The next morning,the men of barracks 2 woke to the lovely sound of sound of
roll call.
Some men awake to birds signing,or pehaps church bells ringing in the new day.But instead they got Schultz
"Rrr-rauss rauss rauss,Schnell!ROLL CALL!!"
He was greeted by many groans and flying pillows.
"Not Again!!!" Scultz shouted, remembering last night's pillow bashing.
"Come on,pleeease?!You must make me look good in front of Major von Lichtenstein!"
he pleaded,practicly begging.
"We'll do what we can Schultz..." a groggy Kinch promised.
"Danke,danke Sergent Kinchloe!!" Schultz said relieved as he hurried outside.
Kinch glanced at the others as they looked at him.They weren't saying anything,but their eyes gave it away.
"Yes,....what do we do?" he said,asking the question that was on all their minds.
"If he asks for him,why don't we tell the major that Colonel Hogan is sick and couldn't make it for roll call?" Lebeau offered
"That might work Louis,"Kinch answered "But we don't know the intelligence level of this guy.He might demand to see Colonel Hogan.And even if he believes it now,he could get suspicious later on when we keep telling him that."
"Why don't we have somebody stand in the colonel's spot.So the major won't notice he's missing?"
Kinch thought over what Carter said "A replacement? Hmmmm........,it just might work."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Then men stood outside as Schultz counted them up.They stood there as he counted them a second time.After the third time he came over to the senior POW officer.
"Colonel Hogan,there seems to be a man missing!" he said whispering
"mhrely shulz?mhar yuu shurf?" the *colonel* replied
"Huh?I cannot understand you with that scarf wrapped around your mouth."
The round guard ajusted the scarf to reveal not a colonel,but a grinning RAF corporal.
"Newkirk?!Impersonating an officer,what will colonel Hogan say?......by the way,where is he?" Schultz asked,looking around.
" 'e's feeling a wee bit under the weather schultzie,so I'm filling in for 'im. Newkirk answered. 'ow would it look if the senior POW officer wasn't out here on the first day of the major's command?You want to make a good impression don't you?"
"Not this much of an impression!What do I do?" Schultz asked in exasperation
"It's really simple Schultz,you just say *All present and accounted for* .Don't worry,we'll make sure Colonel Hogan is feeling better soon." Kinchloe helped.
"See that you do..." Scultz mumbled as he went to make his report to the major,who had just come outside from the office.
"All present and accounted for Herr Kommandant."
"Danke Schultz.Dismiss the men and send Colonel Hogan to my office."
Looking at the major to Newkirk and back to the major,Schultz stammerd.
"B-ut but but,mm-major...-"
"Are you defying my orders sergeant?"
"Nn-no hh-herr Kommandant..."
"Well do it then!" the major said before spinning on his heel to return to his office.
Hearing what the major said,Newkirk turned to Kinch.
"This is lovely.......,so now whot do I do?"
"Just do what you did with Schultz,except loosen your scarf a bit so you aren't so muffled."Kinch said as he rewrapped it around his mouth and nose.
What if he makes him take it off?" Lebeau asked
"He doesn't know what the real colonel looks like.If it happens.., it happens.This is just a little insurance." Kinch reassured him.
"Right-o," Newkirk said,straightening Hogan's hat on his head which felt a bit strange compared to his own "I'm off, gents.Don't wait up for me."
"We'll be listening by the coffepot in case you get in trouble."
"Thanks a lot Andrew, but I think I already am." Newkirk commented as he noticed a black car coming through the front gate.
"Gestapo!" they all exclaimed
"Please don't let it be Hochstetter.." Lebeau pleaded
They watched as the car pulled up to the steps of the Kommandant's office,stopping just enough to let it's passenger off and drive towards the motor pool.
"Well it can't be Hochstetter,unless he's grown several inches!" Carter offered.
