Stalag 13
November 1944
Day 5
Unaware of the true meaning behind Major Miller's request of musicians, the Propaganda Ministry considered it only for what it was. A request for more musicians. They decided they would let him have POW's, as they couldn't find any youths that could play the instruments he wanted anyway. At least, not any that weren't already serving in the Wehrmacht and to take them away from their duties in the Wehrmacht would have taken an act from the Fuehrer himself. Goebbels didn't feel that was necessary and seeing as they had plans for future propaganda stunts that would involve the Major and "demoralized" POW's, they may as well start now. Major Miller's assessment of the Germans flaunting his capture was correct, and the Propaganda Ministry couldn't wait to unveil to the world the coup they had pulled. They had captured Glenn Miller and they would use him however they could to show that the Allied cause was flawed and failing and that the Reich would be victorious.
Of course, they based all of that on the erroneous assumption that Miller would cooperate. Little did they know Glenn Miller.
And little did Colonel Hogan know Major Glenn Miller. After the aborted attempt to get the Major out of Düsseldorf the night before, Hogan had been trying to organize a way for him and the heroes to get to Düsseldorf. He had no idea Miller was about to provide an open invitation...and that invitation could have been jeopardized if the Ministry had heard about the attempted escape before allowing Miller to have POW's.
However, they had not and Hauptmann Reigels arrived at Stalag 13 before the morning roll call. He told the Kommandant of the Major's request and asked if he could speak to the assembled prisoners after the roll call. Klink, being ever so helpful, pointed out that he was aware that Colonel Hogan played drums, and that there were other prisoners who could play instruments and sing. He then attempted to volunteer his services on the violin which was declined by Reigels.
As the prisoners lined up for roll call, Hogan and the heroes saw the Propaganda Ministry captain standing behind Klink. Having not listened in with the coffee pot, they were not aware of why Reigels was there but were sure something was up.
Shultz finished counting and turned to the Kommandant.
"Repoooooooort!"
Shultz saluted. "Jawohl! All prisoners present and accounted for!"
"Good." Klink looked at the prisoners. "Prisoners, I would like to introduce you to Hauptmann Horst Reigels of the Propaganda Ministry. Hauptmann Reigels is here today to ask a request of you. I would suggest that you consider the request carefully."
"Careful not to agree to it!" Newkirk shouted out. The assembled prisoners hollered their agreement.
"Quiet!" Klink shouted. "Any prisoner who obliges the request will receive special privileges."
"Like what?" Hogan asked.
"Those prisoners that oblige will, for their entire barracks, receive an extra ration of white bread, with butter and extra wood for their barrack's stove."
"How generous," Hogan said.
Klink ignored the Colonel's remark and turned to Hauptmann Reigels, giving a short nod. He then stepped back to let the Ministry official speak.
Reigels looked at the assembled POW's. "Prisoners. Four days ago the Propaganda Ministry, with help from the Gestapo, captured a very important Allied officer." Reigels paused. "Major Glenn Miller."
The prisoners were suddenly a buzz. Miller? Did he say Glenn Miller? The band leader?? No way... Hogan and his men all exchanged glances. Something was definitely up.
Reigels smiled like a cat that just ate a canary. "At this time Major Miller is taking part in the preparations for a very important broadcast and he needs some help. I'm here today with a request from the Major for a few musicians, specifically, a piano player, a drummer and a bass player."
The gathered prisoners all voiced their rejection of the request, Hogan and the heroes looked at each other again. "I think we just found a legitimate way to get to Düsseldorf," the Colonel said. He suddenly stepped forward. "I don't believe you've really captured Glenn Miller," he spoke up to Reigels.
"Hogan, you're out of line!" Klink warned.
Reigels raised a hand, indicating it was okay for the prisoner to speak. "You don't?" Reigels said to Hogan. "Colonel, he was held right here in this camp until yesterday. Don't tell me you weren't the least bit curious as to why you and the rest of the prisoners here were confined to barracks every time we moved him around."
"Sure I was curious. But that doesn't prove you have the real Glenn Miller. None of us saw him and I doubt you even know what he looks like it."
"Everybody in the world knows what Glenn Miller looks like," Reigels said. "He is tall, with dark hair, dark eyes, glasses and he speaks with a very rich baritone voice, perfect for radio." Reigels chuckled. "Colonel, Kommandant Klink tells me that you play drums. Perhaps you would like to see for yourself that we indeed have captured Major Miller and he has been very cooperative."
"Anybody can be cooperative if you threaten them enough," Hogan countered.
"The Propaganda Ministry does not need threats to achieve its objectives. Major Miller has merely seen that the Allied cause he has supported for so long is in vain. He knows, as will everyone else soon enough, that the Third Reich will be victorious."
"I still don't believe you. I don't believe you've got Miller and I surely don't believe he's being willingly cooperative." Hogan paused. "But I'll go..."
"Colonel, no! You can't--"
Hogan held a hand up. "I have to find out for sure if they really have Major Miller. But you can rest assured that if they do, they're going to be very sorry."
Reigels smirked. "I don't think so, Colonel. But on behalf of Major Miller I thank you for the volunteering of your services. Now..." Reigels looked at the rest of the prisoners. "We need a bass player..."
Hogan turned his head to look back at Kinch. The Sergeant nodded and stepped forward.
Reigels smiled. "Wonderful. Anybody play piano?"
Hogan turned his head slightly the other way, toward LeBeau. The Frenchman stepped forward, looking like he didn't like the idea but like Colonel Hogan wanted to see if it was really Glenn Miller the Propaganda Ministry had.
"Very good."
"Don't get too excited," Hogan said. "You don't know if any of us can play yet. Maybe we all just want some more white bread...."
Reigels paused. "I would think that Major Miller would be extremely disappointed if his own comrades would volunteer to assist him and then turn out to be lying." Reigels started to turn and then stopped, and looked back at Hogan. "Not to mention the Propaganda Ministry would also be very disappointed..." Reigels kept his gaze on Hogan for a moment longer and turned around and nodded to Klink, indicating he was finished.
Klink nodded and turned to Shultz. "Shultz, after you dismiss the prisoners bring Colonel Hogan, Corporal LeBeau and Sergeant Kinchloe to my office."
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant!" Shultz saluted and turned to the prisoners to dismiss them.
Hogan turned to Newkirk. "After we leave, get word to the Underground in Düsseldorf and let them know we're joining the party."
"Right, sir."