The Colonel has a plan

The Heroes are now in the Colonel's office.

Kinch began the conversation...

"Sir, what did I tell you? Fräulein Marilies is one special lady. She protected me from a bunch of crazy Nazis when I was in the hospital. Dr. Steiner found a good one for sure. She cleaned me up and changed my dressings. As well as fed me when I couldn't eat properly."

"Imagine that-a white woman treating me like a human being. With no hesitation at all. My relatives would never believe that in a million years. She told me I reminded her of her oldest brother. I have no idea why. As far as I know I'm not part German. Regardless of what Carter says."

"I know Kinch. She's young, but handles herself well. She's the German version of Tiger. Only she hasn't been captured yet. She is no damsel in distress. I would not mess with that one! And if she had a weapon when Old Scrambled Brains himself awarded her the Iron Cross, the war would be over by now." Hogan replied.

"Kinch, send a message to London. Tell them that there is a bridge on the Rhine that is intact. We have the plans for the defenses as well as where the explosive charges are planted and will deliver them personally. To either the First, Third or Ninth Army depending on how close they are to the Rhine."

"Sir, but how? All the roads are going to be crawling with German military police and SS. They will hang or shoot anyone suspicious on sight." Kinch was worried.

Now for some of the Colonel's plans...

"Newkirk forge up some orders. Colonel Hoganschmidt of the Feldjäger will be delivering the plans himself. To Bradley, Hodges or Patton. And write something like this for the orders. In our best stationary."

Oberst Rupert Hoganschmidt of the Feldjägerkorps is on a special mission by the authority of the Oberkommmando der Wehrmacht and the Führer.

All who see these orders will allow him to pass without any questions. And render all assistance to him if he asks. You will treat him as a full General of the Wehrmacht. And obey all orders from him.

The men under his command have the authority of fully commissioned officers even though they are Unteroffizer mit Portepee. Their authority will not be questioned either.

Failure to obey will result in death.

Heil Hitler!

Signed,

Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel

Chef der OKW

"Will do Sir! And it will be my best forgery ever." Newkirk was smiling.

"Kinch, we need to borrow a car. What's the going rate for the Hertz rental service?"

"10 Reichsmarks a kilometer, Colonel."

"Well give our motor pool sergeant the equivalent in dollars. Real ones, not the forged ones. And Kinch, get us a map of the Rheinland. Not one of Pittsburgh."

"Carter, you and LeBeau are coming with me. A nice road trip through the Rheinland. We are going to visit a bridge."

"Is the bridge gold in color Sir? I saw a picture of San Francisco. Some day I want to visit California." the young sergeant replied.

"Carter, this is Germany. Not the States. I don't think the Krauts have even seen the Golden Gate Bridge.

"LeBeau, make sure we have our regular uniforms and dog tags. Can't risk being shot…Also prepare rations for the 3 for us. Make it 3 day's worth."

"We head out tonight. According to the map, it's roughly 80 miles from Hammelburg to Remagen. If we drive fast enough, we'll be there in 4 hours.

And Newkirk, you, Kinch, and Baker mind the homestead."

"Sir, what if Klink and Schultz get suspicious? Since you, LeBeau, and Carter wont be here for roll call."asked Sergeant Baker.

"Well Baker, at this point Klink is more worried about surviving until the end of the war than worrying about his perfect record. And Schultz will be fine with the usual candy bars. And a few cans of SPAM."

Notes for this chapter

Assuming that the fictional Hammelburg is in the Rhineland (and not Bavaria as in real life) and its relative proximity to Düsseldorf, 80 miles is plausible. And the actual distance between Düsseldorf and Remagen is roughly 50 miles (had to Google it up). It's 80 miles from Hofburg to Hammelburg in the episode 'You Look Better in Basic Black.' And my theory is that Hofburg is actually Aachen, as the city has a distinct cathedral. I might rewrite that episode as a story that makes more historical sense. As Charlene Hemsley, Ginger Wilson, and Kathy Pruitt (she certainly is) would have likely been entertaining US forces trying to take the city.

The Feldjägerkorps was the special branch of the German Military Police during WW2. A truly tough bunch of men and not to be messed around with.

Their ultimate authority was derived from the German High Command and in theory Feldjäger personnel could arrest SS and Gestapo officers without any repercussions.

A Feldjäger officer in command of a military police detachment had the same authority as a General of the Wehrmacht, especially with regards to military law enforcement and the execution of justice in a combat situation.

Ordinary Feldjäger soldiers were at the minimum at the rank of Sergeant and had the authority of a commissioned officer in the Wehrmacht as well.

All Feldjäger were required to be in active combat for at least 3 years and have been awarded at the minimum the Iron Cross Second Class. And in actuality most Feldjäger had both grades of the Iron Class. And there were Feldjäger who had the Knight's Cross as well.

The military police of the current German Bundeswehr are called Feldjäger as well. Although not with the same powers as their World War 2 counterparts.

Obviously Hogan, Carter, and LeBeau would use their actual uniforms/dog tags as fighting under a false flag/disguised in the uniform of the enemy will result in execution if they were captured. And this would not be considered a war crime under the laws of warfare. Soldiers who are in the wrong uniform lose all legal protections once captured.