Chapter 11
Hogan had gathered his men together after he returned from the meeting with Hochstetter. They were huddled outside of their barracks trying to keep warm in the rapidly chilling temperatures.
"Blimey, why does Klink force us to be outside during this period?" Newkirk complained. "I'd much rather be inside."
"It's not much warmer inside," Kinch replied.
"But there's no wind," Newkirk complained.
"Quiet down men," Hogan said. "While we're here, let's go over the plan a little." He idly tossed the football from hand to hand while waiting for the grumbling to stop. "The cold will work to our favor," he said. "It'll help me talk Klink into letting us out for another work detail."
"Can't we wait until it warms up a bit, Colonel?" LeBeau asked, hopping from one foot to the other and blowing on his gloved hands.
"No," Hogan replied. "Klink is getting tough with Hochstetter, so today was our last meeting. We've got to set up the escape for the day after tomorrow."
"So soon?" Carter asked. "Will everything be ready?"
Hogan nodded. "It's up to me to get the work detail," he said. "Everything will be set." Hogan squatted and motioned for the other to do the same. "We'll go over this in detail later, but here's the plan."
He drew a rough sketch of the clearing and indicated where the charges would be set. "First, there will be firecrackers in the woods that we'll set off. This'll make the guards think the clearing is being fired upon from the woods. When this happens, I want everyone to drop to the ground and move the best to you to the center of the clearing." Hogan looked around at the men. "This is important for two reasons," he continued. "First, I don't want the guards to think you are escaping and get trigger happy."
"That wouldn't be my first choice of events either," Kinch remarked.
Hogan chuckled and then continued, "And second, there will be explosive charges here and here." He pointed to areas of the sketch. "And I want everyone clear when they blow."
"But that looks like where the trucks will be," LeBeau commented.
Newkirk looked up at Hogan. "You plan to blow up the trucks so they can't follow you?" he asked.
Hogan smiled. "Right you are, Newkirk," he said. "Give that man a cigar!"
Newkirk smiled, pleased that he was able to deduce part of the plan.
"And after that explosion, we'll toss a couple of smoke grenades out in front of us and slip out to the woods behind us," Hogan explained.
"What about Schultz?" Kinch asked. "His post is right in front of the trucks."
"He'll move out into the center of the clearing to keep an eye on the prisoners," Hogan guessed. "That's why you need to be in the center and not closer to the edge. We want Schultz to move."
"And if he does move, he gets blown up," LeBeau observed. "One less filthy boche to deal with."
"No," Hogan countered. "If he gets hurt, Klink is more likely to retaliate against the prisoners."
"I never considered that," LeBeau replied.
Carter smiled at the Frenchman. "It's your first escape," he commented lightly. "You can't think of everything your first time."
"Oh, listen to the expert here," LeBeau teased.
"Can it," Hogan admonished. "We're bound to attract attention like this, so I want to get through a couple more points."
The men quieted down and Hogan continued, "After the smoke grenades are thrown, we'll sneak out into the woods behind the disabled truck. Whatever you do, do not, I repeat do not give the guards any reason to get tough with you. And whatever you do, don't point out that we are missing, let them discover it."
"That goes without saying, sir," Newkirk said solemnly.
"No, nothing should go without saying, no matter how obvious," Hogan corrected. "That's how things get overlooked."
"Sorry, sir," Newkirk mumbled.
"No need to be sorry," Hogan replied. "It's a new situation for all of you. It'll take some time to get used to it."
"Where will you go after you slip away?" LeBeau asked.
"That question brings up my last point," Hogan replied. "The less you know, the better."
"But …" Newkirk interjected.
"No, it's better," Hogan insisted. "Even Hochstetter won't know where I will be. He'll know who to talk to in order to reach us, but he won't know himself." He paused, looking around the group of men. "You've heard the saying 'Loose lips sink ships?' Well, in this case, even the tight lips won't know anything."
Before anyone could respond, Carter said, "Klink's noticed us."
