The T.V. show Hogan's Heroes belongs to Bing Crosby Productions. 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 Marty Miller
Chapter 16
"Hello, Major Hochstetter, this is Captain Steffan."
"Aaah, Captain, how is your training coming along?"
"Just fine, that is why I have called you. We are going to break for a couple of days, which means I have four days to do as I please. I was wondering if I may visit you and observe."
"As a matter of fact Captain, this might be a good time for just that."
"Good. I will be there this afternoon then."
Hochstetter sat a little straighter. With Captain Steffan's help perhaps together they could uncover how General Burkhalter planted evidence to discredit the investigation.
This is Perfect timing, Captain. It's almost as if you know what is going on.
"I will brief you on the direction of the investigation when you get here."
"Excellent, Herr Major. Heil Hitler"
"Heil Hitler!"
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Captain Steffan hung up the phone and turned to his superior, Colonel Knefler, "Major Hochstetter will be expecting me this afternoon."
"Gut, According to our sources the Abwehr are investigating General Burkhalter for possible involvement with the Underground. I want to know what direction the Gestapo is taking their investigation. We have been looking into ties to the underground in our military ranks for almost a year. I do not want it to end up being revealed by the Gestapo. You will stay close to Major Hochstetter and keep me informed."
"Jawohl, Mein Oberst!"
The Gestapo, being widely known and feared, would provide a cover for SD Captain Steffan, while he investigated at close range the General's possible involvement.
Colonel Knefler stood and walked to the door of Steffan's office, "I have put my trust in you Captain, Heil Hitler."
Steffan returned the salute and the Colonel left.
~ I will not let you down Colonel. Not only will I deliver a General to you, I will throw in two Colonels. One of which is a cocky American that has a lot to learn about the superiority of the Third Reich. And I am going to take great delight in teaching it to him.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv v
"How long a timer do you need, Colonel?" Carter asked, while busily scribbling his design on a piece of paper.
"Three hours. I want to give us plenty of time to get back and in our beds or in my case cell, before the explosions go off."
"And you want to hit all three targets at the same time, Colonel?" Kinch asked, hesitantly .
"All three Kinch, we're going to break up into groups. The first group will be you and Carter at the bridge, second group will be Newkirk and Baker at the rail yard, and Louis and I will take care of the airfield. We've already done the surveillance; we would have already 'hit' them if Steffan hadn't intruded."
Carter frowned and asked, "Are you sure you wouldn't like to take a day off sir, I mean, after what you and Newkirk just went through getting that information on Captain Steffan? Newkirk is still recovering from the interrogations the Abwehr put you both through.
LeBeau stared at Newkirk. "Are you going to let a little thing like that slow you down?"
" A li'l thing like that? I didn't see you there getting the third degree." Newkirk threw back.
"Oh come on….." LeBeau started.
"Ok you guys, knock it off before Schultz hears you." Hogan commanded and then looking at Carter added, "We go as planned. A three-fold hit will tie up a lot of troops and anything we can do to keep the enemy busy is a good thing. Plus there's the additional pleasure of giving some trouble back to Hochstetter."
Newkirk grinned. "I like that!"
"Oui," Louis agreed.
"Kinch, let the underground know to stay out of the area. We don't want anyone getting caught in our wake."
"Will do, Colonel."
"I think that is it for now. You had all better go make yourselves visible, so the guards won't be wondering where you are. Keep me informed if anything unusual happens."
"Right, Colonel." Carter said looking up from his note pad.
Hogan took a step toward Carter.
"Carter, give me a piece of paper and let me borrow your pencil for a minute."
"Sure Colonel, you gonna write a letter home?" Carter asked, holding out his pencil.
"Not exactly."
Hogan took the pencil and scribbled something down before folding the note and handing it to Kinch.
"Get that off to London."
Hogan offered no explanation and his men knew better than to ask.
Newkirk and LeBeau moved toward the tunnel still mumbling at each other when LeBeau suddenly turned back around.
"Oh what would you like to eat, Mon Colonel?"
"Louis, I'm sure anything you bring me will be wonderful."
LeBeau smiled. "I'll bring you something other than stew."
LeBeau turned and ducked into the tunnel, leaving Hogan red faced and thinking, Wilson! If you said anything …
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvv
Steffan arrived at Hochstetter's office early that afternoon.
"This is quite an array of speculations, Major. Do you have records to support them?"
"I have a long paper trail. The Underground activity in the area steadily increased after Colonel Hogan's arrival. The Gestapo began their dossier on him when he was leading the 504th, then through his capture and subsequent interrogations, to his incarceration here at Stalag 13. There have been many suspicious activities that pointed back to Colonel Hogan. But the final proof has always been lacking. Add in the factor that General Burkhalter has been involved with Hogan almost from the moment he was shot down, and it begins to make sense why the final piece to the puzzle always comes up missing, just as it did in our recent investigation." Hochstetter answered.
Steffan agreed there was some sense to what the Major was saying. Burkhalter, like Hogan, could never be completely connected without question to any of the activities. Though his involvement in that bridge being destroyed, during the filming of "Burkhalter's Brigade," a film directed by Hogan and starring the American, Byron Buckles, almost led him to a court martial until he convinced everyone it was a new secret highflying bomber. If London had not sent a message to gloat he would not have been believed.
