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Weaving A Web To Freedom
Book Three: Fliegerabwehrkanonen Spells FLAK
Chapter Five
Busted
Hogan turned from the barrack door as the last of his men disappeared to walk the perimeter and take stock of the guard situation. True to his word, he did not linger long in his quarters. After quickly washing up, he and Kinch exited into the common room. The Colonel was determined to get out tonight to look for the guns, but his men persuaded him to let them at least check out what they would be up against. Hogan paced restlessly, still dabbing with a moist cloth at the cut on his cheek. He knew every minute that passed was a minute closer to the guns being used against an Allied plane.
Hochstetter gave up on me pretty quickly, just an hour compared to his three and four hour interludes. I know I should be grateful, but it's out of character and that worries me.
Suddenly the door to the barrack opened, Klink rushed in and leaned against the door. "I saw your men leaving, Colonel Hogan, I thought this might be a good time for us to talk. Hochstetter has gone to the guest quarters to wash up before evening mess, we should have a few minutes."
Surprised by Klink's sudden entrance, Hogan quickly regained his composure and dropped the blood spotted cloth he had been holding on his cheek into the sink and out of sight. It hadn't donned on Hogan that Klink would come to see him. But with Hochstetter in camp he certainly understood why Klink wanted a clandestine meeting.
Walking over to the table, he commented, "I'm assuming you've come to ask what we were doing all day. Have a seat, Kommandant."
Hogan instinctively held his arm across his stomach and slowly lowered himself onto the bench at the table. Stifling a groan, his thoughts drifted to his meeting with Hochstetter and he chastised himself. Jumping to my feet and stepping toward Hochstetter is probably not the smartest thing I've ever done during an interrogation. If only I could have made it one more step I would have head butted him, the pompous…
"Colonel Hogan, are you listening to me?"
"What? Sorry, Kommandant. What was it you said?"
Klink stepped closer. "Are you all right, Hogan?
"Yes, Kommandant, I'm just tired and...not thinking too clearly. Maybe if you tell me what Schultz has already said, I can just fill in the blanks."
Hogan was sure the Kommandant had already pumped Schultz for information and he didn't want to contradict it.
Taking a seat opposite Hogan, Klink agreed. Time spent with Hochstetter would cloud anyones thinking.
"All right, but pay attention. We are running out of time. Schultz told me that he finally found an old shack about noon and you and your men made it look like the Underground had been meeting in it. He was a little sketchy about the explosives though, except that he instructed you on the placement of the fuse. He said he would have to go and set a timer, or something when we were ready for Hochstetter to find the shack."
Hogan nodded and thought, Not bad, Schultz!
"That pretty well says it, Kommandant. You just need to let Schultz know when to set them off. We had no way of knowing how soon the Major would return."
Hogan, anticipating the return of his men, concluded, "If that's all Kommandant, it's been a long day."
"You're sure you're all right, Colonel?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah, it's just that with our sleep being interrupted and then out all day with Schultz, I'm a little short on my sleep."
Klink nodded, "Get some rest, I'll see you in the morning." Klink slipped back out the door and headed for his office.
Hogan watched the door close and thought, If all goes according to plan you'll see me in the morning. If not…
Carefully standing, Hogan approached the bunk hiding the entrance to the tunnels below and carefully climbed down the ladder. Clearing the last rung he heard muted voices.
Good! he thought, Dirk must be conscious.
Slipping unnoticed into Dirk's room, he saw that he was right.
Wilson was just finishing a dressing change.
"How's he doing?" Hogan asked.
The color drained from Wilson's face as he jerked and looked up, startled. "Sheesh, Colonel, You're going to give me a heart attack!"
"Sorry. I'll try to make more noise next time."
"Gonna put a bell on you," Wilson mumbled taking in a calming breath as he silently noticed the still oozing cut on Hogan's cheek.
"How is he?" Hogan asked.
"The wound has clotted over and there is no bleeding. Now, we rest, keep it clean and heal."
"Since he's awake and doing better, I'd like to talk to him. If that's okay?"
"Yes, if…" Pulling up a couple of sitting stools and placing them by the bed, Wilson continued, "…you let me wash out that cut on your cheek, while you talk."
Hogan frowned, "That's blackmail."
"Yes, it is," Wilson answered, already making his preparations.
Hogan sat down and began to fill Dirk in on the day's activities. "I'll not stay long. I just wanted you to know we got the location of the guns. They have a battery of 88mm cannons forming part of a Flak belt. It looks like the plan is to protect Berlin by downing our planes on their approach. I'm assuming it's precautionary. I have no word from London of a planned air attack."
Wilson's diligence caused some soapy water to slip down Hogans neck.
