Chapter 21: Relieved Of Command
Hogan knocked on the door and waited to be given permission to enter. With Keitel in the cooler and all non-essential German soldiers being called away from Wesel and Rees to help look for the one hundred and thirty-two "escapees" from Stalag 13, Hogan shouldn't be nervous any more. He did what he was ordered to do.
The question that kept nagging Hogan was; would he be able to come out of this in one piece and what would happen to Tom and the rest of his men when they showed back up?
"Come in," said Burkhalter.
Hogan entered, coming to attention. "You wish to see me, General?"
"Yes, Colonel. I have heard Major Keitel's story and now wish to hear yours," said Burkhalter.
After a deep breath, Hogan explained everything to Burkhalter. "So you see, General, despite Major Keitel's accusations, I could not have been responsible for the escape. The fact I was trying to warn Kommandant Klink of the first escape should count for something."
"You're correct; if in fact that is why you snuck into Klink's office last night. Since you were not able to tell them why you were here, it's only speculation," said Burkhalter. "However, since evidence has been found supporting your claim the first group of escaping prisoners were headed toward Kessel, I do not find you guilty of having anything to do with the escape."
Hogan smiled. "Thank you, General."
"Don't thank me just yet, Colonel," said Burkhalter with a stern expression. "I'm allowing the prisoners to resume their daily routine. I want you to speak with them and try to find out where the missing prisoners are. If there are any more escapes, I will hold you personally responsible. And I promise you, it will not be Klink's thirty days in the cooler either."
"I understand, General. No more escapes. You know, this would've never happened with Kommandant Klink here," said Hogan.
"You may be right. I'm still amazed that dummkopf can do one thing right. Family emergency or not, I'm getting him back here. Perhaps between the two of you, we can get the escaped prisoners back. You're dismissed, Colonel," said Burkhalter.
HH
That evening, Klink pulled into to camp. Ignoring Schultz who was saluting him, he marched into his office. "General Burkhalter, I demand to know what has been happening in my camp! I haven't been gone for twenty-four hours and it sounds like everything has been turned upside down."
"Klink! You will not use that tone with me. If anyone around here will be yelling it's me!" yelled Burkhalter. "You have a hundred and thirty-two prisoners missing. I have called in reinforcements from Wesel and Rees to search for them. One group is headed toward Kessel and I have no idea where the other group is. According to Colonel Hogan, the prisoners have no idea where the others are either. Major Keitel is locked up in the cooler until the Gestapo can get here to escort him to Berlin. I want those prisoners found and I don't care what you have to do to find them," said Burkhalter.
"You can count on me, Herr General. I will find them even if I have to personally look under every rock in Germany," said Klink with a hint of arrogance. I pray Hogan will cooperate and help me find them at least.
Burkhalter stood. "I have other pressing matters I must attend to. If there is one more escape from here, you better be part of it. If not, I will have you shot!"
Klink saluted. "I won't fail you, Herr General."
"They may yet be found. No more problems, Klink." Without another work, Burkhalter stormed out.
Klink nervously sat in his chair. He knew Hogan was still in camp, but not sure which one. Why on earth did they have to have over a hundred prisoners escape? I'm glad I wasn't here.
"Schultz, I wish to speak with Colonel Hogan," ordered Klink.
A few minutes later, a downcast Hogan stood at attention before Klink. He gaped at him, not believing what he was seeing. His face had a few bruises on it and some swelling around his eye and mouth. His eyes were hollow and appeared sunken in. His mind drifted back to when Hogan was returned from Stalag 1 and feared it had happened again.
"Colonel, you may have a seat." Hogan did as asked. "General Burkhalter gave me the quick story as to what happened. Since you are here, I assume your brother is among the escapees?"
"Yes, Sir, he is," said Hogan.
Good, he can talk. That means he's not quite as bad as before. "Is there any chance of all the missing prisoners being found?"
"There's always a chance, Kommandant," said Hogan with no hint of his usual humor and no twinkle in his eyes.
What on earth did Keitel do to you while I was gone to cause you to act like this? Please laugh, smile, joke, something to let me know the old Hogan is still there and that everything will be fine. "Is there a chance of this happening soon?"