The phone rang and Hochstetter answered with the usual Nazi greeting. "….When? …. Ja….Danke. Heil Hitler!"
"General Burkhalter has gone to Stalag 13. Perhaps we should pay a surprise visit." Hochstetter suggested.
Steffan readily agreed and offered a plausible excuse. "Ja, Major. I think we should have a look in the woods surrounding Stalag 13. We may possibly find a tunnel. I haven't known a Stalag yet that doesn't at least have the start of a tunnel."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvv
Abwehr Major, Teppel, was putting the finishing touches on his investigation of Stalag 13 and General Burkhalter's involvement. Combining facts with fiction he had faith the report would accomplish its mission.
Now if London has done their part, my timing should be just about right for my visit to Colonel Knefler.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvv
Hogan sat with his feet on the bunk, leaning back against the wall, thinking.
I had forgotten how quiet it is in solitary.
He had been locked up for less than a day and was all ready getting restless.
Let's see if I can remember the routine: I get two meals, two hours of lights, which usually coincides with meals; periodic bed checks every two hours during the day and every four hours at night just to make sure I haven't committed suicide; and no visitors except for the occasional pop-in visit from the Kommandant to see if I'm learning my lesson. I think that just about covers it.
The scraping of the stone sliding open was loud in the silence of the cell. Hogan glanced up at the 'peep' hole in his cell door. He looked back at the tunnel opening and stood up waiting for his visitor.
"Kinch? everything ok?"
"Everything's fine. I wanted to let you know, London said they would pass your message on."
Kinch looked quickly around at the cell door. "Um, Colonel, have you got a minute."
Hogan straightened, "Are you kidding? I've got all the minutes you want. I already know that there are 122 stones in that section of wall between the cell door and that corner." He said pointing at the corner behind Kinch.
"Have a seat Kinch. What is it?"
"It's your standing orders for evacuating the camp. When we were uncertain whether you would be coming back, I had a talk with the guys and explained to them that we would follow your orders. They weren't too happy about it. I wasn't either, Colonel. I don't know how I would live the rest of my life knowing I walked away from you…or any of the others."
Hogan understood his dilemma. He had had to work through this himself. It's not easy to decide who lives and who dies.
"Kinch, we all know one or all of us could be killed at any time. As a soldier, and especially as a leader, you have to base your decisions on saving the most lives you can. And you have to lead by example. I understand it is difficult. But if you want your men to follow your orders you have to follow orders. Stay and save one life and you may lose 600 others because you weren't there to lead. How do you live with that? In war people are going to die, we can't stop that, so we try to save as many as we can. Don't focus on the life that was lost; focus on the lives that were saved. I expect you to follow orders, Sergeant, and if you can't, I've not been much of a leader."
Kinch nodded. "Yes sir, you can count on me."
"I know I can, Sergeant. I've never had a doubt."
"But..." Kinch added, "…I still pray it never comes to that order having to be carried out if it means leaving someone behind, Colonel."
Hogan rested his hand on Kinch's shoulder.
"So do I, Kinch."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvv
At 1500 hours Hochstetter and Steffan arrived at Stalag 13. They found Burkhalter and Klink making the rounds of the supply huts, and comparing the inventory counts to the camp records. Burkhalter was on a cost reduction crusade.
As they came out of the food supply hut Klink caught sight of Hochstetter and Steffan getting out of their staff car.
"What is he doing here?" Burkhalter demanded.
"I don't know, General." Klink stammered.
Hochstetter caught sight of Klink and Burkhalter and wasted no time heading in their direction.
"General Burkhalter, what are you doing here?"
"I am overseeing the running of my Stalags, Major. And what are you doing here."
"Captain Steffan and I are checking the woods around all of the Stalags for tunnel exits."
"There are no tunnels at Stalag 13!" Klink huffed.
"Of course not, but you don't mind if we look around for ourselves do you? I mean what can it hurt."
Klink waved his arms. "Look all you want, you won't find anything."
Hochstetter nodded and then asked, "Tell me, Colonel, I am curious, how is Colonel Hogan doing with his thirty days?"
"Not that it is any of your concern, Major, but Colonel Hogan only recovered enough from the beating Captain Steffan gave him to begin his sentence today."
"Oh, well that is good news." He smirked at Steffan, who smirked back. "I mean it is good news that the Colonel is better."
"Perhaps we will go and pay our respects to the Colonel." Hochstetter said.
Burkhalter looked at the two of them with contempt, "There is no need for that, Colonel Hogan has submitted to being punished for his lack of respect to the Captain."
"Then we should give him the opportunity to apologize to the Captain." Hochstetter countered.
General Burkhalter could not argue with that. Hogan did owe Captain Steffan an apology.
Klink paled as he started to imagine the possible fiasco that could be moments away.
"Why don't we go inside and have a drink first." Klink offered.
"BAH!" Hochstetter headed for the cooler.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvv
Kinch was in the process of leaving Hogan's cell when Carter, Newkirk, and LeBeau appeared.
