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Copyright of original text and original characters
belong to ML Breedlove.
Chapter 13
Gestapo headquarters - Hammelburg
"And while you were pursuing Colonel Hogan, you found Hegel's secretary dead along with eight soldiers? Was there any indication it was the escaped prisoners that killed them?"
Major Hochstetter stood uncomfortably at attention staring at the clock on the wall, while the officer who would be conducting the hearing at Stalag 13 gathered his facts. As much as Hochstetter wanted to say, Yes, I found the machine gun used on the soldiers and the handgun used on Myra…instead he answered...
"I have no evidence yet, but I assure you I will keep looking."
"Major, if you have not found anything by now, you most likely never will.
When you arrived at the barn, did you see anything to make you suspect that Kommandant Klink was not telling the truth?"
"Nein, Major Hegel laid outside the barn and both, the barn and Major Hegel, had clearly been riddled with machine gun fire."
"You found no guns on the prisoners?"
Hochstetter flinched.
"Well you see...it was obvious they didn't have a machine gun on them and so…well…I didn't actually search them…I…"
"You didn't search them? You didn't…!" The Oberfuhrer marched around the desk and stood within inches of Hochstetter growling, "Well, I guess we'll never know if there was any evidence to be found, will we?"
Hochstetter seethed. Here he was, once again, on the receiving end of a verbal tongue lashing, thanks to Colonel Hogan.
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Berlin
Burkhalter leaned back in his chair pressing the phone to his ear as Klink explained the meals being prepared for Colonel Hogan.
"You're getting the medicine into the food? …Good. And Schultz stays to watch that he consumes everything?"
Rocking further back in his chair, Burkhalter listened closely as Klink explained the details.
"In his coffee? Excellent! See you can do something right. Have you noticed any changes in his behavior?"
A scowl began to appear on the General's face and he leaned forward in his chair wishing he could reach through the phone and grab Klink's neck!
"What do you mean you've been staying away so he couldn't wheedle any information out of you? You're the one that should be doing the wheedling!"
There was a short pause.
"Klink! Shut up and listen. We can't keep him locked up in solitary forever. Not if we want to continue with our program. It doesn't convey the message we are trying to instill in him.
But on the other hand, we want to discourage Hogan from trying any more escape attempts before we can continue our indoctrination. So we have decided to put a scare into him.
At the end of the hearing we have asked the Gestapo officer to tell him, he and his men, are being sent to Berlin for further questioning. Hogan will know what those question and answer sessions would entail. You will allow that statement time to sink in and then protest, demanding to discipline him there."
Burkhalter paused while Klink praised the General's cleverness.
"Yes, well, we will see how clever it is."
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Burkhalter reluctantly admitted one small detail.
"We haven't actually got the Gestapo to agree…yet. They want to see what comes out in the hearing. …Klink! Just play out the scenario. The officer conducting the hearing will decide whether to take him and his men to Berlin based on the results of the hearing…Be quiet, I'm getting to that…Regardless of his decision he will make the statement that he is taking them to Berlin, you will protest and he will deny or accept your request at that time…That's right, you won't know until that moment.
Burkhalter's knuckles blanched as he gripped the phone listening to Klink's 'what-if's'.
"Stop interrupting, Klink!
If he denies your request, call me immediately. Otherwise, Oberst Knefler and I will be at Stalag 13 next week to evaluate Hogan."
Checking his watch, Burkhalter attempted to speed up the conversation.
"Now get down to solitary and spend some time with him. Put some fear in him over the coming hearing. Let him think his life and, more importantly, the lives of his men are on the line. If this is going to be an effective deterrent against future escape attempts, we have to shake him up. Any more questions?"
Burkhalter, once again, leaned back in his chair.
"No?...Good! After the hearing keep him confined in solitary…What?…Just tell him rules have been broken a German officer is dead as a result of his attempted escape and there has to be punishment…of course he's going to push back, have you ever known him not too.
But, fortunately, you are the Kommandant, not Hogan. You're the one running the camp-remember that! Remind him of that! Be sure he knows he is getting off easy. It is important that we give him more time in solitary...Why?... Klink, all you have to do is follow orders! ...But I'll tell you why.
