No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred, (except for the 7 new characters introduced in this story) and no infringement is intended.
Weaving a Web to Freedom,
The Truth is What We Make It
By MLM13
Chapter 6
The POW's from Stalag 3 had been guests of the underground for the past three hours, enjoying the food and drink provided. But now it was time to get to work. The Major had gathered these select men in the middle of the night from the warmth of their bunks and led their escape.
Major Craft couldn't help but wonder what small part they were playing in the undergrounds bigger plan. The Underground only told him it was vital to the continued existence of their underground unit. And since this underground unit was also assisting some of their escapees it was vital to them. Pondering what the scenario going on behind this facade he was helping to build might be, he decided, the truth is what you make it. And trusted that the underground was making it good.
Dividing into groups of two, the "escaped" prisoners were taken to various locations along fabricated "escape" routes, and told the directions they were to be going and what stories to tell when they were caught.
The Major and Lieutenant Dove had stuck close to the woods. They could see the search party from the camp combing the area. Hiding in a culvert, they waited for the Germans to bring the search closer.
"What do you think this is all about, Major?" Dove, whispered.
"Lieutenant, I have no idea. But we're harassing the enemy, we got some good food in us, and we're helping the underground. Considering we're in the middle of Germany, the way I view it is, 'It don't get much better than this!"
Dove nodded and with a grin added, "If we don't get shot!"
"Didn't anybody tell you there's a war on? Craft bantered.
Looking over the rim of the culvert he watched the camp guards closing in.
"Come on. It's time!
Stepping protectively in front of the young Lieutenant, arms raised, Craft yelled, "Kamerad, kamerad!"
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General Burkhalter arrived at Stalag 3 at mid morning and met with Major Weiss. Weiss was explaining his progress when the first report came in over the phone. Four of the escaped prisoners had been caught east of camp.
"...and I want them brought straight to my office without delay. Is that understood?"
Weiss would make an example of these men in front of General Burkhalter and perhaps save his dignity, if not his position as Kommandant. Removing his kerchief from his pocket, he dabbed at his forehead.
"Well Major where did they find the prisoners?" Burkhalter questioned.
"Two of them were spotted on the road to Leipzig by a patrol when they tried to pass through a check point. The other two were found by our guards five kilometers north east of here hiding in an abzugskanal."
Burkhalter smiled. He had figured out Steffan's objective; the motive, however, was another matter.
"Ring- ring"
"Kommandant Weiss, Heil Hitler." Weiss listened silently.
"Ja. Where are you now? Very good, Corporal, stay there. We'll be right out." Picking up his coat Weiss jammed one arm into it's sleeve as he grabbed his cap with his free hand.
"Mein General, they have found something west of the camp that they want me to come and see."
"West of Stalag 3?" The self-satisfied smile that grew after the first report slipped from Burkhalter's face. "What kind of discovery?"
"It appears some of the prisoners may have stopped for a short period before moving on."
Before moving on to where? Burkhalter froze as he became lost in thought.
Colonel Hogan, if Hochstetters allegations toward you prove true, I will personally put the noose around your neck...
Pulling on his coat, he tugged at his collar, …right before the Fuhrer puts one around mine.
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Hogan gasped for air. His eyes flew open as he lurched forward and then…he stopped.
It was Just a dream. His heart was still pounding in his chest as he looked through the bars at the guards watching him.
Turning away from the menacing twosome, he laid back down. The sudden adrenalin rush made his head ache and his stomach turn over.
I wish somebody would tell me what Hochstetter's up to?
Just sitting here with these Gestapo guards is driving me up the wall.
Maybe Hochstetter's found the proof he needed and my men have evacuated…or…maybe they were placed under arrest before they could leave. How long was I asleep…how long has it been since Wilson told me everything was all right?
Anxious and unsettled, Hogan sat up nervously running his hand through his hair.
The guards' interests were aroused. "Oberst, you look lonely. Maybe you would like some company?"
