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Weaving A Web To Freedom

Book Three: Fliegerabwehrkanonen Spells FLAK

Chapter Twelve

Taking The Plunge

"There they come, Kinch." LeBeau pointed at the approachig underground unit.

Kinch, Newkirk, Carter and LeBeau stepped out of the shadows.

As the two groups greeted each other, Kinch and Armin stepped aside to prevent Daniel from hearing.

"The bridge is wired. Who are you sending?" Kinch asked.

"Bernd and Willi. They'll head out when we break up to cover you. After the guns blow, they'll set off the bridge. That should slow down any help that might be coming. Tiger's unit is causing a diversion in the area southwest of the gun location to pull some of the patrols off. We'll get Daniel on his way to his interrogators in the confusion."

Armin looked around, thinking Colonel Hogan would be stepping out of the shadows any second. "Where's …"

"He's not with us," Kinch interrupted. "It's a long story. He may be joining us later."

Kinch turned and stepped back to the group.

"Okay, lets get this done," Kinch announced, anxious to get back to camp and find out what was keeping the Colonel.

The group silently made their way to their target and split up.

Lutz and Armin stayed with Daniel. The three of them would act as lookouts while Lutz and Armin guarded that Daniel did not make an attempt to warn the enemy.

Kinch, LeBeau, Newkirk, and Carter divided up the explosive packages that Carter had prepared.

Kinch would target the radar and one gun. The others would each plant explosives on two guns each.

The last gun was too close to the camp and light, but the fallout and the explosions from the dynamite and shells should be enough to take it out.

Kinch was to look over the radar after he set his explosive pack and take notes, as well as try and get into the command tent to see what he could find. Hogan would have been taking the command tent if he were here. Kinch missed Hogan's presence not just for his part of the operation but for the reassurance his presence gave.

Just stay focused, that's what the Colonel would say. Kinch thought, as he took a calming breath and hung in the shadows making his way to the radar.

The camp was packed up in preparation for moving the guns. Guards were standing in groups talking and were lax in their patrols with Dozier out of camp.

Newkirk finished placing his last explosive and looked around uncomfortably. Everything felt to easy. He cautiously headed back to the rendezvous point in the woods, and was shortly joined by Carter.

Carter looked into the darkness around them. "Newkirk, where are LeBeau and Kinch?"

"Don't hyperventilate. They'll be here! Just give them time. Kinch has a two man job with the Colonel being absent."

"Okay, that makes sense...I guess."

"Here comes LeBeau," Newkirk said, relieved.

"What took you so long, Louis?" Carter asked, wondering if there may have been something wrong with his explosives.

"One of those Nazi soldiers wandered by on his way to 'relieve' himself in the shadows." LeBeau made a face.

"Oh well, there's a picture for you. Thanks for sharing that!" Newkirk complained.

"On his way to what?" Carter asked.

LeBeau ignoring the question, asked, "Where is Kinch?"

"I just saw him enter that tent over there. It must be..." Newkirk stopped as a staff car pulled into camp and stopped in front of the command tent.

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"You dummkopf!" Hochstetter yelled into the phone. "That is just what they wanted you to do. Bah! Get those patrols back where they belong."

I'm surrounded by idiots.

"Have you sent anybody to Stalag 13 to check on…? Do not interrupt me!" Hochstetter stopped, pulled the phone from his ear and composed himself before resuming.

"Listen to me carefully. Pull the patrols back where they belong. Send someone to Stalag 13 to see if Colonel Hogan is there. If he isn't, send two more patrols out to those guns and find him! ALIVE!"

Hochstetter slammed down the phone. "NURSE, GET ME OUT OF THIS TRACTION!"

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Klink had gone to his quarters, prepared for bed and was now pacing when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"You sent for me, Herr Kommandant?"

Schultz stood in the doorway pulling at the uniform he had hurriedly put on.