Hogan glanced over towards the Kommandant's office. Indeed, Klink and Schultz had come out onto the porch. "Right on time," he commented. Both men stepped down into the compound with Klink pointing over at the huddle of prisoners. Schultz began walking in their direction, waving his arms and yelling something.
Hogan looked at the football in his hands thoughtfully. The he looked over at Kinch. "Kinch, you have a good arm. Do you think you can hit Klink from here?" he asked.
Kinch glanced over at the Kommandant. "No problem, Colonel," he replied.
"Good," Hogan responded. "Do that – throw it right at Klink. Try to hit him right in the head."
"But Colonel …" Kinch started.
"Don't worry, I'll be there to catch it," he said. "The rest of you – Newkirk, LeBeau play defense. Carter, you run over to the water tank. Let's make it look like we're playing a game."
"Defense?" LeBeau asked. "How do I do that? I don't know American football."
"You just run along with me and act like you're going to stop me from catching the ball," Hogan instructed. "Newkirk, you go with Carter. Now make it look good."
Schultz had finally reached the men and was asking what they were doing.
Hogan raised his voice and began making marks over the sketch on the ground. "Carter, run over to the water tank and try to get open," Hogan said, marking up the sketch so that it was unrecognizable. "I'll run deep. Kinch, you try to get the ball to me. Ready?"
"Ready!" came the response from the men.
"Colonel Hogan, the Kommandant wants to know what you are up to," Schultz said.
"Not now Schultz," Hogan replied. "It's a tie game and I'm trying to win it."
"But Colonel Hogan …" Schultz whined.
"Later Schultz," Hogan interrupted. "Okay, Kinch,"
Kinch began barking out numbers. When he said, "Hut," Hogan took off running right at Klink. He saw Klink's eyes widen with surprise and he began to wave Hogan away.
When he got closer, Hogan turned around to look for the ball. It was flying through the air, right on target. He heard Klink yelling frantically for him to stay away, stop the ball and a few other colorful German insults. Hogan ignored Klink, concentrating on the ball. He wanted to scare Klink, not hit him.
The ball arced downward and Hogan leapt into the air, catching the ball right before it hit Klink in the head. The Kommandant stumbled backwards, as if he had been shoved.
"Touchdown!" Hogan yelled back at Kinch.
"Colonel Hogan!" Klink exclaimed.
"Kommandant, if you want to play, all you have to do is ask," Hogan said, a big smile plastered on his face.
"Colonel Hogan," Klink repeated. "I do not wish to play your games."
"Then if I were you, Kommandant, I would stay off the field," Hogan remarked, looking over at LeBeau, who had caught up with him and was standing nearby.
Just then, Schultz came lumbering up, panting. "Colonel Hogan, you should not scare the Kommandant so," he said breathlessly.
"Schultz! You dummkopf! I was not scared!" Klink protested. "I was just …"
"Are you sure you don't want to play, Kommandant?" Hogan asked. He tossed the ball in Klink's direction.
The German Colonel grabbed at it, fumbled it around and watched as the ball dropped at his feet.
"On second thought, you're right," Hogan remarked. "You probably shouldn't play."
"Hogan, I'm warning you," Klink said menacingly. "I will not tolerate these games from you."
"Football?" Hogan asked. "What do you have against football?"
Klink glared at Hogan for a moment and then shook his fist at him. "Hmmph!" he said, turning towards his office.
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Hogan followed Schultz into the outer room of the Kommandant's office building. He had decided not to make the same mistake again and requested a meeting with Klink to discuss the work detail.
Helga was sitting behind her desk sorting the mail. Schultz greeted her and asked if the Kommandant was ready.
"He will be a few more minutes, Sergeant," she responded. "He said to tell you that you can leave Hogan out here until he is ready."
Schultz nodded and motioned for Hogan to sit in one of the chairs and wait. He smiled at Helga before leaving the office.
Hogan sat down and glanced over at Helga. She was looking at him with an expression on her face that Hogan couldn't decipher. He was just glad that it wasn't as scornful as previously. When she realized that Hogan had caught her looking at him, she quickly looked away and busied herself with the envelopes in front of her.