Remember the propaganda pictures taken after Hogan pulled Major Hochstetter from the fire at Stalag 13?...Yes, the one where the pictures were somehow mysteriously exposed. Well, Oberst Knefler placed suggestions in Hogan's subconscious that day and he hopes being in the dark of solitary confinement and deprived of outside stimuli, along with the effects of the medication you are giving him, will allow that information the opportunity to start resurfacing. If that is so, Hogan may become anxious. Being in the cooler will prevent another escape attempt."
Burkhalter, closed his eyes and sighed, as Klink expressed his concerns.
"I didn't say it was going to be easy. If you like I can find you an easier assignment at the Russian Front!"
Nodding, Burkhalter agreed, "I didn't think so.
One last thing, Klink. I haven't been told how extensive Oberst Knefler's evaluation will be. Be ready for anything…I don't know. That is why I said to be ready. It may just be Oberst Knefler or it may be a full medical team like the last time. Our next steps will be decided after that.
Burkhalter looked at the mound of papers on his desk. There were other matters pressuring him and he needed to move on. Interrupting Klink's panic, he abruptly ended the conversation.
"Klink! That is all. Heil Hitler!"
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"Listen!" LeBeau jumped to his feet and, hurrying to the bars of his cell, pressed his ear against the cage.
LeBeau had the advantage of having the cell closest to the corridor leading to the exit stairway. Anyone entering or exiting the cooler had to pass this corridor.
Quickly sitting up on his cot, Kinch stared at LeBeau. "What?"
"I hear Colonel Hogan."
Kinch, Newkirk, and Carter moved as close as they could in their respective cells and listened.
"Who's he arguing with?" Newkirk asked?
Carter smiled as he recognized the voice. "That's Schultz!"
"Le Colonel wants to tell us something…Schultz won't let him see us."
"That ruddy, stupid…"
"Shh, Newkirk." Kinch warned as the voices became louder. "Listen, I think they're moving toward the stairs."
The voices seemed to linger at the stairs for a few moments while they continued to argue, allowing Colonel Hogan to strategically complete his mission.
"Blimey! The hearing is…"
"today!" Kinch finished.
"Is that where they're taking him?" Carter looked, worriedly, through the bars at his friends.
"Possibly." Kinch placed his hands on the bars of his cell door and gave it a shake. "At least now we know our wait will soon be over."
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The simple pleasure of a hot shower in a heated room was wonderful.
Stepping out of the shower, Hogan grabbed the robe Klink provided and synched the belt down. He had almost forgotten what it was like to step into a warm room after a shower.
Picking up the shaving brush and soap he whipped up lather and wiped the steam from the mirror over Klink's sink. The face in the mirror stopped him cold. His usual well-kept appearance was hidden under a scruffy beard. And despite the extra sleep he had been getting, his eyes were blood shot.
Worry was taking its toll. He leaned heavily on the sink and closed his eyes.
Being alone in the dark these past few days had allowed his mind to relive all the bombing and espionage missions that had consumed his life these past few years. Many of them had no right to work…but they did. The old adage, 'it's better to be lucky than good' certainly had been playing out well for him.
But, when was his luck going to run out?
Looking back at his reflection he felt strangely vulnerable and doubt raised its ugly head. The veins in his neck pulsed as his heart quickened its beat for an instant.
Whatever made him think he could pull this off?
Gritting his teeth, he clutched the sides of the sink. Stop questioning yourself!
Ninety percent of the success of any plan rests in remaining confident. I've pulled off crazier schemes. I can't let solitary pull me down, make me doubt myself, especially not now…not today.
Placing the razor against his cheek he shaved away the disheveled look and began to feel better about himself. It was funny, he thought, how the comfort of a shave and a shower could also wash away a little anxiety. Even if it was only temporary, he was grateful for the relief.
Standing a little straighter, he looked squarely into the eyes of the man in the mirror and reminded himself that he had walked this walk before. It was just a matter of telling the Germans what they wanted to hear in a way that brings them out on top. The Gestapo wants to know how their officer was killed. The Luftwaffe, that they can out think escaped prisoners. Those answers I can sell! Hogan was one hundred percent confident of that.
The unknown lay in what the Germans would consider…ample punishment. His pulse picked up speed again. He certainly missed not having Kinch around to bounce his thoughts off of.