"Yes, Schultz, Colonel Hogan is spending the night with Colonel Dozier…"

"He is, Herr Kommandant? Why?" the Sergeant asked.

"I don't know, it wasn't my idea. Colonel Dozier just drove off with him!" Klink threw his hands up in the air and let them fall to his side in annoyance.

"He kidnapped, Colonel Hogan?" Schultz asked.

"No, no…Schultz, would you just shut up and listen?" Klink ordered.

Schultz straightened, "Jawohl, Herr Kommandant!"

"He will be bringing Colonel Hogan back in the morning. We are to have Hogan at the hospital in Hammelburg for propaganda pictures in the morning and I have not had a chance to tell him yet. So bring him to the office right after he gets back." Klink looked away with a frown.

"Is there something wrong, Kommandant?" Schultz asked.

Klink spun back around, intending to deny that anything was wrong. Officers do not usually discuss problems with non-coms. But his next closest in rank was Captain Gruber who went "by the book" and kept personal feelings out of his decisions.

Klink, on the other hand, sometimes struggled when his morals were being challenged. Though he usually fought these inner conflicts silently, he had allowed Hogan to be his sounding board on occasion and found the American to be sincere, though his delivery was generally flippant. He believed it was Hogan's own defense mechanism and a way to keep the distance between them. They were, after all, on opposite sides of the war...or at least they were right now.

But now the enemy confidante was not here and in fact was the source of his conflict at the moment. Klink looked again at the Sergeant standing in front of him. Shultz was a good man, not officer material, but still, his moral character was much like Klink's own. All of these thoughts ran quickly through the Kommandant's mind as he looked back at Schultz and assumed a less formal stance.

"Truthfully, Schultz, I'm a little concerned about Colonel Dozier's motives. Besides plying Hogan with alcohol all night, his remarks to him all seemed to be calculated for a specific response. Though from the look on Colonel Dozier's face his calculations were off...I'm afraid Oberst Dozier has a hidden agenda for Hogan."

Schultz stepped forward, "Permission to speak freely, Herr Kommandant."

"Permission granted," Klink answered.

"You have to go get him. Colonel Hogan would go after you if the situation were reversed." Schultz did not add how many times the American Colonel had pulled Klink out of the "fire". Many of which Klink did not even know about.

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Newkirk, Carter and LeBeau watched as the German Oberst got out of the car and walked around to the other side.

"We've got to get Kinch out of there!" Newkirk whispered.

Before the others could answer, the Oberst opened the door and Colonel Hogan stepped out.

"Holly cow, that's the Colonel!" Carter exclaimed.

Kinch was peering out between the tent flaps and almost choked. Both relieved and shocked, he parted the flap enough to catch Hogan's eye. Hogan took a few steps away from the tent and toward the guns.

"So these are the guns you're so proud of."Hogan stopped walking and waited for Dozier to join him.

Kinch took advantage of the diversion and slipped out of the tent and back into the shadows.

"Impressive aren't they? Come let me show you." Dozier picked up the pace and headed for the guns.

Hogan walked hesitantly behind, thankful that Dozier had followed up on his feigned interest, but curious about the motive for his being here. "It looks like you're getting ready to move them," Hogan observed.

Dozier looked at the two guards standing next to the guns and motioned toward Hogan with a nod. The guards flanked the American. Hogan glanced at the guards now on either side of him.

It looks like my host is getting ready to make his move. What's this all about? He can't know what we're about to do, can he?

Dozier turned and stepped directly in front of Hogan. Reaching down, he unfastened one of the handcuffs. "Remove your uniform jacket, Colonel Hogan."

Hogan looked at Dozier trying to figure out what he was planning. "I don't suppose you care that it's freezing out here," he chided.

Dozier drew his pistol from its holster and pointed it at Hogan. "Remove it!"

"I didn't think so!" Hogan began unbuttoning the jacket of his dress uniform, removed it, and then handed it to Dozier, shivering as the frigid air accosted him.