Hogan shrugged his shoulders in annoyance. "The cut's on my cheek, Sargent."
"Sit still," Wilson demanded.
Hogan turned his attention back to Dirk. "Also, the men who were with you made good their escape."
Dirk momentarily closed his eyes in a silent prayer of thanks.
Pressing on, Hogan asked, "What can you tell me about the man Black Paw sent?"
"He was German, had blond hair, about 27 years old and I would guess about your height. He had just told us about the eighty-eights. Seemed a little nervous, but we all were." Dirk's mind drifted away reliving the event. "Especially after Bernd ran in saying the Gestapo was outside. We scattered, and I had barely made the woods when I was hit."
"That was an unlucky..." Hogan took a quick breath in as Wilson poured alcohol over the cut on his cheek "...breeeak!" Yanking his head away, Hogan quickly looked at Wilson
"Sorry." Wilson uttered, as he finished and left to empty the basin.
Dirk could feel himself wanting to drift back to sleep and fought to keep his eyes open. "Sorry Colonel. Guess I'm...more tired than I thought. Could I have a drink of water?"
Hogan reached for the cup of water on the crate next to the bed and helped the injured man hold his head up to take a sip before he again fell back to sleep. Setting the cup down and pulling the covers up over Dirk's shoulders, he quietly stood to leave.
Wilson returned in time to see Hogan caring for the injured man.
"You know, Colonel, you make a pretty good nurse." Smiling, he lightly tapped Hogan's stomach with the back of his hand, in a just kidding gesture, causing Hogan to curl forward slightly.
The medic stopped. "Unbutton your shirt and lay down on that bunk over there. I'll make this quick."
Caught off guard, Hogan stopped and refused with a shake of his head.
"Later, Wilson, my men should be coming back and we have to make some plans."
Wilson took a serious step between Hogan and the doorway.
Raising his voice a decible, Hogan scowled, "Wilson, this can wait!"
The medic did not move, nor did he speak; he simply stared silently at his C.O..
Sighing, Hogan relented, "Fine," He was too tired to argue. Mumbling, he pushed his hat back on his head, took off his jacket, and began unbuttoning his shirt while walking toward the cot.
"I don't have a lot of time, so don't drag this out."
"Yes, sir." The medic watched as Hogan guardedly sat down on the cot. "I just want to palpate your abdomen…"
"You want to...what?"
Wilson put his hand on Hogan's shoulder to assure he stayed sitting, "I want to see if there is any internal swelling going on. As in damaged organs slowly filling up with blood, ready to burst like a balloon, in which case you may not get the chance to come back later," Wilson finished.
Hogan wavered, studying the medic and then lay back, staring at the ceiling.
"Scare tactics are not a good bedside manner." Hogan, sniped.
"Ooph!"
"Did that hurt?" Wilson asked continuing his probing.
"No," Hogan growled, as he felt the warm flush from the throbbing pain sweep up his face. "I always make that sound when someone is pressing on my stomach trying to feel my backbone."
Holding his breath, Hogan tighten his abdominal muscles to try and lessen the discomfort of the medic's pressing fingers.
It wasn't working.
Grabbing the sides of the cot, Hogan accused, "Mmm…I think your just getting back at me…ugh!...for scaring you when I came in."
"You outrank me, I have to find some way to get my revenge," Wilson joked.
Beads of perspiration popped out on Hogan's forehead as he tried to reason, "Seriously, Wilson, that was Hochstetter's favorite spot, too. Can you try another area?"
"Now, what would be the point in that?"
A few agonizing seconds later, Wilson stepped back saying, "Okay, Colonel, you can get up. From what I can tell, you have some deep bruising to the muscles but no trauma to the organs. Hochstetter knows how to inflict pain without serious injury."
"Wish I could say the same for you," Hogan grumbled, while slipping his feet over the side of the cot.
"What did you say?" Wilson questioned.
"I didn't say anything!" Hogan answered, looking away and continuing to button his shirt.
"I must be hearing things." Wilson lied with a hint of a smile and, then turning more serious, asked, "By the way, Colonel, what did the Major want?"
Hogan stood and straightened his uniform, Momentarily resting his right hand on his stomach, he frowned at the newly aggravated soreness and gave Wilson a scornful look before answering.
"You know Hochstetter, always trying to prove there's more going on around here than we're telling. Can't blame him for that, can we? After all he is right."
"So he still thinks the man he's looking for may be here. Do you think he'll get more aggressive in his search?" Wilson asked.
"If you mean here in camp, I hope not, but that's always a possibility."
Hogan thoughtfully analyzed that likelihood.