Hogan knew he shouldn't but he couldn't resist and called back. "Has anybody ever told you that you're lousy company?"
Bruno, reached for his keys.
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Corporal Koeln met Burkhalter and Weiss in the woods and snapped to attention saluting.
"Heil, Hitler!"
"Well Corporal, lets see this evidence you've found." Weiss demanded as he waved his hand in a casual salute.
The Corporal pointed. "We have trampled grass and cigarette butts, Kommandant."
"What makes you think this was created by escaping prisoners, Corporal?" General Burkhalter asked.
Taking a few steps, Koeln looked at the ground and pointed again. "Here where the ground is churned up, we found this, Herr General."
The Corporal pulled a dog tag from his pocket.
Burkhalter's eyes fixed on the object. Fear and anger competed with each other for his attention as he firmly held out his gloved hand, palm up.
The Corporal dropped the dangling tag into it.
Burkhalter could see it was an American dog tag. He rubbed his thumb over itand frowned. Well Hogan, this ought to do it for you...us.
And then he squinted, looking more intently at the name. And a smile curled his lips.
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Hochstetter's car pulled off the road. Captain Steffan pulled in behind him.
Steffan was just getting out of his car, when he heard Hochstetter anxiously demand, "Come, let us see this new evidence."
Heading across the field to the woods, Hochstetter caught sight of another officer a short distance ahead. Suddenly it dawned on him, General Burkhalter! What's he doing here?
The Captain had that same thought. He knew he would have to answer to the General sooner or later, but he had hoped it would be later, after he had a solid case for the Gestapo.
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"You say you found this here in the woods west of the Stalag?" Burkhalter grilled the young Corporal standing before him.
Now within hearing distance, Hochstetter's ears perked up as he overheard the General.
"Jawohl, Herr General." Koeln's voice cracked.
The red in Burkhalter's, face began to fade as his self assuredness returned.
"General Burkhalter, what are you doing here?"
"Why wouldn't I be here? One of my Stalag has had an escape."
"What are you doing here, Hochstetter?" Burkhalter demanded. "There is nothing here that should concern the Gestapo."
Hochstetter strutted over to Burkhalter. "Let me be the judge of that General. It just happens that Captain Steffan has uncovered evidence pointing to Stalag 13 as the destination for the escaped prisoners from Stalag 4. And now it seems we have another Stalag with the same destination."
"Really?" Burkhalter's eyebrow's arched with interest.
Burkhalter was well acquainted with Captain Steffan. He had personally placed the Captain in his current position.
"Well Captain this is an unexpected "pleasure". And how did you get your information?"
Steffan could hear Burkhalter's displeasure and knew he was on shaky ground.
"As the General knows, you had me stationed at Stalag 4 to infiltrate and become a trusted member of the prisoners, which I did. In fact, I helped plan the escape."
Burkhalter's face ignited!
"I am well aware of your activities, Major! I initiated this program of infiltration to stop escapes, not to insure their success! Your orders were to report to me, FIRST! Not even the Kommandant's were to have your information before me. So how is it that Major Hochstetter came to have this information before I did?"
Burkhalter, an authority to be respected, glared at Steffan.
Feeling every ounce of the General's Prussian ancestry and military rank coming to bear on him Steffan hesitated.
Hochstetter looked from Steffan to Burkhalter and took a step forward.
"I was at the camp on another matter, the morning after the escape." Hochstetter intervened. "The Captain had no opportunity to pass this information along before I started questioning the remaining prisoners the next day. It was only then that Captain Steffan informed me of Stalag 13 and Colonel Hogan's involvement."
"I see." Unappeased, Burkhalter continued with his questions. "Tell me Captain, why were you not among those escaping, if you were trusted by these men?"
"We...They were selected by length of time they had been prisoners. I was too far down the list to go this time. I would go with the next group." Steffan proclaimed.