"Stand Colonel Hogan in front of the gun. Make sure he faces me," Dozier ordered, as he re-holstered his Lugar.

"No, really, I can see them fine from here!" Hogan protested. As he broke out in a cold sweat, he felt the flush of panic. The guards tightened their grips on his arms and forced him into position, as he shook his head with a mocking, "I can't believe it" grin.

Kinch reached his friends and followed their gaze back to where Hogan now stood in front of the guns.

Dozier looked up at the cannon looming into the night sky over Hogan's head.

"Nobody has built a better cannon than we have here." He brought his gaze back down to Hogan and stepped behind him, while motioning for the guard to pull the wrist with the dangling cuff back causing the American to take a step backward. Dozier wrapped the cuff around a piece of the armament, he then motioned for Hogan's other wrist and Dozier fastened it back into the cuff. Looks like I'm staying here for a while. Hogan shifted uncomfortably, knowing the guns were most likely already packed with explosives, and tried to maintain a calm expression.

"Kinch, those cannons are going to go. We've got to get the Colonel out of there." Carter looked from the Colonel to Kinch with anticipation.

"Come on, fall back." Kinch pulled on the men getting them to move.

After they withdrew further back, the Underground unit started converging on them.

"I know you said the Colonel might be joining us later, but I didn't know you meant like this!" Armin said, dumbfounded.

"This is not part of the plan!" LeBeau assured.

"We've got to come up with something or 'Papa Bear' is going up with those guns," Kinch announced, letting the name intentionally slip outhoping Daniel, if he were Gestapo, would not let that happen.

"That's 'Papa Bear'?" Daniel exclaimed.

Newkirk stared at Kinch, pulling his gun he said, "Let's go get him."

"Wait! I think I can help. Let me go in," Daniel suggested.

The others just looked at him. Not wanting to trust him, but desperate for a solution.

"I didn't want to tell you this. I know you don't trust me and this isn't going to help, but I'm a Captain in the Gestapo. I think I can at least get "Papa Bear" a ride to Gestapo headquarters in Hammelburg and away from those guns."

"Go!" Kinch said, looking at his watch. "You've got nineteen minutes!" he whispered, stepping back and opening a path.

"I hate to bring this up, but it's a little difficult to see the Eighty-eights you keep bragging about when they're chained to my back." Hogan barely finished his sentence when Dozier embedded his fist in the American's stomach.

"Oopf!" Hogan groaned, gasped for air and began to cough.

"Your flying antics cost me a promotion to General. Instead you let that idiot Biedenbender bring you in. I had my suspicions at the time when he took you to the hospital and demanded treatment." Dozier looked down on his prisoner, enjoying being in control of the brash American.

Hogan was surprised and unprepared for Dozier's quick punch. His lungs protested the quick intake of cold air as he tried to breathe. Dozier reached up and grabbed a handful of Hogan's hair and pulled his head up and slightly back.

"But after Biedenbender's act of treason and defection, it was obvious you were on the same side, so why did he shoot you down?"

Here it comes. Hogan thought, as he strained against Dozier's grip.

"There can only be one reason… to raise his esteem and increase his worth to the Nazi party. Thus increasing his presence among those with power and, eventually, it got him promoted! It was a gamble but it worked. Now as a General, he had access to more information to pass on to the Allies. The Americans gave up their top pilot to give him a boost which eventually ensured his promotion." Dozier released Hogan, turned, and took a step away before turning back. So is that why he failed to bring you down right away? To make you appear to be a better pilot than you actually were which made him look even more spectacular when you finally did fall?"

So that's it. He thinks my capture was a plot to get Biedenbender promoted. Boy is he wrong! Hogan thought.

"You're…" Hogan panted, "…nuts, Dozier."

"The truth is obvious, and I will have it from you if it takes all night. You will do for me what you did for Biedenbender, but this promotion will be for the right reason!" Dozier turned away again, took a step forward, and then spun around adding momentum, as he delivered another gut wrenching blow. "Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll stop!"