Shaking that thought out of his head, he continued, "I've got to go and talk to the guys. When we blow those guns, we'll give Hochstetter something else to focus his attention on."
Looking over at Dirk one last time, Hogan walked toward the doorway leading into the tunnel. "You're sure he's out of danger, Joe?" Hogan asked, letting his guard down, and his concern show.
"As long as we keep his wound clean and he eats and rests, he should recover. You can let this worry go, Colonel. Just concentrate on what you have to do next."
Realizing his facade of 'mission' over 'lives' had been penetrated, Hogan sheepishly looked back at the medic and nodded as he left.
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Hogan's men had divided up the perimeter so that it wouldn't be obvious that they were surveying the area. Having completed their surveys, they gathered back at the barracks and were just beginning to discuss the situation among themselves when the tunnel entrance opened and Hogan joined them.
"The whole place is lousy with Gestapo, Colonel," Carter stated, from his position next to the stove, where he was warming his hands.
Newkirk, standing with his hands on his hips in front of the barrack door, added, "He's right, Colonel, they've brought the dogs in too,"
"Oui, Gestapo and dogs all the way around the outside perimeter," Louis also confirmed, as he finished pouring the fifth cup of coffee.
"I'm afraid we're pinned in for tonight," Kinch hesitated to say. The Sergeant realized his Colonel did not take the word "no" easily.
Hogan paced from the tunnel entrance to the wood stove and back again. Turning he looked at his men, "All right, then let's think how were going to knock out that radio detection truck."
"Holy cow, Colonel, this side of the barbed-wire is full of Gestapo, too," Carter interjected and quickly wished he hadn't as the Colonel's eyes came to rest on him. "I mean, it could be pretty tricky…sir."
Newkirk jumped to Andrew's defense, "Beggin' your pardon, Colonel, but Carter's right. I'm afraid were just done in for tonight!"
LeBeau stood with his arms crossed, silently agreeing with his comrades. Hogan looked from one man to the next ending with Kinch, who stood with a pained expression on his face. He would support the Colonel, but he believed the men to be right.
"Do I need to remind you we have a job to do? Now that we have this information, we have to get it to England before we go out and try to blow those guns. If we don't, and we fail…" Hogan was interrupted by Newkirk.
"Translation…get caught or killed, not necessarily in that order!" Peter's face was tense with contained anger. He bowed his head and looked away to keep from digging his "hole" any deeper.
Hogan's face hardened, "…If we fail, London needs to have the location of the guns so they can send someone else to do the job. If we can delay the final testing of the radar used to aim those cannons, we could save hundreds of lives. This being a proto-type."
Silence prevailed for a few seconds that seemed like minutes before Kinch spoke up.
"The Colonel's right. Now that we have the information we've got to get it out." He looked around at his friends. "Come on, we all know we live from minute to minute, waiting only lessens our odds. I'm with you, Colonel."
Louis dropped his arms to his side and stepped forward, "Oui, me too, Colonel."
"I guess you're right, I…I'm with you, too…sir," Carter joined in, and then he and the others looked at Newkirk.
"Blimey, you're all balmy." That being said, he smashed out his cigarette and looked back into their faces. "All right, but if I get killed, I'm not talking to any of you again!"
Kinch smiled and asked, "What do you want us to do, Colonel?"
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The Underground was keeping an eye on Stalag 13, looking for an opportunity to either radio, or go in through the emergency tunnel. But the Gestapo, still looking for the elusive Underground member they had been tracking, was swarming over the woods surrounding the camp and kept the radio detection truck smack dab in the middle of the compound. Well, "Papa Bear", you seem to be caught up in the middle of the search. If they haven't found Dirk or his body, I think it's safe to assume you have him. The question is, can you keep him? Lutz was asking himself as he peered through the binoculars at the prison camp.
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Hogan was standing outside the barracks in the shadows created by the moon. As soon as he saw Schultz approaching with the nightly coffee for the men in the radio truck, he reached over and tapped twice on the barrack door. LeBeau slipped out, looked at Schultz and nodded to Hogan, before quickly, dodging the searchlights and edging up to the large German sergeant.
"Hi, Schultzie!"
"LeBeau, what are you doing out here, it is verboten! Go back to your barrack," Schultz warned.
"I'll just be a minute. I'm going to make some strudel tomorrow; can you come by in the morning? It will still be warm." LeBeau was smiling and patting the German's arm, making Schultz struggle to keep the coffee from spilling.
"LeBeau! You're supposed to be in the barrack. You know its curfew, now get back inside." Hogan had joined the twosome for his part of the plan.
"I was just inviting Schultz to stop by for some strudel in the morning," LeBeau explained.