Hogan shrugged for an answer. "Colonel, is there anything you can do or tell me to help your men be found?" asked Klink.
"Not, at the moment, Sir. I'm awaiting for some information first. When I find out something, I'll let you know," said Hogan.
"Danke, Colonel. If there is nothing else, you're dismissed," said Klink as he saluted.
"There's one thing you can do, Kommandant," said Hogan. "Call Berlin and cancel the Gestapo escort for Keitel."
"What do I tell them the reason is?" asked Klink, afraid of the answer.
"Shot while trying to escape," said Hogan.
Klink searched Hogan's face for anything that said it might be a joke or something else. Nothing. "Colonel, are you planning on executing Major Keitel?"
"The less you know the better." Hogan stood at attention, saluted then left.
Once Hogan was gone, Klink placed his head in his hands. "What happened to you, Robert? Whatever it was, I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you." Then Klink placed the phone call to Berlin.
HH
Hogan laid on his bed, waiting for word Operation Plunder was a success and the next phase of the plan can begin; getting the men back up without everyone getting into trouble.
Sometime later, faint yelling could be heard. It was coming from the tunnels below. His mind feared the worse and ran for the tunnel entrance. Just as he was about to open it, it opened and Tom came up. "Just the person I was looking for. Congratulations, Little Brother, Operation Plunder was a success. The allies met very little opposition when they crossed."
"They made it?" asked Hogan in shock. "The allies are officially on this side of the Rhine?"
"Yes, they are. They couldn't have done it without you. Momma Bear sends her thanks and said you earned a metal for this," said Tom as he patted Hogan on his back. "Is something wrong? You don't seem happy."
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired and worn out. I'm getting too old to keep up this pace. Now we have to come up with a plan for everyone to get back into camp or caught by Klink's guards or…" Hogan was cut off.
"If you don't mind, can I handle this part? You've been through enough and had to endure the worst part. I was supposed to be in charge of the escape so let me worry about getting everyone back. That is if you don't mind, Colonel?" asked Tom.
Hogan stared at his brother awkwardly. "Why did you use my rank? Did I do something wrong?"
Tom laughed. "Because when it comes to the operation, you're my commanding officer and I take orders from you."
Hogan smiled for the first time since the mission began. "You have my blessing, Colonel. This way I won't have to lie when asked what I knew about it. See you later. Oh, before I forget, where are the rest of the prisoners?"
Tom pointed to the ceiling. "While you were in London, I asked Klink if we could cut wood to make repairs to the roof. In the process, I had a fake ceiling added to all the barracks. It gives us room to store soldiers, dirt, supplies or anything else we need room for."
Hogan glanced at the ceiling in amazement. He never really stared at it before to notice the difference. "How many men are up there?"
"The barracks which are hiding men have roughly ten men hiding in the ceiling," said Tom. "If there's nothing else, I'm going back down so you can get some sleep. You look like you could use it."
Hogan nodded. "Yes, Sir."
HH
It seemed like no sooner Hogan was asleep, the roll call alarm sounded. To his surprise, he heard grumbles coming from the common room. Opening the door, he saw all of his men filing out for roll call.
"How? When?" Hogan said, unable to form a sentence.
"Come on, Colonel, you're going to be late," said Newkirk as he walked out the door.
He followed the last man out and stood beside Tom. "What did I miss?"
"Later. Klink's coming out," said Tom as he came to attention.
Hogan did the same. He inwardly smiled at Klink's puzzled expression.
"Report!" Klink yelled as he took his place in front of the prisoners.
With a smile as large as Germany, Schultz announced, "All present, Herr Kommandant. Even the missing ones are present."
"Danke." Klink began to pace. "Now prisoners of the Third Reich, I know something funny has happened in my absence. You know I don't tolerate monkey business of any kind in my camp. As punishment, all prisoners will be confined to barracks for one week with all privileges revoked for an additional week."
"Kommandant, I take full responsibility for the prisoner's actions," said Tom as he stepped forward. "I am the one who ordered them to escape. When I saw reinforcements were called in and the plan failed to take Kessel, I ordered everyone to return."