"Ugh, mmm," Hogan bit his lower lip while trying to control his moaning. Doubling over as far as he could, he gasped for air. The third blow came, and Hogan realized he was dangerously close to inaugurating Dozier's shoes with the liquor the German Oberst had forced on him at dinner. Hogan fought with the cuffs on his wrist, wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms around his aching middle and collapse.

"Something wrong, Colonel? Are the handcuffs too tight?" Dozier asked, mockingly, upon seeing Hogan's straining arms. "Where are your glib remarks now?" The anger, the German officer felt at dinner, flooded back and demanded satisfaction.

Hogan wanted to fire out a biting response, but at the moment, he would settle for a swallow of air.

"Tell me that Biedenbender gave you the coordinates for the guns, and that is how you knew to avoid my Eighty-eights. Tell me and I'll stop!" Dozier gained momentum from his anger and, after two more strikes, the American Colonel was coughing more than he was breathing, and fighting to keep from blacking out. "You couldn't have got past our cannon's on your own!"

Is this the way it's going to end? Being beat to death by a madman while waiting to be blown apart? Well, at least I'm taking you with me! The beating suddenly stopped and Hogan felt his head being yanked up again, and then…Dozier was distracted by one of the guards.

"Halt!" the guard called.

Dozier momentarily thought the guard was talking to him and could not believe what he heard. But then he saw the guard pointing his gun toward the woods; he let loose of Hogan, turned, and asked, "Was ist los?"

Hogan took advantage of the opportunity to breathe through clenched teeth, and tried to make his eyes focus on who was approaching. Too small to be Kinch…who is that?

Newkirk waited for Daniel to get out of hearing distance and then demanded, "Kinch, what are you doing? He's the enemy!"

"He's our only chance to get the Colonel out of there. Daniel has a vested interest in keeping 'Papa Bear' alive!" Kinch paused and solemnly added, "The Colonel won't be any deader, if I'm wrong!"

Voss stopped hands in the air. "I am Captain Voss, Gestapo."

The German Captain was breathing hard. He had to make his identity clear, and fast, before the guns blew. He couldn't get his prisoner away from the explosion until he was recognized as Gestapo. If I can get "Papa Bear" to Gestapo headquarters and remain undercover at the same time, I might still be able to uncover the Underground's route to England plus capture Papa Bear. Maybe I can get a double promotion out of this.

Dozier turned to look at the stranger, "Advance!"

Voss approached the group and briefly looked at the man he just learned was Papa Bear. He could see Papa Bear straining to look him over.

"Do you have any proof of this, Herr Captain?" Dozier asked.

"If you will turn the collar of my shirt up, you will find a hidden pocket with my identity paper."

Dozier, looked at the man and ordered, "Get down on all fours."

Voss did as ordered and Dozier walked over to him, aiming his gun at his head.

"What's he doing?" Carter asked, as Voss knelt down.

"It looks like he's getting ready to be executed," LeBeau whispered.

Newkirk, fearing Hogan would be next, drew his gun and said, "I told you. We need to go in there and get the Colonel."

"Hold on. Daniel's handing the German something. I wish I could hear what was being said," Kinch said, while staring at the events unfolding in front of him.

"Okay, take your left hand and remove your document," Dozier ordered.

Reaching up with muddied hands, the Captain did as instructed and balancing on "three points" held it over his head for Dozier to seize.

Hogan, grateful for the reprieve, was watching the action in front of him, and wondered, is this "Daniel"? Who else could it be? So his real name is Voss! The guys were out there somewhere, or has the Gestapo captured them?

Dozier inspected the document. "Get up, Captain Voss! What are you doing here in the middle of the night dressed like that?"

Voss looked at the guards standing nearby. "Move your guards back, this is top secret."

Dozier hesitated for only a moment and with his gun still in his hand, he ordered his men to move away.