"The next group? Let us hope the next group isn't as successful as this one. In case it has escaped you, Major, they have not yet been recaptured"
Burkhalter turned to the young Corporal, who had been quietly trying to melt into the background.
"Corporal, tell the Major what you have found."
"We found an enemy dog tag over there, Herr Major."
Burkhalter held out the tag. Hochstetter took it, brushed away the remaining dirt, and asked, "And you found this around here?"
"Jawohl, Herr Major, The prisoners appear to have stopped for some reason. The grass was flattened and there were cigarette butts ground in the dirt. It looked like there may have been a scuffle. We found the ground churned up over there." The young Corporal pointed to an area a short distance away. "There was also, a small amount of blood."
"Ja, that would account for the dog tag being left behind. Isn't Luft Stalag 3 just east of here?" Hochstetter asked.
"Jawohl!" stammered the Corporal.
"What is it Major, you sound as if the direction of Stalag 3 is important." Burkhalter prompted.
"It is very important General." Hochstetter announced, almost foaming at the mouth. "It shows that the prisoners from Stalag 3 were heading west in the direction of Stalag 13. We now have two groups of escaped prisoners, from two different Stalags, that were heading toward Stalag 13...and Colonel Hogan. That, along with Captain Steffan's information that the escaped prisoners would reconnoiter at Stalag 13 and be dispersed to the underground, is enough to hang Colonel Hogan and his men."
Hochstetter was vibrating with the anticipation of what this meant. Not only would he gain respect from the Fuhrer, but also he would be able to finally take Colonel Hogan to Berlin to discuss his involvement in the underground-with no interruptions. Wringing that information from Hogan would give him great satisfaction after all the chastisement he had taken from his superiors over the past year.
And that idiot Klink would finally be out of the way, opening Stalag 13 up for a Gestapo take over. All of this combined, should raise his esteem in the eyes of his superiors and hopefully bring about a promotion.
Like two peas in a pod, Steffan was having much the same thought. Except, it was Major Hochstetter's eye he was hoping to catch not his own superior General Burkhalter. He realized to have the freedom of movement he desired, and take advantage of opportunities as they developed, he would need to move into the Gestapo.
General Burkhalter smugly looked down his nose at Hochstetter.
"I would have to admit that kind of evidence would be very persuasive, but perhaps you had better look at the name on the dog tag your holding."
Hochstetter turned the dog tag over in his hands.
The General continued without pause. "It reads Jason Foster. Sergeant Foster escaped from Stalag 4, not Luft Stalag 3, which means the men from Stalag 4 were not going toward Stalag 13 but away from it. Which also means, Captain Steffan, you were not as well trusted as you thought if they told you there destination was Stalag 13!"
Hochstetter was struggling, trying to digest what he had just heard. No! He begged as he focused on the name assaulting his eyes. That can't be right. But here is the dog tag with Foster's name on it. He felt Hogan slipping from his grasp. This indicates that the men of Stalag 4 were moving east not west toward Stalag 13. Maybe, he thought, I've lost one Stalag, but what about the men from Luft Stalag 3. His mind raced through different scenarios trying to find some connection.
"We still don't know about Luft Stalag 3. We..."
Burkhalter cut him off.
"No Major. We have already recaptured four of those prisoners. They were Southeast of Stalag 3 when we caught them. I am certain the other 4 would have gone in the same direction. I'm afraid your evidence is melting away just like Captain Steffan's chance of ever being more than a Hauptman. In fact, he may not even be that."
Turning to Steffan, Burkhalter began.
"I do not take kindly to people going behind my back. Your attempt to further your career by betraying my confidence was a mistake, one of many mistakes. The biggest of which, is not passing the information of the escape from Stalag 4 on to me. It may have eluded you Captain Steffan, but since we still have not recaptured the twelve men from Stalag 4, your blinding desire to impress Major Hochstetter has cost the Third Reich 12 prisoners and quite possibly you your career. I believe your usefulness at Stalag 4 is over!" I will deal with you later. You will report to my office, in Berlin, tomorrow. But for now, Captain, you are dismissed."