"Tom, what are you doing?" asked Hogan.
"SPO Hogan, do you realize how serious this matter is?" asked Klink. Tom nodded. "Very well, unless I am overruled, you will be confined to barracks for two weeks."
"Come on, Kommandant, he ordered the men to return and they all came back. Can't you wave the confinement?" asked Hogan.
Klink glanced back and forth between the two Hogan's as he approached them. In a hushed voice he said, "As it stands, he could be shot! Because of this escape attempt and all the German forces that were called out to search for them, the Allies have now crossed the Rhine. It will be a matter of time…before…Why are the two of you smiling?" Klink quickly coved his mouth. "That was the plan all along. That doesn't change the fact if Berlin suspects this escape was all a ploy to draw troops away from Wesel and Rees so the Allies could cross, they would not hesitate in handing any of you over to the Gestapo."
"I know, Kommandant. But think how many lives will be saved because of this," said Tom.
"Not to mention how much closer the war is to an end," said Hogan.
Klink waved his finger at Tom then Hogan. "Not only to I have to protect him from himself, it appears I have to protect both of you from yourselves before you go and get yourselves killed. I wish to see both of you in my office immediately to help me write the official report to Berlin."
Both Hogan's saluted. "Yes, Sir!"
HH
Once Tom and Hogan finished dictating to Helga the report that would be typed up and sent to Berlin, Klink called for Schultz. "Schultz, I want you to supervise the men repairing the fence so it no longer lifts up. Test it. Since all of these prisoners have so much energy, I want a work detail together to help a nearby farmer plant his crops. If there are any escapes, I will throw every one of the one hundred and thirty-two men involved with the escape into the cooler."
"But, Kommandant that many people won't fit into the cooler" said Tom.
"Would you like to see me try?" asked Klink. Both Hogan's shook their heads. "Please, Gentlemen, no more excitement until after the war?"
"We'll do our best," said Hogan.
"Dismissed!" said Klink as he saluted.
Both Hogan's came to attention, saluting. Before Hogan left, he asked, "Kommanant, may I have permission to visit the prisoner?"
"What prisoner? The only prisoner in the cooler is Major Keitel," said Klink.
"That's the one I wish to speak with," said Hogan.
"No. I will not allow you to execute that man in cold blood," said Klink as he stood up.
"I'm not planning on executing him. I just want to talk with him is all," said Hogan.
"As long as I have your word, no harm will come to him," said Klink as he sat back down.
"Thank you, Sir," Hogan left to talk with Keitel.
With hands in his pockets and head down, Hogan headed for the cooler. "Kommandant Klink said I could have a few moments with the prisoner," said Hogan to the guard on duty.
With a nod, the guard granted him access.
Hogan stopped in front of a bard door cell. "Major Keitel, may I speak with you a moment?"
Keitel glared at Hogan. "What do you want now? How much more trouble can you possibly get me into?"
"I didn't do this. I'm sorry it happened." Hogan glanced around, making sure they were alone. "If you let me, I can help you. I can get you out of camp."
"I think you've helped me enough. Besides, how can you get me out but not yourself?" asked Keitel.
"It isn't because I don't know how; it's because the Nazis said if I escape, men in this camp will be executed," said Hogan. "If you let me, I have a plan to get you out of camp and to London."
"Are you insane? Why would I want to go to London?" asked Keitel.
Hogan leaned close to the bars and smiled as he spoke. "Think about the praise you would get if you go to London as a spy. Everyone knows there is an escape route somewhere around here. You can dress in an allied soldier's uniform and escape. When you get to London, you could infiltrate and possibly cause the Allies to lose the war."
Keitel thought. "That would make me a national hero. How do I know I can trust you?"
"You don't. Would you rather take a chance on me or stay here, get sent to Berlin and be executed and or tortured?" asked Hogan.
After a moment, Keitel nodded his head. "It appears I have no choice. Being my luck, Wolfgang will be the one sent to escort me to Berlin. I can just see his face now when given the order to execute me."
"Don't worry and leave everything to me," said Hogan.