"I have been undercover by order of Major Hochstetter," Voss continued. "The man you have tied to that cannon is suspected of being a spy, and is wanted by the Gestapo." Voss, being careful not to say the name "Papa Bear", looked at his watch and back at Dozier.

Hogan, shivering in the cold night air, wondered. How much does he know, where did he get his information and who else knows? I've always known I could be found out at any time, it looks like it finally happened.

So I was right! Dozier thought. "Do you have an appointment to keep?" the Oberst asked, noticing the Captain's preoccupation with his wristwatch.

"Well, as a matter of fact, I do? I have a rendezvous to make. I have infiltrated the Underground and I don't want to blow my cover. That's why I need your help getting this man to headquarters." And you're running out of time, if you only knew it. Sorry Dozier, but your guns and radar can be rebuilt. We may not have the chance to capture the "head" of the Underground and his men again.

"You must take this man to Gestapo headquarters and turn him over to them. Tell them he is to be held for Major Hochstetter and to book him under suspicion of espionage. They are to call Major Hochstetter immediately for further orders. You must do this now. He has information we need immediately!" Voss was trying to remain trusted by both Dozier and the Underground. He needed to get Dozier to move Hogan before the guns blew, without telling Dozier to soon about the cannons and giving him time to defuse them.

Dozier was pleased at the turn of events. The Gestapo warrant gave credence to Dozier's charges that Hogan was an accomplice to Biedenbender. Dozier looked from Voss to Hogan. "So, Colonel Hogan, you have been keeping secrets from us! I knew you were more than just a downed pilot. Especially when I tried to access your files and found they were marked "Confidential" and "Off the Record". No doubt by Biedenbender himself." He has to have help if he's operating from a POW camp! Klink? Yes, that would make sense.

Hogan, fighting the nausea Dozier's punches left behind, thought, if my files are marked confidential it wasn't' done by Biedenbender.

Voss continued, "This is classified information. Don't tell any of your men what I have shared. We are finding spies in many unusual positions. One of your soldiers could be among them. Nothing must interfere with the delivery of this prisoner."

Major Hochstetter doesn't want anyone to know about "Papa Bear's" capture until he has questioned him and can make the announcement himself. All I need is for word to get out and back to Gestapo headquarters in Berlin and I can kiss my promotion "goodbye".

"Now, you must hurry!" Voss looked once again at his watch.

"I want a guarantee that my name is mentioned in your report as already having him in my custody when you caught up with him," Dozier bargained.

"Of course, Herr Oberst, you have your guarantee; it will part of my report. There will be enough glory to go around. I hope I can also add how quickly you cooperated with the Gestapo in getting him back to Hammelburg, we need that information tonight."

Dozier caught the implication and called his men back. "Put this man in the back of the troop truck. We are taking him to Gestapo headquarters in Hammelburg, immediately."

The two guards unfastened the handcuffs and Hogan moaned, taking a staggered step forward to regain his balance. Pulling Hogan's arms forward, the guards refastened the cuffs before shoving him ahead of them. Not knowing exactly what was going on, Hogan remained quiet and observant, while trying to rub the pain in his stomach away with his cuffed hands.

The German Oberst stopped Hogan. "You seem to have lost your voice, Colonel Hogan. But I'm sure you'll find it again soon!" Grabbing Hogan's jacket he placed it over the American's shoulders. Then, smiling, slapped Hogan on the back, and draped his arm over his shoulder, in imitation of Hogan's drunken actions at the restaurant, "It wouldn't due to catch pneumonia and die before the Gestapo is finished with you!" the German Oberst taunted. "Take him," Dozier ordered, as he released his prey.

"I have to go now. Get your men away from your gun battery," Voss advised.

"What?" Dozier looked questioningly at Voss who had turned and now ran toward the woods.

Voss looking at his watch for the third time, shouted back. "You have four minutes before your artillery blows up."