Hogan kept looking at her and noticed that she seemed to be blushing. Now this is very interesting, he thought. Before she wouldn't give me the time of day and now she's blushing because I caught her looking at me. I knew she'd come around! Hogan was still looking at Helga when she glanced in his direction again. He flashed her a warm smile and she quickly looked away again. Hogan could see the red splotches on her cheeks darken. Bingo! I caught her looking twice. Another smile like that and I might just be in business. I guess this little goldfish bowl is starting to get a little friendlier.
Hogan remained sitting, trying not to be too obvious with his staring. But he caught Helga glancing over at him every so often and then quickly looking away.
After a few minutes, she rose from her chair and walked to the filing cabinets against the wall. She opened the bottom drawer and bent down to retrieve a file from it – presenting a very nice view to Hogan. Hogan smiled. He knew that this was done purposefully, to allow him the opportunity to view her – he almost chuckled at the thought – assets.
When she had retrieved the file, she straightened up and turned around. When she noticed Hogan looking at her, she feigned a shocked expression. "Why, Colonel Hogan!" she exclaimed. "Do you mind?" She put her hands on her hips to try to show indignation, but Hogan could see a sparkle in her eyes. Rob, this little lady is flirting with you something fierce, he thought. I suppose it's time I return the favor!
Hogan smiled warmly. "No, I didn't mind it at all," he replied smoothly. "As a matter of fact, I appreciated it very much."
He could see the corners of her mouth twitch as she tried not to smile. "Oh, Colonel, you've been in here too long. You'd say that to any woman," she said, waving a hand dismissively in Hogan's direction as she sat back down behind her desk.
Hogan noticed that she did not place herself fully behind the desk – she had kept her chair turned in his direction, and he could see one leg. As she sat, Helga adjusted her skirt - Hogan assumed it was to look as if she were getting more comfortable in her seat. But he had to smile when he noticed that the hem of her skirt actually rose on her leg, and she was now displaying quite a lot to him. Klink, if there is ever a day for you to be so busy that I have to sit here for an hour, this is the day!
As if on cue, Helga grimaced in pain and reached down to rub her ankle. "Oh, these shoes are just so uncomfortable!" she said absently.
"You should take them off if they bother you," Hogan replied. "You'll be more comfortable."
Helga looked at him and clucked in mock disapproval. "Colonel Hogan, I'll thank you not to concern yourself with my clothing," she said. Hogan could tell that she was trying to make herself sound disapproving, but it was obvious that she was now enjoying their little game of cat and mouse.
Hogan chuckled. "I assure you, Fräulein Helga, I was not thinking about your clothing at all," he said teasingly.
He saw her cheeks grow crimson as she quickly removed her shoe and stretched her leg out, wriggling her toes. "That feels much better," she sighed.
"If it feels as good as it looks," Hogan commented, "then you should be ready for a night of dancing!"
"Colonel Hogan, stop it!" she giggled.
"If you want me to," Hogan replied dryly. He knew she didn't want him to stop, but he was not about to appear too eager to continue. He may be in a prison camp in the middle of Germany, but this game was played the same way everywhere.
"You are incorrigible, Colonel," Helga admonished.
"Actually, I'm very encouraged," Hogan replied with a smile.
At that moment, the door to Klink's private office opened and Klink stuck his head out to look around the room. Seeing Hogan, he said, "Colonel Hogan, please come in."
Hogan rose from the chair and tugged on his jacket to straighten it. As he passed by her desk, Hogan gave Helga a wink and a smile. She turned her attention quickly back to the work on her desk, but not before Hogan could see her cheeks begin to redden again. Now THAT is more like it, my dear!
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Hogan stood in front of Klink's desk, watching the German officer slap his ever-present riding crop idly against his palm. The armed guard was present again, standing to the side of the desk, alert to the possibility of any harm coming to his commander.
"I see you have your bodyguard again," Hogan commented.
"Of course," Klink replied. "I am not a man to take unnecessary risks. Now, let us talk about the work detail you are requesting. Why do you need more firewood? Your men just cut an entire truckload for your use."