HH
When Hogan entered the barracks, Tom motioned for Hogan to follow him to their room. Once inside, Tom shut the door behind them. "Now that we have a moment to ourselves, I want to know how you are doing? Don't lie to me either or I'll get Wilson in here."
"I'm fine. Just a little tired and stressed from the mission." Tom just stared at Hogan. "It's nothing plenty of rest won't cure."
"I saw what happened between you and Keitel at roll call yesterday," said Tom.
"What do you want me to say? Yes, he scares the crap out of me. I know what bastards like him are capable of doing and don't want to go through it again. All I kept thinking about was what Koch did to me. I know it is going to take some time to fully get over it, but I'm making progress. It was nothing I couldn't handle," said Hogan.
"You were able to hold things together, but what if Burkhalter hadn't shown up when he did? What if Keitel had whipped you out there? I care about you, Rob and I don't want to see you having to go through this." Tom paused. "What if you had been captured while on an assignment and the Kraut who caught you wanted information from you and was willing to beat it out of you? What would you have done then? Are you sure you should be leading missions? Perhaps you should leave it up to one of your men."
"I don't see there being too many more missions any how since the Allies crossed the Rhine. London placed me in control of the operation. If they are informed I'm not mentally capable of running it any more, they will demand to know why. When they're told it's because Koch succeeded in breaking me, they'll know Kinch and the rest of the men lied to protect me. I don't want to see them get into trouble." Hogan glanced around the room for a moment before he spoke again. "If there are any more missions that involve going out of camp, I'll think about letting you lead them. Is that a deal?"
"Fair enough. I know London can never be told the truth. It will go no further and I'll never bring it up again," said Tom. "Now you mind explaining to me why you were in the cooler visiting Keitel?"
"I'm already responsible for killing one of Hochstetter's brothers; I will not be responsible for the death of another one. I made him an offer. If he lets me, I'll get him out of camp and to London," said Hogan.
"And he agreed?" asked Tom.
Hogan nodded. "I may have led him to believe I was going to send him to London as a spy to help the Allies lose the war?"
"Robert Edward Hogan!" Tom yelled. "What the Hell are you thinking? That would be considered treason." Tom locked eyes with Hogan. "I'm starting to wonder if breaking you is all Koch did to you. You're starting to sound like you've been brainwashed."
Hogan looked away from his brother in shame. Tom's mouth dropped open. "Are…are you trying to tell me he did brainwash you?"
"He tried." Hogan kept his head bowed as he thought about how much to tell Tom. "He was the second Nazi to try to brainwash me. From the reports I was able to read of Hochstetter's; neither succeeded." Hogan met Tom's eyes. "I would never do anything to hurt the U.S. I only told Keitel what I had to in order to convince him to cooperate. Please keep this between us. No one here knows the Nazis tried to brainwash me. If they found out, I could lose their respect. If London found out…"
Tom took a deep breath. "If they find out, you will be in serious trouble. Possibly even court-martialed and executed. Everything you did here would be compromised. No one would ever trust you again with anything. How am I supposed to know it really didn't work and this isn't some ploy?"
"I hope my actions speak for themselves. I have never done anything to truly help the Nazis." Hogan stared at the ground again. "I know the fact the allies who are not in the know about my operation believe I have been most understanding and cooperative with the Nazis don't look good, but I only did what I had to do to complete a mission and never gave them anything that could be used to hurt the Allies." Hogan looked Tom in the eyes again. "I swear to you, Tom, it's the truth. If you have any doubt about me, then arrest me."
Silence passed as the two men stared at each other. "I'll believe you for now. If I see you act like you are on their side, I will handle it personally. Now go and get things arranged to get Keitel to London."
Hogan saluted. "Yes, Sir."
HH
After getting things arranged with London, Hogan set the headphones down and leaned back in the chair. He couldn't get the look out of his mind Tom gave him when he confessed to the Nazis trying to brainwash him. Despite Tom's words, his eyes said he didn't trust him.
Haven't I proven myself to him? I love my country. I would never willingly help the Nazis defeat her. I'm losing everything. Once the men see Tom not trusting me, they won't either. I have to hold on for a little bit longer. It is just a matter of time now before we're free.
