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Weaving A Web To Freedom
Book Three: Fliegerabwehrkanonen Spells FLAK
Chapter Eleven
Let's Get Started!
Hogan stared at the glass in front of him as Dozier filled it with liquor. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to get me drunk."
"Of course I am, Colonel, how else will I learn your secrets?" Dozier answered, smiling, but his eyes were dead serious. "You know, you still have not told me why you would risk your life for a Gestapo Major."
"That's easy, Hochstetter was so scared his voice went up two octaves when he was calling for help. I thought there was a woman in there. I'm sure you can appreciate my concern!" Hogan smiled. "How was I to know that 'tough guy' routine was all an act?"
Dozier sat back in his chair, rolling his glass back and forth in his fingers and staring at Hogan with amusement. "You have quite a mouth on you, Colonel."
"I've been told that before," Hogan answered, while holding his glass up and tipping it slightly at Dozier before taking a sip.
"So, Colonel Dozier, how did you get stuck being in charge of the Accidental Artillery Armaments?" Hogan questioned, trying to get a rise out of Dozier.
"The what?" Dozier asked.
"The Accidental Artillery Armaments…The cannons that might accidentally hit a plane if they fire enough rounds. You know, the triple A's," Hogan sarcastically explained.
Dozier lost his smile and leaned forward. "You might find yourself surprised if you tried to fly past these guns, Colonel. In fact, I wish I could offer you that experience. Perhaps after Germany wins the war, I can give you a first hand demonstration."
Klink held his napkin up to his mouth in an attempt to address Hogan discreetly, and threatened, "Watch it, Hogan, you may be out of camp but you are still a prisoner!"
Taking another sip from his glass, Hogan looked around at all the German uniforms in the room.
"Yes, I'm very aware of that." And then, smiling added, "I seem to be the only one in the room on the winning side though."
"Hogan!" Klink snapped.
The American Colonel looked questioningly at Klink, appearing to have no idea he had said anything wrong.
Dozier threw his head back and laughed.
"Colonel Hogan, your audacity is challenging. The Allied fliers I've seen are either plummeting to earth in their burning planes or drifting down and acting as targets for our machine guns. To have a live specimen in front of me is most entertaining."
After which he picked up Hogan's glass of liquor and handed it to him.
I won't drink to that, you miserable… Hogan calmly sat the glass down in defiance.
Dozier looked sternly at this action. His authority was seldom challenged. And it never happened a second time.
Moving into Hogan's personal space, he delivered a verbal punch.
"Of course, you now live in a nice safe prison camp where your planes and ours won't bomb. I wonder if you would be so bold if your safety were threatened."
Klink got a sickening feeling in his stomach as he watched the familiar spark flash through the eyes of his senior prisoner. Before Klink could respond, Hogan began to speak and Klink held his breath.
"And I wonder if your pomposity won't change when we march into Berlin!" Hogan smiled, picked up his glass, and added, "Let's drink to that!"
Sorry, Kommandant, it needed to be said! Hogan thought, as Klink stared wide eyed at Dozier.
Dozier stiffened, and Klink feared he would not be able to save Hogan from the German Colonel's rage. But it began to melt away almost as quickly as it appeared. As if a sudden realization had occurred that diffused the anger, or at the very least, postponed it.
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"I want four patrols added to guard the anti-aircraft guns. There will be a band of steel around those guns!"
"Jawohl, Herr Major!" the Lieutenant answered crisply.
"If the Underground makes an attempt to get at them, I want every effort made to take them alive. Understood?" Hochstetter ordered from his hospital bed.
"Understood! Will we be holding them here or should I have them sent straight to Berlin?" the junior officer asked.
"Nein, any prisoners taken will be held in Hammelburg until I am able to talk to them personally. Enter them as suspects and under investigation. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, charge them with anything. As long as they are suspects, I have complete control of them."
"I understand, Major!"
"And, Leutnant, if you fail to protect the guns, Berlin will send you an invitation to make your explanation to the Fuhrer, in person."
I won't be far behind if they find out I deliberately told the Underground about the testing of radar with the Eighty-eights.
"Heil Hitler!" Hochstetter replaced the phone in its cradle and stared at the ceiling. I can't stand being confined! No wonder prisoners pace in their cells.
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"The hollow log is over here, Carter!" Kinch said exasperated.
Carter looked at Kinch how to express his disagreement, he simply veered off in the opposite direction.
"Carter, where are you going?" Kinch called, barely above a whisper.
"Want me to go fetch him?" Newkirk asked.
LeBeau looked from Newkirk to Kinch.
Sighing, Kinch shook his head, no, and went to the hollow log he had indicated. Reaching inside, he felt blindly for the satchel containing the dynamite, but did not feel it. As he bent closer to peer inside, Carter walked up behind him.
"Looking for this?"
Kinch's expression changed from an annoyed question to a sheepish grin as he saw the sought-after bag dangling from Carter's outstretched arm.
"I should have known you wouldn't lose track of your explosives."
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Klink's attention was captured by a waiter stopping at each table making inquiries. Finally, the waiter was close enough to allow him to over hear that he was searching for Colonel Dozier.