Captain Steffan was stunned. He was unable to think of a rebuttal to anything the General had said. The wind had been knocked out of him. In his mind, he began to go over his last two days at Stalag 4. He couldn't believe he had been tricked by the prisoners. He had worked too hard to dupe them and he did not fail at anything. NO! There was something else going on here, things were not as they appeared.
Steffan saluted and stammered, "Jawohl, Herr General."
Executing a brisk about face, he headed for his car. His shock was turning into anger. By the time he reached his car, and backed it onto the road, he knew what he had to do. Yes, the man who embarrassed him in front of General Burkhalter and ended his career with the Gestapo before it even began had to have some answers and he would get them!
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After Stefan left, Burkhalter turned to Hochstetter. "Perhaps you would like to talk to the recaptured prisoners of Luft Stalag 3, in my presence of course, to satisfy any lingering doubts you may have."
The General knew Hochstetter would eventually talk to the prisoners and when that happened he wanted to be there to prevent any "misinterpretations".
"Of course in your presence Herr General. It is required after all, that a Luftwaffe officer be present at all interrogations of their prisoners." Hochstetter muttered. He knew it was fruitless but maybe he could still find a connection. Maybe something had been over looked. "Yes General, I would like to see these men."
"Very well, I'll put off calling Klink to have Hogan released until you have finished."
It won't hurt the cocky American to sweat a little longer. Burkhalter thought. Maybe it'll bring Hogan down a peg and make him more pliable to our plans for him. It may even wipe that infernal smirk off of his face. Burkhalter shook his head resigned; No, it will probably just make it worse when he is vindicated.
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By the time Burkhalter, Hochstetter and Weiss arrived back at Stalag 3 word had come that the remaining escaped prisoners had been captured. The first four were waiting under guard in the Kommandant's office for his return shackled hand and foot.
Lieutenant Barnes and Private Green were the first to be recaptured. Lieutenant Dove and Major Craft were the second group.
"Well gentlemen I hope you enjoyed your little excursion," Weiss began, "because it will be thirty days before you see the light of day again. Tell me Major where were you heading?"
Craft looked at the Kommandant. "I thought it was obvious Kommandant ...away from here."
Weiss who was sitting at his desk picked up a letter opener and played with it as he talked. "Perhaps you will have better answers for the Gestapo Major."
Hochstetter marched over and stood in front of Craft eyeing him like a fish in a barrel. "Guards get the Major a seat. Kommandant, I don't believe I need to talk to these other men right now. You may deal with them as you wish."
"Take them too solitary," Weiss ordered.
Burkhalter took a seat.
"Major," Hochstetter began, "we all know you had a definite route in mind for your escape. You can save us all a lot of time by telling us now."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but our only goal was to get outside the wire and enjoy some freedom."
Hochstetter, who had stepped to one side of Craft, glanced over his shoulder at Burkhalter. Then swiftly turning back brought the back of his hand across Crafts right cheek. "Now, let's try this again..." And so it began.
Forty-five minutes into his interrogation of the prisoner, Hochstetter decided to throw Colonel Hogan's name out and see Major Craft's reaction. Gripping Crafts hair and pulling his head up, he looked down into the American Major's eyes.
"Colonel Hogan conveys his sympathies at having drug you into this."
"Colonel who?" Craft, exhausted, tried to focus on the name.
Hogan?
Hochstetter was watching the prisoner's eyes. "Colonel Hogan" Hochstetter repeated. "Come now Major we already know, he is involved in the underground. When he 'broke' he told us all about the escaped prisoners from Stalag 4 and the upcoming escape from Stalag 3."
Major Craft had no idea why the underground needed their help but he knew Hochstetter was lying. Their escape had not been planned.