HH
That evening after roll call, Hogan met with the men in the tunnels to go over the plan for getting Keitel to London. "I was able to convince Keitel I'm sending him to London as a Nazi spy going undercover as an escaping prisoner. London has been informed of this. I also requested he be placed in a regular POW camp instead of one of the special ones they normally put the guests we send to them in. I'm not planning on making him aware of the operation in any way so it should be safe. I'm going to sneak him to the plane through a hole in the fence…"
"No, you're not," said Tom in a stern voice.
The men stared at Tom while Hogan just glared at him. "You mind explaining to me why not?"
"You are not to leave this camp for any reason," said Tom.
"And why not? I thought we agreed I'd run the operation and you run the camp," said Hogan.
"We did. However, I believe it would not be wise for you to go out on any missions or possibly lead any," said Tom.
Hogan growled. He knew why Tom was stopping him, but it wasn't a dangerous mission and he could handle it. "London has placed me in charge of this operation and I will run it how I wish. I don't want to involve anyone else. If I do, Keitel may get suspicious and realize I lied to him and he was set up from the beginning. If he thinks that, it could make getting him out of here a lot harder."
Tom took a step toward Hogan. "Since you insist on disobeying me, you leave me no other choice but to relieve you of your command."
The men gasped. Hogan's eyes were filled with anger, hate and sadness. "You don't relieve me of my command; I quit. It's yours now, run it how you want." Hogan stomped upstairs to his room before he said or did something to get him into more trouble or court-martialed.
After slamming the door, he started packing up his belongings. As angry and hurt he was at Tom, there was no way he could stay in the same room as him. With the camp at capacity, where would he go though?
Piling his dress uniform and shave kit on top of his footlocker, he carried it to the door. Just as he opened the barracks door leading into the compound, Schultz walked in. "Good. You can carry this." Hogan handed him his footlocker while he carried his dress uniform and shave kit.
"Colonel Hogan, what are you doing?" asked Schultz nervously.
"I refuse to stay in the same barracks as that backstabbing, two-faced, traitor!" Hogan marched off toward the cooler.
"Colonel Hogan, where are you going?" asked Schultz.
"Klink gets his wish. I plan on spending the rest of the war in the cooler," said Hogan.
Hogan entered one of the larger and nicer cells. It had a barred door, window, bed with a mattress, sink and toilet. He hung his dress uniform on the bars to the window and set his shave kit on the sink. "You can set my footlocker in the corner. Make sure you lock the door and I don't want any visitors; especially Tom."
Schultz set the footlocker in the corner as instructed. "Do you wish to talk about it?"
"There's nothing to talk about. Tom wants to run everything with no help from me. Now he has his wish. I'm just going to stay in here and mind my own business. If you don't mind, Schultz, I wish to be left alone," said Hogan as he lay on his bed.
Hogan clasped his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't believe Tom relieved him of his command. I have never given him a reason to not trust me…Well except not telling him about the operation right away. But that was different. A tear rolled down Hogan's face. He took away from me the only thing I had left; the operation.
HH
"What do you think you're doing, Hogan?" asked Klink with some anger.
Hogan sat up with a start at being woken up. "What?"
"Why have you moved all of your stuff in here? Schultz told me you wish to spend the rest of the war locked up in here," said Klink.
"Colonel Hogan has pushed me too far this time. I don't want to be around him or have anything to do with him. I sometimes get the feeling I'm not wanted around anymore and since I can't just leave, I figured the best thing for me to do was to lock myself up in here and stay out of everyone's way," said Hogan.
"You are wanted here. "I'm sure whatever the problem is between the two of you, you can work it out if you just sit down and talk about it," said Klink.
"I'm tired of talking about it and the stares and looks. He doesn't trust me and now I can see my men looking at me the same way," said Hogan.
"Give it a few days. I'm sure it will all be better later. Are you sure you wish to stay in the cooler? I thought you always avoided this place as much as possible," said Klink.
"It's the only place I can be left alone. I don't want any visitors either." Hogan lay back down.
Seeing as Hogan wasn't going to talk anymore, Klink walked away.