"Waiter, this is Colonel Dozier," Klink volunteered.
"Colonel, there is a phone call for you. Follow me." The waiter turned to lead the officer to the house phone.
Before leaving, Dozier reached across the table and filled Hogan's glass to the brim while issuing his warning.
"Drink up, Colonel Hogan, I expect to see that glass empty when I get back. Don't disappoint me!" Frowning, he stood to follow the waiter.
If I drink all of that, I really will be drunk. Hogan thought as he followed the German with his eyes. As he did so, he saw Marie standing next to the doorway leading to the hotel desk.
The American officer reached for his glass and knocked it over, spilling its contents onto Klink.
There you have it, one empty glass, he thought.
"Oh, sorry, Kommandant," Hogan apologized, jumping to his feet.
"Waiter, we need a towel!" he called, while turning to step behind Klink. Grabbing his napkin, he began dabbing at Klink's uniform as the waiter joined him. Hogan gradually faded back as another waiter came to help. In the confusion he slipped over to Marie.
"Colonel Hogan, we've only a moment before Dozier returns from that fake call," she began as she kept an eye on her surroundings. "I have a message for you from Stalag 13. They have not been able to reach 'Nighthawk'," She whispered. "They wanted you to know the man you wanted left behind would be with them tonight." Marie raised her voice slightly. "Go away you're drunk!" she ordered.
"Oh come on, one little dance!" Hogan answered. Lowering his voice he said, "Oh that's just great! And I'm stuck here with Jekyll and Hyde." He reached for Marie's hand. "Thanks, Marie, now you had better get out of here."
Maria yanked her hand back as Kommandant Klink approached. "I do not dance with Americans!" she exclaimed.
"Colonel Hogan! What are you doing?" Klink demanded. Turning to Marie he added, "Sorry Fraulein, the Colonel has had a little too much to drink."
"Hmpf," Maria huffed, as she turned and marched out of the room.
"You can't blame a guy for trying," Hogan answered.
"What's going on?" Dozier asked, rejoining the group.
"Colonel Hogan has had too much to drink. I think it is time for us to go." Klink didn't want to go into any more detail.
Dozier looked at Hogan. "I was just about to suggest the same thing. I will take you to see my Eighty – eights on the way."
"Who was on the phone?" Klink asked.
"That's another reason why I want to go by my camp. Whoever it was had hung up by the time I got there."
By his camp? Swell! Hogan thought. Okay, he wanted me drunk, let's see if I can make him change his mind.
"Tha'll be great!" Hogan said slapping the German Oberst on his back and then throwing his arm over his shoulder.
"COLONEL HOGAN!" Klink yelled, causing people to turn and look. If your condition wasn't Dozier's fault, I'd give you five days in the cooler. Embarrassed, he grabbed Hogan's arm and pulled him out the door.
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"Are you ready, Carter?" Kinch asked, as he surveyed the ground between them and the bridge.
"I think so," he answered.
"You can't just think so. You have to know so. The longer we're under that bridge, the more likely we are to get caught."
"I'm ready!"
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure!" he assured.
Kinch gave him one last scrutinizing look, "Okay, let's go. Newkirk, LeBeau, cover us."
Newkirk raised his gun up in front of him and peered into the darkness. LeBeau moved up next to him with his gun ready. Kinch and Carter moved out, inching their way along the ground to the ravine and the river running under the bridge. Newkirk and LeBeau kept their eyes trained on the guards patrolling the bridge.
Kinch and Carter slipped over the side of the ravine and made their way to the bridge. Kinch signaled Carter to start climbing the girders, and when Andrew was well into the maze, he followed behind. Slowly and silently, they made their way to the center of the expanse.
"What's taking them so long?" Newkirk asked, frustrated at not being able to actually see Kinch and Carter from their position.
"They've only been gone five minutes!" Louis said impatiently, while elbowing his companion.
Carter stopped at the center point and inched his way up. This will do some damage. I sure hope we make it back here in time to see it go!
Kinch had moved on to the far end of the bridge and set two explosive packs, one on each piling to break it away from the road. Now, to string this wire back to Carter so he can tie in his "pack" Kinch looked at his watch adjusting his arm to catch the moonlight, Still on time. Meeting Carter as planned, he passed the spooled wire up, and glanced at the time again. We're doing well. He gave Carter a thumbs up.
Carter finished tying his pack in and they were soon planting two more packs on the final two pilings. Carter glanced back for one last admiring look at their handiwork before Kinch urged him back up the side of the ravine to wait for Louis's all clear signal.
In the meantime, the guard on the bridge walked to the rail closest to Kinch and Carter.
"What is that bloody Kraut doing?" Newkirk took aim.
LeBeau looked to where Carter and Kinch had been. "They've moved back into the shadows," he said
Standing at the railing, the guard took his flashlight and shone it into the thick dried brush.
Kinch and Carter lay flat and still as the light shone past them. Carter, buried his face in the dirt, trying to become invisible, but he was afraid the beating of his heart would give him away.
