The Bridge at Remagen

Germany, March 1945

Krankenschwester Marilies Schneider was a regular at Stalag 13 ever since she joined the Underground. And she had the perfect cover. Her underage brother was now a guard at the camp.

At this stage of the war, all able bodied men were needed for the Defense of the Reich. As soldiers or laborers.

Even women could be eligible for military service under some circumstances. So the Schneider children being quarter Jewish from a grandparent making them Mischlings of the second degree was now conveniently forgotten.

Fräulein Marilies had a lunch packed for her brother. As well as something hidden in the hem of the skirt and the stockings of her frumpy gray nurse's uniform. Something that could win the war early in the West.

There was something else on her uniform that was a unique distinction as well. The black-white-red ribbon of the Iron Cross Second Class. Making her a genuine war heroine of the Reich. Very few of the Stalag 13 guards had even seen combat.

Not a good idea to touch a war heroine personally decorated by Old Scrambled Brains himself.

She was waved through the gate. No need to search her. Although some of the lovesick guards would have enjoyed patting down the tall strawberry blond nurse.

Fortunately for her it was Corporal Langenscheidt on duty. No worries, as he had a significant other in town.

And Karl Langenscheidt had something in common with Marilies Schneider, as he was also decorated with the Iron Class Second Class for bravery in combat.

Lunch for her brother first. Then to Barracks 2.

Earlier in the Morning

In his apartment, Dr. Gerhard Steiner was listening intently to the story from his fiancée while holding his pet tabby cat Liselotte.

"Well Liebe, that was a shock. I was visiting my aunt near Remagen. And on the way, there was an American infantry attack. Some Landsers were shot and the next thing I know, I drag them to safety and perform first aid on them. I even picked up a Sturmgewehr and fired a few shots. Didn't hit anyone fortunately."

"And I got this pretty ribbon for my efforts from that fool in Berlin. I even had tea and cakes with Eva Braun. But it was nothing compared to your Ritterkreuz of course."

Fräulein Marilies Schneider was a very brave and resourceful lady.

"I imagine Sophie Scholl was just as courageous when she faced her executioner."

Doctor Steiner was thinking of his classmate from the University of Munich and his first crush who met her martyrdom in 1943.

But the mention of Remagen piqued his interest.

"Marilies, Remagen? The Rhein bridges, how many are left intact?"

She answered...

"Just the Ludendorff. The other ones were blown up by the pioneers. Those soldiers I rescued were on their way to plant more explosive charges when they were attacked. Here is a diagram of the bridge and where the charges are placed. As well as a map showing the locations of all pillboxes and machine gun nests defending the bridge. I took it off the Leutnant that was badly wounded."

"He was dead by the time I got to him and there was no need for him to have those documents anyways. I did well, nicht wahr Liebe?"

"And so you did. Take the plans to Oberst Hogan. As soon as possible, but where to hide them on you?"

Marilies Schneider then proceeded to pull up the hem of her nurse's uniform. And unroll her stockings.

"Marilies, this is no time for us to do that!"

"Nein, Dummkopf, we do that after I return. I will hide the map and other documents in the skirt of my uniform and my stockings. I visit my brother every week at Stalag 13 to bring him lunch. And it's about that time. I will deliver the documents to Oberst Hogan personally."

This could work, thought Dr. Steiner…

"Marilies, all right. But under no circumstances undress in front of Oberst Hogan. Every female agent in the Hammelburg Underground...you have heard the stories of course."

"Not to worry. I'm the only girl in a family of older and younger brothers. And I know how to kill. With a bedpan no less."

She scurried off to Barracks 2. And saw a man she recognized immediately. For there were very few black men in German prisoner of war camps.

"Hello Oberfeldwebel Kinchloe, I trust you are feeling much better. Gerhard and I will examine how your injuries are at a later date. But I have vital information for Oberst Hogan. Take me to his office." The nurse was in a hurry.

"I'm doing better, Fräulein Marilies. But he's busy now. Talking to an officer." Kinch replied.

"Please take me to his office immediately. The information I have could end the war in the West within weeks. This is important!"

"All right, I'll do it. But it will be the death of me."

Colonel Hogan was indeed talking to an officer in his office. His commanding officer. A blonde one and most attractive. Dr. Suzanne Lechay.

Suzanne Lechay was now in an American officer's uniform. With the rank of Colonel.

She was in Germany as part of an Allied effort to find scientists who would be willing to work for the West. And back in Stalag 13 to give Hogan orders.

"Newkirk, go to the Colonel's office now!" Kinch ordered. "Fräulein Schneider has important information."

Newkirk was hesitant. Not a good idea to disturb Colonel Hogan now. But the nurse was a valuable asset for the Underground. Plus she and the German doctor saved Kinch's life that time when the mission went sour and he was shot.

Newkirk opened the door. And gawked at the sight.

''Excuse me Colonel Hogan, Doctor Lechay...blimey do women really do that to men?''

''Out Newkirk! My commanding officer is giving me my orders. Very important.''

Marilies Schneider looked at Peter Newkirk and smiled.

"Obergefreiter Newkirk! What are you afraid of? I have brothers and when they brought their girlfriends home, I would peek. I have seen much worse, believe me."

Marilies Schneider was laughing at the sight as Newkirk tried to close the office door as soon as possible, but without success.