Dozier stood momentarily stunned, searching his thoughts fruitlessly for a way to save his artillery, before yelling for his men to move away from the guns and take cover. As he ran for the truck, he yelled to the Corporal he passed, "I'm going to take this man to Hammelburg. You're in command until I get back."

Dozier reached the truck and got in the back with the American prisoner and the soldier guarding him. "Go," he ordered to the driver, trying to put as much space as he could between himself and the inevitable explosion. The truck lurched forward with a jerk. Dozier grabbed at the canvas tarp to steady himself, as he remained on his feet and watched out the back of the truck as the truck picked up speed, putting distance between them and their camp.

The first cannon blew, spewing a fireball and twisted metal, followed by another, and then another. After that it became a rumble as the cannon shells went off. The heat swept into the truck, and Dozier turned with fire in his eyes. He leapt at Hogan, fiercely striking him with his fist.

Hogan could taste the blood as the next blow came across the other side of his face.

"You did this! Somehow, I know you are responsible." The Oberst screamed, "I could kill you now," he said, slamming the barrel of his Lugar against Hogan's head.

Hogan squeezed his eyes shut, wondering if the agony of the shot would register in his brain before the bullet ripped consciousness away. He felt the tremble from Dozier's hand through the cold barrel of the gun, as it rocked back and forth against his temple. Holding his breath, he prayed, Please, let me die quick! Then, gradually, the barrel of the gun slid down the side of Hogan's head before it lost contact with his skin altogether as the German resisted the urge to pull the trigger.

He opened his eyes and took a shallow breath. He was still alive. Trembling, he coughed, spat the blood from his mouth, and sighed. Thank you! He prayed a second time.

"They have the wrong guy, besides I was with" Hogan took a quick breath. "…you" he finished, as he continued to splint his stomach with his cuffed hand. Always leave room for doubt. It may be the only thing that saves you. He would deny the truth all the way up the gallows steps, if need be.

Delivering a backhand, the German glared down red-faced. "I won't kill you now. You will be my ticket up the ladder. But I'm going to take such great pleasure in watching you suffer!" the Oberst swore.

Hogan slumped back against the side of the truck. This doesn't look good. Dozier's idea's are plausible enough to get me hung. And what about Voss, he seemed to have a lot of information. Did he already arrest my men?

Hogan was tired and beginning to wonder if he had spun his last lie, when his ears picked up the change in sound, as the truck rolled onto the bridge leading to Hammelburg, giving him a flicker of hope.

I have to trust that my men are able to stay alive!

Something in Hogan wouldn't let him accept defeat. His inability to give up had always been what gave him his edge over his opponents. Just when the enemy thought they had him down for the count.

If my men were able to do their job, one way or the other, I won't have to worry about the Gestapo or Dozier. With newly restored optimism and a battered body, he searched for the German Oberst's location through barely opened eyes. Perfect, finally something is going right!

Dozier was still facing Hogan, but both he and the guard had turned their heads back to view the glow in the sky that was once their artillery.

This is my one chance Hogan thought, mustering his strength, and swinging his left foot into Dozier's groin, on his way to deliver a double handed right hook to the guard sitting across from him. He knew he wouldn't have much time. The gun was still in Dozier's hand, as the German grabbed at the pain and folded over, dropping to his knees. Hogan headed for the back of the truck and with great effort leapt, placing his foot on the tailgate, and plummeted over. He hit the bridge on his feet and fell into a roll ending on his hands and knees, with a groan. A quick glance at the truck and he could see it approaching the midpoint, as the surprised guard regained his senses and raised his rifle.

Time to move. Grimacing, he struggled to his feet. The first bullet hit the metal railing a foot in front of him and ricocheted off with a ping. Running on adrenalin, Hogan placed his cuffed hands on the side railing and using his last bit of strength catapulted himself over the edge, dropping feet first into the river below, just as the truck hit the center of the bridge, and the Underground pushed down on the plunger.