Craft looked back at Hochstetter. "I don't know what you're talking about. I know nothing about the underground or a Colonel Hogan."
But as he said Hogan's name again his mind made the connection ~ Hogan! Yes, he commanded the "504th" attached to the VIII Bomber Command and conducted heavy bombardment operations. He was part of the advanced detachment established in England in February of 42' at Daws Hill and shot down less than a week after my arrival. ~
Hochstetter saw the recognition wash across Crafts face and his pupils constrict as his mind focused in on the name and the man. "I see you do know him, Major Craft."
Craft realized his mistake and knew he couldn't take back what was given away. ~ When all else fails, Tell the truth ~ he decided.
"I do recognize the name. I hadn't heard it mentioned for quite some time. Colonel Hogan was in Command of the 504th. But he was shot down shortly after I arrived in England." ~ That's no military secret. The Krauts would have to know that, they're the ones who shot him down. ~
"Very good, Major." Hochstetter stroked the Major's cheek and then rested the Major's chin in his hand. "Now, let's think a little harder, shall we. I'm sure you will remember your planned rendezvous with the Colonel."
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The clock on the wall soon ticked away two additional hours. Hochstetter "discussed" with Major Craft the timing and the destination of their escape, all to no avail.
Finally, Burkhalter had enough. "That is enough Major! You are making no progress and there is no evidence to justify going further. The fact that he knows Hogan Commanded the 504th would be common knowledge among U.S. airmen stationed in England during the same time frame.
"Kommandant remove your prisoner," Burkhalter ordered.
"Guards, take Major Craft to solitary confinement." Weiss commanded
Hochstetter stood red faced deep in thought, flexing and un-flexing his fist, his mind searching for an explanation and a connection.
Burkhalter reached for his coat.
"Well, Major shall we go and tell Klink the result of our investigation. I imagine he would like to get back to running his prison camp without the disruption of the Gestapo."
Scowling and with no recourse, Hochstetter relented.
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Craft unceremoniously deposited in his cell took inventory of the damage inflicted by Major Hochstetter. The Gestapo Major seemed to have inflicted a lot of pain without inflicting any major injuries. ~ I have to give the Gestapo credit; they know how to interrogate without inflicting injury when they want to…I wonder if Colonel Hogan can say the same. It would seem Colonel Hogan hasn't been sitting idle. ~
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It was Newkirk's turn to sit out in front of the barracks and keep an eye on Klink's office and the cooler. What he was watching for exactly he didn't know. "Just anything out of the ordinary" Kinch had said before he went to make the pre-arranged contact with the underground.
Carter stuck his head outside the barracks and called to Newkirk, "Hey buddy, come on in Kinch is back and wants to see you."
"About bloody time, a fella could freeze to death on a day like this." He complained as he entered the barrack.
"You're not complaining about a little light duty like that are you?" LeBeau demanded.
"Light duty? I didn't see you out there freezing." Newkirk exclaimed as he took a hot cup of coffee from LeBeau.
"Hey guys pipe down. I want to bring you up to date. I just finished talking to the underground. The escape from Stalag 3 went as planned. All the prisoners were picked up without incident."
Kinch was more relieved than he showed. It's a good thing. It would have given credence to my court martial if anything had happened to those men.
"That's great" Carter yelled. Newkirk and LeBeau were patting each others backs.
"What about the evidence left in the woods?" LeBeau asked.
Kinch smiled. "As far as the underground could tell it was picked up and passed along to the Kommandant and…get this…General Burkhalter!"
"So, old blood and guts was there too? Now there's a wonder for you." Hesitating, Newkirk asked, "Do you suppose he was there because he thought the Colonel was guilty?"
Kinch sobered. "I'm betting he was there because he wasn't sure. But he was sure about Hochstetter's desire for the Colonel to at least appear guilty."
Carter broke the silence left by that last statement. "Now what, Kinch?"
"Now Andrew, we wait and see if the Germans bought it!"