There was a sudden rustle in the grass and the guard shone the flashlight down the length of his rifle. He placed his finger over the trigger while he searched, shining his light over the brush. Suddenly a rabbit made his escape, running up and over the lip of the ravine. Swinging his rifle to follow the movement, the guard recognized his prey. His rapid breathing slowed its pace and he lowered his gun. Smiling, he resumed his rhythmic pace along the bridge.
"He doesn't know how bloody close he came!' Newkirk cursed, as he lowered his gun, and plopped onto his back with his hand on his chest trying to reabsorb his fear.
Louis motioned for the other two to join them.
"Get that plunger wired and hid," Kinch said, while looking around for patrols. Carter, still white as a ghost, worked quietly and quickly. Within seconds he was done. The four moved on to the Eighty-eights and their rendezvous with the Underground.
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The Underground unit known as "Nighthawk" had met in the cellar where they were holding Daniel. "All right, its time to move out we need to rendezvous with the others."
Armin looked at the men as they gathered themselves together. He was being careful not to use the codename Papa Bear. No need to give Daniel too much information. Something could still go wrong.
"Others? There are more?" Daniel asked. Good, maybe Papa Bear will be among them.
"Yes, they'll meet us, and we'll cover them while they set their charges," Lutz said, as a matter of fact.
"Charges! I take it you've done this before?" Daniel questioned. This has to be the Underground units that Major Hochstetter has been hunting and it must be Papa Bear we are meeting. "May I ask what our target is?"
"We're taking out the anti-aircraft guns!" Horace smiled.
"That's a rather large goal," Daniel stated. "I assume we have enough men to pull this off."
"What's the matter Daniel, getting cold feet?" Horace asked.
"Not at all, I'm just amazed at your organization." He couldn't have been more truthful. This is going to be quite a triumph! I'm eager to talk to the man running this operation!
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Hogan sat wedged in the back seat between Klink and Dozier. Pulling his cap down over his eyes, he laid his head back on the seat, pretending to be semi-passed out.
Dozier looked at Hogan and commented, "It appears these Americans can't hold their liquor."
"You seemed to be pushing it down him, determinedly! What were you trying to prove?" Klink asked, hesitantly.
Thanks, Klink, that's what I want to know, too! Hogan listened intently.
"Nothing, Kommandant. I was just trying to show him a good time." And loosen his tongue a little for our discussion, Dozier finished silently to himself.
The car hit a bump and Hogan sat up, "I'm up, Schultz! I'm…" Hogan looked around as if he were disoriented. He was still hoping to convince Dozier to forego taking them on a tour of his cannons. "Mmm, where we..are. I mean, are where?" he said, waving his hand in front of his face.
"Hogan, you're soused," Klink admonished. Aghast at the site of Hogan's drunken behavior, he looked discreetly at Dozier.
The staff car swerved sharply to pull into Stalag 13, throwing Hogan into Dozier.
"Sharp turn! Sorry, Major," Hogan slurred, as he exaggerated his efforts to right himself by using Dozier's arm and shoulder.
"That's Oberst," Dozier corrected, pushing Hogan away.
"Oberst? Oh, yeah, that's right. I keep forgetting!" Hogan replied. "Are we home?" he asked as he placed his fingers to his lips and pretended to swallow a belch. "I think I've had a little too much to drink."
Good, this drunken act must have worked. He did bring us back to Stalag 13. Sneaking a look at his watch, he thought, I might still be able to catch up with the guys.
Klink looked at Hogan and shaking his head, opened the car door to get out.
"Here you are Colonel Klink," Dozier said, grinning. "I would take you with us, but I know you need to be rested to stay on top of these prisoners and their attempted escapes."
Hogan registered the "take you with us" and sighed inwardly.
"What do you mean?" Klink asked, as it dawned on him what Dozier was planning.
"Wait a minute, you can't take Hogan with you, he's a prisoner, and I am responsible for him! Besides, he's in a drunken stupor, he won't remember seeing the guns!"
Dozier reached across Hogan and grabbed the door. "Oh, I think I can be entertaining enough to be memorable. I'll have him returned in the morning when we break camp." Dozier slammed the car door and the driver sped out the gate.
Hogan looked at Dozier and slid over in the seat, putting a little distance between himself and the enemy.
"Give me your arms, Colonel," Dozier ordered taking a pair of handcuffs out of his pocket. "I promised Colonel Klink you wouldn't escape. I keep my promises."
Hogan slowly and apprehensively presented his wrists. Dozier snapped the handcuffs on and gave them a tug to insure they were snug.
"After your Kommandant told me about you, I went back over some of my old records. We were all trying to bring you down, you know."
Alarms were going off in Hogan's head. This isn't about the Eighty-eights.
Hogan looked at Dozier, "Go on."
"You flew with the Tigers defending China from the Japanese before the United States entered the war. It must have been a good learning experience for you. It made you quite the scourge over Germany for a good many months."
Dozier sat back, watching Hogan realize how much information he had on him.
"What's this all about, Colonel? You're not taking me to just look at your guns," Hogan asked, as he rested his cuffed fists back in his lap.
"Let's just enjoy the ride, Colonel Hogan, we'll have plenty of time to talk later!"
Dozier smiled and sat back to watch his statement eat at the self-assured Allied pilot.