"Ever see a grown man cry?Just watch." Newkirk remarked
"Cut that out corporal!You'll be allright." Kinch ordered
"I suppose you're right Kinch,I've gotten in stickier wickets than this before.......just wish I could remember some of 'em." Newkirk said before being escorted by Schultz.
The three men watched a while untill both men made it inside the office, before turning towards the barracks.
"You really think he'll be allright Kinch?"
"Of course Andrew,we've all seen him in action before." he said,assuring both Carter and himself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Major von Lichtenstein was sitting behind the desk,speaking with the Gestapo Lieutenant who had arrived minutes before when there was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" was all he said
Before opening the door Newkirk ajusted his hat,scarf,and bomber jacket collar for the third time.
~~~Well,'ere it goes.......~~~
He entered the office and began the impersonation.
"Colonel Robert E. Hogan,Senior POW officer."
The Major eyed him curiously. "Why do you have that scarf wrapped around you so?"
"Well sir,I have a terrible cold and my nanny said she would spank me if I didn't keep bundled up."
"Are all you americans this insolent?"
"I don't know sir,I'll be sure to ask 'em."
Newkirk didn't see the Gestapo Lieutenant behind him smirk.
"I did not call you to my office for your smart remarks!" the major said slamming his fist on the desk,causing Newkirk to jump internally.
"As your new Kommandant,I am to ask what you or your men need.You may ask for anything,but I will deny each request."
"Well sir,we'll just skip that part then.Thank you for the lovely chat,am I dismissed?" Newkirk asked
"Dismissed." the major said,saluting.
Returning the salute,Newkirk turned and tried to keep himself from running out the door.
"One more thing..." von Lichtenstein said,preventing his escape.
Circling from out behind the desk,he approached Newkirk.Pulling him away from the door,back towards the desk,the kommandant raised his arm.
Thinking the major was going to strike him,Newkirk balled his fists at his side in preperation.Instead of hitting,the Kommandant rolled up his own sleeve.
Then pulling back a thin strip of flesh colored rubber he revealed a tattoo of a V on his forearm.Though barely noticeable,Newkirk recognized it right away.
"Goldilocks told me where I could find Papa Bear." The major uttered,accent changing from german to british
Newkirk'd deep blue eyes expanded in shock,tearing off the scarf he declared.
"You're a bleeding Underground Agent!!"
Expression lighting a bit,the major extended his hand.
"Leftenant Reginald Duffield of the Royal Air Force,also part time Underground agent.
Code name,Prince Charming.
"You're Prince Charming?" Newkirk said,recognizing that name.
"Yes,and are you Papa Bear?" he inquired
"Uh,no sir.I'm one of 'is men.Corpral Newkirk's the name,of the RAF." he said saluting.
"At ease corporal." Duffield smiled,returning the salute
"So,.....where is Papa Bear?"
"Ummm,well...."Quickly remembering that there was still a Gestapo man in the room,or hopefully another Underground agent,Newkirk asked the Leftenant.
"Ah,Leftenant,who is this man?" motioning towards the man with the swastika armband.
"Is.....'e on the up an up?"
"Oh of course,excuse my manners.This man is one of the reasons we're here.
Corporal Newkirk,meet Doctor Jones."
"I'm also known as Indianna."Jones said,with an american accent.
Shaking the doctor's hand,Newkirk tried to take it all in.
"Ah,'ello Indianna .As much as I would like to know why you're 'ere an all,there's three other men I'd like to 'ave a little chat with before we go any farther."
"Yes I suppose this is a bit shocking for you,finding out that your Kommandant is an underground agent and this Gestapo man is an american doctor." Duffield commented.
"You may get in touch with London an check us all out."
"Thank you sirs." Newkirk saluted and left the office.
* * * *Back at Barracks 2,the three men had heard everything said on the cofeepot.
"Boy,can you believe that?!Carter exlaimed
"Stranger things have happend,mon ami." Lebeau commented,but was still suprised by the new turn of events.
"Hhhmmm..." Kinch said "Lebeau,look around for radio detection trucks and then tell Newkirk to meet us all in the tunnel.I'm going check this out."