"Hochstetter and Steffan are here!"
"Well, that answers one question. We know where Captain Steffan is." Hogan looked at the door. "Get out of here quick."
"That doesn't mean they'll come here," Kinch said.
"Yeah, right! Hochstetter won't miss this opportunity."
"What'll you do, Mon Colonel?"
"I can't do anything. And you guys can't stop Hochstetter from coming to see me. I'll just have to face the 'music'. You guys get out of here."
Kinch stopped and looked at Hogan with a silent plea.
"Go on Kinch. There is too much at stake here. I'll play it calm. We've got a job to do tonight."
The guys reluctantly left their Commanding Officer to face Hochstetter and Steffan.
Hogan felt trapped and he was. He sat down on the bunk to compose himself. Before long he heard the key hit the lock and the door swung open. Hochstetter came into view first, followed by Steffan, Burkhalter, and Klink.
Hogan stood up as they entered the cell. I'm going to get through this, he thought.
"Aaah, Colonel Hogan, you are here."
"You sound surprised, Major. You were there when the Kommandant gave me my sentence."
"Yes, but things don't always work out the way they are suppose to when you are involved."
Hogan made no response.
"You look…" Hochstetter reached up to touch Hogan's face and Hogan put his hand up to stop him. Hochstetter stopped and starred into Hogan's eyes as if daring him to touch him.
Hogan lowered his hand.
Oh no, Major. You're not going to charge me with assault.
Hochstetter smiled and continued. Putting his hand under Hogan's chin he turned his head to one side and then the other examining his healed face.
Hogan tensed and clenched his fists.
"You look good as new." And then gave his cheek a pat before lowering his hand, and unbuttoning Hogan's shirt.
Hogan glanced down at Hochstetter's hand with a questioning look on his face. Trying a little psychology on me Major? It won't work. Not today. I've got bigger plans.
Pulling back Hogan's shirt he revealed the binding around his ribs and his surprise turned to a smirk of pleasure.
"Do you have anything concealed under this, Hogan? We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
Hochstetter ran his hands over the bandages and Hogan used all his will power to not pull away.
"Kommandant, if the prisoner becomes despondent these bindings could be used to fashion a noose and he may commit suicide."
Klink began to respond but Burkhalter held up his hand and stopped him. "Don't interfere, Klink."
Realizing he could expect no intervention from the General. Hogan momentarily closed his eyes and took in a breath to brace himself for what was to come.
Hochstetter wasted no time. He reached out and began unwrapping Hogan's bandages. Throwing the bindings to Schultz, he began to carefully trace the fading bruises with his fingertips.
Hogan remained unmoving.
Hochstetter took one step back.
"General Burkhalter suggested you owed Captain Steffan an apology for having to give these to you. What do you say to that?"
Hogan looked at Steffan, who returned his gaze.
"Captain, I would like to apologize for the way I treated you and for the things I said. Of course, you and I both know that none of that happened, it was all just a story you created for Burkhalter to justify your actions.
Steffan smiled. "Well, Colonel, it appears you respond well to physical discipline."
Hochstetter had stepped to Hogan's right side and was circling around behind him. Hogan could feel the Majors eyes examining him for any weakness that he could strike at.
"What kind of things did you say to Captain Steffan, Colonel?" Hochstetter asked, trying to rouse Hogan's anger again.
"I'm sorry, Major, I can't remember."
Hochstetter stepped around and stood at Hogan's face. "You can't remember or you choose not too?"
Hogan gave the appearance of trying to concentrate. "I can't remember."
"Colonel Hogan suffered from a concussion and was in and out of consciousness for fifteen hours, Major." Klink informed him.
Hochstetter walked toward Klink and looked back at Hogan.
"Well, Colonel, your concussion seems to have left you a much calmer man."
Burkhalter smiled, pleased with Hogan's restraint and looked down his nose at Major Hochstetter. "I believe you have your apology, Major. Shall we leave the prisoner to his solitude?"
Hochstetter approached Hogan once more, gave him an appraising look, and in a cold voice warned, "Perhaps we'll talk to you again later, Colonel."
He then turned and headed for the cell door.
Hogan felt soiled by Hochstetter's touch and ran his hand across his chin, as if rubbing off some foreign matter. His shirt felt dirty and he would have burned it if he could. ~ I'd welcome a visit to the delousing station right now. ~
As the entourage left, Klink was the last one out. He looked back at Hogan and softly said. "Good job, Colonel.
"I feel the need for a shower! Hogan angrily replied as he reached up to button his shirt. "I can still feel his touch."
Klink looked at him sympathetically, nodded, and left to follow the threesome.
Schultz had been standing in the background. "Can I get you anything before I leave, Colonel Hogan?"
Hogan just shook his head, turned away and rubbed the back of his neck.
Schultz left and locked the cell door.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvv
His men had been listening on the other side of the entrance.
"He can still feel his touch? What does that mean? Let's see if the Colonel's all right."
"No, Carter. Let's leave the Colonel alone for a little while." Judging by his statement to Klink, Kinch knew Hogan needed some time to come to terms with the humiliation Hochstetter had just delivered.