Taking a calming breath he reminded himself, don't put the cart in front of the horse. Take one step at a time. Stay focused on the hearing and deal with the rest as it comes.
Shaking that last touch of panic out of his head, he reached for a towel and wiping the last of the lather from his face, opened the door to go and face Klink.
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Five days in solitary leaves a distinct odor and is the kind of humiliation the Gestapo relishes inflicting on their prisoners.
But this was not the Gestapo. The Luftwaffe ran this camp and there was still dignity and honor to be upheld.
Klink had offered the shower to Hogan, from one officer to another, as a military courtesy, but ordered Hogan brought to his quarters to maintain his isolation from the other prisoners.
Now, following General Burkhalter's orders to put some fear in Hogan to prevent any future escape attempts, he waited to talk with him.
Instilling dread in Hogan was not going to be an easy task considering what this man had already been through since his capture.
Staring blindly at the newspaper he was holding, he wondered if this discussion was really necessary. After all, this had not been a real escape attempt? Normally, He would prefer to give words of encouragement to someone facing a Gestapo hearing. Anyone in their right mind would already be scared and... Klink stopped right there.
Hogan did not always respond appropriately to the Gestapo, and since he wasn't sure what the medication Hogan was being given would drive him to do, it was best to follow orders. Besides, he was still angry with Hogan for not telling him how he contacted Hegel…the gun he had hidden in his pocket…and lets not forget…failing to leave the wire snips at the fence…as he had promised!
Yes, Hogan needed a scare.
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Klink looked up from the paper he was pretending to read as Hogan entered the room.
"There you are," Klink greeted, laying his paper aside.
"Nice robe, Kommandant! Do you provide this to all of your guests or is this a last offering to a condemned man? "
Hogan had provided the perfect opening statement and Kommandant Klink was not going to let it slip by. Rising to his feet, he took a step forward.
"It very well could be. The Gestapo officer conducting the hearing is not known for his leniency. And it is already established that you are guilty."
"Of escaping," Hogan reminded.
"Your escape resulted in the death of a Gestapo officer. That is a hanging offense."
Klink remained solemn.
Hogan swallowed. As his pulse picked up speed once again, he began to think that maybe his fate was no longer an unknown.
"Is the decision made? Are you telling me…I'm to be hung today?"
Klink did not alter his stance or his stare and answered, firmly.
"I'm telling you…it's a possibility." Klink paced away.
Hogan walked up behind Klink and anxiously stated, "I knew that was a possibility going into this. But…have you already been told to build a gallows?"
Klink paused for effect. Turning, he looked directly at Hogan. No matter how much Hogan deserved this, it felt cruel. Klink relented. "I have not."
Hogan exhaled, but before he could catch his breath, Klink continued, not wanting to concede too much.
After all, Hogan and his men could still be facing the Gestapo's discipline.
Klink's stare turned into a glare. "But, the Gestapo build their own gallows. And if you avoid the gallows, Gestapo punishment could leave you wishing for the noose."
Hogan stepped away to take a breath and swallow his most recent bout of momentary panic. Exhaling slowly, he asked,
"What about my men?"
"Today, at the hearing, you will decide the fate of you and your men."
Klink took a step toward Hogan. "I don't see how this is better than having told them Hegel was extorting diamonds from you."
Hogan snapped. "I thought we had already settled that. The next thing they would want to know is where did we get the diamonds. I can't put more lives on the line."
Klink thought Hogan was referring to a few German people in the area that, he said, had helped him. He hoped, if he could make Hogan feel his head in the noose, he would relent and tell how he got his hands on diamonds in the middle of Germany.
Klink looked hard at Hogan. ""That's very noble of you. But it may be your death sentence if the Gestapo rule your escape was responsible for Major Hegel's death!"
Hogan stood stoically still. There was no other choice to be made.
Not knowing the real scope of Hogan's involvement, Klink found it difficult to understand Hogan's stubborn determination to possibly take on shouldering the blame for Hegel's death. But he had watched him 'dig in' before and seeing he had hit a brick wall, Klink decided to change his strategy...and objective.
Klink was not a psychologist, he came from a military background and had been in two wars during his own military career. As an officer, he asked a question and expected an answer. So he resorted to what he knew, a point blank question.