Some men awake to birds signing,or pehaps church bells ringing in the new day.But instead they got Schultz
"Rrr-rauss rauss rauss,Schnell!ROLL CALL!!"
He was greeted by many groans and flying pillows.
"Not Again!!!" Scultz shouted, remembering last night's pillow bashing.
"Come on,pleeease?!You must make me look good in front of Major von Lichtenstein!"
he pleaded,practicly begging.
"We'll do what we can Schultz..." a groggy Kinch promised.
"Danke,danke Sergent Kinchloe!!" Schultz said relieved as he hurried outside.
Kinch glanced at the others as they looked at him.They weren't saying anything,but their eyes gave it away.
"Yes,....what do we do?" he said,asking the question that was on all their minds.
"If he asks for him,why don't we tell the major that Colonel Hogan is sick and couldn't make it for roll call?" Lebeau offered
"That might work Louis,"Kinch answered "But we don't know the intelligence level of this guy.He might demand to see Colonel Hogan.And even if he believes it now,he could get suspicious later on when we keep telling him that."
"Why don't we have somebody stand in the colonel's spot.So the major won't notice he's missing?"
Kinch thought over what Carter said "A replacement? Hmmmm........,it just might work."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Then men stood outside as Schultz counted them up.They stood there as he counted them a second time.After the third time he came over to the senior POW officer.
"Colonel Hogan,there seems to be a man missing!" he said whispering
"mhrely shulz?mhar yuu shurf?" the *colonel* replied
"Huh?I cannot understand you with that scarf wrapped around your mouth."
The round guard ajusted the scarf to reveal not a colonel,but a grinning RAF corporal.
"Newkirk?!Impersonating an officer,what will colonel Hogan say?......by the way,where is he?" Schultz asked,looking around.
" 'e's feeling a wee bit under the weather schultzie,so I'm filling in for 'im. Newkirk answered. 'ow would it look if the senior POW officer wasn't out here on the first day of the major's command?You want to make a good impression don't you?"
"Not this much of an impression!What do I do?" Schultz asked in exasperation
"It's really simple Schultz,you just say *All present and accounted for* .Don't worry,we'll make sure Colonel Hogan is feeling better soon." Kinchloe helped.
"See that you do..." Scultz mumbled as he went to make his report to the major,who had just come outside from the office.
"All present and accounted for Herr Kommandant."
"Danke Schultz.Dismiss the men and send Colonel Hogan to my office."
Looking at the major to Newkirk and back to the major,Schultz stammerd.
"B-ut but but,mm-major...-"
"Are you defying my orders sergeant?"
"Nn-no hh-herr Kommandant..."
"Well do it then!" the major said before spinning on his heel to return to his office.
Hearing what the major said,Newkirk turned to Kinch.
"This is lovely.......,so now whot do I do?"
"Just do what you did with Schultz,except loosen your scarf a bit so you aren't so muffled."Kinch said as he rewrapped it around his mouth and nose.
What if he makes him take it off?" Lebeau asked
"He doesn't know what the real colonel looks like.If it happens.., it happens.This is just a little insurance." Kinch reassured him.
"Right-o," Newkirk said,straightening Hogan's hat on his head which felt a bit strange compared to his own "I'm off, gents.Don't wait up for me."
"We'll be listening by the coffepot in case you get in trouble."
"Thanks a lot Andrew, but I think I already am." Newkirk commented as he noticed a black car coming through the front gate.
"Gestapo!" they all exclaimed
"Please don't let it be Hochstetter.." Lebeau pleaded
They watched as the car pulled up to the steps of the Kommandant's office,stopping just enough to let it's passenger off and drive towards the motor pool.
"Well it can't be Hochstetter,unless he's grown several inches!" Carter offered.
"Ever see a grown man cry?Just watch." Newkirk remarked
"Cut that out corporal!You'll be allright." Kinch ordered
"I suppose you're right Kinch,I've gotten in stickier wickets than this before.......just wish I could remember some of 'em." Newkirk said before being escorted by Schultz.