"One truckload is not going to last through the winter, Kommandant," Hogan replied sarcastically.
"And so why not wait until this load is gone?" Klink probed.
"Why wait?" Hogan countered. "The weather is nice now and it never hurts to have more than enough wood. After all, your guards will also be getting another truckload."
Klink leaned back in his chair, pondering the suggestion.
Hogan waited. Yes, why wait, Kommandant? In fact, I can't wait. I have a date to break out of this camp.
Klink leaned forward and rested his elbows on his desk. "All right, Colonel," he said. "You can have your work detail – but this time, you will have to fill two trucks for the guards before you can fill one for yourselves."
"What?" Hogan cried. "That's unfair!"
"Unfair or not, that's the offer," Klink replied calmly.
"You can't do this!" Hogan exclaimed. "Last time we got half the wood and now you're telling me that we only get a third of it?"
"Exactly," Klink said, smiling. "I think it is a perfectly reasonable offer. You do have enough wood already."
"But what you're doing is forcing the prisoners to work for you," Hogan replied.
"You can take it or leave it, Colonel," Klink responded.
"But …" Hogan started.
"Since you continue to argue, I am assuming that you are refusing my offer," Klink said, standing. "You will make do with the wood you have."
"And when it runs out?" Hogan asked.
"Not my concern," Klink retorted.
"But the Geneva …" Hogan blurted.
"Colonel Hogan," Klink interrupted in a raised voice. "As far as I am concerned, you can burn your blasted Geneva Convention to keep warm!"
Hogan was silent, glaring at the Kommandant. He knew that Klink had the upper hand here – and he hated it. He had to get Klink to approve the work detail, or the escape plan would be ruined. After taking several deep breaths to calm himself, he said, "I'm sorry, Kommandant. I guess I got a little carried away."
Klink gave a small shrug.
Hogan sighed. "I accept your offer," he said quietly.
Klink began chuckling. "What was that, Colonel?" he asked. "I didn't quite hear you."
"I said, I accept your offer," Hogan replied through clenched teeth. He glared at the German officer, hating to see the arrogant smile being directed at him. He felt his arms begin to tremble as he fought the urge to knock out the teeth that were taunting him. He knew that the action would make him feel very good – but he also knew that the guard would then make him feel very dead.
Klink laughed. "I approve your work detail, Colonel Hogan," Klink replied. "But I am afraid that due to your outburst, the offer has changed. You will now fill three truckloads for the guards before you can fill one for yourselves."
Hogan burned with anger. If he didn't need this work detail, he would tell Klink what he could do with the firewood – for that matter, what he could do with the trucks! Instead, he simply forced himself to shrug. "Fine with me," he replied in a resigned voice.
"And just to make sure you are not planning to waste your time, I will accompany the work detail," Klink added.
"Sir?" Hogan responded. "We worked well enough with Sergeant Schultz guarding us."
"True, true," Klink agreed. "But now you have to fill two more trucks, and your men just might decide to work at a leisurely pace."
Damn! With Klink at the site, it's going to make it a little harder for the plan to work. He's really going to take offense when the escape happens right in front of his eyes. Hogan stared back at Klink before responding. "Suit yourself," he replied.
Klink laughed heartily. "Colonel, when will you learn that I always operate to suit myself?" he replied. "Have your men ready after roll call tomorrow morning. You are dismissed."
After dismissing Hogan, Klink sat at his desk and ignored the American officer. Hogan remained in front of the desk, staring at the shiny bald head of the Kommandant as he bent over his work. Not for long, if I can help it, you arrogant jerk, he thought. If I have my say, you'll be operating to save your sorry ass from getting shot by somebody named Ivan, Igor or Vladimir!
Finally Hogan turned and left the office. As he passed by Helga's desk, he heard her clear her throat and he stopped and looked at the blonde secretary.
She smiled at him and batted her eyes a few times before speaking. "Leaving so soon?" she asked demurely.
Hogan smiled back at her. Robbie, my boy, you've still got it!