"Ja, ja, he was only inviting me to come in the morning," Schultz defended.
"I don't care what you were doing, and you stay out of this, Schultz." Hogan forcefully demanded, trying to grab Schultz's attention while Louis dropped sleeping pills into the coffee.
"I'm surprised at you Schultz...look at me when I'm talking to you," Hogan admonished, when the guards gaze started to drift back toward LeBeau and the coffee.
Hogan's tone riled Schultz, "Colonel Hogan, you are a prisoner. You will not talk to me like that!"
"What's going on out here?" The black clad figure demanded as he approached the small group. "I asked you a question, Schultz."
The search lights came to bear on the sounds of the disorder.
"I was…that is LeBeau…" the Sergeant stammered.
Hogan jumped into the conversation to run interference for the tongue-tied guard. "We were just asking Schultz for some more wood for the stove. It was colder than usual today, what with the wind…" Hogan was cut off abruptly.
"No more wood, now get back to your barrack," Hochstetter looked at Hogan suspiciously, while simultaneously noticing the cut he left on the POW's cheek. Stepping forward he quickly ran his left gloved index finger along the wound.
"If I find you outside again tonight, I will have you shot!"
Hochstetter's quick touch ignited something in Hogan and a flurry of suppressed memories came flooding back. But more alarming were the feelings and...emotions attached to them.
Hogan paled as fear and anger ate deep into his psyche. Panic manifested into words of revenge.
"One day, Hochstetter, you'll be asking for my intercession in your surrender."
Hogan clenched his jaw trying to grasp what he had just experienced. This was not a good time to loose control. He had to get back on his game, but his heart was still racing.
Hochstetter's face turned red as he clenched his fists. Talking through clinched teeth he promised, "Later, Colonel. I will send for you."
Looking back at Schultz, Hochstetter demanded, "What have you got there?" Hochstetter pointed to the tray.
"Coffee for the men in the radio truck, Herr Major."
The Gestapo Major looked at the coffee, then at Hogan, and back to the coffee. Grabbing the pot he flung the coffee out onto the ground. "This coffee could have been tampered with. Go get some more." Then looking back at the prisoners he yelled "What are you still doing here, I ordered you back to the barrack!" The German Major pulled his Lugar from his holster and pointed it at the POW's.
LeBeau quickly stepped to Hogan's side, putting himself between the two enemies. "Colonel, let's go!"
Hogan stood rigid for a moment still somewhat shaken. Gradually his vision expanded to include more than just the Gestapo Major. Putting his arm around LeBeau, he turned with the Frenchman and began walking back toward the barrack. Pausing for a final glance at the radio detection truck as he closed the barrack door.
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"What was going on out there?" Carter asked, after the two men had returned inside.
LeBeau relayed the story, while Hogan leaned against the bunk closest to the door with his arms crossed, thinking.
"Well, I guess Kinch, Carter, and I won't get to sabotage that radio truck tonight. Now I have an entire evening free and no plans!" Newkirk wisecracked. Anybody have a radio they want me to alter the settings on?" He asked, holding up a screwdriver.
"Hochstetter is getting to be a thorn in my side!" Hogan muttered. "That's it for tonight, fellas. Go get some sleep. I'll be in my room…thinking." Hogan walked over and slammed his door.
The men watched the door slam and then looked at each other.
"He'll be up all night beating himself for letting Hochstetter get the best of him," Newkirk announced.
"He's right. We've got to get rid of Hochstetter!" LeBeau agreed, red faced with his own anger.
"How do you plan to do that?" Carter asked, as he sat down on his bunk. "I mean he's not likely to leave just because we ask him."
Silent frustration was the only response.
"Let's do what the Colonel said and get some sleep." Kinch went to lie down on his bunk just as the door opened and Schultz waltzed in announcing lights out.
LeBeau approached Schultz and patting him on his massive chest said, "Sorry Schultzie, I didn't mean to get you in trouble."
Schultz sighed and said, "I'm used to it." Schultz looked around, "Where is Colonel Hogan?"
"He's in his room, Schultz. He's had enough of Hochstetter too," Kinch answered from his bunk.
Schultz shook his head knowingly and said, "Ja, ja…" ambling back toward the door and the light switch, he flipped the light off. "Good night boys, see you in the morning."
"Night Schultz," the men in the barrack replied as the bunks squeaked with men settling in for the night.
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Hogan sat down at his desk. Getting to the guns still had to take priority. He'd work on his own short comings later.
I may not be able to get word to London, before making an attempt on those cannons. Could I get past the guards in the woods? Maybe. Could I make it to the explosives we hid? Possibly. But one man working alone would need more time…and... a large dose of luck!