"How are you handling solitary?"
Caught off guard, Hogan's face fell and he blinked at the sudden change in topic.
"What?"
"How are you handling solitary? Are you suffering any hallucinations or anxiety?"
Hogan shook his head. "You ought to give a guy some notice when you're going to change horses mid-stream."
Klink frowned. "What are you talking about, 'changing horses mid-steam'? Earlier it was 'the horse's mouth'. What is it with Americans and horses?"
Becoming concerned, Klink wondered if maybe Hogan was, in fact, having side effects from the medication...maybe he's hallucinating about horses!
Raising his voice, Klink demanded. "I want to know how you are feeling?"
"I was feeling better until I started talking to you!"
Frustrated with the lack of a straight answer, Klink shouted, "Hogan! Have you had any headaches, confusion, hallucinations…anything?"
Hogan tried to read Klink's face. Was he missing something? Of all the times, Klink had put him in the cooler; this was the first time he asked what effect it was having on him.
All Hogan needed was for Klink to snap and spill the beans about Hegel. Now-he did have a headache!
Seeing Hogan's confusion, Klink regained some of his lost composure. After all, if the drugs were affecting Hogan, he could be having trouble identifying those feelings and voicing them. Klink decided on a softer approach with some guidance.
"You are about to go before a Gestapo officer, who is going to grill you. I want to know your physical state. Solitary confinement can do strange things to a man."
Hogan folded his arms. "If you were that worried about it, why didn't you take me out of solitary? You know this wasn't a real escape."
This act of insubordination and Hogan's continued avoidance of answering his question, left Klink stomping his foot, as he proceeded to tell him exactly why he deserved to be in solitary confinement-and more!
"You did not leave the wire snips at the fence. You had a gun on you. You refuse to answer my questions. You're lucky you're not in chains and on bread and water!"
Klink was obviously not going to drop the question. Waving his hand, Hogan relented.
"All right, don't worry, Kommandant. Eighteen hours of darkness allows for a lot of sack time. I'm probably more rested than I've been in months. My story is solid. Feel better? "
"You're getting closer. " Klink encouraged, "You still haven't told me if you have felt confused, disoriented or…anything?
Hogan folded his arms. He wasn't about to share his self doubts with Klink!
"I'm not the least bit confused or disoriented-or anything! I know exactly what I need to do at the hearing, and I know exactly where I am,...smack in the middle of a hostile country fighting for my life! Does that just about cover it for you?"
Hogan unfolded his arms and paced away.
Turning around he added, in a calmer voice. "I do want to thank you for the food, by the way."
Finally content with Hogan's answer, Klink nodded with relief. From what he could outwardly see, Hogan was still…Hogan!
But the perception of Germany being a hostile country needed to be corrected. Germany was a country at war. But Germany itself was a leader in science and technology. Before the war stepped into high gear, society was productive, family life was happy and secure under Hitler.
Klink placed his arm over Hogan's shoulder.
Doing a double take, Hogan stiffened and pulled his arms tight to his body. What was Klink doing now?
Guiding Hogan to the table the Kommandant pulled out a chair and motioned for him to sit. Walking to the opposite side of the table, Klink smiled and proudly began to 'sell'.
"We Germans know how to set a table. I think there is a lot about our country you would find to your liking, Hogan. You know, you are not that different from me. We both enjoy a good game of chess, fine wine, good music."
Hogan grimaced as Klink's violin concerto's popped into mind.
"Yes…" Klink continued, "…we are much alike."
Hogan Looked up from his seat, and clearly stated, "You're forgetting one big difference."
Klink looked questioningly at Hogan.
"We're on opposite sides of the war!"
Klink opened his mouth to respond but was stopped by a knock on the door.
"Come In."
"Herr, Kommandant, I have a change of clothes for Colonel Hogan."
Seeing the looks on the Obersts faces, Schultz stopped and warily asked, "Am I interrupting something, Herr Kommandant?"
Hogan was quick to jump to his feet.
""No, Schultz, you are right on time!"
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-Twenty minutes later in the Cooler-
"Is the hearing over?" LeBeau called out upon catching a glimpse of his Commanding Officer.
Hogan hesitated at the end of the corridor and called back, "Not yet, Louis!"