A very shocking scene. Newkirk's face was as red as a tomato and his eyes were bugged out while surveying the Colonel's office.

Colonel Hogan and the lady doctor in a compromising situation.

"Um...Fräulein Schneider what are you doing here? My commanding officer and I are, well, um talking. And she's taking dictation…" The Colonel was visibly shaken by the sudden intrusion.

"Robert, who is this woman! You have more on the side?" The lady doctor was not too pleased. "Take me back to the tunnel, I'm going out tonight. And here are your clothes."

Suzanne Lechay threw back Hogan's uniform at him.

She quickly put on her uniform. Stormed out of the Colonel's office and went down back into the tunnel.

The boys in Barracks 2 certainly got an eyeful that day.

Hogan dressed quickly. To spare himself further embarrassment. He asked Marilies Schneider to enter after he was presentable.

"Kinch, come in here as well. I don't want the boys to think that I am doing something inappropriate with Miss Schneider!'' ordered Colonel Hogan.

Hogan and Kinch listened to her account.

'Kinch, this could win the war for us in the West sooner. And Fräulein Schneider, where are the plans?''

"Hidden in my clothing of course . You wish to see? The plans of course. The guards would not dare search someone who was decorated for bravery by Hitler himself! Especially a woman since most of those guards have never been in combat." She pointed to her Iron Cross Second Class ribbon.

"All right Fräulein Schneider, Kinch and I will wait outside while you take out the plans. Let us know when you are done."

Marilies Schneider removed the plans and dressed afterwards.

"Oberst Hogan, Oberfeldwebel Kinch, come back in, I'm decent again."

Hogan studied the plans. This was indeed important. So important that it needed to be personally delivered to Bradley, Hodges, or Patton. Depending on whose forces were closer to the Rhine.

"I'm very impressed, Fräulein Schneider. I'll make sure they are delivered. Now go back to Doc Steiner. And give him our regards for making Kinch better."

This nurse is even more cunning than Tiger. Poor Dr. Steiner will have a handful once he gets married.

Notes for this chapter

A slightly bowdlerized version of the same story I posted earlier. But it has the same effect. Not as graphic I trust. Male writers tend to go overboard at times.

The bridge at Remagen was the last remaining one over the Rhine that was not blown up by the Germans. When it was captured by the United States Army on March 7, 1945, it was important in shortening the end of the war in the West. Any information about the bridge would be vital.

General Courtney Hodges' First Army captured the Ludendorff Bridge. A fascinating man. He flunked out of West Point due to lack of proficiency in mathematics. Joined the Army as an enlisted man and went from Private to General. One of the most underrated generals of the war.

Sort of a fictional account here, but could be plausible.

Introducing a new OC here. More than a match for Dr. Steiner. Will definitely be a part of new stories. And their wedding was already mentioned in my short stories about the aftermath of the war.

German Jews (or those of Jewish descent) did serve in the German military during World War 2. I don't have the exact numbers-didn't check my military history books. But it was in the thousands.

The head of production for the Luftwaffe, Field Marshal Erhard Milch, had a Jewish father. Gotthard Heinrici, who was one of Hitler's best defensive generals during the war, was married to a woman who was half-Jewish.

Bryan Mark Rigg's book 'Hitler's Jewish Soldiers' is a fascinating read. Highly recommended.

Approximately 30-40 German women were awarded the Iron Cross Second Class. Mostly nurses, but there are verified accounts of at least 2 women awarded the Iron Class for a combat situation in the face of the enemy.

One interesting account I read was of a woman who was serving in an artillery battery in Eastern Germany in 1945 as an auxiliary. During an attack by a Soviet tank unit, she carried shells, helped spot the guns on their targets, and tended to injured soldiers.

She contributed to the destruction of 10 tanks. Her husband was the commander of the artillery battery and was awarded the Knight's Cross. She probably deserved a Knight's Cross as well, but was only awarded the Iron Class Second Class. Should have been awarded both the EK1 and EK2 at a minimum.

At this stage of the war, it was unlikely for Hitler to award medals for valor on the Western Front as he was in the Führerbunker in Berlin, but he continued awarding medals to those fighting in Eastern Germany. And it would be possible for someone to travel from Western Germany to Berlin to be awarded a medal, especially for propaganda purposes.

The medal and ribbon for the Iron Cross Second Cross are worn together on the day of the presentation only. Afterwards only the ribbon is worn, either in the buttonhole of the uniform or on the right lapel.

Karl Langenscheidt was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class as well. I have seen a Hogan's Heroes episode that shows him wearing the ribbon in his tunic buttonhole.

Kinch being in a German hospital will be the basis for a future story. Stay tuned.

The Western Allies were in a race with the Soviets to find all scientists, engineers, and technicians in Germany who would have been of use after the war. Wernher von Braun was the biggest prize of all. No NASA and the space program without him.

The Soviets captured some aerospace engineers and the MiG fighters of the Russian Air Force can trace their origins to Germany. As well as the AK47 having its origins with the Sturmgewehr. As they have roughly a similar physical appearance.

Many of the Allied scientists sent to find and interview their German counterparts were temporarily given officer's commissions. Dr. Lechay being French should have worn the uniform of the Free French, but many Free French soldiers and officers actually wore American uniforms. Especially the ones attached to American units.

Riddle me this. How do you kill somebody with a bedpan?