The three men watched a while untill both men made it inside the office, before turning towards the barracks.
"You really think he'll be allright Kinch?"
"Of course Andrew,we've all seen him in action before." he said,assuring both Carter and himself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Major von Lichtenstein was sitting behind the desk,speaking with the Gestapo Lieutenant who had arrived minutes before when there was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" was all he said
Before opening the door Newkirk ajusted his hat,scarf,and bomber jacket collar for the third time.
~~~Well,'ere it goes.......~~~
He entered the office and began the impersonation.
"Colonel Robert E. Hogan,Senior POW officer."
The Major eyed him curiously. "Why do you have that scarf wrapped around you so?"
"Well sir,I have a terrible cold and my nanny said she would spank me if I didn't keep bundled up."
"Are all you americans this insolent?"
"I don't know sir,I'll be sure to ask 'em."
Newkirk didn't see the Gestapo Lieutenant behind him smirk.
"I did not call you to my office for your smart remarks!" the major said slamming his fist on the desk,causing Newkirk to jump internally.
"As your new Kommandant,I am to ask what you or your men need.You may ask for anything,but I will deny each request."
"Well sir,we'll just skip that part then.Thank you for the lovely chat,am I dismissed?" Newkirk asked
"Dismissed." the major said,saluting.
Returning the salute,Newkirk turned and tried to keep himself from running out the door.
"One more thing..." von Lichtenstein said,preventing his escape.
Circling from out behind the desk,he approached Newkirk.Pulling him away from the door,back towards the desk,the kommandant raised his arm.
Thinking the major was going to strike him,Newkirk balled his fists at his side in preperation.Instead of hitting,the Kommandant rolled up his own sleeve.
Then pulling back a thin strip of flesh colored rubber he revealed a tattoo of a V on his forearm.Though barely noticeable,Newkirk recognized it right away.
"Goldilocks told me where I could find Papa Bear." The major uttered,accent changing from german to british
Newkirk'd deep blue eyes expanded in shock,tearing off the scarf he declared.
"You're a bleeding Underground Agent!!"
Expression lighting a bit,the major extended his hand.
"Leftenant Reginald Duffield of the Royal Air Force,also part time Underground agent.
Code name,Prince Charming.
"You're Prince Charming?" Newkirk said,recognizing that name.
"Yes,and are you Papa Bear?" he inquired
"Uh,no sir.I'm one of 'is men.Corpral Newkirk's the name,of the RAF." he said saluting.
"At ease corporal." Duffield smiled,returning the salute
"So,.....where is Papa Bear?"
"Ummm,well...."Quickly remembering that there was still a Gestapo man in the room,or hopefully another Underground agent,Newkirk asked the Leftenant.
"Ah,Leftenant,who is this man?" motioning towards the man with the swastika armband.
"Is.....'e on the up an up?"
"Oh of course,excuse my manners.This man is one of the reasons we're here.
Corporal Newkirk,meet Doctor Jones."
"I'm also known as Indianna."Jones said,with an american accent.
Shaking the doctor's hand,Newkirk tried to take it all in.
"Ah,'ello Indianna .As much as I would like to know why you're 'ere an all,there's three other men I'd like to 'ave a little chat with before we go any farther."
"Yes I suppose this is a bit shocking for you,finding out that your Kommandant is an underground agent and this Gestapo man is an american doctor." Duffield commented.
"You may get in touch with London an check us all out."
"Thank you sirs." Newkirk saluted and left the office.
* * * *Back at Barracks 2,the three men had heard everything said on the cofeepot.
"Boy,can you believe that?!Carter exlaimed
"Stranger things have happend,mon ami." Lebeau commented,but was still suprised by the new turn of events.
"Hhhmmm..." Kinch said "Lebeau,look around for radio detection trucks and then tell Newkirk to meet us all in the tunnel.I'm going check this out."