"Nein, nein, nein! No talking!" Schultz tugged Hogan's arm and directed him back to his cell.
"Come on, Schultz! It's not like we're plotting an escape."
"Colonel Hogan, I have my orders!"
Schultz, you've ignored orders before. What's different this time?"
Unlocking the cell door, Schultz answered, "I'm the one who told the Kommandant, Major Hegel had a gun. That is why the Kommandant gave the order to fire. Now, the Kommandant ordered that you don't talk to your men. I will follow his order. I owe him that."
Hogan looked at Schultz for a moment as he digested this information. It explained a lot.
"Schultz, there is more going on here than I can share with you, but trust me in this, you have nothing to feel guilty about. In fact, you did a great service for the Kommandant. A service greater than even he knows."
Schultz looked quietly at Hogan and considered what he had said. Motioning toward the open cell door, he nodded.
Hogan entered his dark cell listening as the keys locked him away, and he was, once again, alone with his thoughts.
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-Three hours later-
The black Mercedes pulled into camp followed by a three-ton Mercedes transport truck loaded with a ten man Staffein, allowing for two Schutzstaffel soldiers for each prisoner,
Klink had already been alerted of their arrival and stood on his office porch nervously waiting to greet the Oberfuhrer who would be conducting the hearing. It was obvious that, if need be, they had come prepared to take Hogan and his men with them.
Klink's wait quickly came to an end, as the Oberfuhrer, with a black-gloved hand raised in Hitler salute, appeared in front of him.
"Oberst Klink, I need to ask you some questions before we begin."
Klink, ashen, returned the salute and motioned the two officers to go ahead of him.
"Yes, sir. We can step into my office."
The Oberfuhrer marched in, immediately took his place behind Klink's desk, and began his questions.
"How did the prisoners escape?"
Klink stood in front of his desk still in his overcoat.
"They managed to get their hands on one of the tools we use to repair the wire on the fence."
"And how did they manage to do that?"
"They could have slipped into the storage building or it could have been acquired at some time when the fence was being repaired or reinforced."
"I didn't ask you how it could have happened. I asked how it did happen. What answer did the prisoners give you, when you interrogated them?"
"Interrogated…well you see…I didn't ask…it seemed a mute point. They had it."
Klink could see the disbelief in the Gestapo officers face and felt the perspiration begin to form on the back of his neck. He couldn't tell him how they really got it. That he had given it to them. So this is what if felt like to stand in front of his desk and answer questions.
"All right. Let's move on. You tracked them to the barn. How long did that take?"
"Yes, sir, we were right behind them. They could not have had more than a fifteen-minute head start. That is how often that section of fence has a guard pass by it. We followed them and had them surrounded in the barn within thirty-five to forty minutes from the time they escaped."
Klink watched as the assisting Major placed his testimony on paper.
"And that is when Major Hegel came out?"
Klink shook his head.
"Not quite. I announced that we were outside and gave them two minutes to surrender and…"
"You gave them two minutes? And Major Hegel did not make his presence known?"
"No, sir. At the end of the two minutes, I announced the time was up and that is when Major Hegel came out of the barn with his gun drawn. In the dark, I thought it was a prisoner…"
"You thought a Gestapo officer was a prisoner. Do you often have trouble identifying uniforms?" The Gestapo Oberfuhrer looked at his Assistant in amazement. Waving his hand at Klink, he ordered, "Continue."
Klink hurried to clear up the confusion. "You see, sir, he was not in uniform and the barn was dark. We were looking at shadows. That, plus the fact we were not expecting anybody else to be in the barn, led me to give the order to fire. It wasn't until we went to examine the body that we realized he was not one of our escaped prisoners."
Klink waited while the Oberfuhrer took the transcript from his Assistant and read over the information. He was soon caught in an icy stare.
"I am not here to discuss how you run your prison camp. But I must tell you; I will be giving General Burkhalter this information. I am sure he will be talking with you.
Now, I am going to send three of our guards to escort the prisoner here. Have one of your men take them to the cooler."
Klink was glad to get off the hot spot and raced to open the door for the Oberfuhrer.
Stepping into the outer office he ordered, "Schultz, follow these officers instructions. We are ready for Colonel Hogan."
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