sleep. But again, sleep eluded him.
As Kinch, LeBeau and Carter explained to Carpenter what was expected of him during a recon mission, Newkirk sat and listened while drinking his coffee. His eyes were on the little Frenchman while thoughts of his commanding officer came to mind. Both of them had come a long way since that night six months ago. The Englander was glad his plan had worked. A small smile appeared as the memory returned to him as clear as if it had happened recently.
(Flashback):
Newkirk slapped the hidden mechanism to activate the hidden tunnel entrance. Once the lower bunk rattled upward and the ladder dropped, Newkirk and the others disappeared down below, and Carter headed in a different direction to complete his assigned task. Meanwhile, Kinch and Newkirk searched every tunnel before finding the diminutive Frenchman in the sewing room still in the same position he had been earlier.
"Hey, Louie, you okay?" asked Newkirk. He realized he and Kinch had to be convincing else their unit could be irrevocably broken.
LeBeau turned his head towards his friends. "I'll live as soon as I leave this barracks. Perhaps then I can get over my anger at Colonel Hogan. Besides, he doesn't want me sharing his barracks despite what he says. So it is just as well."
"Doesn't want you…c'mon, LeBeau, who are you fooling?" asked Kinch. "We all understand you don't really want to leave us or the team. And the Colonel told us he doesn't want to lose you. So why are you being so difficult?"
"Don't you think you should go and apologize to the Gov'nor and resolve everything?"
LeBeau raised his head this time, eyes darkening. "Why am I…because I cannot stand to see Colonel Hogan knowing he doesn't believe he did anything wrong that night. And exactly why should I apologize for how I feel? I am not the one who stopped me from doing something!"
Newkirk exhaled. "Why don't you stop being a bleedin' horse's arse, Louie. You understand exactly why the Colonel stopped you. I can see it in your eyes. If he hadn't, you would have died. Your death wouldn't have changed one blasted thing in the end."
LeBeau's face softened. He smiled faintly. "You are right of course, Pierre. I realize this, and the Colonel was right by stopping me. But it pains me nonetheless."
"Then why don't you apologize to the Gov'nor?"
LeBeau looked aghast. "After the things I said to the Colonel? I was so disrespectful and angry with him he could never forget that. Besides, I cannot face him."
Kinch and Newkirk looked at each other and then LeBeau.
"I don't get it," Kinch was confused. "If you understand why Colonel Hogan did what he did, why do you keep arguing with him?"
The Frenchman sighed wearily. "I keep arguing with him hoping he will send me away so I don't have to see him each day. Neither of you have any idea of the guilt I feel over what I said to him. I called him a murderer to his face. That alone pains me."
"It pains all of us," Kinch added solemnly. "But it looks like you won't have to leave the team or the barracks after all." Kinch figured it was time to reel in their fish.
LeBeau's mouth fell open in surprise. "What do you mean, mon ami?"
Newkirk looked at Kinch and shrugged his shoulders. "Colonel Hogan told us he's decided the only thing he can do is resign his command here, and have London send someone to replace him. That way the team can remain intact."
The Frenchman's eyes bulged. "Non! He cannot do that! Why would he do such a thing?"
"Me and Kinch asked him the same thing," Newkirk answered grimly. "He figured this way the tension in the barracks will go away, and you won't have to leave and move to another barracks."
"He can't do that!" echoed LeBeau. He was starting to realize how deeply he had hurt the officer, and it pained him to think he was the reason Colonel Hogan would leave for good, and exactly how far Hogan would go to keep his unit together. "We need him!"
"Correction," added Kinch. "Newkirk, Carter and me need the Colonel. You're the one who doesn't."
"You must talk him out of leaving!"
"We tried, believe me, " added Kinch. "He refuses to change his mind. Tomorrow morning he plans to contact General Butler and inform him he is resigning his command. He's promised us he'll stay at least until London sends another officer."
"He cannot leave. What if I tried talking with him?"
"You want to try talking with 'im?" asked Newkirk. "LeBeau, you can't even be in the same room with the Gov'nor before you start yellin' at 'im."
LeBeau massaged his forehead. "It is because of me he is leaving. I do not want that on my conscience. I do not want to be responsible for us losing the best commanding officer we have ever had." He pushed himself to his feet. "I will go and talk with him and make him understand he cannot leave."
Newkirk and Kinch glanced at each other, their eyes saying what wasn't able to be put into words right now.
"I will talk with the Colonel now. If I am going to leave, there is no reason for him to leave as well." The Frenchman hurried away from the table and marched in the direction of the ladder leading up to the barracks with Newkirk and Kinch following hiding the grins on their faces.
The three men stepped into the barracks seeing no sign of Hogan anywhere. LeBeau strode towards the smaller room. Newkirk and Kinch spotted Carter seated on his lower bunk. The young Sergeant nodded subtly and discreetly patted the spot beside him under his blanket indicating he had what Newkirk asked him to get. They stood in front of Carter watching LeBeau open the door to Hogan's room without knocking and slam the door shut behind him.
"Let's go," explained Newkirk. "We have to move fast. Carter, give me the bloody rope."
Handing Newkirk the rope, the Englander and Kinch, followed by Carter, hurried to Hogan's quarters. Unfurling the rope, Newkirk handed one end to Kinch. "Here, mate. Tie this end around the post of that double bunk there while I fasten this end around the doorknob here."
Carter watched the two men performing their tasks, puzzled. "I don't get it. How is this rope gonna get LeBeau and Colonel Hogan talking?"
"Easy," Newkirk replied testing the rope to find it taut with no give whatsoever. "They're both in the same room. The door to the Gov'nor's quarters opens inward. Neither one will be able to open the door as long as we have this rope tied the way it is. They'll have to talk."
"I sure hope LeBeau can talk Colonel Hogan outta leaving," said Carter. "I'd sure hate to see us get a new commanding officer."
"Andrew, Colonel Hogan isn't going anywhere. Never was. Kinch and me just told Louie that to get him to talk with the Gov'nor in his quarters."
Carter's face brightened considerably hearing that. He had been worried about Colonel Hogan leaving as he didn't want him to go. He felt he would never get another commanding officer as good as Hogan. In fact, he didn't want to serve under another commanding officer.
"Now I understand," he answered, nodding his head.
Newkirk rolled his eyes. "No you don't. But it doesn't matter anyway. Main thing is that Louie and Colonel Hogan have no choice but to talk 'cause they're stayin' in that room until they kiss and make up so to speak. Carter, go outside and when the Gov'nor closes his window, stick this piece of wood in it to jam it so it won't open."
(End of Flashback)
Hogan's eyes opened and he stared up at the ceiling above. He massaged his forehead. He began hoping once he stopped having these dreams, perhaps his headaches would go away. All he could do is pray his assessment was correct. If it wasn't, Hogan had no idea what he was going to do. Right now he had no idea what, if anything, was happening to him.
Am I going crazy, maybe? he thought to himself. Is Newkirk finally right when he says I am going crackers? It was a thought to which he had yet to find an answer.
(1) The Panzerfaust 30 is a recoilless German anti-tank weapon. It can fire a high explosive anti-tank warhead operated by a single soldier. It could fire a large caliber projectile which could defeat any level of armor available to Allied crews and could be produced quickly. Was produced in large numbers in 1943 through the last months of WW2.
(2)The mention of Schultz's toy factory is from War Takes a Holiday, Season 3. However, the exact location of the factory was never mentioned. But since Schultz said in the episode Killer Klink, Season 2, he was glad to return home to Heidelberg, I took the liberty his toy factory would be in his hometown.
